Currently enjoying (though not so sure that's the right word) getting into my first assignment for this year - a shot-by-shot analysis of a sequence from a film that has been adapted from a source. I've chosen 'Last of the Mohicans' (novel by Fentimore Cooper, film by Michael Mann), as it is a film I love, and perfect (hopefully) for this assignment as it has a number of sequences which have left themselves ingrained on my brain. I have no pretensions regarding my lack of knowledge of camera angles and the practical side of film-making, but this assignment has been something of an eye-opener. I have chosen the sequence towards the end of the film where Alice is being taken by the Hurons, Magua in charge. Uncas, Hawkeye and their father follow with Cora, and launch a rescue attempt. It's one of the most moving (weird word I know for such acts of violence) fight scenes I've seen. It left an impression on me and still does, but it's taken until now, before I thought about investigating why it has that effect.
In breaking it down, frame by frame, shot by shot, I've suddenly discovered that within the 6 minutes I'm looking at, there are nearly 150 separate shots, and discounting emotional sounds, there's only 1 piece of dialogue properly uttered. The sounds and soundtrack play a massive part... I feel like I'm managing to understand a tiny bit more about the layers of effort that really go into making a film. This is a time-consuming assignment so far but I feel like I'm getting something practical out of it.
It's left me wanting the soundtrack too.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Yves Saint Laurent & SHOWstudio update
If you read my earlier post here, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you didn't, just follow this link here (and click 'edition 24' then double click on the '24hr' page that opens), to see some arty fashiony film clips on the Yves Saint Laurent website created as part of an art project with SHOWstudio to promote 'Edition 24'.
The scene I had a tiny something to do with, will be released on 15th October. Can't wait. Even if it's unrecognisable, the whole experience has been fascinating and rather exciting. Wonder when the whole film will come out. I'm ready for my credit now Mr DeMille.
The scene I had a tiny something to do with, will be released on 15th October. Can't wait. Even if it's unrecognisable, the whole experience has been fascinating and rather exciting. Wonder when the whole film will come out. I'm ready for my credit now Mr DeMille.
And then...
... and then stuff happened. Ain't that always the way.
Went to a networking thing at Edinburgh College of Art last week to meet new Screen Academy students, and to hear about this fab new site being set up to allow all the UK Screen Academies to network. It's called 'Rawstock' and looks to be a useful tool, but of course I do have a small grumble (as did all the writers there) - they've got space for uploading films but NO space for uploading scripts or works-in-progress. Though they did promise that will be added, after we made some disapproving noises. Bit cheeky though don't you think? Back to that ole chestnut regarding whether writers get proper recognition. It reminded me of a post on Robin Kelly's blog which mentions how the writer of the recent release, 'Control' gets his credit so far down the list that most people will have left the cinema before it appears. It's annoying and a bit weird. Can you imagine Damien Hirst getting his mention at the very end of a catalogue? Anyway it's a debate that's been raging since time began...
Friday, was back at Uni for the start of the year. Full of excitement, though this was somewhat blunted by the fact we had to watch a Bresson film, 'L'Argent'. Didn't mind the first half, as it was interesting stylistically, but my god, by the second half, I was failing. Whether it was luck or subconscious planning on my part, the film over-ran our lunch-break, and unfortunately I had to run out to shove more cash into my parking meter. Missed the end. I've read the Tolstoy original 'Forged Coupon', and it doesn't look like I missed anything spectacular. Interesting module though - 'From Script to Screen', I'm actually looking forward to getting my teeth into something quite academic.
Afternoon sessions will be another Script Workshop. I'm also looking forward to this as we only got one writing module in the whole of last year. Probably going to develop a 30min script here though there are some options. Have to take 20 ideas in for next week.
Went to a networking thing at Edinburgh College of Art last week to meet new Screen Academy students, and to hear about this fab new site being set up to allow all the UK Screen Academies to network. It's called 'Rawstock' and looks to be a useful tool, but of course I do have a small grumble (as did all the writers there) - they've got space for uploading films but NO space for uploading scripts or works-in-progress. Though they did promise that will be added, after we made some disapproving noises. Bit cheeky though don't you think? Back to that ole chestnut regarding whether writers get proper recognition. It reminded me of a post on Robin Kelly's blog which mentions how the writer of the recent release, 'Control' gets his credit so far down the list that most people will have left the cinema before it appears. It's annoying and a bit weird. Can you imagine Damien Hirst getting his mention at the very end of a catalogue? Anyway it's a debate that's been raging since time began...
Friday, was back at Uni for the start of the year. Full of excitement, though this was somewhat blunted by the fact we had to watch a Bresson film, 'L'Argent'. Didn't mind the first half, as it was interesting stylistically, but my god, by the second half, I was failing. Whether it was luck or subconscious planning on my part, the film over-ran our lunch-break, and unfortunately I had to run out to shove more cash into my parking meter. Missed the end. I've read the Tolstoy original 'Forged Coupon', and it doesn't look like I missed anything spectacular. Interesting module though - 'From Script to Screen', I'm actually looking forward to getting my teeth into something quite academic.
Afternoon sessions will be another Script Workshop. I'm also looking forward to this as we only got one writing module in the whole of last year. Probably going to develop a 30min script here though there are some options. Have to take 20 ideas in for next week.
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