There's a shirt I saw once that made me laugh, then gave me an introspective moment. It was a black T-Shirt with green lettering which read "More People Have Read This Shirt Than Your Blog". Funny and true how many of us write these little public diaries, reviews, statements, diatribes, and yet how few people actually read them.
So, why do it? I can't answer for other people but I can write about myself... which is kind of the whole point of blogging, isn't it? For me, blogging is a self-psycho-analysis. I try to be as self reflective in life as I can. This has, at times, been rather destructive and caused me more second guessing than was healthy. But I've moved on and blogs allow me to write things down, be honest (or as honest as anyone could/should be in a public forum) and say something about myself. I don't do movie reviews anymore because I found them to be unhelpful in crafting my own work. They were also... what's the best way to put this... in bad taste. What right do I have to criticize another artist's work? If I don't like something, then I just won't use that method in my own work. To take my time to lambaste someone for trying to do what I'm trying to do is just mean spirited, and inappropriate at this state in my career.
But I do find it helpful to sort of review my own life and blogging is an interesting way to go about it. I have to sit and think, "Ok, do I really want to put that into a public forum?". Usually the answer is "Yes", but it still allows me to study myself. If I don't want to make something public, why not? What does that say about me? My action, inaction, decision, etc...
So, I blog here and there. Judging from the lack of responses I doubt that anyone is listening... but that's ok because, in the end, that's not really the point. For me blogs, like journals and diaries, are meant for the writer... not an audience. I'm sure there are times I'd like a discussion to start, but if it doesn't I've still taken the time for a little self analysis. Hopefully I'm the better for it.
Updates coming soon on "Gone", my first feature length film.
Your Lonely Director,
Nick J.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Still Breathing
Well it's been a while... long while... no longer than that... it's been a while. Life ebbs and flows and I got caught in a serious string of ebbs that kept me busy for a while. Not the least of which was some jackass hacking into my paypal account and trying to steal what little money I have. *silent rage*
Anyway, I've been hard at work doing multiple things. Following the death of one of the great professors and mentors at UM, I've taken on a couple extra classes. It's been fun and I have great students this semester. That makes my job so much easier.
I've also been working on a series of web travelogues that are in post production now. It's been a great experience that has been so exhaustive it's nearly put me into a state of catatonia. Seriously, it wasn't pretty.
But I'm plodding along and trying to stay as creative as possible. I've been "hired" as the cinematographer on a short film for a good friend of mine. It's nice. I won't have to worry about my own work for that month of production, just making sure I'm doing my job as cinematographer as best I can. Should be fun :)
I'm also working on my first feature length script. It's slow going as I just don't have the time to concentrate on it now. But I'm done outlining and have finally started on a draft. It's a big project but I think would work well as my first feature length film.
I'm also writing and directing a play this spring for a local theater troop. Again, the writing is slow and frustrating, but it's fun to work in different mediums. I doubt I'll stay in stage work as I so love what the camera does. But there is a quite simplicity and peace to working on stage. It feels more like I'm just working with actors. Good stuff.
So I'm overworked and not looking forward to those student loans, but I'm good and still being creative. I just finished mastering a DVD collection of my three short films that I'd be happy to send out if anyone is interested. Just contact me at: nicholasgjenkins@hotmail.com
I'll try to keep the updates a comin'.
Peace Out,
Nick J
Anyway, I've been hard at work doing multiple things. Following the death of one of the great professors and mentors at UM, I've taken on a couple extra classes. It's been fun and I have great students this semester. That makes my job so much easier.
I've also been working on a series of web travelogues that are in post production now. It's been a great experience that has been so exhaustive it's nearly put me into a state of catatonia. Seriously, it wasn't pretty.
But I'm plodding along and trying to stay as creative as possible. I've been "hired" as the cinematographer on a short film for a good friend of mine. It's nice. I won't have to worry about my own work for that month of production, just making sure I'm doing my job as cinematographer as best I can. Should be fun :)
I'm also working on my first feature length script. It's slow going as I just don't have the time to concentrate on it now. But I'm done outlining and have finally started on a draft. It's a big project but I think would work well as my first feature length film.
I'm also writing and directing a play this spring for a local theater troop. Again, the writing is slow and frustrating, but it's fun to work in different mediums. I doubt I'll stay in stage work as I so love what the camera does. But there is a quite simplicity and peace to working on stage. It feels more like I'm just working with actors. Good stuff.
So I'm overworked and not looking forward to those student loans, but I'm good and still being creative. I just finished mastering a DVD collection of my three short films that I'd be happy to send out if anyone is interested. Just contact me at: nicholasgjenkins@hotmail.com
I'll try to keep the updates a comin'.
Peace Out,
Nick J
Monday, February 4, 2008
Sci-Fi Film Festival: RECAP
It was a particularly un-Seattle like day. A few clouds but no rain. It seems every time I go there, the rain stops. That seems to be the trend in my life. Must be something in my body that repels weather of all types. But, aside from the lack of promised rain, Seattle was Seattle. Busy, bustling with people, and faster than the Montana rhythm I've grown used to.
The festival started at 2pm with a tour of the Sci-Fi Museum (which if you've never seen, you should... it's magnificent). We were lead through the post modern building and treated to the wonderful sights and sounds of our imaginations. There is a great display at one point which takes space ships from all different types of mediums and compares them visually. They fly around each other and through the HUGE HD monitor. The Millennium Falcon maneuvers around Moya as the Dark City rises from nowhere and into the heavens. Truly great stuff.
At the top left of the screen a long, black, tube of a ship sits almost motionless. The tour guide asked if any of us in attendance read sci-fi. Most of us raised our hands. She then asked if any of us could identify the black tube ship. Everyone turned back and said nothing. I looked again. "Is that Rama?" I asked. Her eyebrows raised and she responded happily, "It IS Rama!". I think I might be the first person to get that one right. Interestingly enough, I've never read the book "Rendezvous With Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke, rather I recognized it from a piece of production material from the filmed adaption by David Fincher which has yet to materialize. I kept that secret to myself.
We left the museum and headed across town to the Cinerama Theater. Butterflies in my stomach - I absolutely hate to watch my films with an audience - I sat down in our reserved "VIP" seats. I leaned back, then further, then further... the seat was broken. As was the one next to it, and the next one... you get the idea. As I type this I am reminded by the pain in my back and neck, that my VIP seat was not a kind way to view a 5 hour short film festival.
But I digress. The festival itself was a treat. One of the best audiences I've ever seen a film with, and we all got treated to 20 wonderful films. My personal favorites were Monster Job Hunter (a comedy with a punch line no one will see coming) and The Recordist, which is a terrific film about self discovery and potential. But I loved a little bit of most of them.
But where did my film fit into this festival? I'm not sure. To me it felt as though there were two categories. Those films with budgets... and those films without budgets. The films with budgets were the one's actually in competition, while the rest of us felt more like time fillers. But there's nothing wrong with that I suppose. To complain would be nothing but sour grapes. The three winners were all very very good films and I wish their cast and crews much luck in the future.
That being said, it is a bit of a catch 22. To have success at that level, you have to be playing at that level. To be playing at that level requires to have either already had success at that level or wager an economic risk. At this point, I just don't know if that is in my future.
But I DO know this: I love film. I love to make films. I love to work with people creatively on this level and hope to do it all again soon. This festival was an eye opener of sorts, but it was also a wonderful experience which I wouldn't trade.
I got back on the plane, a last minute change of gates threw off my equilibrium but I managed not to panic, and I thought about my place, my future, in film. Who knows. Nobody knows. We are always our own worst critics, but I feel as though I have potential and have not yet found out what my true voice is... though I'm getting close. I've still got stories to tell and think that people want to hear them. It's all a question of how I'm going to do that. How am I going to tell these stories to bigger and bigger audiences. We'll see what happens next. For now, I'm home, and taking a few moments to myself to digest the experience and plan my next move/movie.
Hope to see you all on the road there ;)
Your Lonely Director,
N.J.
The festival started at 2pm with a tour of the Sci-Fi Museum (which if you've never seen, you should... it's magnificent). We were lead through the post modern building and treated to the wonderful sights and sounds of our imaginations. There is a great display at one point which takes space ships from all different types of mediums and compares them visually. They fly around each other and through the HUGE HD monitor. The Millennium Falcon maneuvers around Moya as the Dark City rises from nowhere and into the heavens. Truly great stuff.
At the top left of the screen a long, black, tube of a ship sits almost motionless. The tour guide asked if any of us in attendance read sci-fi. Most of us raised our hands. She then asked if any of us could identify the black tube ship. Everyone turned back and said nothing. I looked again. "Is that Rama?" I asked. Her eyebrows raised and she responded happily, "It IS Rama!". I think I might be the first person to get that one right. Interestingly enough, I've never read the book "Rendezvous With Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke, rather I recognized it from a piece of production material from the filmed adaption by David Fincher which has yet to materialize. I kept that secret to myself.
We left the museum and headed across town to the Cinerama Theater. Butterflies in my stomach - I absolutely hate to watch my films with an audience - I sat down in our reserved "VIP" seats. I leaned back, then further, then further... the seat was broken. As was the one next to it, and the next one... you get the idea. As I type this I am reminded by the pain in my back and neck, that my VIP seat was not a kind way to view a 5 hour short film festival.
But I digress. The festival itself was a treat. One of the best audiences I've ever seen a film with, and we all got treated to 20 wonderful films. My personal favorites were Monster Job Hunter (a comedy with a punch line no one will see coming) and The Recordist, which is a terrific film about self discovery and potential. But I loved a little bit of most of them.
But where did my film fit into this festival? I'm not sure. To me it felt as though there were two categories. Those films with budgets... and those films without budgets. The films with budgets were the one's actually in competition, while the rest of us felt more like time fillers. But there's nothing wrong with that I suppose. To complain would be nothing but sour grapes. The three winners were all very very good films and I wish their cast and crews much luck in the future.
That being said, it is a bit of a catch 22. To have success at that level, you have to be playing at that level. To be playing at that level requires to have either already had success at that level or wager an economic risk. At this point, I just don't know if that is in my future.
But I DO know this: I love film. I love to make films. I love to work with people creatively on this level and hope to do it all again soon. This festival was an eye opener of sorts, but it was also a wonderful experience which I wouldn't trade.
I got back on the plane, a last minute change of gates threw off my equilibrium but I managed not to panic, and I thought about my place, my future, in film. Who knows. Nobody knows. We are always our own worst critics, but I feel as though I have potential and have not yet found out what my true voice is... though I'm getting close. I've still got stories to tell and think that people want to hear them. It's all a question of how I'm going to do that. How am I going to tell these stories to bigger and bigger audiences. We'll see what happens next. For now, I'm home, and taking a few moments to myself to digest the experience and plan my next move/movie.
Hope to see you all on the road there ;)
Your Lonely Director,
N.J.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Official Website is Up.
www.nicholasgjenkins.net
It's rough, but it's functional for those of you who would like to check out teaser trailers of my work (you have to have the newest version of Quicktime) and eventually I think I'm going to merge my site and this blog... we'll see.
Your Lonely Director,
Nicholas G. Jenkins
It's rough, but it's functional for those of you who would like to check out teaser trailers of my work (you have to have the newest version of Quicktime) and eventually I think I'm going to merge my site and this blog... we'll see.
Your Lonely Director,
Nicholas G. Jenkins
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Let the Teaching Commence...
I try to sneak a Dark City reference in as many places as I can :)
So yesterday began the semester for us and I'm pretty loaded down. It's a good thing. The editing process is slow for me, so I'm filling my time with class prep. It's a strange semester for me. I'm teaching two editing classes (one introductory, the other more advanced), a directing class, and two independent studies on Directing and Cinematography. Lots to do and good groups of students.
Next week I leave for Seattle and the Sci-Fi Film Festival. I'm excited, but I hate flying. No, I mean REALLY hate flying. So much so that I'm almost wishing I hadn't been accepted into the fest... almost. It's going to be a wonderful experience to see what other filmmakers are doing on my level (and WAY above by the looks of it... check out YouTube for the trailer to a short film called "E:D:E:N"). There is also a film from AFI named "The Recordist". It looks great and I can't wait to see it.
All in all things are moving forward quite well. I haven't heard any results for the jobs I applied for, but I'm told that's normal and I won't hear anything until March. As the Spaniard says, "I hate waiting."
Also been rethinking the whole "Blog" thing these days. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to the vast emptiness of the internet with this thing. I'm not really sure it's worth my time. I keep one on MySpace and seem to have a better turn out. I'm not much for diaries so this may be superfluous. I don't know. We'll see.
Current Music: A strange mix of Bullet for my Valentine, Gwar, Bush, and Chevelle.
Current Movies: Sunshine
So yesterday began the semester for us and I'm pretty loaded down. It's a good thing. The editing process is slow for me, so I'm filling my time with class prep. It's a strange semester for me. I'm teaching two editing classes (one introductory, the other more advanced), a directing class, and two independent studies on Directing and Cinematography. Lots to do and good groups of students.
Next week I leave for Seattle and the Sci-Fi Film Festival. I'm excited, but I hate flying. No, I mean REALLY hate flying. So much so that I'm almost wishing I hadn't been accepted into the fest... almost. It's going to be a wonderful experience to see what other filmmakers are doing on my level (and WAY above by the looks of it... check out YouTube for the trailer to a short film called "E:D:E:N"). There is also a film from AFI named "The Recordist". It looks great and I can't wait to see it.
All in all things are moving forward quite well. I haven't heard any results for the jobs I applied for, but I'm told that's normal and I won't hear anything until March. As the Spaniard says, "I hate waiting."
Also been rethinking the whole "Blog" thing these days. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to the vast emptiness of the internet with this thing. I'm not really sure it's worth my time. I keep one on MySpace and seem to have a better turn out. I'm not much for diaries so this may be superfluous. I don't know. We'll see.
Current Music: A strange mix of Bullet for my Valentine, Gwar, Bush, and Chevelle.
Current Movies: Sunshine
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Sunshine: A Review
Danny Boyle's "Sunshine" is one of those rare films that engaged me both philosophically, and aesthetically. This is a truly impressive film and one that inspires me to make film. So rarely do those two states come together that I have to marvel at it. To write too much about "Sunshine" would give away too much of the journey. The plot involves a team of astronauts on a mission to re-ignite our dying sun. As it turns out, this is actually the second mission as the first one failed for mysterious reasons.I recommend "Sunshine" to everyone who loves science fiction, movies, and stories. This, to me, is what filmmaking is all about and I heartily include it with other sci-fi greats like "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Solaris", "Dark City", and "Alien".
Grade: A+
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Recent Movies
Not as much recommendations as "hey here's what I've seen lately."
The Bourne Ultimatum, The Last Samurai, and Deadwood.
The Bourne Ultimatum, The Last Samurai, and Deadwood.
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.
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