Not as much recommendations as "hey here's what I've seen lately."
The Bourne Ultimatum, The Last Samurai, and Deadwood.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
"Blocked" - To Butte I Go.
I'll be doing Cinematography for the short film "Blocked" by my good friend and fellow grad student Jeff Garrett. It's a classic noir piece and I've enjoyed working on the few scenes we've shot in Missoula. The big stuff is all in Butte, MT which is nice and not so nice all at the same time.
The Nice: Great, and I mean GREAT locations.
Not so Nice: It's in Butte. Which is the only place I've found to rival Porterville, CA for the "Nothing Going On" award. It's pretty dead.
But shooting a noir is great fun, if not stressful. There's allot of pressure on the D.P. to really use the light to tell the story. But it's a great challenge and I've already had some successes and some failures. But that's okay. Gotta learn somewhere, right?
Anyways. I'm up later than I should be. So tired and beat-up that I just can't seem to get sleep. Lucky you, that means I get to blog a little ;)
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Monday, December 10, 2007
From the Ashes, I RISE!!!!!
That needs a little back story, doesn't it. Since completing my Thesis film (the Road to Ruin), I've been slogging through post production, teaching, working as a cinematographer on several other projects and, generally, catching the flu. So I've allowed my blog to suffer. WHOOPS! Any who, here's a short update.
First, to answer a question posed by my good friend Aaron Snell. Production (or Principal Photography) is my favorite part of filmmaking. I hate... HATE Pre-Production. It is a time of great stress and pain for the writer/director. It's a time that producers and assistants take to come to you to let you know what you CAN'T do, or what you really SHOULD do. It's a test to maintain a vision and it's very easy to get dragged down into the quagmire of money and time and lose that vision.
Post production is fine, but it's very solitary at this level, kind of lonely. But I'm still being creative and directing the piece in post production. It's not assembling as much as it is directing the footage to be what it CAN be as opposed to what it was supposed to be.
Principal Photography is my favorite stage because it involves actually working with actors. This is where I find I hit my stride as an artist. I love actors. They all do something that I could never do and (at this level) they do it for a hot meal and the chance to get footage on their reels. Great stuff. I've also been fortunate enough to work with very talented and committed actors for three years now. YAY! But it is this time of collaboration and experimentation that I enjoy. This is where the fim really starts to take shape.
Hope that answers your question, Aaron.
On another note, I've begun the rigorous process of applying for jobs. Urg... this is not fun. But it is necessary. I'm really hopeful for two teaching positions on the east coast. One is in Vermont, the other is in Pennsylvania.
I'm also continuing to work on my feature length Horror film. It's slow going, but I think it's an interesting piece with allot of very strange themes. Vague much? I'm only showing the pages to a select few people and, generally, the reactions have been positive. For those of you who have read the first "Act", fear not, the rest is coming soon. ;)
And now, I must vanish again. Though I will try to update my blog a little more regularly in the future.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
First, to answer a question posed by my good friend Aaron Snell. Production (or Principal Photography) is my favorite part of filmmaking. I hate... HATE Pre-Production. It is a time of great stress and pain for the writer/director. It's a time that producers and assistants take to come to you to let you know what you CAN'T do, or what you really SHOULD do. It's a test to maintain a vision and it's very easy to get dragged down into the quagmire of money and time and lose that vision.
Post production is fine, but it's very solitary at this level, kind of lonely. But I'm still being creative and directing the piece in post production. It's not assembling as much as it is directing the footage to be what it CAN be as opposed to what it was supposed to be.
Principal Photography is my favorite stage because it involves actually working with actors. This is where I find I hit my stride as an artist. I love actors. They all do something that I could never do and (at this level) they do it for a hot meal and the chance to get footage on their reels. Great stuff. I've also been fortunate enough to work with very talented and committed actors for three years now. YAY! But it is this time of collaboration and experimentation that I enjoy. This is where the fim really starts to take shape.
Hope that answers your question, Aaron.
On another note, I've begun the rigorous process of applying for jobs. Urg... this is not fun. But it is necessary. I'm really hopeful for two teaching positions on the east coast. One is in Vermont, the other is in Pennsylvania.
I'm also continuing to work on my feature length Horror film. It's slow going, but I think it's an interesting piece with allot of very strange themes. Vague much? I'm only showing the pages to a select few people and, generally, the reactions have been positive. For those of you who have read the first "Act", fear not, the rest is coming soon. ;)
And now, I must vanish again. Though I will try to update my blog a little more regularly in the future.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
That's A Wrap!
Seven days of principal photography wrapped yesterday at 4:15 pm. Though I'm a little too tired to write in full about it yet, I can say that it was an amazing experience. Whether or not I made a good movie is yet to be seen, but my cast and crew gave it their all and that alone was worth the seven days.
All in all, the wrap itself seemed anticlimactic. We did a very emotional scene for the end of the day, then finished with a couple small pick-ups and inserts that I needed. So it was a little laid back for the last 30 minutes of the day. But I think everyone felt very positive about it.
I'll have more about the entire shoot here in a while. But for now. I feel good. The Montana winter is starting to rear it's head so I'm glad I finished now. What a strange journey it's been.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
All in all, the wrap itself seemed anticlimactic. We did a very emotional scene for the end of the day, then finished with a couple small pick-ups and inserts that I needed. So it was a little laid back for the last 30 minutes of the day. But I think everyone felt very positive about it.
I'll have more about the entire shoot here in a while. But for now. I feel good. The Montana winter is starting to rear it's head so I'm glad I finished now. What a strange journey it's been.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Seattle Science-Fiction Film Festival
In some rather exciting and delightful news, my film "What Love Remains" has been officially selected for competition at this year's Sci-Fi Film Fest in Seattle. This is good for a few reasons. One, I really felt the main audience for WLR would always be a sci-fi crowd. Two, I love Seattle so I'm happy to make the trek back to check out what other film makers are doing with sci-fi. I just hope I'm of the same caliber.
It's not until February, so I'll let you all know how it goes.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
It's not until February, so I'll let you all know how it goes.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Hell?
So I'm not even done with my Thesis project and I'm already back to working on another script. It's refreshing in some ways... in others, not so much. I think, rather surprisingly, this turned out to be such a great project that I'm not afraid to move forward with others. That's a good thing.
But still, I could use a vacation. After shooting I'll most likely give myself a few days to just veg. I guess there's something to be said for striking whilst the iron is hot. I'm feeling creative so I best continue forward while I'm making progress.
Oh, just fyi, the script is called "The Mirror" and it's a psychological thriller of sorts.
But still, I could use a vacation. After shooting I'll most likely give myself a few days to just veg. I guess there's something to be said for striking whilst the iron is hot. I'm feeling creative so I best continue forward while I'm making progress.
Oh, just fyi, the script is called "The Mirror" and it's a psychological thriller of sorts.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
5 Days Down
And what a 5 days it was. There were ups and downs, but the most impressive and important thing is the camaraderie that I felt from everyone involved (until the last day that is... I'll get back to that). But what a wonderful team we managed to assemble. Grads, undergrads, pros, and folks that are just friends of friends... they all came through and helped me make my little movie... which feels like a big movie. With only two shooting days left, I'm very confident we'll get everything we need.
On to that whole "last day" thingy I mentioned up there yonder. Coming down the mountain from Garnett Ghost Town is not a hard road, but it is windy and CAN be dangerous. What it really is, though, it REMOTE with no cell phone reception. So, the person in the rear kind of depends on the people in the front to look out for them at the bottom. On this day, I was the last one down the hill. TO THAT END came my driver's side front tire blow out. BOOM!
I swerved a little and managed to pull the car over. Had I been on one of the switchbacks... shudder. So I got out of the car and waited. Surely the two cars not fifty yards ahead of me would stop for their captain... right? Wrong... off they went. Later I was informed by my producer that, at the bottom of the hill, he wondered where I was as he tore off onto the freeway.
So I waited. Nothing. I changed the spare tire at the risk of the car rolling on top of me from the incline. Got into the car and took off. Surely goodness and mercy would follow... no. The spare goes flat. I get out of my car. It's cold. The sun is going down. I'm in the middle of nowhere Montana and the crew I had praised not an hour earlier had left me for the buzzards.
By some strange twist of fate, I decide to look at my cell phone for the time and realize that I have ONE BAR OF RECEPTION! WOOHOO! I call my wife, she screams at my crew through MY cell phone, then leaves home to come get me.
Eventually we get the truck down the mountain and I'm safe at home. But guys... COME ON!!! I'm guessing my motto is leave no one behind and their's is "captain goes down with the ship!"
On to that whole "last day" thingy I mentioned up there yonder. Coming down the mountain from Garnett Ghost Town is not a hard road, but it is windy and CAN be dangerous. What it really is, though, it REMOTE with no cell phone reception. So, the person in the rear kind of depends on the people in the front to look out for them at the bottom. On this day, I was the last one down the hill. TO THAT END came my driver's side front tire blow out. BOOM!
I swerved a little and managed to pull the car over. Had I been on one of the switchbacks... shudder. So I got out of the car and waited. Surely the two cars not fifty yards ahead of me would stop for their captain... right? Wrong... off they went. Later I was informed by my producer that, at the bottom of the hill, he wondered where I was as he tore off onto the freeway.
So I waited. Nothing. I changed the spare tire at the risk of the car rolling on top of me from the incline. Got into the car and took off. Surely goodness and mercy would follow... no. The spare goes flat. I get out of my car. It's cold. The sun is going down. I'm in the middle of nowhere Montana and the crew I had praised not an hour earlier had left me for the buzzards.
By some strange twist of fate, I decide to look at my cell phone for the time and realize that I have ONE BAR OF RECEPTION! WOOHOO! I call my wife, she screams at my crew through MY cell phone, then leaves home to come get me.
Eventually we get the truck down the mountain and I'm safe at home. But guys... COME ON!!! I'm guessing my motto is leave no one behind and their's is "captain goes down with the ship!"
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Creative Differences
Well, to lose your lead actor exactly 5 days before shooting is not the best of signs. But, in this case, I think it was best for everyone involved. We've already recast and are getting our new actor ready for wardrobe and hopefully can get a few rehearsals in before we shoot.
To be clear, Ken was my co-writer AND my lead actor. He and I simply had different working philosophies and could not reach a middle ground. Ken's a good guy and I wish him all the best in his future en devours, but we did just have creative differences which were impacting the film negatively.
So, I'm ready to move forward and am working now with a good friend. He doesn't have the same look as Ken, rather he has his own look which itself will help with some of the themes in the film.
That being said, I'll make a movie one way or another ;)
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
To be clear, Ken was my co-writer AND my lead actor. He and I simply had different working philosophies and could not reach a middle ground. Ken's a good guy and I wish him all the best in his future en devours, but we did just have creative differences which were impacting the film negatively.
So, I'm ready to move forward and am working now with a good friend. He doesn't have the same look as Ken, rather he has his own look which itself will help with some of the themes in the film.
That being said, I'll make a movie one way or another ;)
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
My Current "TOP 10 FAVORITE FILMS"...
I'm feeling sad today. I don't know why. Allot of pressure I think is just bringing me down a bit. But I'm making progress on my current film and that keeps me afloat. I thought as a way of bringing me out of my funk, I'd update my top 10 list.
I think it's been about a year, so it's due time. If you haven't seen allot of these, PLEASE pick one or two and check them out. You may hate them, and that's ok, but what if you find something amazing you didn't know about? That's what I live for.
So, without further ado... we'll start at the bottom.
10. Heavenly Creatures - Directed by Peter Jackson
Heavenly Creatures is a stunning piece of filmmaking, which is made more stunning by the fact that it is based on a true story. In fact, the voice over in the film by Paul (Melanie Lynskey) are excerpts from her real diary, written in the 1950's.
Directed to a strange perfection by Peter Jackson, the film allows us to journey with these girls into their own private madness and reaches a stunning climax which still, to this day, has me on the edge of my seat.
It is Peter Jackson's best film.
9. The Proposition - Directed by John Hillcoat
A dirty, grungy western from Australia which presents itself like a painting. I don't know what attracts me so much to this film... save one thing. As a writer, I love "The Choice". And our "Hero" Charlie Burns is given a hell of one.
Charlie and his younger, simple, brother, Mike are arrested. The arresting officer who claims "I will tame this land." Gives Charlie an opportunity in the form of a "Proposition". Kill his older brother, to save his younger brother's life.
And away we go. A stellar cast and brilliant screenplay make this film impossible not to watch after it starts.
8. Brick - Directed by Brian Johnson
Who doesn't love a good film noir? I love detective stories. They're great for screenwriting as it immediately sets up what your character wants... to solve a mystery. Brick, directed by first timer Brian Johnson, takes the classic film noir and sets it in a modern high school. So you have teenagers saying lines like "Put that body to bed baby."
But aside from the "neat" factor, this is a film so smartly directed and intensely acted (mainly by Third Rock From the Sun veteran Joseph Gordon Levitt) that it keeps you in a strangle hold with a dumb smile on your face the whole time.
7. The Fountain - Directed by Darren Aronofsky
A flawed masterpiece from a very talented director, Darren Aronofsky. It isn't perfect. But I admire that. As a struggling filmmaker, I deal with it all the time. Compromise. I commend Aronofsky for trying to deal with recasting, a rewrite of the script, and a slashed in half budget while still maintaining his vigilance and his vision.
The film is a story told in three parts, and three different times, about Man's obsession with eternal life. Or maybe not eternal life, but staving off death. Saving yourself or your loved ones for that next moment, hour, day, week, month. More time that we don't have.
It is an incredible journey and, quite frankly, seeing the cracks in the facade at times makes it all that much more endearing to me.
6. Dark City - Directed by Alex Proyas
What can I say about this movie that I haven't already said. A fantastic sci-fi/film noir which pays homage to German Expressionism. So it's interesting, intriguing, and beautiful. If you still haven't seen it... go see it for cryin' out loud.
5. Mulholland Drive - Directed by David Lynch
David Lynch is his own animal. Something that's dangerous when you're new to filmmaking. Too many times people try to be "like" Lynch, which is impossible. He is too much a creature of his own psychology. He is able to make these images and performances work in a way that no one else could. He understands his own work, even if the rest of us don't.
In the case of Mulholland Drive, I don't care if I understand it or not. It's fascinating, beautiful, sexy and terrifying. What more do you need?
4. Kill Bill - Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Much like Lynch, trying to be like Tarantino is folly. But it all looks like so much FUN! The Kill Bill films are my favorites of his. Not necessarily his "best", but I like them the most. Amazingly I like Vol. 2 better than Vol. 1. I think Roger Ebert said it best when he said that Kill Bill Vol. 1. is "all story telling and no story." While that is true, Vol. 2 is all story and has two scenes of such incredible beauty and complexity that it's hard to believe it's all really about paying homage to those old Shaw Bros. movies.
3. The Tenant - Directed by Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is hit and miss at times. Even when he hits... many people feel like he missed. Case and Point... The Tenant, which I thoroughly enjoy. Many of my film buff friends scold me for it. But I just can't help but like the strangeness and unapologetic vagueness of it all. Not to mention it's just so much fun to see Polanski as an actor in this film. He handles the lead role readily and with a great sense of humor.
Provocative, scary, and always fun, The Tenant is a bizarre romp through the strange mind of Roman Polanski.
2. Lost Highway - Directed by David Lynch
Yet another Lynch film in my top five? Yep. My relationship with Lost Highway is a strange one. When I first watched it. I didn't like it. As a matter a fact, I hated it and ranted about it to my wife. But then, a funny thing happened. I couldn't stop thinking about the damned thing.
I tried to forget about it... and couldn't. Tried again... still couldn't. So I watched it again, then again, then again. Then I found out I was secretly in love with it. It's an incredibly strange film (Lynch!!!!) that SHOULDN'T work. But it does on a grand scale by the end.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Directed by Stanley Kubrick
In my opinion, the greatest film ever made. Is it hard to watch? Of course. It's not an easy film. It doesn't present us with easy ideas or a specific "Hero" to follow until mid-way through the second act. What it does do is something I've rarely (if ever) seen a film do so well, and that's present us with a philosophical statement whilst still engaging us in stories.
Kubrick is, of course, considered one of the greats of film directing and deservedly so. But more than anything, I look at 2001 as something more than just film... and that's why I love it.
Magnificent.
I think it's been about a year, so it's due time. If you haven't seen allot of these, PLEASE pick one or two and check them out. You may hate them, and that's ok, but what if you find something amazing you didn't know about? That's what I live for.
So, without further ado... we'll start at the bottom.
10. Heavenly Creatures - Directed by Peter Jackson
Heavenly Creatures is a stunning piece of filmmaking, which is made more stunning by the fact that it is based on a true story. In fact, the voice over in the film by Paul (Melanie Lynskey) are excerpts from her real diary, written in the 1950's.
Directed to a strange perfection by Peter Jackson, the film allows us to journey with these girls into their own private madness and reaches a stunning climax which still, to this day, has me on the edge of my seat.
It is Peter Jackson's best film.
9. The Proposition - Directed by John Hillcoat
A dirty, grungy western from Australia which presents itself like a painting. I don't know what attracts me so much to this film... save one thing. As a writer, I love "The Choice". And our "Hero" Charlie Burns is given a hell of one.
Charlie and his younger, simple, brother, Mike are arrested. The arresting officer who claims "I will tame this land." Gives Charlie an opportunity in the form of a "Proposition". Kill his older brother, to save his younger brother's life.
And away we go. A stellar cast and brilliant screenplay make this film impossible not to watch after it starts.
8. Brick - Directed by Brian Johnson
Who doesn't love a good film noir? I love detective stories. They're great for screenwriting as it immediately sets up what your character wants... to solve a mystery. Brick, directed by first timer Brian Johnson, takes the classic film noir and sets it in a modern high school. So you have teenagers saying lines like "Put that body to bed baby."
But aside from the "neat" factor, this is a film so smartly directed and intensely acted (mainly by Third Rock From the Sun veteran Joseph Gordon Levitt) that it keeps you in a strangle hold with a dumb smile on your face the whole time.
7. The Fountain - Directed by Darren Aronofsky
A flawed masterpiece from a very talented director, Darren Aronofsky. It isn't perfect. But I admire that. As a struggling filmmaker, I deal with it all the time. Compromise. I commend Aronofsky for trying to deal with recasting, a rewrite of the script, and a slashed in half budget while still maintaining his vigilance and his vision.
The film is a story told in three parts, and three different times, about Man's obsession with eternal life. Or maybe not eternal life, but staving off death. Saving yourself or your loved ones for that next moment, hour, day, week, month. More time that we don't have.
It is an incredible journey and, quite frankly, seeing the cracks in the facade at times makes it all that much more endearing to me.
6. Dark City - Directed by Alex Proyas
What can I say about this movie that I haven't already said. A fantastic sci-fi/film noir which pays homage to German Expressionism. So it's interesting, intriguing, and beautiful. If you still haven't seen it... go see it for cryin' out loud.
5. Mulholland Drive - Directed by David Lynch
David Lynch is his own animal. Something that's dangerous when you're new to filmmaking. Too many times people try to be "like" Lynch, which is impossible. He is too much a creature of his own psychology. He is able to make these images and performances work in a way that no one else could. He understands his own work, even if the rest of us don't.
In the case of Mulholland Drive, I don't care if I understand it or not. It's fascinating, beautiful, sexy and terrifying. What more do you need?
4. Kill Bill - Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Much like Lynch, trying to be like Tarantino is folly. But it all looks like so much FUN! The Kill Bill films are my favorites of his. Not necessarily his "best", but I like them the most. Amazingly I like Vol. 2 better than Vol. 1. I think Roger Ebert said it best when he said that Kill Bill Vol. 1. is "all story telling and no story." While that is true, Vol. 2 is all story and has two scenes of such incredible beauty and complexity that it's hard to believe it's all really about paying homage to those old Shaw Bros. movies.
3. The Tenant - Directed by Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is hit and miss at times. Even when he hits... many people feel like he missed. Case and Point... The Tenant, which I thoroughly enjoy. Many of my film buff friends scold me for it. But I just can't help but like the strangeness and unapologetic vagueness of it all. Not to mention it's just so much fun to see Polanski as an actor in this film. He handles the lead role readily and with a great sense of humor.
Provocative, scary, and always fun, The Tenant is a bizarre romp through the strange mind of Roman Polanski.
2. Lost Highway - Directed by David Lynch
Yet another Lynch film in my top five? Yep. My relationship with Lost Highway is a strange one. When I first watched it. I didn't like it. As a matter a fact, I hated it and ranted about it to my wife. But then, a funny thing happened. I couldn't stop thinking about the damned thing.
I tried to forget about it... and couldn't. Tried again... still couldn't. So I watched it again, then again, then again. Then I found out I was secretly in love with it. It's an incredibly strange film (Lynch!!!!) that SHOULDN'T work. But it does on a grand scale by the end.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Directed by Stanley Kubrick
In my opinion, the greatest film ever made. Is it hard to watch? Of course. It's not an easy film. It doesn't present us with easy ideas or a specific "Hero" to follow until mid-way through the second act. What it does do is something I've rarely (if ever) seen a film do so well, and that's present us with a philosophical statement whilst still engaging us in stories.
Kubrick is, of course, considered one of the greats of film directing and deservedly so. But more than anything, I look at 2001 as something more than just film... and that's why I love it.
Magnificent.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A Many Wonderful Depression...
It's not just the headache from screenwriting which troubles me so. It's also the brunt of production weighing down on me. Add to that this infernal smoke in the air that refuses to go away, and I have to admit... I'm really just not happy.
The wife and I took a small trip up north yesterday and I caught a glimpse of a newspaper which read: "OFFICIAL: FIRES TO REMAIN UNTIL SNOW FLIES". For the love of Christ!!!! I remember thinking, before I moved to Montana, that I would get nice fresh air. This is true, to a point. The winters are full of fresh air. But the summers (you know... those few months when you actually want to go outside and enjoy nature) have become hellish. I can't breathe!!! ACK!
So that, with the constant strain of writing, it's just making me rather pissy to be around. Today is a deadline. I, and my co-writer, WILL have a script locked today. Dialog may change, but the scenes, props, costumes, etc... will not.
So. Off I go... again.
Sincerely,
Your Lonely Director
Nick J.
The wife and I took a small trip up north yesterday and I caught a glimpse of a newspaper which read: "OFFICIAL: FIRES TO REMAIN UNTIL SNOW FLIES". For the love of Christ!!!! I remember thinking, before I moved to Montana, that I would get nice fresh air. This is true, to a point. The winters are full of fresh air. But the summers (you know... those few months when you actually want to go outside and enjoy nature) have become hellish. I can't breathe!!! ACK!
So that, with the constant strain of writing, it's just making me rather pissy to be around. Today is a deadline. I, and my co-writer, WILL have a script locked today. Dialog may change, but the scenes, props, costumes, etc... will not.
So. Off I go... again.
Sincerely,
Your Lonely Director
Nick J.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Production Update
Ah, the many pitfalls of filmmaking. Nothing terrible - actually I think it's a blessing in disguise. WORST FIRE SEASON IN A WHILE coupled with WORST HEAT WAVE EVER has nixed my plans for shooting in August so it looks like (unless my Executive Producer and BLM can convince me otherwise) that we'll be moving the production to October.
This is both good and bad. Good because it gives me more time for pre-production and re-writes. Bad because this screws with everyone's schedule. We'll see. I'm working with an incredibly talented co-writer (who also happens to be my lead actor) and he's making wonderful work of my scribblings. :)
So, back to production I go. We'll see when I actually shoot this mother...
Sincerely,
Nick J.
This is both good and bad. Good because it gives me more time for pre-production and re-writes. Bad because this screws with everyone's schedule. We'll see. I'm working with an incredibly talented co-writer (who also happens to be my lead actor) and he's making wonderful work of my scribblings. :)
So, back to production I go. We'll see when I actually shoot this mother...
Sincerely,
Nick J.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tortured
Well... not literally. I think any artist worth their salt has been mentally tortured from time to time. Here I am now, being tortured... and like it I DO NOT!
Perhaps this needs some backstory. Fair enough...
I've been working on a script for about 4 weeks now. It's slowly taking shape, but it's a major struggle. For those of you who don't know, writing is hard. Writing well is even harder... and I don't think there's a "level" of difficulty for GREAT writing. Suffice to say, I haven't achieved it yet and doubt I ever will. My skills lie with understanding shot making and working with actors. Writing is necessary and I have to fight to make it all work. Maybe all writers do. I don't know many so I suppose I can only surmise. I just used allot of S's...
Anyway... I write. I try to write. I've worked with my writing professor now, as well as two other collegues and, I have to say, nothing has helped. This story is strange and not quite firing on any one, compelling, cylinder.
And, as difficult writing may be... I think writing short films is even MORE difficult. There is just so little that can be put into 15-20 pages to help with characters/background/and emotional journey that it becomes very difficult to have a complete piece which both makes sense and is emotionally satisfying. Right now, I'm still missing both.
The end is kind of emotionally satisfying... but the story doesn't quite make sense. I'm sure I'll get it pieced together. At least 70% sure. I've done it before... I SHOULD be able to do it again. Until then, I'll sit... and try to write... write one scene... then another... try to figure out what my character wants... try to figure out what the entire script is "about"... try to make a cup of coffee that doesn't taste like soapy water (seriously... what the hell is with this coffee maker in the grad lab?!?!?!)
I'll try... and I'll keep y'all informed.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Perhaps this needs some backstory. Fair enough...
I've been working on a script for about 4 weeks now. It's slowly taking shape, but it's a major struggle. For those of you who don't know, writing is hard. Writing well is even harder... and I don't think there's a "level" of difficulty for GREAT writing. Suffice to say, I haven't achieved it yet and doubt I ever will. My skills lie with understanding shot making and working with actors. Writing is necessary and I have to fight to make it all work. Maybe all writers do. I don't know many so I suppose I can only surmise. I just used allot of S's...
Anyway... I write. I try to write. I've worked with my writing professor now, as well as two other collegues and, I have to say, nothing has helped. This story is strange and not quite firing on any one, compelling, cylinder.
And, as difficult writing may be... I think writing short films is even MORE difficult. There is just so little that can be put into 15-20 pages to help with characters/background/and emotional journey that it becomes very difficult to have a complete piece which both makes sense and is emotionally satisfying. Right now, I'm still missing both.
The end is kind of emotionally satisfying... but the story doesn't quite make sense. I'm sure I'll get it pieced together. At least 70% sure. I've done it before... I SHOULD be able to do it again. Until then, I'll sit... and try to write... write one scene... then another... try to figure out what my character wants... try to figure out what the entire script is "about"... try to make a cup of coffee that doesn't taste like soapy water (seriously... what the hell is with this coffee maker in the grad lab?!?!?!)
I'll try... and I'll keep y'all informed.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Last Horseman
Hey... TITLE CHANGED! Imagine that ;)
Sometimes you wonder how smart you really are... well, I do anyway. I set out with the best intentions. I wanted to make something GLORIOUS for my thesis. I approach every film I make with the attitude that I may never make another film ever again. Thus I can put all of my creativity toward whatever project I'm working on.
With that in mind, I decided to write a 20 page Western. Complete with horses, guns, blood and masks (that's probably pretty weird but it makes sense in the script... I hope). Yay for me... I made something that could be considered... "expensive"... maybe even "unreasonable". But, hey... who ever got anywhere by being reasonable... don't answer that, my fragile little psyche can barely handle the stress of this thing right now.
Anyway, all kidding aside, I'm very happy with the script. I just sat down and watched the tremendously good "The Proposition" which has a very similar feel to what I'm trying to accomplish. It's help me shape a couple of scenes that I was having trouble with from the get go.
We'll be shooting on 2 DVX100B cameras. I've had a ton of luck with them and, even though I was offered the chance to shoot on the XL2, I just haven't been as impressed with the Canon pulldown. In the end, it's all about drama and story anyway so it wouldn't matter if we were shooting on a PD150... well it would... I lied.
So as this moves forward, I'll try to keep y'all updated. It could be something really good. Could all fall apart in my lap. If that happens I'll just keep quiet for a little while and hand it off to my trusty editor... who just so happens to be me... so I guess that doesn't help much.
Sincerely,
Your Lonely Director; Nick J.
Sometimes you wonder how smart you really are... well, I do anyway. I set out with the best intentions. I wanted to make something GLORIOUS for my thesis. I approach every film I make with the attitude that I may never make another film ever again. Thus I can put all of my creativity toward whatever project I'm working on.
With that in mind, I decided to write a 20 page Western. Complete with horses, guns, blood and masks (that's probably pretty weird but it makes sense in the script... I hope). Yay for me... I made something that could be considered... "expensive"... maybe even "unreasonable". But, hey... who ever got anywhere by being reasonable... don't answer that, my fragile little psyche can barely handle the stress of this thing right now.
Anyway, all kidding aside, I'm very happy with the script. I just sat down and watched the tremendously good "The Proposition" which has a very similar feel to what I'm trying to accomplish. It's help me shape a couple of scenes that I was having trouble with from the get go.
We'll be shooting on 2 DVX100B cameras. I've had a ton of luck with them and, even though I was offered the chance to shoot on the XL2, I just haven't been as impressed with the Canon pulldown. In the end, it's all about drama and story anyway so it wouldn't matter if we were shooting on a PD150... well it would... I lied.
So as this moves forward, I'll try to keep y'all updated. It could be something really good. Could all fall apart in my lap. If that happens I'll just keep quiet for a little while and hand it off to my trusty editor... who just so happens to be me... so I guess that doesn't help much.
Sincerely,
Your Lonely Director; Nick J.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The 4 Horsemen
Aaaaaand.... we have a title. And a story no less. I'm quite proud. Draft? Draft you say? I'm workin' on it Mr./Mrs. Hurry pants! It takes time to hone such genius... of course I've heard it takes time to hone anything... even the ability to eat cereal can sometimes require days - nay - MONTHS to achieve some sort of mastery.
But, I digress... quickly. The script is coming along. My problem (as is the norm) is that I always have difficulty with the first 10 pages. Act One is always a chore, while Acts Two and Three come much more easily. In this case I've practically written the last two acts and am now just struggling with the first. I think I feel the most amount of pressure surrounding these first few pages as the audience is either going to be drawn in or walk out in those first few moments of the movie.
Of course, being afraid of those first few pages leaves open the room to be a procrastinator... as I always have been. If I can just obsess about an action line here or there... if I can pull my hair out over whether or not a "cut" is the right way to handle this transition (perhaps a dissolve is better?)... if I can bang my head against the wall over dialog like "hembras loca, me have tieso." Then I can actually prevent myself of getting a WHOLE lot of work done.
But enough of that junk, let's get to the nitty gritty (a phrase I absolutely hate, but find myself using numerous times throughout the day. What's it about? That's a good question. Plot wise it's about a gang of outlaws in 1895. They take on the personas of the Mythic Four Horsemen from the Bible. Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Together, they lead a gang called "The Horde" and cut a swath through the west. On the run, the four reach a small, isolated town in Montana and quickly ravage it. In the middle of the night, Famine (the leader) is attacked by a townsperson. The townsperson fails in his mission to kill Famine, but gets off a lucky shot from his revolver. It strikes Famine in the head... but doesn't kill him, rather induces amnesia.
This is the "inciting incident" if you will. How do the other 3 horsemen react to this? What does Famine make of his disturbing life? All questions that I try to answer. Sssssssslowly... but only in 30 pages... fun yay!
Anywho, enough with this pesky procrastination and onward to the writing thing.
Cherios... wait... Corn Flakes?
But, I digress... quickly. The script is coming along. My problem (as is the norm) is that I always have difficulty with the first 10 pages. Act One is always a chore, while Acts Two and Three come much more easily. In this case I've practically written the last two acts and am now just struggling with the first. I think I feel the most amount of pressure surrounding these first few pages as the audience is either going to be drawn in or walk out in those first few moments of the movie.
Of course, being afraid of those first few pages leaves open the room to be a procrastinator... as I always have been. If I can just obsess about an action line here or there... if I can pull my hair out over whether or not a "cut" is the right way to handle this transition (perhaps a dissolve is better?)... if I can bang my head against the wall over dialog like "hembras loca, me have tieso." Then I can actually prevent myself of getting a WHOLE lot of work done.
But enough of that junk, let's get to the nitty gritty (a phrase I absolutely hate, but find myself using numerous times throughout the day. What's it about? That's a good question. Plot wise it's about a gang of outlaws in 1895. They take on the personas of the Mythic Four Horsemen from the Bible. Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Together, they lead a gang called "The Horde" and cut a swath through the west. On the run, the four reach a small, isolated town in Montana and quickly ravage it. In the middle of the night, Famine (the leader) is attacked by a townsperson. The townsperson fails in his mission to kill Famine, but gets off a lucky shot from his revolver. It strikes Famine in the head... but doesn't kill him, rather induces amnesia.
This is the "inciting incident" if you will. How do the other 3 horsemen react to this? What does Famine make of his disturbing life? All questions that I try to answer. Sssssssslowly... but only in 30 pages... fun yay!
Anywho, enough with this pesky procrastination and onward to the writing thing.
Cherios... wait... Corn Flakes?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Under the Weather
I hates bein' sick. Seriously. I got this weird sinus infection thing going on and it's knocked me on my ass. I guess better now that I'm out of school and have the luxury of just sitting around this weekend.
Being sick has left me able to get some writing done (or at least get some thinking about writing done). Right now, with thesis time staring me in the face and the possibility of doing a western as said thesis, I'm trying to think of something kind of exciting to do. I've always wanted to make a western. I love the genre, but I guess more than that, I love a sub-genre of the western genre. I love the "Man With No Name" series of Clint Eastwood films. My personal favorite is High Plains Drifter. That's movie makin' right there. And so I've set my mind to making something similar... at least in tone.
Right now I'm seeing a strange expressionistic film about good and evil. Nothing new, but I'd like to put my own spin on it. That being said... it's a hell of a hard thing to accomplish without a budget. We'll see.
Anywho. Back to the grind of being sick. Couch time. I think I'll watch some Buffy... something to make me feel mo betta.
Being sick has left me able to get some writing done (or at least get some thinking about writing done). Right now, with thesis time staring me in the face and the possibility of doing a western as said thesis, I'm trying to think of something kind of exciting to do. I've always wanted to make a western. I love the genre, but I guess more than that, I love a sub-genre of the western genre. I love the "Man With No Name" series of Clint Eastwood films. My personal favorite is High Plains Drifter. That's movie makin' right there. And so I've set my mind to making something similar... at least in tone.
Right now I'm seeing a strange expressionistic film about good and evil. Nothing new, but I'd like to put my own spin on it. That being said... it's a hell of a hard thing to accomplish without a budget. We'll see.
Anywho. Back to the grind of being sick. Couch time. I think I'll watch some Buffy... something to make me feel mo betta.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
And the semester comes to a close. WOW!
Ye gads... that was an exciting two months... no really, it was.
With my second short film done (titled GONE) I'm feeling more confident with my ability to direct actors and create a visual voice for each piece I'm working on. That being said, it's hard work. And, more to the point, my big challenge still lies within writing. It's not that I'm a bad writer, as much as I tend to write films full of quiet moments and soft dialogs which talk about everything except what is actually going on. I like that in some ways, but it sets up a tone that's very monotonous at times. Hmmmm... working on it.
Now, with two short films under my belt (one of which I'm sending to festivals, for better or worse) I'm looking forward to my thesis film. Three scripts are in competition with each other for my attention. Two of which are drama/psychological studies... i.e. easy to shoot in terms of production. The third is a collaborative effort with another filmmaker and an actress to make a western. I don't know about that. It may work, it may not. I've always wanted to make a western, but the production problems that surround something like that are pretty impressive. That's not to say I'm writing it off, rather "approaching with caution". I'm not deluding myself into thinking this will be easy.
So, here I sit. Two years into my graduate degree (and only one year left) and 40 pounds lighter... I'm still chunky though... DAMMIT! But I feel good. My bad knee still bugs me, the rib I separated earlier this year still reminds me it's there, and the bills pile up. But I feel good. I feel like I'm doing what I always wanted to... and that's worth some aches and pains... definitely. ;)
Until next time, I am - and will always be - your Lonely Director.
With my second short film done (titled GONE) I'm feeling more confident with my ability to direct actors and create a visual voice for each piece I'm working on. That being said, it's hard work. And, more to the point, my big challenge still lies within writing. It's not that I'm a bad writer, as much as I tend to write films full of quiet moments and soft dialogs which talk about everything except what is actually going on. I like that in some ways, but it sets up a tone that's very monotonous at times. Hmmmm... working on it.
Now, with two short films under my belt (one of which I'm sending to festivals, for better or worse) I'm looking forward to my thesis film. Three scripts are in competition with each other for my attention. Two of which are drama/psychological studies... i.e. easy to shoot in terms of production. The third is a collaborative effort with another filmmaker and an actress to make a western. I don't know about that. It may work, it may not. I've always wanted to make a western, but the production problems that surround something like that are pretty impressive. That's not to say I'm writing it off, rather "approaching with caution". I'm not deluding myself into thinking this will be easy.
So, here I sit. Two years into my graduate degree (and only one year left) and 40 pounds lighter... I'm still chunky though... DAMMIT! But I feel good. My bad knee still bugs me, the rib I separated earlier this year still reminds me it's there, and the bills pile up. But I feel good. I feel like I'm doing what I always wanted to... and that's worth some aches and pains... definitely. ;)
Until next time, I am - and will always be - your Lonely Director.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Bits of Things... 'n' Stuff...
This semester is flying away from me. It's nice in some respects as I'm nearing my thesis year and my MFA will be complete... YAY! But, I'm also going to have to shoot, edit, and score a 12 page script in, roughly, three weeks (not consecutive, I just have a window of time in there and I'll be picking days to shoot). Scary stuff. Too much? Don't think so, just stressful. Can't wait to get to work on this script with my actress (a wonderfully talented lass) and finish casting so's I can get moving. I'm approaching this piece in a more Cassavetian (sp?) way. Which is to say that I'm letting some of the creative work fall into the lap of my lead actress, who seems excited by that. Where do I leave the character? Is this scene right? If not, how would you fix it? i.e. what would the character do instead? Also I can leave allot of the physical work in building a character to her. That's the dream anyway.
Music of the Moment: Angel - Live Fast, Die Never...
Great script writing music... at least I think so.
Music of the Moment: Angel - Live Fast, Die Never...
Great script writing music... at least I think so.
Friday, March 9, 2007
The Time Crunch
It's a difficult thing, filmmaking. Mostly, it's a time consuming thing. And time is never on your side, especially in a university environment where not one person can really commit to the project on the level you can (as writer/producer/director). What is most frustrating is trying to organize my time with other filmmakers in the program. Helping them on their own projects (which I enjoy) and trying to get the same from them. Thankfully, it almost always works out well. This semester, everyone is taking on so much that it seems I may be wearing ALL hats on my production.
At this moment, I do not have a complete cast. I do not even have a final draft of my script. I'm working long hours into the night on the script but I'm not much of a writer... well, I'm not a fast writer. I have moments that ideas come but translating them to the page is quite difficult. I have one actress cast (who is quite good) and we are going to be working together on the script, kind of taking a Cassavettian approach to the project. That's great, but it does put pressure on me to get these early drafts "right" so my actors are enthusiastic about the process. If the script sucks... then what? Well, I'm hosed if that happens.
But I have enough faith in myself to make an interesting script, keep people keen on the project. It's the time it takes that worries me. TOO LONG! Good lord. In some respects writing a full length script might be easier as you have time to lay things out and slowly develop things. Short scripts are so immediate that the pressure to complete them in just several pages is at odds with the pressure to make those several pages as deep and important as I can.
Ug. Back to work I go... wish me well...
At this moment, I do not have a complete cast. I do not even have a final draft of my script. I'm working long hours into the night on the script but I'm not much of a writer... well, I'm not a fast writer. I have moments that ideas come but translating them to the page is quite difficult. I have one actress cast (who is quite good) and we are going to be working together on the script, kind of taking a Cassavettian approach to the project. That's great, but it does put pressure on me to get these early drafts "right" so my actors are enthusiastic about the process. If the script sucks... then what? Well, I'm hosed if that happens.
But I have enough faith in myself to make an interesting script, keep people keen on the project. It's the time it takes that worries me. TOO LONG! Good lord. In some respects writing a full length script might be easier as you have time to lay things out and slowly develop things. Short scripts are so immediate that the pressure to complete them in just several pages is at odds with the pressure to make those several pages as deep and important as I can.
Ug. Back to work I go... wish me well...
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Not Fit to Be A Fan...
Ok, I'm not the only one. I'M NOT! But when my hero, Randy "The Natural" Couture, came out of retirement at 43 to face the giant Tim Sylvia for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, I doubted him. I worried for Randy's health facing the 6 foot 8 inch Sylvia with 17 knockout victories to his credit. I was angry at the UFC for putting my hero into harm's way. I was depressed that Sylvia (a champ that I really didn't like very much... nothing personal, I just didn't enjoy watching him fight and he had a real antagonistic relationship with fans) would be coming out to brutalize my Hero.
I guess a little background is needed here for those of you not familiar with the UFC. Randy "The Natural" Couture was the organization's first two time Heavyweight champ. Then at age 40, after consecutive losses to much larger opponents, he dropped down in weight to 205 (light heavyweight) to face possibly the most dangerous striker in the entire sport, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell. No one gave Randy a chance. So, in answer to that, Randy spent three rounds beating the crap out of Chuck, earning himself the Light Heavyweight Championship belt thus becoming the first fighter in UFC history to own two belts in two different weight classes. Randy would then spend nearly two years brutalizing younger opponents in that weight class until the belt was taken away from him by Chuck Liddell in consecutive knockout matches. At 42, Randy Couture retired from the sport.
Or so we thought. Three months ago it was announced that Randy would be coming out of retirement to face the Heavyweight knockout artist Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight belt. I was sad. I thought after two knockout losses to the smaller Chuck Liddell, the UFC was just placing the ever popular Randy against an unpopular champ to boost Sylvia's popularity.
So, I was wrong. I was so wrong that I feel like I betrayed my hero. This guy came out like a man possessed, not only repeatedly dragging Sylvia to the matt and having his way with him, but also completely dominating the stand up aspect of the fight. The first 20 seconds of round 1 saw the first punch landed in the fight send Sylvia flailing to the ground. Which shocked each and every one of us. 25 Minutes of complete domination from Randy Couture...
So, am I a TRUE fan? I didn't believe in my guy. I lost faith. I let logic get in the way. But, as one reporter said about the event. "Again Randy Couture is making me eat crow. But sometimes it's worth eating crow if you get to witness a miracle." I think that applies. I came out of UFC 68 feeling rejuvenated and fresh, like I wanted to be a better person.
Ok, Randy, you got me. I don't know what they're feeding you but I wanna eat it. And I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER bet against you ever again. EVER! I don't know how you're going to dismantle and destroy Mirko "Cro Cop" Fillipovic, but I'm sure you'll figure out a way. I'm in your corner. But I feel as though I don't deserve it.
I guess a little background is needed here for those of you not familiar with the UFC. Randy "The Natural" Couture was the organization's first two time Heavyweight champ. Then at age 40, after consecutive losses to much larger opponents, he dropped down in weight to 205 (light heavyweight) to face possibly the most dangerous striker in the entire sport, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell. No one gave Randy a chance. So, in answer to that, Randy spent three rounds beating the crap out of Chuck, earning himself the Light Heavyweight Championship belt thus becoming the first fighter in UFC history to own two belts in two different weight classes. Randy would then spend nearly two years brutalizing younger opponents in that weight class until the belt was taken away from him by Chuck Liddell in consecutive knockout matches. At 42, Randy Couture retired from the sport.
Or so we thought. Three months ago it was announced that Randy would be coming out of retirement to face the Heavyweight knockout artist Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight belt. I was sad. I thought after two knockout losses to the smaller Chuck Liddell, the UFC was just placing the ever popular Randy against an unpopular champ to boost Sylvia's popularity.
So, I was wrong. I was so wrong that I feel like I betrayed my hero. This guy came out like a man possessed, not only repeatedly dragging Sylvia to the matt and having his way with him, but also completely dominating the stand up aspect of the fight. The first 20 seconds of round 1 saw the first punch landed in the fight send Sylvia flailing to the ground. Which shocked each and every one of us. 25 Minutes of complete domination from Randy Couture...
So, am I a TRUE fan? I didn't believe in my guy. I lost faith. I let logic get in the way. But, as one reporter said about the event. "Again Randy Couture is making me eat crow. But sometimes it's worth eating crow if you get to witness a miracle." I think that applies. I came out of UFC 68 feeling rejuvenated and fresh, like I wanted to be a better person.
Ok, Randy, you got me. I don't know what they're feeding you but I wanna eat it. And I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER bet against you ever again. EVER! I don't know how you're going to dismantle and destroy Mirko "Cro Cop" Fillipovic, but I'm sure you'll figure out a way. I'm in your corner. But I feel as though I don't deserve it.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Writing 'n' Stuff
I hate writing... there, I said it... OH YEAH! It's a form of creative expression that lends itself well to some, and not so well to others. As I sit here, again, working on a script that I will be shooting in about two months, I find my mind wandering.
I think I work better as a director and cinematographer as I like working with what I do have as opposed to making up what I will have. There's a sense of play in interpreting the script and working with actors. As a DP, there's always a sense that you could fail at any second, but when the shot comes off right, SUCCESS!!!!
Writing also leaves me cold as it is, for me anyway, a lonely process. It's a time when I have to focus on what EXACTLY I want to say, then try, with my own little hands, to make it come out on paper. Sure, I can workshop it with other writers and directors, but that is almost too late. I've already done all the work. I've written a first draft and now have had a chance to look at it and see many of the flaws that must be corrected.
So... here I sit... I have 2 more pages written than I did an hour ago... I need to write 10 more pages... my iTunes has just switched to Rob Zombie's Two Lane Blacktop which is completely inappropriate for the script I'm working on... I flip through songs until I find something a little more depressing... ah, Loreena McKennit, that'll do... I look back at the page... still need 10 more...
I always bring the script together in time, but I wish it were easier. Not that directing or shooting a film is "easy", but I have a handle on how to make the process work. This writing thing is for the Birds... and that wasn't even a good script... CRIPES!!!!
I think I work better as a director and cinematographer as I like working with what I do have as opposed to making up what I will have. There's a sense of play in interpreting the script and working with actors. As a DP, there's always a sense that you could fail at any second, but when the shot comes off right, SUCCESS!!!!
Writing also leaves me cold as it is, for me anyway, a lonely process. It's a time when I have to focus on what EXACTLY I want to say, then try, with my own little hands, to make it come out on paper. Sure, I can workshop it with other writers and directors, but that is almost too late. I've already done all the work. I've written a first draft and now have had a chance to look at it and see many of the flaws that must be corrected.
So... here I sit... I have 2 more pages written than I did an hour ago... I need to write 10 more pages... my iTunes has just switched to Rob Zombie's Two Lane Blacktop which is completely inappropriate for the script I'm working on... I flip through songs until I find something a little more depressing... ah, Loreena McKennit, that'll do... I look back at the page... still need 10 more...
I always bring the script together in time, but I wish it were easier. Not that directing or shooting a film is "easy", but I have a handle on how to make the process work. This writing thing is for the Birds... and that wasn't even a good script... CRIPES!!!!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The Prestige
I don't often get the opportunity to sit down and watch movies anymore. It's a sad and rather ironic turn of events, I spend more time making films than I do watching those films that do and don't inspire me. But, occasionally, I find a few hours here or there and get a chance to relax in front of the boob tube.
Spurred on by the overwhelming "Brick", I made a little more time this weekend to actually watch a movie. There are quite a few on rental shelves that I want to get around to, but for right now, I had to pick one. Thus came "The Prestige". I've now seen 3 of Christopher Nolan's 4 major motion pictures (the only one I've yet to see is "Insomnia"). I don't know if I'd say I'm a "fan" of Nolan's movies. "Memento" left me cold. I hearald "Batman Begins" as the best comic book film to date. "The Prestige" fits somewhere in the middle.
"The Prestige", set in England and Colorado at the turn of the century (1899), is about two rival Magicians/Illusionists, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman in another very good performance) and Robert Borden (Christian Bale in another better than very good performance). When Angier's (Jackman) wife is accidentally killed in a failed illusion, he blames Borden (Bale) for her death. Thus sets up a story of revenge and obsession that plays out in a non-linear fasion.
It works... for the most part. It has some problems, one of which is at 130 minutes, it is too long. All of Act I and some of Act II feel as though they could have been condensed. And the main problem is that Nolan spends so much time and detail showing us the set up for the inevitable twist, that it's hard not to know what's coming. That being said, I quite liked the story and Nolan's presentation of the story. It's a metaphor of filmmaking itself. The more you learn about exactly how things are done in movies, the less they capture your imagination. The same is true here. The more Angier wants to learn exactly how Borden does his trick, the less magic and enjoyment simple "illusion" holds for him. He believes that it's REAL magic, thus sets out to prove that with disasterous consequences. There is a valid moral here and it comes through in spades.
A note on the "Magic" tricks in the film. I like simple things. I don't like allot of computer generated who-ha that looks pretty. I really have to give it to Nolan and his team for coming up with simple contraptions and camera tricks to tackle most of the magic. Sure, there's some CG here and there but it's spare. When we finally see (as Jackman's character puts it) "...the greatest magic trick I've ever seen." I was genuinely impressed by the trick, the trick's simplicity, and how the trick was depicted on film. It's things like this that hooked me into the movie despite a couple of problems with it.
So, I recommend "The Presitge", I'd even like to see it again. It's a good movie, maybe not a great one. When you watch it, remember this... "People don't care about the man in the box. Making someone disappear is easy."
Spurred on by the overwhelming "Brick", I made a little more time this weekend to actually watch a movie. There are quite a few on rental shelves that I want to get around to, but for right now, I had to pick one. Thus came "The Prestige". I've now seen 3 of Christopher Nolan's 4 major motion pictures (the only one I've yet to see is "Insomnia"). I don't know if I'd say I'm a "fan" of Nolan's movies. "Memento" left me cold. I hearald "Batman Begins" as the best comic book film to date. "The Prestige" fits somewhere in the middle.
"The Prestige", set in England and Colorado at the turn of the century (1899), is about two rival Magicians/Illusionists, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman in another very good performance) and Robert Borden (Christian Bale in another better than very good performance). When Angier's (Jackman) wife is accidentally killed in a failed illusion, he blames Borden (Bale) for her death. Thus sets up a story of revenge and obsession that plays out in a non-linear fasion.
It works... for the most part. It has some problems, one of which is at 130 minutes, it is too long. All of Act I and some of Act II feel as though they could have been condensed. And the main problem is that Nolan spends so much time and detail showing us the set up for the inevitable twist, that it's hard not to know what's coming. That being said, I quite liked the story and Nolan's presentation of the story. It's a metaphor of filmmaking itself. The more you learn about exactly how things are done in movies, the less they capture your imagination. The same is true here. The more Angier wants to learn exactly how Borden does his trick, the less magic and enjoyment simple "illusion" holds for him. He believes that it's REAL magic, thus sets out to prove that with disasterous consequences. There is a valid moral here and it comes through in spades.
A note on the "Magic" tricks in the film. I like simple things. I don't like allot of computer generated who-ha that looks pretty. I really have to give it to Nolan and his team for coming up with simple contraptions and camera tricks to tackle most of the magic. Sure, there's some CG here and there but it's spare. When we finally see (as Jackman's character puts it) "...the greatest magic trick I've ever seen." I was genuinely impressed by the trick, the trick's simplicity, and how the trick was depicted on film. It's things like this that hooked me into the movie despite a couple of problems with it.
So, I recommend "The Presitge", I'd even like to see it again. It's a good movie, maybe not a great one. When you watch it, remember this... "People don't care about the man in the box. Making someone disappear is easy."
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Downtime and MMA
Since finishing my final (we hope) edit of "What Love Remains", finishing my job as DP on a Thesis film, and completing the first draft of my script for this semester, I've had a couple hours of downtime. WHEE!!!! First thing I did was rent a couple movies, discovering in the process that "BRICK" is a frikken AMAZING movie that I will cherish for a long long time. After that was over, I decided to pull out some UFC dvd's and just enjoy some vicarious violence.
Those of you who know me (and you are few), know that I'm a HUGE fan of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Quite frankly it's the only sport I can stand to watch... and I'm an addict. It is the only THING on this earth that can get me into a bar (because I can't afford pay per view) and I can't wait to go back to the dingy, smelly Hammer Jack's on March 3rd to watch my boys beat the heck out of/submit each other.
For those of you who don't know, MMA is a hybrid form of martial arts that combines Greco-Roman Wrestling, Kickboxing, Ju-Jitsu, and various other forms of martial arts. It came about (popularly) in about 1993 when the first Ultimate Fighting Championship was held. Basically it was a competition to figure out that old question "Which Form of Fighting is the Best?". What quickly became apparent is what Bruce Lee had been telling us all along: ONE style of fighting won't cut it, you have to be able to move between them. There are several ways to win; Knock Out (that thing where someone hits/kicks you and the birdies sing), Submission (that thing where someone twists your arm and makes you say UNCLE... or in this case makes you tap out), Points (that thing where nobody wins so they send it to the judges), and Ref Stoppage/TKO (that thing where the ref rushes in to protect you from further punches to the face).
Since 1993 MMA has gone through allot of changes and is one of the most respected and successful sports on the map, making millions in pay per views and having a legion of fans at their heels. All that aside, the wife and I are just huge, salivating, rabid fans. :)
Anyways, back to that whole SCHOOL thing. Since last semester's project was so ambitious, I'm cutting back this semester's. I'm doing a short film that's really only one scene. I wanted to spend more time rehearsing and working specifically on performance, thus avoiding some of the headaches of producing. I just want to focus on directing a little more, allow myself to have a DP again (though that's always the most difficult thing for me), and just work with my actors. We'll see. I'll keep y'all posted.
Ah... those couple hours off were nice.
Those of you who know me (and you are few), know that I'm a HUGE fan of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Quite frankly it's the only sport I can stand to watch... and I'm an addict. It is the only THING on this earth that can get me into a bar (because I can't afford pay per view) and I can't wait to go back to the dingy, smelly Hammer Jack's on March 3rd to watch my boys beat the heck out of/submit each other.
For those of you who don't know, MMA is a hybrid form of martial arts that combines Greco-Roman Wrestling, Kickboxing, Ju-Jitsu, and various other forms of martial arts. It came about (popularly) in about 1993 when the first Ultimate Fighting Championship was held. Basically it was a competition to figure out that old question "Which Form of Fighting is the Best?". What quickly became apparent is what Bruce Lee had been telling us all along: ONE style of fighting won't cut it, you have to be able to move between them. There are several ways to win; Knock Out (that thing where someone hits/kicks you and the birdies sing), Submission (that thing where someone twists your arm and makes you say UNCLE... or in this case makes you tap out), Points (that thing where nobody wins so they send it to the judges), and Ref Stoppage/TKO (that thing where the ref rushes in to protect you from further punches to the face).
Since 1993 MMA has gone through allot of changes and is one of the most respected and successful sports on the map, making millions in pay per views and having a legion of fans at their heels. All that aside, the wife and I are just huge, salivating, rabid fans. :)
Anyways, back to that whole SCHOOL thing. Since last semester's project was so ambitious, I'm cutting back this semester's. I'm doing a short film that's really only one scene. I wanted to spend more time rehearsing and working specifically on performance, thus avoiding some of the headaches of producing. I just want to focus on directing a little more, allow myself to have a DP again (though that's always the most difficult thing for me), and just work with my actors. We'll see. I'll keep y'all posted.
Ah... those couple hours off were nice.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Late Night, Day Off, Naps Baaaaaad....
It's not that I hate naps... it's just that they appear to hate me. After the final day of shooting on a large Thesis film, I was tired. Strange, considering it was probably one of the easiest days of shooting we had. But still, I came home, crashed on the couch and fell asleep. In the background, Corky Romano blared yet still, sleep took me. Two hours later I awoke to that pleasant feeling of being hit by a train carrying port-a-potties. You know the feeling. The feeling that your heart is beating too fast, but yet, as though it could stop at any minute. I think the fact that the on set meals were from that health spa known as McDonalds only aided in the nap's ability to destroy my nervous system and make me want to avoid sleep for... ever really.
So, here I sit at 1:00 in the a.m. starting a blog site. Not something I thought I would do, but hey, what with being a grad student I've got just LOADS of free time to sit around and tell you all how I feel. As Anakin Skywalker would say... "YIPPIE!"
But there is a lighter side to the day. I managed to finally finish editing my epic (15 minute) film from last semester and dropped it off at a local film festival. I'm looking forward to seeing some other films from around Missoula and watching mine on a big screen. I shot it at 2.35:1 so it's tiny on my computer monitor. As soon as it's uploaded to the school website, I'll post a link so y'all can tell me how much you HATE, er how much you liked the sets... ya... there's always a nicer way to put it, but it's late and my brain is firing on only 1 of it's regular 3 cylinders.
*BANG* see... there it went.
So, here I sit at 1:00 in the a.m. starting a blog site. Not something I thought I would do, but hey, what with being a grad student I've got just LOADS of free time to sit around and tell you all how I feel. As Anakin Skywalker would say... "YIPPIE!"
But there is a lighter side to the day. I managed to finally finish editing my epic (15 minute) film from last semester and dropped it off at a local film festival. I'm looking forward to seeing some other films from around Missoula and watching mine on a big screen. I shot it at 2.35:1 so it's tiny on my computer monitor. As soon as it's uploaded to the school website, I'll post a link so y'all can tell me how much you HATE, er how much you liked the sets... ya... there's always a nicer way to put it, but it's late and my brain is firing on only 1 of it's regular 3 cylinders.
*BANG* see... there it went.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
