The first project of this fall semester was a challenge. Of course, every project is a challenge in its way, but since I hadn't filmed anything since 2012, it's been rough getting back into production/filmmaker mode. I can call myself a filmmaker all I want, but that doesn't mean I make projects all the time. I'm glad I got to change that within the last few months.
I registered for Motion Picture Production I, which entails editing, writing, production, sound, etc. Basically, I have to do everything for all three projects.
The first project entitled "Grilling" is based on a 1-2 page script I received from my professor. It comes from a movie script, but we weren't encouraged to hunt down the movie, for fear of lack of originality and creativity.
This wasn't what I objected to. I was more upset that I actually had to film something. It was daunting to think that this was something I wanted to do but couldn't find the courage or the self-esteem to do so. It was an awful feeling, but I pushed through it and eventually came to when I came up with an idea that seemed only for Hollywood production.
The script I got came from "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1950s) and I didn't pursue it at all. I favor originality over copycat/homage any day. It includes two people, (X and Y). X is interrogating Y, trying to confirm Y's connection with a dead man who was suspected of holding classified information.
I am a big fan of creating everything from one small detail. I've written stories just because I liked some boots I saw in the store or heard a unique name that I thought should be written down on paper. I usually get my ideas from that or from dreams. This time, it was a dream.
I had this idea that Y was a woman, a double agent who's morally good. She and the supposed 'dead man' were lovers, and they got ahold of this 'info'. X is just a federal agent trying to get Y to confess. Y is a strong character, but after having her lover die in her arms, it's hard for her to keep cool under her alias as a doctor.
Here's the finished product:
As you can tell, I really played around with the flashback element. To me, it was the easiest way to give myself freedom to add story to an otherwise boring interrogation conversation/
I filmed 'Grilling' in L.A. and in Fullerton. In L.A., I came in touch with my newest friend, Chris Puiatti, who had just moved to L.A. that week. It was a stroke of luck to have gotten in touch with him. He's a pretty talented actor, and I can't wait to collaborate with him on future projects. Chris played the 'Dead Man', and he did it very well.
Sarah Licata played the role of 'Y'. I've known Sarah for a year now, and I'm honestly really proud of how awesome we are. She's a great actress, and actually, I recently acted in her project as well. She did fantastic, despite her saying she didn't.
Richard Lancaster played 'X'. Richard and I have been close friends since high school. He's like a brother to me and he's also one of the most talented actors I've seen. He'd tell you otherwise, but honestly, that kid is going places. I've actually used him in all of my projects this semester and starred with him in Sarah's project.
I used natural and artificial light, obviously for the flashbacks it was natural and the interrogation was artificial. It was one of the least stressful shoots I've ever had simply because I was working with professional, hardworking people. It's a different world.
The production of this wasn't very elaborate, just very carefully thought out.
What I wanted to touch with this project was improvising backstory and hooking the audience in with mystery. I definitely did, according to my classmates. It was alarming to see that my film grabbed people into this world and got them interested. I really wanted to capture story, put the viewers in the middle of it and leave them thinking "what's going to happen to Y".
Mission accomplished.
No comments:
Post a Comment