Concept worksheet #5 (I think or 7 or just one that I'm missing)

Elena Ortiz Concept #: 5

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): Shrunk

PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: This is a live action feature

RUNNING TIME (approximately): About 5 minutes

TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video. Real people, real locations.

VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): Setting would be in a house like in the beginning of “girl, interrupted” when Susanna is visiting her father’s friend who is a therapist. The setting needs to be comfortable and homey like the set of “The Cosby Show” in order to properly contrast with the mood of the film.

STORY STATEMENT: Jen is a 20 something suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. She sees a therapist, Carl, once a week at his in home office until one day she finds herself dissatisfied with his treatment. During their session Jen turns the tables on Carl, a small man, and ends up leaving him bound and gagged in his own attic while she has a little fun with his other patients.

NARRATIVE OUTLINE: The story would begin with Jen entering a house in a normal fashion. She uses keys and walks in, leaving her purse on the table and going through the mail. Everything would appear normal and we would follow her through the house into a cluttered office. The first words she speaks address someone named Carl, a character currently unknown to the audience. We aren’t meant to know if he’s in the house or if she’s merely thinking out loud. Jen rifles through the materials on a desk and looks over a list containing names and times. She then proceeds to a file cabinet and removes a large file. Opening it she begins to read the diagnosis of a woman named Jen. She reads her own file aloud as she moves about the house, stopping to get herself a glass of water with studied familiarity. The audience has yet to learn her name and doesn’t know the Jen she’s talking about is herself. She soon closes the folder but continues speaking. This time her voice is raised as if to make sure what she says is heard. She checks her watch and taunts a still unseen Carl. When a knock comes at the door Jen opens it and introduces herself, revealing that she was previously reading her own file. She persuades the woman at the door to enter and as she does the camera pans through the roof and into the attic, revealing a bound and gagged Carl slowly waking in panic.

WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): I just really enjoy psychology and want to create something that explores the psychological world. I like the idea of a completely knowledgeable patient effectively duping her psychologist and then psychoanalyzing others quite possibly better than her therapist has. I think seeing psychology from the point of view of someone who is considered ill but who has a remarkable grasp on the study itself would be extremely interesting and also maybe a little scary. I want to question what crazy is and make a point that maybe things aren’t as cut and dry as we wish them to be.

I will email you a script.

Week 14: Impact III - Reading

Showing your completed work is always the most nerve wrecking part of the process because it's the point at which you get judged. Everyone is analyzing and generating opinions and good or bad they reflect directly back on you. It's a terrible feeling to realize that you've failed to live up to the responsibility you set for yourself and if peoples' opinions are negative that is precisely how I feel. My personal responsibility is to create something that everyone will enjoy while putting out a message in my own way. If people don't enjoy it or my message does not come across the way I wanted I feel as though i've failed. I used to hate attaching my name to things until they'd been viewed and I'd received feedback because I only wanted to accept credit if it went well. That way of thing was far too unproductive for me because then everything turned out mediocre. When I had to start owning everything I had to start thinking more about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it because I knew it was mine and that everyone else would as well.

Week 13: Impact II - Reading

I would have to agree with Kureishi. Whenever I sit down to write I think about what I want and what I wish was out there to see. That is always my starting point. The more excited I get about whatever I'm working on the more I want to know of it will excite other people and that is when I get input from others and "show it to an audience" aka my friends. If they like it I keep going and continue if they don't I shelve the idea. People enjoying your work and wanting more of it is always an extremely inspirational feeling and helps your creativity flow. When outside interest isn't there it's much harder to keep going simply for your own personal enjoyment.

Week 12: Interaction III - Reading

I think that any creative endeavor always carries with it a deeper meaning. What you write into a script or in a book is what you want people to see, but what you don't write is what's far more magical. When you write a film you have no idea what kind of chemistry your actors are going to have or how they're going to interpret your characters and no matter what story you've written the story that develops on the screen will be far more meaningful because of it. One film that really lingered with me was the film "W delta Z" or "The killing gene". I chose to watch it because I liked the actors involved with the project and what I thought was going to be a standard horror/suspense film ended up being extremely psychological and stimulating. It struck a chord not with what was on the surface but with the meaning beyond the dialogue and the visuals. The unspoken is really what makes a film.

Week 10: Interaction II - reading

I definitely think it's important to surround yourself with people you respect when creating a project. If you don't respect someone then you won't ever see eye to eye on a concept no matter what it may be and no matter how well it fits into your vision because you will always see your idea as superior. If you have someone you respect coming to you with ideas then you'll better appreciate their input and opinions and are more likely to come to a successful collaborative agreement.

Week 10: Interaction II - Weekly entry

A dialogue from the independent film Last Goodbye, written by Jacob Gentry and Patrick Kaye. The dialogue is between one of the main characters, actress Agnes Shelby played by Clementine Ford and a film producer, Sean Winston played by Faye Dunaway.

Sean: Just look at you, I mean the way you do that, you just do it. You know, that’s it see? I mean, you can’t write that. You can’t write it. Come here.

Agnes: What?

Sean: Come on, come on come on come on.

Agnes: What? What? What?

Sean: I want to see you.

Agnes: See me what?

Sean: I want to talk about some stuff, try a couple of things… Come on. Okay, come on over here. Alright, ok so you know, hold your arms out.

Agnes: Make me.

Sean: Haha, okay. Well there you go and there. Now take a deep breath and now let it go. This is you, huh, this is you being free. Close your eyes. That’s it. Whatever you want… that’s what it will be. There is nothing between you and anything. So, do you believe me?

Agnes: I don’t know yet.

Sean: Oh come on now let it all go. Let it go, and understand, you are alone, with whatever you make, of the rest of your time.

Agnes yells for some shots before returning to her meditation.

Sean: That’s it ok, come on come on. Alright, alright, now now, listen what do you want? What do you want Agnes? I don’t mean things, I want to know what you really want. This is a beginning for you. All that other stuff before was just practice. What is it?

1. I want to make films because it's what I love. I first picked up a camera when my sister had a film themed birthday party and I absolutely loved it. When i found an editing program on my computer when i was in middle school I fell in love with the idea of cutting and manipulating images and sound to create new dynamics and new feelings. I taught myself how to edit and shot footage for the purpose of giving myself something to cut. It's my favorite way to tell stories and it's sometimes the easiest way for me to express myself. It's like putting together a puzzle, you know you have all the pieces, you just have to put them together the right way so you come out with a beautiful picture.

2. My plan is to move to LA and continue working with some of the talented directors, producers, and actors I've worked with in the past year or so. I've done both editing and PA work with an independent production company that is based in West Hollywood and they've expressed interest in working with me more. I plan to get pro-certified on FCP and possibly also AVID so that I am more marketable to potential new employers. I plan on continuing to build my resume whether it be with PA or editing jobs and at some point I'd like to attend stunt school as well. I'm also considering staying in Albuquerque and helping my old high school create an introductory film program though that is a very recent and undeveloped idea at this point. There are several alums from my high school who are working in the industry and we all agree the school should have a program so who knows, but I would be interested in that as well.

Week 14: Impact III - Concept #10

Elena Ortiz Concept #: 10

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): Untitled Lesbian Sci-Fi Action Adventure Film

PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: This is a live action feature

RUNNING TIME (approximately): I’d say try to keep it around 100 minutes, 120 max

TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video. Real people, real locations when possible. Special effects and possible green screen when necessary.

VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): Settings and costumes would resemble Joss Whedon’s Firefly. Costume would probably resemble both Firefly and some Terminator: Sara Connor Chronicles type battle ready clothes (i.e. leather jackets and boots etc.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H1BZ5QUMYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8CYWGDxdQ0

http://thetvaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/tcast.jpg

STORY STATEMENT: Sarah Andrews is an Agent fresh out of the Eastern Verse Military Academy. Sent as a replacement to the most elite black ops unit in existence she must learn to work with a team that not only doesn’t want her but that challenges her in ways she never imagined. When one of there own is taken captive and all of their lives are on the line the task falls on Sarah to lead them to safety.

NARRATIVE OUTLINE: This story will take place in a future similar to that of Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” or “Serenity”. It is a future where we have some technological advances such as space travel and medical advancements but there are no phazers or laser guns or lightsabers and such. It will follow Agent Sarah Andrews, a 22 year old recent graduate from the Eastern Verse Military Academy. She is assigned to the military’s top Black Ops team which is captained by Alice Sebring, a hero of the Universal Civil War that took place 20 years prior to when this story begins. Conflict arises when Agent Andrews arrives on the ship and discovers she is not the only Agent on the team. Eventually it is revealed that she has been sent as a replacement for the other Agent, Reid Bennett. This is the reason behind some of the captain’s and crew’s resentment towards Andrews. Several small missions take place en route to the military hospital, where Reid is to be evaluated, which reveal the corrupt nature of the Eastern Verse Government.

When Andrews escorts Reid to the hospital she discovers that if the tests conclude she is a risk Agent Bennett will not only be removed of her position, but terminated permanently. Before she makes it back to her ship the government finds out that she’s learned of Reid’s fate and attempts to neutralize her. She escapes but not before getting seriously injured. She convinces the rest of the Crew to form a rescue mission and they successfully get Reid back. Instantly the government sends their 12 top agents in pursuit of Captain Sebring and her crew. They take refuge on Sarah’s home planet at the farm where she grew up. Sydney, Sarah’s younger sister is there to help them when they arrive. A few days later a final standoff takes place and only a few come out alive.

The main storyline is the action, the trouble with Reid and the growing tension between the Government and Sebring’s crew. The B line would be the relationship that develops between Sebring and Andrews. I said I was tired of the coming of age stories but in a way that is what this is for Sarah. In the beginning she is a cocky new recruit but by the end she’s become a hardened leader who takes nothing for granted.

WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): I want to write this because I am damn tired of all the lesbian romantic comedy and coming of age stories. I really want to be able to see an action/adventure or sci-fi movie that just happens to have gay main characters. The mainstream movie industry is full of different types of films and I feel like the gay and lesbian niche could benefit from that type of variety as well.

Side note: I have 70 (not necessarily consecutive) pages of a narrative written on this concept as well as about 20 script pages. I’ll send them to you in an email if you’d like to look at them.

Week 13: IMPACT II - Concept Worksheet - Documentary

Who is your documentary about?

Naya Rivera

What has your subject done that is unique and notable / Why is your concept worthy of being documented on film?

She started as a background player on the tv show Glee and in the span of a season became a series regular that now has a prominent storyline in which she deals with the everything that comes with being a gay youth. Her character and her support of the LGBT community has changed the lives of Gays and Lesbians of all ages, providing a role model for the young and an accurate view of the lives of so many of us that struggled with accepting who truly are. She pushed for this storyline and was instrumental in making it happen.

What do you see as the Visual Look of your concept?

I think it would have lots of media clips, from the show, from interviews and appearances, etc. There would also be interviews filmed in a comfortable setting. I don’t think this could be told from anything but a personal point of view because it is incredibly personal to me. That being said, my point of view on her and her character is shared by many many people.

How does your story unfold?

I think I would start it with a clip from one of the songs she’s performed on glee that would fade into a video clip of her performing said song. I think the important thing here would be to show who she is and what she does and to use that to lead into how she’s using her craft to change lives. There are lots of video clips available that I think would be nice little surprises to throw in every now and then. I would really want to interview people who have been deeply affected by her storyline and her support for it, i.e.: Kids who were afraid to come out until they saw her do it, kids who were contemplating suicide because they had no one in their lives they could relate to unitl they turned on their tv’s and saw her.

She has a background in performing and has been acting since she was little. While that is notable for her career I think it’s not so much as important to this particular story, though the fact that she is gaining so much notoriety for playing a struggling lesbian instead of for just how talented she is could be interesting too.

How will you present your story?

This story is very much a thank you to Naya for all that she’s done and is doing, highlighting the positive things that have come from her portrayal of Santana Lopez. I think I would be invisible because the point is that this is the story of many and it needs to feel as though it’s coming from everyone.

I would definitely be using library footage from glee and events and appearances as well as interviews. I would also include a few still photos, especially when covering her background. I think I would use the blank screen technique but only to punctuate a specific moment: the scene where Santana admits she’s in love with her best friend.

Sound wise I would use a combination of voice-over, narration, synchronous sound, and music.

URLs:

http://dorothysurrenders.blogspot.com/2011/03/time-makes-you-bolder.html

http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2011/03/ryan-murphy-says-santana-is-a-lesbian

http://dorothy-snarker.tumblr.com/post/4981961079/the-brittana-chronicles-flirt-locker-hurt

Week 12: Interaction III - Concept #4

Elena Ortiz Concept #: 4

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): Curly & Sandy
PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: This is an animated short.
RUNNING TIME (approximately): I’d say 20-30 minutes
TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video. Real people, real locations.
VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): I’m thinking Pixar Animation. Sandy would look like Carl from Up. And Curly would have a face like Buzz lightyear.

STORY STATEMENT: Curly, an87 year old candy maker in NYC, accidentally gets sucked into one of Supervillian Time Traveler Curly’s time Vortexes and must help him steal a magic lantern before he can return to present day. Curly continually outsmarts and outwits his companion and saves the day.
NARRATIVE OUTLINE: Time traveling Super Villain Curly discovers that a magic lantern is housed in one of New York's most famous museums and decides to go back in time to steal the lantern before it is under the protection of the museum. While opening the time vortex Curly fails to notice an unobservant Sandy trip and fall within the safety field. They both end up back in time circa 1840. Sandy is immediately aware of the change in location and starts rambling about why everything looks like it's from the mid 19th century which draws Curly's attention. Since Curly cannot regenerate another time vortex for at least 24 hours he cannot return Sandy to the proper time and upon realizing his companion's intelligence decides to use Sandy to his advantage. He convinces Sandy to aid him in stealing "something" by refusing to return him to modern times until he has it. When Sandy discovers what they're stealing he changes his mind and refuses to help. Curly then decides to bribe Sandy with a wish on the lantern and it works.

Once back in present day, Curly wishes to restore his teeth, which had been destroyed from all of his evil doing. He then uses his second wish and hands the lantern to Sandy. Sandy decides on a little payback and wishes for Curly to become addicted to his Salt Water Taffy. Curly's new sweet tooth ends up rotting his teeth all over again.
WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): I think this would be a fun family film that would be both funny and adventurous for both kids and adults. It carries the message that crime doesn’t pay and also that it’s cool to be smart.

Week 12: Interaction III - Ready-Made Story

Part 1:

My character is Sandy Sucroshakova, an 87 year old Candy Maker from Russia. He has a large nose and ears as many old people do but beady little eyes. He is highly intelligent and is also a secret Chess Grandmaster. He always wears a red vest with a pocket watch attached by a chain in his right pocket. He wears dentures that he removes when he eats his favorite candy: Salt Water Taffy.

He is a Russian immigrant and owns a Candy Shoppe in NYC with his twin sister Rosemary and they make all the candy themselves every evening. He has never been married and has no kids but his next door neighbor, Carlo, is like an adopted son to him. He has 5 cats named Sugar, Butter, Cocoa, Salt, and Ginger. He loves to swing dance in his free time and just this year was named USA Today's Best Taffy in the USA.

Part 2:

Time traveling Super Villain Curly discovers that a magic lantern is housed in one of New York's most famous museums and decides to go back in time to steal the lantern before it is under the protection of the museum. While opening the time vortex Curly fails to notice an unobservant Sandy trip and fall within the safety field. They both end up back in time circa 1840. Sandy is immediately aware of the change in location and starts rambling about why everything looks like it's from the mid 19th century which draws Curly's attention. Since Curly cannot regenerate another time vortex for at least 24 hours he cannot return Sandy to the proper time and upon realizing his companion's intelligence decides to use Sandy to his advantage. He convinces Sandy to aid him in stealing "something" by refusing to return him to modern times until he has it. When Sandy discovers what they're stealing he changes his mind and refuses to help. Curly then decides to bribe Sandy with a wish on the lantern and it works.

Once back in present day, Curly wishes to restore his teeth, which had been destroyed from all of his evil doing. He then uses his second wish and hands the lantern to Sandy. Sandy decides on a little payback and wishes for Curly to become addicted to his Salt Water Taffy. Curly's new sweet tooth ends up rotting his teeth all over again.

Week 12: Interaction III - Weekly entry

Week 11 Interaction III - Concept Worksheet 3

Elena Ortiz Concept #: 3

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): EVE(L) – untitled future episode

PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: This is a live action short.

RUNNING TIME (approximately): 10-12 minutes – This is one episode of an 8 part webseries.

TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video. Real people, real locations.

VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Oq4f_wUFwg&feature=related

STORY STATEMENT: While in the midst of stealing records Eve is confronted by Betty, a stranger watching her from the coffee shop across the street. During the confrontation Eve manages to turn the tables on Betty and gets her to reveal her morals and motives.

NARRATIVE OUTLINE: Betty sits alone at a coffee shop. She is estranged from her family and extremely bitter. IN her solace she sees Eve at an outdoor kiosk and watches in silence as she steals 2 records while the clerk’s back is turned. She walks by the coffee shop and Betty calls out to her. She informs Eve that she knows what she’s done and Eve proceeds to use her wit and observational skills to turn the tables on Betty. She gets Betty to open up about her family and why they are not around. Eve describes her situation as being like ice – while rubbing an ice cube against her hand - It should be cold, but it burns us instead. Eve makes her exit and leaves a stunned Betty behind. She watches as she sees Eve hand some money to a homeless person on the corner.

WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): This episode touches on peoples’ expectations and how things aren’t always what they should be or how they seem. Eve is not what she seems and neither is Betty. Families are not always what families should be. The message in this episode is basically that you should always look at all sides of things for an explanation and that your family can be whatever you make it.

Week 10 Interaction II - Concept Worksheet 2

Elena Ortiz Concept #: 2

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): Lasciar Andare

PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: This is a live action short.

RUNNING TIME (approximately): 5 minutes – This is just a glimpse, one moment in an epic love story. It’s one point in time that gets straight to the point.

TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video. Real people, real locations.

VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): It needs to feel old but not black and white old, sepia old. Old Italy but like how rosselini does italy, without showing the famous monuments and buildings. *I have a file with images and video I'll bring to class

STORY STATEMENT: A lonely Italian widower cannot accept that his wife is truly gone. Unable to cope he finds himself stuck in an endless routine of false hope and disillusion.

NARRATIVE OUTLINE: Ed and Betty have been together for 50 years. They go shopping together every week walking hand in hand in perfect sync with each other. They are walking home from their daily shopping trip and reach the steps to their home. Ed offers Betty his arm and she refuses to take it reaching for the railing instead. Ed reaches the top faster and Betty’s image fades as she climbs disappearing entirely before reaching the top. Ed sighs and continues into his house alone passing an in memoriam photo of Betty before shutting the door.

WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): Everyone wants to find someone they can grow old with and Ed and Betty represent that, but they also reflect the idea of loving too much, of obsession. Ed cannot and refuses to let Betty go so he carries her with him every day

This week's best of me:

There once was a man named enron who grew up amongst the selfish aritocrats in the deep south of the bible belt part of America Olivo.

He had gastrointestinal issues caused by over exposure to oil

This made people dislike not only his personality but also the scent of his presence made them vomit

and I don't mean normal vomit

I mean like that high velocity projectile grey vomit that brittana shot out of there mouths while singing tik and also tok by ke dollar sign ha

but that's a different story

enron was also insanely obese

he took up too much space and too much attention

as a matter of fact... he is so fat that he sat on his neighbor benevolence and completely destroyed her helping hands

one of the reasons he's so fat is because he eats way too much salt. like veruca salt from the willy wonka factory of chocolate

she was the greedy bitchy one that turned into a purple tomato right??

Week 9 Interaction I - Concept Worksheet 1

YOUR NAME: Elena Ortiz Concept #: 1

TITLE FOR YOUR CONCEPT (you’re not married to this title forever; but even working titles can help later on): EVE(L)

PROJECT VENUE/FORMAT: I want this project to be a live action web series. I think this project is suited for the web because the story is best told in episodes, piece by piece in short installments.

RUNNING TIME (approximately): I'd say an average of 10-12 minutes an episode. Because it's for the web episodes need to be short enough to be interesting but long enough to provide sufficient development and story arc.

TYPE OF CONTENT: live action video.

VISUAL LOOK(S) OF YOUR CONCEPT (stay with the visual here, and don’t be afraid to cite examples from films, TV shows, videogames, etc.): It would have the look of the standard television dramedy. Because there would be both funny and dramatic moments, the lighting and cinematography would reflect that, but it would be shot in a standard format using real people and real locations.

STORY STATEMENT: A young girl's need for risk and reward pushes her to lengths her family never imagined. When Eve's need for adrenaline and excitement becomes too great for even boxing and rock climbing to sate she turns to a life of thievery not to hurt others, but to thrill herself. Her mischievous ways are kept out of sight of her family and friends until one day a situation arises where she's forced to out herself or lose everything.

NARRATIVE OUTLINE: This series is about a girl named EVE. She was raised by her Aunt Lynn “LYNNEY” Ryder when her mother was sentenced to life without parole for murdering Eve’s father during her pregnancy. Eve’s uncle JACK, Lenny’s brother, is also very central to Eve’s life.

The series begins on the last day of Eve’s junior year of High School. Throughout the series we will gradually find out more about Eve and her dysfunctional little family. Each main character as their own addiction:

Eve: Adrenaline

Lenny: Pot

Jack: Gambling

Despite his or her addictions everyone is fairly normal. We will see that although Jack is not thoroughly introduced until the second episode that he is the one who has influenced Eve’s life the most. The two of them do a lot of bonding and one of their favorite activities is going downtown to people watch. Often, they pick out random people they think the other should date.

Eve is a very smart and talented girl. She is outgoing and active and has a keen interest in psychology. Some of her favorite things are boots, weapons, boxing, and breaking the law whenever possible.

The meat of each episode will be just another day in the life of the Ryder family and will serve the purpose of revealing more about the characters and who they are. The episodes will be book-ended by action montages of an illegal activity of some sort in which Eve has participated.

The timeline for the episodes will be mostly chronological except for the action/crime sequences. For example, Eve may be wearing a pair of shoes in episode one that she steals in episode six. The goal is to make the timeline of criminal activity hard to decipher.

WHY YOU THINK AN AUDIENCE CAN SHARE IN THIS (what are you trying to say or explore?): I think this is a side of myself I'm trying to share with others as well as find in others. I don't do crazy things or take big risks but it's something that I constantly want to do. It's a side of myself I hide from others because I think their reactions will be negative and I think a lot of people have aspects of themselves that they keep private as well. This isn't so much about the abnormality of certain situations as it is about how normal the abnormal is. I think it's about taking what isn't considered average or normal or regular and proving that it is.

Week 9 Interaction I - Starting With Sound

Starting on black I would first bring in heavy breathing joined shortly thereafter by a lock clicking, floorboards creaking, and lastly running footsteps. My first shot would be of feet pounding the pavement, but not in running shoes. They would be boots on a jean clad 17 year old girl. There would be a smile on her face and a record in her hand and she'd be navigating the streets of and average suburban neighborhood with ease and familiarity. I like these sounds because there is an uncertainty to them. Breathing can have any variety of meaning and when combined with the noise of a lock can invoke any amount of images to appear within the mind's eye. The footsteps are last because the real image that the sounds are illustrating is happening chronologically. The girl steals a record from someone's house. She's breaking and entering but we don't see it. We hear it. We hear it and then are presented with an image that doesn't quite tell us what happened but shows us that it probably wasn't what we thought. I like being deceptive with sound and story cues, getting people to think one thing only to have the reality be something completely different.

Week 9 Interaction I - Reading

I think Kate Amend says it best, "if they just want a pair of hands, they don't need me." It's important to have a vision for your film and to have ideas and a picture of where you want to go and what kind of aesthetic you want to have but you have to be open to change too. Setting yourself in stone only insures that you have a last resort, not that you have something beautifully crafted and well executed. A rock is not a diamond. A director is not a set designer is not an editor is not an actor is not a DP and so on and so forth. There are different specialities because everyone brings something different to the table. The point of collaboration is to work together to create, not to make a single person's vision a reality. If you view the world differently then I do, show me what you see, maybe what you're seeing is better than what I'm seeing, and I'm okay with that.

Week 8 - Intuition II: Place Changes

I watched the sun set. I saw the light change. I sat in a slightly different spot than usual, on a boulder instead of the ground. Less dirt. The wild grass is taller and no longer dead, rather, it's greener and less brown, I don't think it ever really dies... Pretty soon I'm not going to be able to sit there at night anymore because the temperature is getting warmer. I say that because the snakes come out and I really hate snakes. Like really really. But yeah, it's getting warmer and things are coming alive. There was only a little wind today so no dust was kicked up and the rustling of the trees and bushes was inaudible and invisible. The boulder on which I sat was pock marked at the frequency of a golf ball but in nowhere near as smooth or as perfect a pattern, which I think actually makes it more perfect. It's smooth and rough at the same time because it's not lumpy but it's not soft. The little trail I created for myself to get here is clearer now, easier to see. The ants are still around and thank god I've yet to see any spiders though I'm sure they're here too. There's less traffic that I can hear tonight, but more people nearby. I hear their footsteps and occasionally parts of their conversations when their voices echo properly. It's kinda cool, how the sound carries away from houses and electrical hums.

This week's best of Me:

this is a character. A man. Almost 80 years old. 2 marriages. 6 kids. The youngest still in college. He worked his entire life, finally retiring when his youngest child was in her 2nd year of college. The family still needed his income, but he just couldn't work anymore. He's well past retiring age so his daughter understands. His wife doesn't. She's working two jobs, trying to make ends meet. He spends his days online, checking emails, falling for gimmicks, thinking he's gonna get millions of dollars from the UN from some foreign bank. He sees his family struggling to get by and wants to make them happy again so he starts working with a couple guys on selling bonds. Again, he thinks he's going to get millions of dollars when the deal goes through. Every time, there's a catch or a fee. He moves his family into a new house but he borrows money to make a payment on it. He alienates people by not paying them back because his "money" hasn't come in yet. He believes it's all true and you want to believe in him, but you know deep down all hell is about to break loose. Best case scenario, you become a millionaire. Worst case, you get evicted from your house for the second time in 3 years and are left wondering, "What happens now?" Is this man delusional? Sick? Stubborn? Hopeful? Senile? I don't know, because this man is my father.