I can’t really call this a week. It was two days.
In Screenwriting we had some tutorial time with Richard on our outlines for our three minute films, and we’re to write them over the holidays. I’m looking forward to that actually, although mine requires considerable adjustment. We’re finally writing a screenplay though which is rather exciting.
On Monday afternoon I had a quick tutorial with Adam, just to see how this first term went and to discuss what next term has in store. Then of course there was the big deadline of handing in our Storylined TV Dramas and I think I got mine in with less than a minute to spare!
On Tuesday we watched the footage that we shot last week for our assessments and some of it was quite hilarious. On a serious note though some of it was quite poor and I’m hoping we, as a class, can take our technical skills up a notch in next term. After that we were done; finished Term 1, free to go home. Most of us didn’t though. We half decided to stick around and see if we could make something in the remainder of the day just as an extra. No-one really seemed that keen but the more time we wasted the more frustrated I would have been if we hadn’t made anything. Anyway, eventually we did produce a short gag which we called Tension (have a watch here if you wish: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=58YJBZxPGNY) and it was shot, captured and edited all in that day. It was tolerable but I’m just glad we made something.
I feel I should give a big reflection on Term 1 now, but I’m not going to. Bottom line is it was a fine introduction to a fantastic course and I’m at the stage I would hope to be at, at this moment in time, anyway. So nothing more remains to be said really. I’m going to enjoy the Christmas break and then… well… bring on Term 2! Bye for now.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Week 11 – A Bonnie Wee Genie May forget her lines
It’s funny that the first thing we are told about Character is “Don’t think of them as a character”. It’s actually quite exciting, the prospect of creating a real, living person and letting other people see them by placing them in stories. It takes me back to the old Play Mobil and Action Man days and I realised that I’ve been ‘creating characters’ all my life, in a sort of way. Even now there is something real about those Play Mobil men, who all have names, backgrounds and personalities and I am certain if I dug them out now it would feel like meeting up with old friends (in fact, I might do that over Christmas; there’s nothing like indulging in a bit of nostalgia after all). I was rather surprised, and worried, that Richard gave us yet more homework for the last week especially as it was to write the biography of a serial killer which is unpleasant at the best of times but more so when I still had Adam’s storylining to do. It seems Screenwriting is the only class which has been going full-pelt right to the very end, but I suppose it’ll make the Christmas break seem all the more welcome.
So usually we get emailed a time to turn up for these Technical Formative Assessments and we pop in for an hour, do our thing, then leave. This time though there had been no email so we were kind of confused as to what we were supposed to be doing. I decided to simply turn up at half past nine and see what was happening and then take it from there. As it turned out we were scheduled for an eight hour assessment! It was great. We were split into two crews and told to write and shoot a twenty second piece each, with everyone having a go at camera, sound and directing. It was interesting to see how we all behaved and worked as a crew and I could begin to pick out some who were finding their niche in a particular role. Most of all it was enjoyable because we were actually making films, we were doing what we came here to do and it was part of, or rather a requirement, of the course rather than something we were doing on our steam. Exciting stuff!
Sherlock Jr was more impressive than entertaining. It simply didn’t have the charm of a Chaplin film but it far surpassed them in technical skill. I feel that had that been the same film, but with Chaplin in the main role instead of Keaton, it would have been far more enjoyable. Unfortunately the music soundtrack was rather distracting. It was bearable up to the car chase sequence where the James Bond Theme suddenly broke through and for me that broke the magic of the black and white film.
One of the best classes with Andy so far on Thursday morning: we got to play with flick books and Zoetropes! I find I learn best that way, when I actually do something practical, and I’ll remember that class because we made our own Zoetrope films (and we got chocolate). It’s also interesting that we talk a lot about The Moving Picture when in fact the whole notion of a moving picture is quite ludicrous. Pictures don’t move (unless it’s Harry Potter) but thanks to our Persistence of Vision we believe that they do.
Our last class with Andy for this term and it was on Cop Shows. I haven’t seen many but I think it’s a fairly full-proof form and it was mildly interesting coming up with our own ones. We watched an episode of House which I did enjoy, more for Hugh Laurie’s surly comments than the actual show itself, and this followed the general format of a Cop Show but cleverly replaced the Cop with a Doctor (or the ‘Holmes’ with a ‘House’).
Filmed a pantomime in Drymen on Friday night and I quite enjoyed both the experience of filming a stage show and the show itself, which was Sinbad (or A Bonny Wee Genie May Call; and the genie turned out to be a young girl who couldn’t quite remember her lines, but it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of it, in fact I’d say it added to it). It was great to get out into the world and do an actual job (I felt like a right professional cameraman) and of course the more use of those cameras I get the happier I am!
So usually we get emailed a time to turn up for these Technical Formative Assessments and we pop in for an hour, do our thing, then leave. This time though there had been no email so we were kind of confused as to what we were supposed to be doing. I decided to simply turn up at half past nine and see what was happening and then take it from there. As it turned out we were scheduled for an eight hour assessment! It was great. We were split into two crews and told to write and shoot a twenty second piece each, with everyone having a go at camera, sound and directing. It was interesting to see how we all behaved and worked as a crew and I could begin to pick out some who were finding their niche in a particular role. Most of all it was enjoyable because we were actually making films, we were doing what we came here to do and it was part of, or rather a requirement, of the course rather than something we were doing on our steam. Exciting stuff!
Sherlock Jr was more impressive than entertaining. It simply didn’t have the charm of a Chaplin film but it far surpassed them in technical skill. I feel that had that been the same film, but with Chaplin in the main role instead of Keaton, it would have been far more enjoyable. Unfortunately the music soundtrack was rather distracting. It was bearable up to the car chase sequence where the James Bond Theme suddenly broke through and for me that broke the magic of the black and white film.
One of the best classes with Andy so far on Thursday morning: we got to play with flick books and Zoetropes! I find I learn best that way, when I actually do something practical, and I’ll remember that class because we made our own Zoetrope films (and we got chocolate). It’s also interesting that we talk a lot about The Moving Picture when in fact the whole notion of a moving picture is quite ludicrous. Pictures don’t move (unless it’s Harry Potter) but thanks to our Persistence of Vision we believe that they do.
Our last class with Andy for this term and it was on Cop Shows. I haven’t seen many but I think it’s a fairly full-proof form and it was mildly interesting coming up with our own ones. We watched an episode of House which I did enjoy, more for Hugh Laurie’s surly comments than the actual show itself, and this followed the general format of a Cop Show but cleverly replaced the Cop with a Doctor (or the ‘Holmes’ with a ‘House’).
Filmed a pantomime in Drymen on Friday night and I quite enjoyed both the experience of filming a stage show and the show itself, which was Sinbad (or A Bonny Wee Genie May Call; and the genie turned out to be a young girl who couldn’t quite remember her lines, but it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of it, in fact I’d say it added to it). It was great to get out into the world and do an actual job (I felt like a right professional cameraman) and of course the more use of those cameras I get the happier I am!
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Week 10 - I always wanted to be a horse
Monday morning was a heart-to-heart session and there was a shocking lack of croissants! It involved taking it in turns to point out three of our flaws to the rest of the class. It was a helpful, if perhaps a rather unusual, experience because we could be entirely open and honest; admitting things which would not normally come up in conversation but allowing everyone else a deeper understanding of that individual’s personality. I must admit I got a few surprises from some of the things people said. I can see how this helps us to bond as a class and be more relaxed in each others’ company but I’m afraid that, as of yet, I’m unsure how much it will help our screenwriting. I suppose anything human, any truth or any belief can be utilised when writing a film.
We are transitioning from TV into short form, and ‘short-short form’ or mobile media, in Adam’s class now. We watched a number of very high quality short films; the cinematography of the Napier University films was particularly impressive. Then we watched some shorter films, some only ninety seconds in length, and some of them were very entertaining; Le Cheval, Non-fat and Operator being three examples. On the other hand some were hopeless but the advantage, of course, of this format is that instead of wasting two hours of your life on a bad film you’re barely wasting two minutes. I can see the appeal of this type of media and I’m fascinated by the sheer difference of film grammar when compared to feature films. I suppose there’s always the possibility that this is the replacement of cinema and longer films will gradually disappear which is more than slightly worrying. It seems the reason there is such a growing market for shorter films is not because people have a shorter attention span it is, I think, because we are more impatient. If it is comedy we are after then we want a laugh NOW and then we can move on or browse for more. We do not have the patience to sit and watch a comedy feature. Or if it is action we seek then we want it NOW and in small enough chunks so that if we get bored we can leave it without a second glance. Sitting down for two hours takes up too much time and is too much of a commitment. Maybe our lives are just faster and busier and to accommodate for this we purchase technology that allows us to deal with our business faster thus making more room for more business and making us ultimately even busier. So we don’t have time to sit down in a cinema. We want to squeeze in our entertainment around our business: on trains, at lunch, on the move… In my opinion we all need to slow down. The busier we are the faster we try to deal with that business, the faster we deal with that business the busier we become; it’s a vicious circle. For some people, that’s life. So, yes, there’s a place for short films but we cannot lose that good old fashioned storytelling where we gather round the fireside and settle down to hear what Granddad will tell us this evening. I fear that if he told us a ninety second joke we’d be rather disappointed.
On Tuesday afternoon we had a brief class on Game or Quiz Shows. It was informative and to the point. Afterwards Andy seemed to think we hadn’t engaged very well with it but I didn’t think it was particularly negating, just very short.
I simply love Chaplin films. They’re warming and simple, no thinking is required, and they always get me laughing at some point and laughter is a good thing. Like all good things it can be used for the wrong reasons: laughing at someone else’s expense, laughing as an encouragement of evil human desires or laughing to cover up true emotion, but it seems that Chaplin avoids deriving laughter from these things and instead gives us a character who reflects the simple nature of the common man; thus we are in fact laughing at ourselves. The Gold Rush wasn’t quite as enjoyable as The Kid but there was a noticeable advancement in Chaplin’s filmmaking abilities in those four years. I think the narration was unnecessary and I much prefer the silent style where the imagination can heighten the humour.
Yet another half day on Thursday (that’s three in a row… the course seems to be winding down considerably) and this time we looked at the birth of cinema and some of Mitchell and Kenyon's work. Watching some of the very first reels of film was both exciting and informative and it struck me just how constant mankind is. Places, society, buildings, clothes and transport all change and eventually become history but people… humans… men, women, children… we have always been the same. The same matter, the same emotions and the same spirituality. Looking at the faces of those people, more than a hundred years ago, was like looking at a reflection of ourselves in a different time.
We had a whole day of sound on Friday which enabled us to develop confidence with the kit, and try recording interviews both interior and exterior. We had a go at micing up a piano which was great fun especially as I got to play it! I feel I’ve got a pretty good grasp of the technical fundamentals and I look forward to the challenges of next term. However there’s Christmas to look forward to before then of course!
We are transitioning from TV into short form, and ‘short-short form’ or mobile media, in Adam’s class now. We watched a number of very high quality short films; the cinematography of the Napier University films was particularly impressive. Then we watched some shorter films, some only ninety seconds in length, and some of them were very entertaining; Le Cheval, Non-fat and Operator being three examples. On the other hand some were hopeless but the advantage, of course, of this format is that instead of wasting two hours of your life on a bad film you’re barely wasting two minutes. I can see the appeal of this type of media and I’m fascinated by the sheer difference of film grammar when compared to feature films. I suppose there’s always the possibility that this is the replacement of cinema and longer films will gradually disappear which is more than slightly worrying. It seems the reason there is such a growing market for shorter films is not because people have a shorter attention span it is, I think, because we are more impatient. If it is comedy we are after then we want a laugh NOW and then we can move on or browse for more. We do not have the patience to sit and watch a comedy feature. Or if it is action we seek then we want it NOW and in small enough chunks so that if we get bored we can leave it without a second glance. Sitting down for two hours takes up too much time and is too much of a commitment. Maybe our lives are just faster and busier and to accommodate for this we purchase technology that allows us to deal with our business faster thus making more room for more business and making us ultimately even busier. So we don’t have time to sit down in a cinema. We want to squeeze in our entertainment around our business: on trains, at lunch, on the move… In my opinion we all need to slow down. The busier we are the faster we try to deal with that business, the faster we deal with that business the busier we become; it’s a vicious circle. For some people, that’s life. So, yes, there’s a place for short films but we cannot lose that good old fashioned storytelling where we gather round the fireside and settle down to hear what Granddad will tell us this evening. I fear that if he told us a ninety second joke we’d be rather disappointed.
On Tuesday afternoon we had a brief class on Game or Quiz Shows. It was informative and to the point. Afterwards Andy seemed to think we hadn’t engaged very well with it but I didn’t think it was particularly negating, just very short.
I simply love Chaplin films. They’re warming and simple, no thinking is required, and they always get me laughing at some point and laughter is a good thing. Like all good things it can be used for the wrong reasons: laughing at someone else’s expense, laughing as an encouragement of evil human desires or laughing to cover up true emotion, but it seems that Chaplin avoids deriving laughter from these things and instead gives us a character who reflects the simple nature of the common man; thus we are in fact laughing at ourselves. The Gold Rush wasn’t quite as enjoyable as The Kid but there was a noticeable advancement in Chaplin’s filmmaking abilities in those four years. I think the narration was unnecessary and I much prefer the silent style where the imagination can heighten the humour.
Yet another half day on Thursday (that’s three in a row… the course seems to be winding down considerably) and this time we looked at the birth of cinema and some of Mitchell and Kenyon's work. Watching some of the very first reels of film was both exciting and informative and it struck me just how constant mankind is. Places, society, buildings, clothes and transport all change and eventually become history but people… humans… men, women, children… we have always been the same. The same matter, the same emotions and the same spirituality. Looking at the faces of those people, more than a hundred years ago, was like looking at a reflection of ourselves in a different time.
We had a whole day of sound on Friday which enabled us to develop confidence with the kit, and try recording interviews both interior and exterior. We had a go at micing up a piano which was great fun especially as I got to play it! I feel I’ve got a pretty good grasp of the technical fundamentals and I look forward to the challenges of next term. However there’s Christmas to look forward to before then of course!
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Week 9 - Silent Night, Music Hall Night
We were introduced to theme in Screenwriting which is, in my opinion, the soul of any piece of writing. It is, after all, themes that move people, that mean something, that can contain truth. The characters, plot or setting may be memorable but what implants itself in the subconscious, and penetrates through superficial emotion, is that statement of belief. Do you know what you believe? If there is no theme in a film then the audience will try to create one. I know what I believe.
It was pitching time in Adam’s class and Murdo, John and myself eagerly sold our drama Corridors of Power; which I was loathe to part with, having invested so much time and energy in it’s creation. Anyway, who knows? Perhaps one day it will be commissioned and written! Hey, I can dream can’t I? One thing the exercise highlighted for me was that working in small groups is much more effective, and produces far greater results, than working as an individual. Ideas can be bounced back and forward and immediately discarded or developed which cannot happen in one mind (I could try conversing with the mirror) and that is why I know I will find the next assignment, to individually storyline a drama, far more challenging.
We all turned up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, on Tuesday morning to be confronted with the news that there was no technical class that morning after all. So that was fair enough, we’d have to just hang around until Gavin’s class in the afternoon. The thought was literally in my head when Gavin appeared to inform us that there would be no class that afternoon either. A day off! I set off back to the flat feeling slightly disappointed but also rather grateful for the unexpected break.
Silent films! They’re just like reading a book really… a book with lots of pictures! Actually I believe they are a cinematic form in their own right, and are still very relevant and enjoyable today (I mean Mr Bean is pretty much silent cinema!), the master of this form being Charlie Chaplin, I would argue from the examples that I’ve seen so far, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Kid. It’s just fantastic, feel-good, funny and flamboyant filmmaking. I love the unique mish-mash of Vaudeville-style slapstick comedy combined with cinematic techniques to provide entertainment which is an experience somewhere between theatre and cinema. In fact, I suppose it harks back to those Music Halls of the early 1900s and the birth of cinema.
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall was a fantastic venue. Being there, on yet another field trip from our loving and generous tutor Andy Dougan, was like reliving life more than a hundred years ago. I could almost see the people crushed in their thousands in the gallery and hear the noise of shouting, heckling, laughter and applause. I could smell the odour, the urine, the decay and I could feel the cold… I could quite literally feel the cold which helped add to the experience and made it seem all the more realistic somehow. Seeing this place was very worthwhile because of its significance to the history of cinema. Knowing where it started helps put into perspective where it is now, and why. Aside from that, I am fascinated by history and the stories of people in different times and therefore I enjoyed the spirited and graphic description of the Music Hall experience that we received. All in all it was a very successful trip and on reflection it would be a fantastic location to make a film…
Friday morning brought us our first class on Sound. I’d say it was pretty sound… first class in fact! Actually I found it just slightly tedious and uninteresting, however I do appreciate that it is very necessary and there is an art to good recording and design and I have great respect for anyone who really understands how sound works. I remember doing some sound-related activities in Standard Grade Physics but I fear that this barely touched the surface. Anyway, at least we’ll soon be able to point a microphone into some poor actor’s face and produce something mildly comprehensible which is, I suppose, progress.
An enjoyable class on sitcoms to end the week. I Love Lucy (1951) was rather entertaining and displayed the extent to which it has defined the form of sitcoms as they are no different today. The Dick van Dyke Show is, I have decided, my favourite sitcom. It never relies on cheap, sex-fuelled comedy or unimaginative vulgar language for its laughs and true to the Carl Reiner format there is even a lesson learned in each episode. Unfortunately the episode we watched in class was not one of the best, it was rather slow in getting to the gags. The Simpsons delighted as expected. However, I disagree with the idea that they are not a dysfunctional family. They have love yes, even unconditional love but love alone is not sufficient to keep a family functioning properly. Respect, discipline and action are also required but the Simpsons are a perfectly functioning family for the purposes of the sitcom and I would not want them changed. Finally we watched an episode of Two and Half Men which succeeded in lowering the tone and the quality of the afternoon’s entertainment. It is programmes like these that give the impression that any kind of moral conscience, or will to communicate that which is good, on television died with Ed Murrow.
It was pitching time in Adam’s class and Murdo, John and myself eagerly sold our drama Corridors of Power; which I was loathe to part with, having invested so much time and energy in it’s creation. Anyway, who knows? Perhaps one day it will be commissioned and written! Hey, I can dream can’t I? One thing the exercise highlighted for me was that working in small groups is much more effective, and produces far greater results, than working as an individual. Ideas can be bounced back and forward and immediately discarded or developed which cannot happen in one mind (I could try conversing with the mirror) and that is why I know I will find the next assignment, to individually storyline a drama, far more challenging.
We all turned up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, on Tuesday morning to be confronted with the news that there was no technical class that morning after all. So that was fair enough, we’d have to just hang around until Gavin’s class in the afternoon. The thought was literally in my head when Gavin appeared to inform us that there would be no class that afternoon either. A day off! I set off back to the flat feeling slightly disappointed but also rather grateful for the unexpected break.
Silent films! They’re just like reading a book really… a book with lots of pictures! Actually I believe they are a cinematic form in their own right, and are still very relevant and enjoyable today (I mean Mr Bean is pretty much silent cinema!), the master of this form being Charlie Chaplin, I would argue from the examples that I’ve seen so far, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Kid. It’s just fantastic, feel-good, funny and flamboyant filmmaking. I love the unique mish-mash of Vaudeville-style slapstick comedy combined with cinematic techniques to provide entertainment which is an experience somewhere between theatre and cinema. In fact, I suppose it harks back to those Music Halls of the early 1900s and the birth of cinema.
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall was a fantastic venue. Being there, on yet another field trip from our loving and generous tutor Andy Dougan, was like reliving life more than a hundred years ago. I could almost see the people crushed in their thousands in the gallery and hear the noise of shouting, heckling, laughter and applause. I could smell the odour, the urine, the decay and I could feel the cold… I could quite literally feel the cold which helped add to the experience and made it seem all the more realistic somehow. Seeing this place was very worthwhile because of its significance to the history of cinema. Knowing where it started helps put into perspective where it is now, and why. Aside from that, I am fascinated by history and the stories of people in different times and therefore I enjoyed the spirited and graphic description of the Music Hall experience that we received. All in all it was a very successful trip and on reflection it would be a fantastic location to make a film…
Friday morning brought us our first class on Sound. I’d say it was pretty sound… first class in fact! Actually I found it just slightly tedious and uninteresting, however I do appreciate that it is very necessary and there is an art to good recording and design and I have great respect for anyone who really understands how sound works. I remember doing some sound-related activities in Standard Grade Physics but I fear that this barely touched the surface. Anyway, at least we’ll soon be able to point a microphone into some poor actor’s face and produce something mildly comprehensible which is, I suppose, progress.
An enjoyable class on sitcoms to end the week. I Love Lucy (1951) was rather entertaining and displayed the extent to which it has defined the form of sitcoms as they are no different today. The Dick van Dyke Show is, I have decided, my favourite sitcom. It never relies on cheap, sex-fuelled comedy or unimaginative vulgar language for its laughs and true to the Carl Reiner format there is even a lesson learned in each episode. Unfortunately the episode we watched in class was not one of the best, it was rather slow in getting to the gags. The Simpsons delighted as expected. However, I disagree with the idea that they are not a dysfunctional family. They have love yes, even unconditional love but love alone is not sufficient to keep a family functioning properly. Respect, discipline and action are also required but the Simpsons are a perfectly functioning family for the purposes of the sitcom and I would not want them changed. Finally we watched an episode of Two and Half Men which succeeded in lowering the tone and the quality of the afternoon’s entertainment. It is programmes like these that give the impression that any kind of moral conscience, or will to communicate that which is good, on television died with Ed Murrow.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Week 7 – Woe to all the bottles!
Well Monday was mid-term holiday (mid-term already!) so this week began on Tuesday with an MER meeting about the ELIR process outlining what us reps will be required to do whilst the Academy is under review.
I think Andy oversold Network for me. It wasn’t as amazing as I had hoped. It seemed like all the characters were corrupt in some way and I think it was supposed to be funnier than I found it. However, I was entertained and it did make some interesting points about television. Mass hysteria is one of my favourite topics and, whether intentionally or not, Howard Beale’s stirring speeches were good examples. It is all very well to say “Turn off your TV and go and shout out of the window” but ultimately nobody did, because they all turned it back on again to see what he would say next. Like all mad and weird new hypes people eventually adjust, get used to them and finally get bored and in this way Network displayed the futility of ‘pushing the boundaries’. It always has to be bigger, crazier and less conforming and of course the natural end is simply death. Not at all surprising and I have to admit I was not at all surprised. Another point was the enjoyment with which everyone yelled at the world “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore” which of course sounds good but isn’t clear on what they’re not planning to ‘take anymore’ and exactly why they’re mad. Personally, I enjoy life, I think it was made to be enjoyed, and I find it rather saddening that people might imagine they have to be angry about it.
Here’s a question: When does a film start? Does it start after the last opening title has faded? Or when the lights first dim? Or as soon as you enter the cinema? Or does it start from the moment you are initially aware that the film exists? I would argue that, commercially, the latter is true. A cinema trailer was my first encounter with Choke and that made a pretty rubbish start of the film. Nothing in it made me want to see the film and by the time I was leaving the building I had totally forgotten it existed. So the film tried to start, and failed. Next I was told the title. Once again the film tried to make a start and, once again, it failed. A few hours later I had totally forgotten the title. So finally, on Wednesday morning I was sitting in a darkened cinema and the film started. Well, my review highlights my main thoughts on the film and of it there is little more to be said. Frankly I plan to forget it as soon as possible.
I actually really enjoyed For Your Consideration but perhaps only because it contrasted my experience of the morning. It was refreshing to watch a film that I actually found funny and it was educating at the same time, in some small way, about the real situation with the Oscars instead of all these ‘prophetic’ films (Broadcast News, King of Comedy, Network) which instead, are speculating.
A very hard day on Thursday as we had two teaching sessions back to back both of which required brain-related work, instead of the usual afternoon screening where the film does the work for you! However, they marked the end of the first section of these modules now so there was a bit of evaluating and reflecting to be done and it made me realise that I am in fact learning rather a lot. In the evening those of us doing the film-in-a-weekend competition had a meeting to get everything planned out, the revealed ‘object’ being a water bottle.
Yet another intense day on Friday, this time in the practical realm. Learning about back-focus and exposure with Ray was great and he requested that we take the 570s for our weekend shoot instead of the 150s, a decision I am very grateful for, despite the fact that we thought we weren’t ready. The written ‘exam’ in Gavin’s class came as quite a shock – I didn’t expect it to be so hard – and if I am honest it is the first time, since coming to the Academy, I felt like I was back in school!
Shooting our short film over the weekend was an amazing experience and I am rather proud of the result. My first real taste of a professionalish film set and it made me realise two things: first that I am destined to work in film, and second that I can’t wait to start making films properly as part of our course. Anyway, all in good time. Patience…
I think Andy oversold Network for me. It wasn’t as amazing as I had hoped. It seemed like all the characters were corrupt in some way and I think it was supposed to be funnier than I found it. However, I was entertained and it did make some interesting points about television. Mass hysteria is one of my favourite topics and, whether intentionally or not, Howard Beale’s stirring speeches were good examples. It is all very well to say “Turn off your TV and go and shout out of the window” but ultimately nobody did, because they all turned it back on again to see what he would say next. Like all mad and weird new hypes people eventually adjust, get used to them and finally get bored and in this way Network displayed the futility of ‘pushing the boundaries’. It always has to be bigger, crazier and less conforming and of course the natural end is simply death. Not at all surprising and I have to admit I was not at all surprised. Another point was the enjoyment with which everyone yelled at the world “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore” which of course sounds good but isn’t clear on what they’re not planning to ‘take anymore’ and exactly why they’re mad. Personally, I enjoy life, I think it was made to be enjoyed, and I find it rather saddening that people might imagine they have to be angry about it.
Here’s a question: When does a film start? Does it start after the last opening title has faded? Or when the lights first dim? Or as soon as you enter the cinema? Or does it start from the moment you are initially aware that the film exists? I would argue that, commercially, the latter is true. A cinema trailer was my first encounter with Choke and that made a pretty rubbish start of the film. Nothing in it made me want to see the film and by the time I was leaving the building I had totally forgotten it existed. So the film tried to start, and failed. Next I was told the title. Once again the film tried to make a start and, once again, it failed. A few hours later I had totally forgotten the title. So finally, on Wednesday morning I was sitting in a darkened cinema and the film started. Well, my review highlights my main thoughts on the film and of it there is little more to be said. Frankly I plan to forget it as soon as possible.
I actually really enjoyed For Your Consideration but perhaps only because it contrasted my experience of the morning. It was refreshing to watch a film that I actually found funny and it was educating at the same time, in some small way, about the real situation with the Oscars instead of all these ‘prophetic’ films (Broadcast News, King of Comedy, Network) which instead, are speculating.
A very hard day on Thursday as we had two teaching sessions back to back both of which required brain-related work, instead of the usual afternoon screening where the film does the work for you! However, they marked the end of the first section of these modules now so there was a bit of evaluating and reflecting to be done and it made me realise that I am in fact learning rather a lot. In the evening those of us doing the film-in-a-weekend competition had a meeting to get everything planned out, the revealed ‘object’ being a water bottle.
Yet another intense day on Friday, this time in the practical realm. Learning about back-focus and exposure with Ray was great and he requested that we take the 570s for our weekend shoot instead of the 150s, a decision I am very grateful for, despite the fact that we thought we weren’t ready. The written ‘exam’ in Gavin’s class came as quite a shock – I didn’t expect it to be so hard – and if I am honest it is the first time, since coming to the Academy, I felt like I was back in school!
Shooting our short film over the weekend was an amazing experience and I am rather proud of the result. My first real taste of a professionalish film set and it made me realise two things: first that I am destined to work in film, and second that I can’t wait to start making films properly as part of our course. Anyway, all in good time. Patience…
Choke Review
Choke is a tasteless and unimaginative stew. Look at the ingredients: the typical, middle-aged male with a problem to be solved or not; his friend the fat and simple ‘best-mate’; a broken relationship; and of course the obvious love interest. Contrived and generic characters that apparently supply everything needed for a good story, and in this case a comedy… I think… although the topic was such that to laugh would have been to publicly announce, “Yes, I’m sick and twisted”.
This film is about a sex addict trying to sort out his life and relationships. It manages to portray holistic human degradation: of the body, with mindless and insensitive sexual references; of the mind, by depicting mentally unstable characters as a source of humour; and of the spirit, by blasphemy and by disregarding the concept of real love or indeed any true emotion. Worse, it does this without ever making a clear point and even the meaning behind the title, Choke, is a plot point that has little or no importance and, again, is pointless.
Ultimately there was not a human moment in it. What I saw was animals in a disgusting celebration of the darker side of human nature.
This film is about a sex addict trying to sort out his life and relationships. It manages to portray holistic human degradation: of the body, with mindless and insensitive sexual references; of the mind, by depicting mentally unstable characters as a source of humour; and of the spirit, by blasphemy and by disregarding the concept of real love or indeed any true emotion. Worse, it does this without ever making a clear point and even the meaning behind the title, Choke, is a plot point that has little or no importance and, again, is pointless.
Ultimately there was not a human moment in it. What I saw was animals in a disgusting celebration of the darker side of human nature.
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