Posted on in Media, Production, Ways of Making

Inspiration: actions and locations that inspire the creative machinations

Roman Polanski said,

“…we had no design or definite idea what we would be writing about.  It wasn’t, “Hey, I have an idea so let’s write a screenplay.”  It was, “Let’s write what we’d like to see on the screen – the kind of emotions, the kind of feelings, the kind of characters, atmosphere we’d like to see in a film.””

After much discussion with my yoghurt-eating self and eventually having the courage to also share my ideas to my tutor last week, I have finally come to the conclusion that “courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is greater than fear” and in my instance, this “something” is my love for this certain set of books that has me in blissful creative raptures.

Before I go on a bit of a spiel on the huge adaptation talk (a nasty kind of conference meeting, really) I will instead be informing you all of the certain set of actions, locations and nasty real-life people who have inspired my creative machinations.

Actions

  • A man resting his forearms  on his knees, head bent between them – the raw, masculine image of it
  • The ethereal movement of a young woman
  • How some people carry themselves in an almost otherwordly dignified and graceful manner
  • Someone leaning on a balustrade overlooking a crowd of people and they uncannily spot a person they know amidst the throng and pandemonium
  • The way a person would clasp their hands anxiously whilst sitting down
  • The uncanny way a person notices another without directly looking at them

Location

  • A big lake outlined by old houses
  • Grand houses – villas
  • Old Elizabethan-type roads – unpaved Cobblestone houses, buildings, roads
  • An antique bookshop
  • Old bookstores, libraries
  • A house in Manly – a red entrance door beside two grey buildings, musky scented carpet nailed on the stairs, muffling the sounds of your footsteps.

List of actions (as vague as one can be)

  • A young woman- gracefulness, dignified manner of walk
  • Man – built, posture
  • Man- the way he slicks his hair back all the time and the way the clothes he wears simply sits on him and he carries the grace of an actor with a mission
  • A young woman – ethereal presence, almost aloof but very wise

If I were to be frank, most of the actions listed above are motivated by my need to see them in real life. They are drawn from said favourite set of books, but these subtle movements are what makes the books stand out for me, propelling me to find conclusive evidence through the myriad variations of the human actions of everyday.

This list isn’t exhaustive but these certain actions have in much influence in the final project that I have in mind. I want to explore emotions, characters, sentiments, the human condition portrayed and valued in its vulnerability. Some questions that pop in my head in regards to turning these into a project are:

  • How am I to capture this? What’s the best way to do so?
    • I could write a short 3-page script inspired by said characters. Or I could also just focus on one character and two max. three locations.
  • What kind of shots would best portray a character’s emotion?
    • Research on dramatic movies would help in highlighting which shots can be used.
Posted on in Media, Production, Ways of Making

Reflections – class exercises and motivated shots

I reflect on one class exercise we did titled the abstract image.

  1. The Abstract Image
    Aim: to investigate a place

This exercise involved us directors to choose a certain framing in a specific location we choose to capture. We considered the following:

  • Different planes (of focus)
  • Texture
  • Movement
  • Expressive potential of image size, focal length, focus, depth of field, exposure, colour
  • Implications of framing – what is in and out of frame

What I learned from this exercise is that I am highly in favour of intimate shots whose subject is usually something around us that is often overlooked. I don’t have the videos we have captured but these photographs could give one the sense of what I mean:

Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 11.20.19 PM

Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 11.19.53 PMObserving the two images that I took above (not from class exercise), you can see that in the frame are two subjects: the tree and the lamp post. These two images, though taken months apart, convey my decision to frame my shots on a particular object that is not my subject. Of course, I deliberately chose to place these objects in my frame, sort of like I was the set decorator and the Director of Photography at the same time. In the exercises, my cohorts and I did the exact same. The shots are motivated by a certain object in the frame that is not necessarily the subject of the photograph/video.

Why do I do this, you may ask? I think for me, this certain framing implies a sort of closeness to the scene; an artefact that you can almost grasp or hold on to, something to fall back on and easily remember when you are trying to recall this scene. For example, with the photograph on the above, taken in Massachusetts last August, I was struck by this lamppost that punctuated the first time I have been in an American neighbourhood. It was the image, the artefact, the object that struck me upon my arrival and my soaking in of the scene. However, I can’t say the same for the photograph below it. I could have simply taken a photo of the lake of shining waters and left the palm tree out of the frame but then it just wouldn’t be the same. For me, especially, that image wouldn’t be special, would not have captured the essence of that lake and its simplistic grandeur if I had not included the palm tree (no matter how many times I have seen one in my life).

In video, I work the same way. I could roll and allow things to happen, but I can encourage something to happen also. I think reflecting back on this work and after I edit the videos we have captured, I would be able to eventually define my reasons for these shots and how I can utilise them in my creative practice and vision.

Posted on in Media, Production, Ways of Making

Initiative: the practice of simplicity and the essence of the human condition in film

Tribute to Hayao Miyazaki by dono 2015

When I came across my first Hayao Miyazaki film (Spirited Away) three, four years ago, I finally opened the magical door to a world of film in its most simplistic and also in its most grandeur…simultaneously. The stories are etched in a man who, like everyone else, had been a child once, and has discovered the mystical pulling powers of one’s imagination at play. I loved his films for their presence. There is a realism there that is deeper than showing someone suffering from a sort of emotional turmoil or play. His films are like watching a piece of art come alive.

Ways of Making aims to help us budding filmmakers find a way to actually make a film that is a combination of our “creative vision” and our “respect for the subject matter as an active agent shaping the final form” and I am enthused by the idea that I can make a Miyazaki film, or at least, draw from the essence of his films into my own creative works and directorial vision…something I want to accomplish as a director, writer and producer.

In this particular post, I would like to highlight my inspiration of capturing in my future films what is known as the essence of humanity: that even through a non-animated film, one can create a fictional world that could also “soothe the spirit of those who are disheartened and exhausted from dealing with the sharp edges of reality”. I know it sounds a little contradictory when you think about it but I think the truth very much lies in what story you are telling and how you are telling it.

I allude to my previous post in regards to my admired directors. I mentioned Peter Jackson for his foray into the genre of fantasy and action and adaptation and creating The Lord of the Rings which is now at the heart of every movie-goer and those swimming in pop culture waters. Though Jackson created a world that Tolkien had already envisioned and blue-printed, Jackson (and his team, of course) chose the characters, inhabited the settings, rode the horses, and sharpened the long swords.

Miyazaki drew his inspirations from his childhood imaginations, and also some books, or graffiti maybe, or a stall at a busy night market and like clay, formed them in an image of his creative vision.

This is the kind of storytelling I want to produce, an exploration of the human condition through humans themselves, perhaps, and a conglomeration of both animation and realism.

A lot to think about but I so very much ready to make this happen.

Posted on in Media, Production, Ways of Making

Ways of Making – a media 6 studio

Ways of Making – an alternative approach to the production of film

Okay but listen….

“A film project invariably requires a commitment to a particular from and its methods of production.

But does this limit the film’s expressive potential?”

This speaks volumes to me. As someone who is inspired by a conglomeration of filmic productions morphed into my own signature, to be able to do a studio where I am able to explore and experiment and therefore create films that is no confined by the traditional methods of production (it’s a concern and I am grateful for inspirationally-iconoclast directors out there), it really makes one want to break through the status quo in a Mad Max Fury road.

Imagine I was naming some directors I admire from the top of my head.

Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 6.17.05 PM

And I would also like to add Alejandro González Iñárritu in there somewhere for complete and total destruction of the word ridiculous, and this list is continuously growing, of course. There are just so many. But I love the above.

Do you think I can do a combination of all of them and call it my own?

In this class, I believe I surely can.

Let’s go, team!

 

 

I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration.

Posted on in Media, Production, Uncategorised

Re-establishment v.2016

I am running on a 6-month-away-from-home jetlag but I think I’m doing quite fine…slightly. I wrote about 33 resolutions this year and half of them are pretty much goals but they are kind of bracketed under the same umbrella of motivation and keeping it real so let me just add some more to push myself harder than an ob/gyn would a labouring mama sita.

  1. Paper Quirks refurbishment – fresh-faced, graduating year aesthetic whatever that may be. It’ll probably involve corns or something yellow.
  2. Blog.489382309 – a final project for myself. I’ve got some filmic studying to do so I am willing to bore you all, ghosties, with my learning progress there. You may catch some creations or two so don’t hold thy breath.

It’s clearly only two more additions to the 33 so it isn’t too bad. My creative portfolio is running on a bit of a low since I am either dissatisfied by the ones I’ve already made or I’m just too shy to behold them to others. I’m pulling an American here by calling myself a senior and ain’t nobody got time fo’ that. It’s hustling time and I am ready to exert the effort needed to one day work under Kathleen Kennedy because Star Wars is where it is millenium falcon at.

Catch me in a few,
C.

 

Posted on in Blog, Production, Uncategorised, Writings and Musings

Off to a great start! – the short post

I am awful at keeping up with my blog activity. I could almost punch myself, really. HOWEVER, it is attributed to my nomadic, wandering lifeblood the past year. I haven’t seen the family back home for almost half the year so forgiveness please?

I am excited for 2016 because yes, I will continue the blogging and regale you all with stories and photographs and potential videos of what has been a grand adventure both as a student and a creative soaker. AND, I’ve got tonnes of plans for the New Year, some unexpected arrivals and some planned out and in the process.

What does this master plan include? Potential collaboration with people in the network, internship-finding (me looking for you), and lots of research and learning and revving of engines. It’s gonna be a fantastic year, and after the great student exchange, I feel like I can pretty much do anything!

Brace yeselves!

Posted on in Blog, Exchange 2015, Writings and Musings

My first of the Thanksgivings

There’s a noontime quietness that permeated the university that I could only relate to the first days of moving in. You know, those privileged days where you are guaranteed a few days of respite before the thousand other students come thundering in with their giant TV’s and reclining couches.

No one else was in the room, and I allowed the doors to be as wide open as possible, to re-arrange the couches post-Star Wars, pizza, Christmas-oreos-and-milk marathon that went on the night before. I let loose the curtains and pranced around once or twice whilst brushing my teeth. At 4pm, I’ll be heading to my Boston-family home.

To see grandpa and grandma, be greeted by the energetic soul of one Rosie, six and three quarters, beloved uncle and auntie opening up their home…it’s a treat, isn’t it? As a wandering soul, one of sixty exchange students, you don’t get to expect your share of celebrating an authentic Thanksgiving with your local family. But soon the pots were bubbling, potatoes all washed and boiling, Turkey peppered and salted and you get to sit with grandma while you prepare the green beans. You sneak in a bacon or two in-between but no worries, nobody will ever know.

Grandpa tells jokes, little Rosie is the centre of attention and we love every Irish step dance performance she makes certain we all get to savour. Pumpkin pies (better homemade), fresh rolls, brussel sprouts for the first time and it was delish, and great company with Boston accents or Albuquerque fresh.

There was no apocalyptic finish. Only a steady of hum of you go sit down there, you’ve done enough for the day, whilst the other bees buzz around cleanin’ cleanin’. And it does not just end! You get to drive to quirky little towns and be told stories of something magical and fancy, tiramisu as you walk cobbled paths admiring its old age, you get to come home and fry some leftover Turkey and rice pilaf for dinner as you read your friends’ updates about their own little ventures. Oh, and you get to watch Inside Out and laugh as holly goes jolly because you’re fond of its silliness. 

No sooner will you realise the break’s coming end, the work vying for your attention. Finals finals, one whispers, end of the semester, you hate to admit. But not right now. No, no one could think of it right now.

I am thankful, beyond grateful for what was, what could have been, for what is, the now. The family, the love, the joy, the gathering. And turkey. Definitely the turkey.

Don’t skip the cranberry sauce!

Posted on in Blog, Reviews, Uncategorised, Writings and Musings

Ze brekky club – greasers, judds and the otp

This is for Tash and Meg, they love a good greaser.

The Breakfast Club was lent to me because as I was trying to circumnavigate the world of cult films, I ended up only liking the idea of it (pretentious, I know) and still I sang “Don’t youuuuuu forget about meeee” the Pitch Perfect and I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I WANT TO CRY.

But now I do, when I learn that the scene where they all sit around, discussing their destructive home-lives while the camera pans around them like how your typical 80’s film was ad freakin libbed. Can I not die until I have done this as a future filmmaker?

And then Judd Nelson, who I mistake for Judd Apatow for a simple namesake, and his character Bender; a true greaser, part of the gang, Outsiders, the ex-convict you want to beautifully punch in the face with a happiness spell. (Let’s face it, geeks, you all want to wingardium leviosa his fine booty in your non-siliconed boobaciousness *cough chest cough*). He’s like a spellbound loon and he makes the breakfast in the Breakfast Club.

Andy’s not a sight for sore eyes either if you like your short studs who fall for the gorgeous one whose soul was mistaken to be as black as their previous eyeliner. She just needed the prince and they clicked and I cried seeing them happy, okay, don’t judge meh!

And Bryan’s a sad case of a boy you want to wrap in a towel and suffocate under a bunch of pillows. Make him forget about pressure, make him see beauty, make him see love. Stop telling me he won’t finish a Rubiks cube in less than 5.95 seconds.

The pretty, popular one’s someone you’d like to caption cliché but she was sort of gassy and superfluous and she stuck in with the rest of them quite timidly and I liked it. She fit in but she didn’t, but she did. I saw the tension and the side-eyes. I predicted it but she didn’t quite deliver. I OTP sporty and nail-biter than these two.

In conclusion, I wanted to drown in a pool of their tears, soak it up with a sponge, drain in a bucket and pour out to moisten the plants of their future children’s veggie patches. It’s the #1 high school film in 2006 for a reason.

ps. The iconic Bender punch in the air ain’t even romantic, ladies (and Becca). But I’ll give you a spud for trying.

8 sandwiches out of 10. Spread the word!

Posted on in Blog, Exchange 2015, Writings and Musings

‘merican blues – the haps

I am listening to classical music and it is music to my ears. Literally.

I never thought that doing International Film would mean Food and Philosophy and learning how to be a better expository writer and well, a writer in general. And a thinker, also a thinker.

But everything papery is all so very quirky. The ‘merican ventures…it’s been a month and I will never get over how I live on the second-floor of a room so homey (thanks roomies!) that pretty much look like a hotel apartment, when you squint hard enough. There’s a small fridge where I keep a bottle of milk and maybe cold cider for when watching movies for your course because #FILMLIFE4LYF.

I have no signal in my room though, bummer, but the wi-fi is faster than Usain Bolt and America, you do yourself proud in that respect. Australia, you need more working out. Stretch those legs at the free gym that closes 12am everyday here. Seriously. (I may or may not be crying).

But there’s a sense of calm about working alone at night, just you and your computer and heimatfilme and extrapolating its core elements for a Fatih Akin film named Soul Kitchen. I mean, isn’t it appropriate since I just ate a Clif bar?

I hope to blog more!

…if I wasn’t so inundated with readings and the secret introductory Spanish classes I will be taking to surprise my Spaniard/Ecuadorian amigas —