golbcm

Quitting the Film Business

2008-03-09T10:47:00.002Z

Well the title to this entry is kinda misleading, totally misleading in fact, since as I'm typing this I'm applying for a work experience spot for BBC Film London over the summer. But I have been toying with the idea of retiring from the film game to go on with my first love, which of course was making bookmarks. Admittedly though, this has only been on my mind since I've been haunted by my work on a recent graduation film.

The grads are films made in Year Three, with a few thousand pounds budget, along with a massive amount of equipment hired out for each one. It also tends to bring out ridiculously over complicated shoots, just because 'they can'. So a lot of lighting day for night and blocking night for day. I decided to help out this year as a spark, which is a lighting assistant. Good way to learn without getting too concerned about the film being potentially terrible.

The first few days were simple enough, although we did shoot in an apartment which was sloping in a way that put the bridging skyscraper in Cloverfield to shame. Fitting all the lighting equipment into the van involved some ingenius creativity, which inevitably backfired when the time came to unpacking any of it.

Then we needed to get the generators into action. We went to collect them, discovering they were each about 250kg (for about 5kW, what the fuck!). The only way to get them in the van was to just lift them in, a ramp would've been nice though since they were covered in petrol, presumingly when someone with parkinson's was filling it up. We had four of us so it wasn't too much of a concern, just awkward for the ones at the front (of which I was one). I decided that rather than stepping onto the van after the initial lift, I would just lift the handle above my chest. Seemed kinda awkward, but as I did I noticed one of the guys lifting, puffing away at a cigar.

On cue the generator ignited, and I heroically threw it into the two guys on the other side to me and dived for cover. Hearing a loud bang, I peered out, greeted with a slap from the severed arm of cigar guy. Somewhat irritated, I slid the smoking wreckage and corpses out of the way and got the rest of the camera crew to give me a hand getting the next one in. It went much more smoothly.

I more or less entertained myself during the rest of the night shoot with the budget handwarmers that were handed out. They look like teabags, so I just gave one of the other sparks a couple of tea bags instead and watched him struggle to get any heat of them for several hours. According to him they worked, but not very well.

And that pretty much wraps up the story of my first barbecue, or whatever it was supposed to be about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCCs5AdVwME

Your Pantsaaaaaaa

2007-11-25T22:36:00.001Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0ljtLdUcww

I love that show.

Taking it to the Next Level

2007-10-28T22:30:00.001Z

As an aspiring Writer Director, you've got to really earn your post. It's a competitive gig, and you better be sure that you've got the talent and dedication to make it work. So with some thought, I decided to ponder over how I'd progressed in this popular role.

Now for some reason or another, most of my films are horrendous fire hazards. Some how or another some god damned thing ignites and causes considerable damage. Often it'll be a member of cast, or possibly my shoes. I can't even get a studio booked anymore because the University's insurance company won't allow it. I didn't really want to believe that this could somehow tie in me my abilities as a Director, but with such a heavy casualty (and sadly fatality) list from fire related injuries as well as thousands in property damage... well it hasn't happened to anyone else on the course even once, ever.

Also I have a habit of losing my temper at times, which causes a lot of friction. Often this friction will be between my knuckles and someone's skull, and in some ways it sends out the wrong message. People have to understand how stressful it can be running the show, especially when you're having to keep one eye on your inexplicably combustible shoes.

Going back to a positive, I have a very unique and dare I say exciting directing style. In my experience most actors are unresponsive to being told what's needed, particularly when unconscious or while ablaze (unless they're a true professional, which is hard to find). With a lot of back and forth testing, I now use the medium of dance to give my actors direction. I've lately expanded this out to communication with the crew, and lately in production meetings too. I'm working on making it work over the phone, but in fairness I'll probably need to use video calls. I think they're included on my contract so it's a realistic vision.

I'll probably explore this more in the future, since self evaluation is always important to keep yourself sharp in any business.

Note on Film Equipment

2007-10-27T10:30:00.000+01:00

It doesn't go well with sand, and shooting on the beach causes nothing but problems. Obviously it's a tempting spot with the lush view and also local here. But sand can get everywhere and a scene there would have to a one take if you want to use the audio captured as is (due to the sound of the sea and noise throughout, any cutting prevents it).

None the less, this hasn't deterred one of the lecturers to try this out on the Summer School. It's not that surprising since the guy's completely bonkers, but it is a bit awkward to use a sand packed tripod smoothly. However we've got proper HDCAM cameras in waiting, and while they don't have the motorised massage chair attached I was hoping, I guess it's a blessing in disguise.

Also if too much sand gets in the actors then they JUST MIGHT GIVE A GREAT PERFORMANCE, so feel free to shovel it down any orifice you're happy to wrestle with.

Film Course Year Two Day Five

2007-10-20T15:46:00.000+01:00

There weren't many lectures during the first week, and most of the practical and specialist workshops were cancelled due to threatening letters from an anonymous source. Taking that into account, the guest lecture may not have been the success it was originally declared to be.

I took my friend up on an offer to get something to eat come Friday, and he asked me for some help assessing the script. I was a bit distracted by my meal, so I mainly discussed the font and nodded while he talked. Swiftly after finishing I recieved a call from my Producer Jake, who'd set up a meeting with the entire cast and crew.

Stepping into the Studio we'd arranged to meet in, I noticed that the whole place was exceptionally smokey. Looking back down the corridor I'd just walked down, the walls seemed unusually ablaze. I shrugged it off and sat down, checking my watch and humming while I waited for everyone else to turn up. After a minute my phone rang, Jake out of breath.

"Hey, they think the fire was started by that crazy Danny Gl..."

"...Where are you guys? I'm sitting here waiting."

"Wait... what do you mean you're sitting there waiting? We were going to meet in the studio, the entire place is on fire!"

"Alright Jake, but in future you could tell me these things before the meeting." As I finished the sentence I saw a naked Danny Glover step into the room, empty vodka bottle in one hand as he chuckled to himself.

"Get out of there!"

"Jake I'll talk to you later, bye." I put my phone back in my pocket, Mr Glover strolling up towards me. I could appreciate why his dress sense was so well ventilated with the building heat in the studio, but it was a bit early in the day to be drinking. Also since the entire place was apparently on fire, I should probably make my way outside and take him with me.

As I stood up, one of the gas veins exploded, blocking the exit in rubble. Mr Glover suddenly leapt onto me, hugging tightly and bawling in tears. "Riggs... Riggs... I'm too old for this shit..." he spluttered.

I brushed back his thinning hair, mustering the most comforting smile I could think of. "Yippe-kai-yay-mother-fucker..." I whispered, swiftly remembering I'd got the wrong film as he edged away in horror.

"You're not Riggs... YOU'RE NOT RIGGS AT ALL," he screamed, pulling out a pistol. As I stood wondering where he'd pulled the weapon from on his butt naked form, he quickly unlocked the safety. "You're... you're that Dutch guy... YOU SHOT RIGGS!"

It was a tough situation but I think I knew how to handle it. "No dad, I'm your daughter Rianne." He took a short moment to take in this revelation, perhaps pondering why I wasn't a teenage black female, but I nodded reassuringly and his hostility broke away. He leapt onto me in another embrace.

"Baby... you're my baby." Then once again he snapped, pointing the gun to my jaw. "WHY'D YOU DO THAT DAMN CONDOM ADVERT, THE GUYS ON THE FORCE BEEN LEAVING RUBBERS IN MY DESK FOR WEEKS!"

I have to admit I hadn't seen this twist coming, and was pretty concerned till I finally realised he was holding a water pistol. Then again, humidity really fucks up my hair, so I decided to boot him into the flames. Almost about the pass out from smoke inhalation, I ran through the exit myself, my clothes quickly igniting. I took an immediate left and launched through the window of the nearby Technician's Office.

The day once again over, I boarded the bus home and patted out my smouldering rags.

Film Course Year Two Day One

2007-10-19T13:52:00.000+01:00

So bright eyed and optimistic I stepped back into the AIB. It was fantastic seeing everyone again, and starting to feel that familiar sense that I'd returned to training for the career I love. Being closer to the town I had to wake up a bit earlier than normal to get in, but despite forgetting my jeans the bus journey in went smoothly enough.

The Monday Morning Production Meeting hadn't changed a bit, excuses about a complete lack of timetable and a few escalating arguments between lecturers, it was comfortingly nostaligic. The great news was yet to come though, we had a guest lecturer coming in that afternoon!

After the meeting was over I spent some more time catching up and went to the main Uni to get something to eat as well as sign up to the gym. Unfortunately dress code meant I wasn't allowed in, but I got all the roughage I needed from the drywall outside.

We went back in to the Studio and saw our guest lecturer was none other than Danny Glover! He was giving a lecture about working with actors, relevant to our upcoming unit (which reminded me, I needed to arrange a meeting with my actors now we were all back in Bournemouth). The ice was broken quickly as we all tried out our Murtaugh impressions, which Mr Glover found hilarious, eventually motioning for us to quieten down so he could begin.

He started by discussing the issues common to most actors on shoot days, and how he'd had a rocky start on the Lethal Weapon series when Richard Donner had insisted against using blanks in the guns for geniune authenticity. I scribbled down "Fire live ammunition at actors for geniune emotion" and someone shouted out another 'I'm too old for this shit!'. Mr Glover smirked but quickly when back to his discussion, one of my classmates couldn't resist one more go.

The rest was a blur, Mr Glover managed to beat the guy unconscious before we could drag him off. It would have been worse, but he wasn't able to leap over the front two rows successfully, and tripped knocking out a tooth. By the time he got to the victim, the student had already raised his guard, but perhaps that just spurred Mr Glover on.

So under the sirens flickering against the backdrop of the dimmering sky, we all walked out to leave, taking a few moments to be questioned as Mr Glover was thrown struggling into the back of a police van.