Yet another bank holiday this Monday (hey, I'm not complaining!) during which Charlotte, Murdo and myself took kit over to the Arches and filmed the first of the Black Cats and Blue Angels cabaret performances from the Musical Theatre students. I learnt a few things from this experience: some of these performers think they are comedians; some are; some have one-track minds; some are great entertainers; and some can barely sing. Most of all I learnt that if I wasn't so desperate to be a filmmaker I would love to do that course. Maybe in the next life...
‘Production day’ on Tuesday (a.k.a. tutors-all-away-so-no-classes day) so used it in my own productive way!
True to form I was busy Wednesday morning again, this time with a meeting for MER reps (three turned up, myself included!) about changes to the agenda and also to get our feedback on the process. Following this I had a PAT Tutorial which was rather brief for, as Andy said, I’ve had a good year.
Wednesday afternoon saw the first of many Production sessions with Abigail to keep us on track with Little Clown. She went over the role of Script Supervisor with me and poor Michael, who I thought might have a break-down afterwards. I didn’t think it looked too complicated but it was rather a lot of information to take in all at once.
Our last teaching class with Andy was on the rise of high concept, effects-driven, blockbuster Hollywood filmmaking; all that popcorn that’s sold between the months of May and September. I don’t have a problem with this type of filmmaking (or should I say moviemaking!) in general except that it is entirely motivated by money rather than creative passion. There is nothing wrong with pleasing the masses but I think intentions should always be to make something worthwhile and good first and foremost and if it pleases the masses then so much the better. However if the intention is to give people what they want first and foremost then we end up with a whole lot of junk food which doesn’t do us any good and is in fact harmful. Often as creative practitioners in a medium of mass-communication we have a responsibility to refrain from giving the world what it wants and instead give it what it needs.
Next was another Production sesh with Abigail in which we made a Pre-production schedule for Little Clown; a very helpful process to visualise what has to be done and the time in which it should be accomplished. I used to do a similar thing in preparation for my exams at school. I am often surprised at how neatly all aspects of filmmaking fit with my personality and experience.
Adamant that a ray of light be cast on the current situation our course leader and camera tutor joined us for an update on the Little Clown situation on Friday morning. Following this Michael and myself in Post and Graeme in Sound had a meeting to discuss the script in more detail.
This week ended with a brief Production class where we covered the role of a Script Reader and were given an assignment to create a readers’ report.
A weekend overflowing with beautiful sunny weather caused me to long, only for a moment, that it was summer; but with assignments to complete, a film to make and a term to finish its not time to be thinking about sunbathing yet.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Week 5 – A Juggling Five-year-old
I decided to write a poem about my experience at Showlight:
Showlight 2009
The BBC were kind enough to let us help at Showlight
But I confess the work experience wasn’t actually the highlight,
For the free food that they offered, especially on Monday night,
Was supreme in taste and quantity and to me a pure delight!
But, despite the joy of moving table between each course,
The real hilarity ensued from the studio talk-back discourse,
Where a bored and dosing audience was the prime comedic source
Along with Derek (no small director), who told Luke to “use the force”.
We all met Roberto Schaefer, I feel I ought to add,
And learnt and did so much the recollection makes me glad.
Camera was great fun and even sound was not too bad,
All in all a great experience I’m hugely grateful that I had.
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls is a documentary about 1970s Hollywood and the directors of this time. I thought it was quite well made, though it did feel rather long, and it gave an interesting insight into the lives of some well-known directors.
On Thursday morning we finally discovered what we would be working on for the rest of this term. Instead of commissioning two scripts from now on there will be one big production that everyone will work on. I think this is a good development as it means we have more people, more money, more skills and more chance of making a really high quality film whilst avoiding the conflict that arises from having two productions running simultaneously. It does of course mean that fewer films will be made so there are fewer chances to try different roles. Charlotte’s Little Clown was commissioned; a marvellous script though quite a challenge. There is high demand from the art department with costume, make-up and set-dressing; an interesting ‘fantasy’ sequence; a good few extras, children to complicate matters; and to top it all the protagonist is a five-year-old boy… who has to be able to juggle!
Having already tried some Producing I thought I’d try and contribute to the creative side of this film a bit more and so I am to be an editor, along with Michael. On-set I will hopefully be trying my hand as a Script Supervisor. I am really looking forward to seeing this project develop; I think it could be amazing.
We wrapped up the TV module for this term with Andy on Friday morning by looking at the changes in how people watch television. This was a brief session so I took the opportunity to watch Easy Rider afterwards.
Maybe I never really gave it much of a chance but I thought Easy Rider was a terrible film. It was directed and produced by the stars playing the main roles and it seemed like they'd just thought it would be fun to mess about on motorbikes and make a film at the same time. Luckily they were in Hollywood so they had all the money and resources required to make a professional movie but I can’t help thinking two students with one camcorder and a decent story to tell might have done a better job. It was also highly predictable and occasionally agonisingly slow-paced so much so that I confess I was waiting for the end through most of it. It did, however, provide an interesting take on the concept of a misfit or outcast and how we react to counterculture or nonconformity. It sort of makes a point about freedom, I think, but not effectively or clearly enough to be engaging. Ultimately it looked quite nice, I enjoyed seeing the American landscapes, but it wasn’t entertaining.
We watched Floating Is Easy in Production and it was interesting to see the finished product of the script we have been breaking-down and scheduling. Abigail gave us some more advice to set us up for our upcoming production and she will be mentoring the production process for this film which should be very useful. So away we go… to find a five-year-old… who can juggle!
Showlight 2009
The BBC were kind enough to let us help at Showlight
But I confess the work experience wasn’t actually the highlight,
For the free food that they offered, especially on Monday night,
Was supreme in taste and quantity and to me a pure delight!
But, despite the joy of moving table between each course,
The real hilarity ensued from the studio talk-back discourse,
Where a bored and dosing audience was the prime comedic source
Along with Derek (no small director), who told Luke to “use the force”.
We all met Roberto Schaefer, I feel I ought to add,
And learnt and did so much the recollection makes me glad.
Camera was great fun and even sound was not too bad,
All in all a great experience I’m hugely grateful that I had.
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls is a documentary about 1970s Hollywood and the directors of this time. I thought it was quite well made, though it did feel rather long, and it gave an interesting insight into the lives of some well-known directors.
On Thursday morning we finally discovered what we would be working on for the rest of this term. Instead of commissioning two scripts from now on there will be one big production that everyone will work on. I think this is a good development as it means we have more people, more money, more skills and more chance of making a really high quality film whilst avoiding the conflict that arises from having two productions running simultaneously. It does of course mean that fewer films will be made so there are fewer chances to try different roles. Charlotte’s Little Clown was commissioned; a marvellous script though quite a challenge. There is high demand from the art department with costume, make-up and set-dressing; an interesting ‘fantasy’ sequence; a good few extras, children to complicate matters; and to top it all the protagonist is a five-year-old boy… who has to be able to juggle!
Having already tried some Producing I thought I’d try and contribute to the creative side of this film a bit more and so I am to be an editor, along with Michael. On-set I will hopefully be trying my hand as a Script Supervisor. I am really looking forward to seeing this project develop; I think it could be amazing.
We wrapped up the TV module for this term with Andy on Friday morning by looking at the changes in how people watch television. This was a brief session so I took the opportunity to watch Easy Rider afterwards.
Maybe I never really gave it much of a chance but I thought Easy Rider was a terrible film. It was directed and produced by the stars playing the main roles and it seemed like they'd just thought it would be fun to mess about on motorbikes and make a film at the same time. Luckily they were in Hollywood so they had all the money and resources required to make a professional movie but I can’t help thinking two students with one camcorder and a decent story to tell might have done a better job. It was also highly predictable and occasionally agonisingly slow-paced so much so that I confess I was waiting for the end through most of it. It did, however, provide an interesting take on the concept of a misfit or outcast and how we react to counterculture or nonconformity. It sort of makes a point about freedom, I think, but not effectively or clearly enough to be engaging. Ultimately it looked quite nice, I enjoyed seeing the American landscapes, but it wasn’t entertaining.
We watched Floating Is Easy in Production and it was interesting to see the finished product of the script we have been breaking-down and scheduling. Abigail gave us some more advice to set us up for our upcoming production and she will be mentoring the production process for this film which should be very useful. So away we go… to find a five-year-old… who can juggle!
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Week 4 - "This is the BBC!"
Something’s up with the communication lines between staff. Richard had no idea we would be working on Showlight with the BBC next week and so was slightly concerned about when our next tutorial would be. Then there’s the whole issue with the screenplays which he submitted. Two of them were supposed to be commissioned and made this term but no-one knows why that’s not happened yet either. Ah well, it all adds to the pressure and general confusion of the busiest term… I do love it.
Kim really made us work on Monday afternoon: sticking story beats up on the wall, fetching her cups of water, holding open the door… while she just sat there with her feet up! I mean you’d think she’d injured her leg or something the way she was carry on!! Anyway, it was rather interesting to put our Corrie stories together and arrange them into episodes.
Tuesday morning was a very brief class with Ray where we just ironed out any final issues with the upcoming technical projects: Showlight at the weekend, Black Cats and Blue Angels in a couple of weeks and ultimately the end-of-year class films (our assessment). I look forward to them all in eager anticipation and marvel once again at being privileged enough to have such opportunities. The independent projects are still going on the side of course and I spent the rest of the morning working on Dust.
Feeding my addiction of using Wednesday mornings productively Murdo, myself and some of the crew did a quick location recce for some scenes for Dust then proceeded in a chaotic, rushed, but quite successful, lunchtime shoot in the Academy Café Bar and the Fyfe Lecture Theatre. It seemed I spent most of the time scrounging for extras!
Abandoned and desolate the class of DFTV 1 sat in silence and sorrow staring at the empty screen in the Fyfe. They were waiting, nay, longing for one – just one – tutor to take the time to set up their screening of Bonnie and Clyde. But did anyone come? In Andy’s absence was there no-one who would show them kindness and compassion? Did anyone care? Unfortunately not, so eventually I had to go and find Gavin and request that he put the film on for us. The neglect…
Bonnie and Clyde was an entertaining film even if the ending was a bit of a downer (it was rather extreme… why couldn’t they have done it Charlotte’s Web-style!). I confess I saw it coming, or at least guessed the message of the film, from the moment they first jump in a stolen car and drive away. As with all stories about rebellion and the running away from the consequences of one’s actions it is inevitable that it will end with the main character(s) facing up to those consequences. It’s the classic adolescent film really. We rebel as teenagers and do just what we want because we don’t believe our actions will have consequences; and, of course, they do. Funnily enough I was ‘forced’ to go and see 17 Again with my sisters that evening and it had a very similar message, almost as a warning to high school kids, that we may feel like we can just do whatever we want but ultimately this is the beginning of life, we only get one shot, and we will have to accept the consequences of our actions at some point.
John and I are brainstorming away on a sit-com idea for the web. Adam seems to think it has some potential.
On Thursday evening I finished watching a BBC Series called Cranford; an engagingly enjoyable and expertly executed production and a reminder that the BBC really can make some high-quality programmes. In fact that ‘Jane Austen period’ costume-drama is probably what they do best, to a standard that no-one else in the world can match. I can’t get enough of it.
John Yorke from the BBC gave us a talk on Friday morning about story structure, and its importance in any writing. It was very informative and even though I was already familiar with some of the content the fresh and straightforward style in which it was delivered made it quite inspiring. I confess I was somewhat disappointed in his vocabulary (he seemed often limited to colloquial vulgarities!) but he was honest and open and I think he was genuinely interested in helping us. I am increasingly tempted to consider soaps as a next step in my career because I know I could do it and that it would be enormously beneficial to me… it’s just that I really don’t want to! Who knows, maybe it’ll grow on me (…like a fungus!).
In continuation of the ‘BBC’ theme this weekend was the start of our work experience with BBC Scotland on an event called Showlight, which is a gathering for all 'lighting people'. It is an amazingly exciting opportunity and it really gives me the feeling of getting somewhere in life if I can casually say, “Yeah, I’m working at the BBC this weekend.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglY3cDTFOo
Kim really made us work on Monday afternoon: sticking story beats up on the wall, fetching her cups of water, holding open the door… while she just sat there with her feet up! I mean you’d think she’d injured her leg or something the way she was carry on!! Anyway, it was rather interesting to put our Corrie stories together and arrange them into episodes.
Tuesday morning was a very brief class with Ray where we just ironed out any final issues with the upcoming technical projects: Showlight at the weekend, Black Cats and Blue Angels in a couple of weeks and ultimately the end-of-year class films (our assessment). I look forward to them all in eager anticipation and marvel once again at being privileged enough to have such opportunities. The independent projects are still going on the side of course and I spent the rest of the morning working on Dust.
Feeding my addiction of using Wednesday mornings productively Murdo, myself and some of the crew did a quick location recce for some scenes for Dust then proceeded in a chaotic, rushed, but quite successful, lunchtime shoot in the Academy Café Bar and the Fyfe Lecture Theatre. It seemed I spent most of the time scrounging for extras!
Abandoned and desolate the class of DFTV 1 sat in silence and sorrow staring at the empty screen in the Fyfe. They were waiting, nay, longing for one – just one – tutor to take the time to set up their screening of Bonnie and Clyde. But did anyone come? In Andy’s absence was there no-one who would show them kindness and compassion? Did anyone care? Unfortunately not, so eventually I had to go and find Gavin and request that he put the film on for us. The neglect…
Bonnie and Clyde was an entertaining film even if the ending was a bit of a downer (it was rather extreme… why couldn’t they have done it Charlotte’s Web-style!). I confess I saw it coming, or at least guessed the message of the film, from the moment they first jump in a stolen car and drive away. As with all stories about rebellion and the running away from the consequences of one’s actions it is inevitable that it will end with the main character(s) facing up to those consequences. It’s the classic adolescent film really. We rebel as teenagers and do just what we want because we don’t believe our actions will have consequences; and, of course, they do. Funnily enough I was ‘forced’ to go and see 17 Again with my sisters that evening and it had a very similar message, almost as a warning to high school kids, that we may feel like we can just do whatever we want but ultimately this is the beginning of life, we only get one shot, and we will have to accept the consequences of our actions at some point.
John and I are brainstorming away on a sit-com idea for the web. Adam seems to think it has some potential.
On Thursday evening I finished watching a BBC Series called Cranford; an engagingly enjoyable and expertly executed production and a reminder that the BBC really can make some high-quality programmes. In fact that ‘Jane Austen period’ costume-drama is probably what they do best, to a standard that no-one else in the world can match. I can’t get enough of it.
John Yorke from the BBC gave us a talk on Friday morning about story structure, and its importance in any writing. It was very informative and even though I was already familiar with some of the content the fresh and straightforward style in which it was delivered made it quite inspiring. I confess I was somewhat disappointed in his vocabulary (he seemed often limited to colloquial vulgarities!) but he was honest and open and I think he was genuinely interested in helping us. I am increasingly tempted to consider soaps as a next step in my career because I know I could do it and that it would be enormously beneficial to me… it’s just that I really don’t want to! Who knows, maybe it’ll grow on me (…like a fungus!).
In continuation of the ‘BBC’ theme this weekend was the start of our work experience with BBC Scotland on an event called Showlight, which is a gathering for all 'lighting people'. It is an amazingly exciting opportunity and it really gives me the feeling of getting somewhere in life if I can casually say, “Yeah, I’m working at the BBC this weekend.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglY3cDTFOo
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Week 3 – Representing Reality
Monday was a bank holiday so this week started with another editing assessment. Here we were given the whole day in which to cut together a rough edit of the other groups film from last term. So I was working on Melissa’s Mail and I quite enjoyed the experience. Editing is perhaps the most instantly gratifying form of storytelling and perhaps the most crucial one in the whole filmmaking process.
Paradise Now was quite a surprise. The characters and plot were interesting and engaging and overall I thought it was a well-written, well-executed film. It was not particularly entertaining and I found the subject matter a little hard to relate to but it did get me thinking about the representation of real-life situations. As Andy has often said, film is not reality. It is fiction, or, as Robert McKee puts it “Story is metaphor for life”. So when we start shaping a story around real people, or a real place, or real situations we have to say more than just the facts, or it wouldn’t be a story. We have to comment on the facts, give emotional significance to the facts, in order to make a point. However the audience isn’t necessarily aware that they are being influenced in this way and therefore representation is very important. We can of course take it too far so that we lose all sense of story. Ridley Scott’s film Kingdom of Heaven, I think, had this problem. It makes such a supreme effort to remain faithful to the facts but keep the representation of the Christians and the Saracens completely neutral that it ended up making absolutely no point at all. I would say the safest method is simply to avoid setting the story in the real world. This doesn’t necessarily mean setting it in a fantasy land or far-away galaxy but rather in a hyper-realism or a copy of our world where life can be commented on freely. There are some great stories that say something about real life without having to be set in the real world; the ultimate, and my favourite, would have to be the Narnia series.
On Wednesday afternoon we had a chat from Michelle Cotter from FilmG telling us about the competition this year. I am definitely planning to enter, with more than one film if I can. Last year it was just a bit of fun and now all of a sudden it seems all big and serious… maybe it’s just Adam’s influence!
We finished our look at representation on Thursday morning with Andy, discussing how Muslims are represented, then had another Mobile and Web-based Content class with Adam in the afternoon. We are now coming up with ideas for a web drama; as well as premises for Richard, Corrie ideas for Kim and Gaelic ideas for FilmG… I feel a touch creatively drained!
On Friday morning we watched two documentaries, the first being Left of Frame. This was an interesting and informative look at the political power of television to finish up from the previous session. The second was about the history of Channel Four which I was not entirely prepared for and which depressed me quite significantly. I had not realised just how distasteful some of its programmes were and how lawlessly, even childishly, this channel had acted. It may have done a lot to provide competition and alternative programming (and I do enjoy a bit of Father Ted!) but in my opinion it is an example of television as little more than “wires and lights in a box”.
Lastly I had a brief tutorial with Abigail where we discussed my scene breakdown and strip board. All seemed well and I was able to stuff another awesome week of learning into my pocket of experience.
Paradise Now was quite a surprise. The characters and plot were interesting and engaging and overall I thought it was a well-written, well-executed film. It was not particularly entertaining and I found the subject matter a little hard to relate to but it did get me thinking about the representation of real-life situations. As Andy has often said, film is not reality. It is fiction, or, as Robert McKee puts it “Story is metaphor for life”. So when we start shaping a story around real people, or a real place, or real situations we have to say more than just the facts, or it wouldn’t be a story. We have to comment on the facts, give emotional significance to the facts, in order to make a point. However the audience isn’t necessarily aware that they are being influenced in this way and therefore representation is very important. We can of course take it too far so that we lose all sense of story. Ridley Scott’s film Kingdom of Heaven, I think, had this problem. It makes such a supreme effort to remain faithful to the facts but keep the representation of the Christians and the Saracens completely neutral that it ended up making absolutely no point at all. I would say the safest method is simply to avoid setting the story in the real world. This doesn’t necessarily mean setting it in a fantasy land or far-away galaxy but rather in a hyper-realism or a copy of our world where life can be commented on freely. There are some great stories that say something about real life without having to be set in the real world; the ultimate, and my favourite, would have to be the Narnia series.
On Wednesday afternoon we had a chat from Michelle Cotter from FilmG telling us about the competition this year. I am definitely planning to enter, with more than one film if I can. Last year it was just a bit of fun and now all of a sudden it seems all big and serious… maybe it’s just Adam’s influence!
We finished our look at representation on Thursday morning with Andy, discussing how Muslims are represented, then had another Mobile and Web-based Content class with Adam in the afternoon. We are now coming up with ideas for a web drama; as well as premises for Richard, Corrie ideas for Kim and Gaelic ideas for FilmG… I feel a touch creatively drained!
On Friday morning we watched two documentaries, the first being Left of Frame. This was an interesting and informative look at the political power of television to finish up from the previous session. The second was about the history of Channel Four which I was not entirely prepared for and which depressed me quite significantly. I had not realised just how distasteful some of its programmes were and how lawlessly, even childishly, this channel had acted. It may have done a lot to provide competition and alternative programming (and I do enjoy a bit of Father Ted!) but in my opinion it is an example of television as little more than “wires and lights in a box”.
Lastly I had a brief tutorial with Abigail where we discussed my scene breakdown and strip board. All seemed well and I was able to stuff another awesome week of learning into my pocket of experience.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Paradise Now
Said and Khaled are Muslims who are trapped in a state of injustice and oppression and they see a suicide mission as their only chance of escape and retaliation, and as an opportunity to earn their place in heaven. Both were very well rounded characters and through the course of the film their views and goals swapped.
I am, of course, quite unfamiliar with the culture and background of the characters so it is hard to empathise entirely and it seems, judging by the representation in the film, that suicide-bombers are generally people who can be easily manipulated; neither characters needed much persuasion but both changed their minds judging by what others said. In this way we could see their vulnerability and how those who took advantage of it (i.e. Jamed) could easily lead them onto the wrong path.
However, I believe they were honestly and realistically portrayed, with emotional depth and personal journeys. When we think of a 'terrorist' it is so easy to distance ourselves and form a caricature of what that is. This film broke straight through the misrepresentation of Western media and provided us with people with stories behind the faces and a state of mind which is in some way relatable.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Week 2 – In the Heat of the Dance
Fighting is pointless, rugby is dangerous, driving is hazardous but the real risk is found not in any of these things, but actually in ceilidh dancing. Kim Millar warned us of this by injuring herself during a Strip the Willow at the weekend so postponing our Content class where we would pitch our story ideas for Coronation Street. I hope she recovers soon.
The search is on for the ultimate seven minute script idea… In my tutorial with Richard we both came to the conclusion I haven’t found it yet.
Tuesday was assessment day for editing which meant it was quite relaxing, since I only needed to be there for an hour and the actual test (logging and capturing) couldn’t have been easier.
Wednesday morning was used productively as we recorded some voice-overs for Dust. In the afternoon we had a screening of In the Heat of the Night; a slick edgy murder mystery which tackled issues of racism and prejudice. It was one of those ‘only just colour’ films and there was an obvious sense of the movement into a new Hollywood era. It presented some interesting and memorable characters and featured the much quoted line “They call me Mister Tibbs!”. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thursday was a full day of Andy! The morning class was continuing on from our screening the day before with a look at the representation of gender and race. This is of course hugely important and I was struck yet again by the responsibility we have as practioners in this medium of mass communication to produce content which is not only fair but which is encouraging what is good and discouraging what is bad. I am so conscious that so many films blur this principle and excuse themselves by calling it a joke, or style, or realism. We must live up to our responsibilities and be fully aware of the huge effect that films can have for good, but also for bad.
In the afternoon we returned to our study of television and looked at it as a political force. We watched the pilot episode of Boys from the Blackstuff which was compelling viewing though perhaps a little drawn out by today’s standards. I enjoyed the story and could see the political significance but I confess what fascinated me most was seeing King Theoden of Rohan with a black moustache and a broad Liverpool accent!
It was good to see that Adam is still finding the time to teach, and we had a very interesting class on Friday morning looking at the technology surrounding mobile and web-based content. It’s almost scary to see how far we’ve come in such a short time and where we will be in the near future. However the fact is, as Adam is constantly reminding us, no-one has yet managed to harness these new systems and make them commercially beneficial and it’s got to happen soon…
We finished with a short Production class with Abigail where she showed us an actual Strip Board and went over some principles of scheduling. Our homework, then, was to do the same using the script breakdown we had already done. There is something so satisfying about the tasks of the producer. There is much less subjectivity compared to writing or directing; the correct information entered into the correct boxes and the desired results will be achieved.
The search is on for the ultimate seven minute script idea… In my tutorial with Richard we both came to the conclusion I haven’t found it yet.
Tuesday was assessment day for editing which meant it was quite relaxing, since I only needed to be there for an hour and the actual test (logging and capturing) couldn’t have been easier.
Wednesday morning was used productively as we recorded some voice-overs for Dust. In the afternoon we had a screening of In the Heat of the Night; a slick edgy murder mystery which tackled issues of racism and prejudice. It was one of those ‘only just colour’ films and there was an obvious sense of the movement into a new Hollywood era. It presented some interesting and memorable characters and featured the much quoted line “They call me Mister Tibbs!”. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thursday was a full day of Andy! The morning class was continuing on from our screening the day before with a look at the representation of gender and race. This is of course hugely important and I was struck yet again by the responsibility we have as practioners in this medium of mass communication to produce content which is not only fair but which is encouraging what is good and discouraging what is bad. I am so conscious that so many films blur this principle and excuse themselves by calling it a joke, or style, or realism. We must live up to our responsibilities and be fully aware of the huge effect that films can have for good, but also for bad.
In the afternoon we returned to our study of television and looked at it as a political force. We watched the pilot episode of Boys from the Blackstuff which was compelling viewing though perhaps a little drawn out by today’s standards. I enjoyed the story and could see the political significance but I confess what fascinated me most was seeing King Theoden of Rohan with a black moustache and a broad Liverpool accent!
It was good to see that Adam is still finding the time to teach, and we had a very interesting class on Friday morning looking at the technology surrounding mobile and web-based content. It’s almost scary to see how far we’ve come in such a short time and where we will be in the near future. However the fact is, as Adam is constantly reminding us, no-one has yet managed to harness these new systems and make them commercially beneficial and it’s got to happen soon…
We finished with a short Production class with Abigail where she showed us an actual Strip Board and went over some principles of scheduling. Our homework, then, was to do the same using the script breakdown we had already done. There is something so satisfying about the tasks of the producer. There is much less subjectivity compared to writing or directing; the correct information entered into the correct boxes and the desired results will be achieved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
