More New Starts

Our first class of the Cinema Movements module followed on from our screening of Metropolis and was about Production Design. The visual language of film is something which fascinates me and I am reading up a bit on Semiotics at present, purely for interest sake. Production Design is one of those elements which, like Music, if done well should be unnoticeable. It is, as Andy said, there to enhance the story, not supplant it; “The most beautiful ballroom on earth means nothing unless it helps the context of the story” Patrizia von Brandenstein. I did have an idea for a film where the design was what excited me about it, rather than any element of the story, only to discover that A Very Long Engagement might already have implemented my idea. That’s another one for the viewing list! We also touched on the place of CGI in films as an aid for Production Design. I was delighted and impressed by a birthday card I received from a friend (hand-made!) which pretty much sums up the issue.

Not much has changed in our Screenwriting classes. Still starting with a warm-up, still certain of receiving homework and still not all sure about theme! I’m very glad we are still having classes as I find them very helpful and motivational. I am determined to be regimentally self-disciplined this year with my writing and make the time for it. Hopefully by the time we move into tutorials my writing will be habitual and self-motivated. I do enjoy it, I just don’t do it regularly enough.

Our module on TV Content with Adam started this year with a brief from Channel Four for a programme idea. This is apparently what we will be working on this year and I know already that I will be rubbish at it. I don’t watch enough television and I’m pretty sure the kind of idea Channel Four will be looking for is not my type of thing. I am determined to try and think out of the box and do my best with it but if I’m honest it’s not really my cup of tea.

Technical classes started up with a ‘quiz’ to test our retention of information from last year which was accessed through Moodle (Ray’s new toy) and was unexpectedly difficult. “Multiple choice,” thought I, “how hard can it be?”. Many of the questions covered things that I’m sure we never learnt last year… or maybe my memory is just worse than I thought. However, we did also break out some kit and even now there is an irresistible surge of excitement when handling and learning about new and more professional kit. Somehow even just the sight of a 570 sitting on a Ronford Baker tripod is enough to get the adrenaline-pumping and to awaken the urge to get out there and shoot movies!