Week 8 - Dickie and James

Got lost in Glasgow on Monday morning which was, apart from being rather embarrassing, kind of frustrating because I wasn’t able to help toil and sweat in the arduous task of carrying all the kit from the Halls to the Academy. Gutted. We watched the first episode of The West Wing in Adam’s class and were assigned the exciting task of storylining a season for a TV drama featuring a Scottish Prime Minister, a task which proved to be more of an undertaking than I first expected. Murdo, John and I came up with a rather interesting drama called Corridors of Power. It’s definitely got potential.

Only had to nip in for an hour today for another formative assessment on camera and this time we were required to record a pan and a tilt. Exciting stuff! Actually I wasn’t all that happy with mine but I’m sure practise is all that’s required. Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning were spent on another shoot – this time for a Gaelic Short Film competition – making it the second one in the space of a week. May there be many more.

I was impressed, yet again, by Richard Attenborough with his compelling film Cry Freedom. It was very well made, quite powerful and must have been, at the time it was released (1987), very thought-provoking and challenging. I would be exaggerating to say that it hooked me from the start and took me on a roller-coaster ride of emotion only letting me off when the credits began to roll… It didn’t. However, it was a brave statement on the issue of racism and like all Attenborough’s films gave a helpful insight into a period of history. What fascinated me most about the film, and what caused it to make a bigger impression than it might otherwise have deserved, was that it tackled the portrayal of family life honestly and unashamedly. Instead of modernising and americanising the typical family it was accurate even down to the excitement of the children at getting to stay up and watch a movie… as long as they got their pyjamas on first. It was just the same in my family, if only it was the same in many more in today’s society. Many do not even understand the concept of family and it seems the Donald Woods father figure is a rare find.

Dickie Darling is the epitome of an old English gentleman. That veteran actor sat in his chair, more experience on his shoulders than everyone in that room put together, and talked about… his fame, his success, his knowledge? Oh no, he captivated us like his own grandchildren gathered before the fire and talked about love, family and friendship; the only things of any consequence in this fleeting world. There was something surreal about hearing him talk about having breakfast with (‘sweet’) Steven Spielberg and I look forward to the rumoured Jurassic Park 4! I felt honoured to be the first one to ask a question which was well answered and highlighted the significance of the description The Actor’s Director; he makes films about historical people and events because he is more interested in real people and real events than in the art of cinema. It was truly a privilege to see and speak to a genuine legend and let’s face it how often does one get called “Darling”… never mind by Richard Attenborough?

“Well, I was working with James McAvoy on Friday, having a word with Richard Attenborough on Thursday… can’t recall who it was on Wednesday….” Such is the life of an Academy student! It was an interesting workshop with DFTV 4 and the second year actors, made slightly more interesting by the presence of a Hollywood star, but I was not all that impressed by the directing or camera skills of the fourth years. However, they did work well as a unit and the finished shot looked pretty professional. All the actors’ comments, along with the gems of wisdom offered by James, were probably the most helpful aspect of the whole workshop as it is vital to know the processes and point-of-view of an actor when faced with a lens. It is important to bear these things in mind and I look forward to putting this into practise in the future. The near future, I hope.