So, for the past week, my movie has been being edited.
I was really worried about it, since my whole directing experience was a disaster, and I didn't get a lot of coverage. But after my great editor finished the first cut, I loved my movie!
And I still do love my movie! I'm super excited about it! It looks great and the acting is good, and I have a movie, albeit a short one. But still, a movie!
For the past couple of days, I've been sound editing. When we were editing, my editor and I chose music that we wanted in the movie, and some sound effects, so when it came time for me to do sound design, it was really simple.
I really just had to adjust levels, fill in any holes with missing sound, and add a couple more sound effects. We had two and a half days to do it, and I finished mine today, so it only took me a day, really.
Sound is interesting, because you need to put room tone in where there's any noise missing. For example, if you cut out a line, you need to put room tone in to fill it up, so it's not an awkward moment of nothingness. So room tone is just what it sounds like: the sound of the room from the day you shot, in the location you shot. Sometimes it sounds like nothing, but it still sounds like more something than the nothing that happened when you cut out the clip.
The funny thing about sound is that you spend a lot of time on set making sure you get clear sound, and you secure a location that will give you clear sound, and then you spend two days making the movie sound louder and "natural."
Another part of sound editing is making sure the noise floor is the same in each clip. This just means that in every line of dialogue, the background noise is the same. If one piece of dialogue has some sort of glaring, loud noise, then you need to tone down the levels so that it sounds the same as another piece of dialogue.
I was really lucky and got really clear dialogue. I still don't know how, since the day of filming, every acorn in the world decided to fall down on the tin roof of my location. But I'm not complaining.
So I did my sound editing and put in all of my sound effects and put in this extremely awesome end song that sounds like it's straight out of a Nolan Batman movie. And now I'm done.
I may put in a few little noises tomorrow, but I don't want to do too much. It's kind of scary, because the wrong sounds can really ruin your entire movie. Sound is so important!
Oh, another fun thing I learned today is how to set where the sound plays out of. So you want all of your dialogue tracks to come out of the middle speaker in the theater, and you want your music to play out of the left and right speakers. This opens the sound up, and makes it so that all the sound will play across the entire screen. Usually sound effects come through the middle speaker, but if you have, say, an elephant in the left side of the frame, you want the elephant's noises coming out of the left speaker.
If you have a car driving across the screen from left to right, you want the sound of the car coming from the left speaker and panning over to the right. It all seems pretty obvious, but I find it so cool and fascinating.
So that's all for sound. Tomorrow I get to do color correction, which is basically done, thanks to my amazing editor! And then my movie will be locked and ready to go for the big premiere on Friday!
We started getting the info together for the programs for the screening today, and I got so excited! I'll make sure I'll take a lot of extra programs to bring home, especially for you, Mom!
The end of the semester is so close! I'm beyond excited to see everybody's movie. It's going to be so much fun. And then, in less than a month, I'll be living in London. Film school is crazy!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Reflection (And not the Christina Aguilera song)
After roughly 45 hours, I finished editing. Now, all that stands between me and our D1 screenings are: me being director and overseeing the editor of my movie, sound editing, and a few bits of paperwork.
And then the semester will be over!
It's so weird, because I feel like I've been here FOREVER, but it's gone by so fast. I don't know how that works, but it does.
Our screening is December 14 and I can't wait to see everybody's movie. It's in the big theater on campus, and I know it's gonna be incredible.
So now, it's time for me to reflect on my ridiculously awesome semester.
First of all, I'm so glad I'm here. I'm so lucky to be here. And I miss my family and friends and Mike, but I can honestly say this is the best decision I've ever made. So thank you, everyone who convinced me to come here. I know this is going to be the most amazing two years ever, and I can tell it's going to lead to great things.
Secondly, I say this all the time, but I don't know if I've ever written it here. If I have, too bad, cause here it comes again: I am so glad I didn't get in last year.
When they say "everything happens for a reason," I'm now positive it does. Because if I had gotten in last year, I wouldn't be in a class with these incredible people that are in my class now.
Our class is really special. I see it, we all see it, and so do the professors. And I just know we're going to do great things. And it's awesome to think that in a couple of years, we might all be in LA. And in a city of 12 million people, it will be so great to know I have friends there.
And seriously, I know I've only known these people for 3 months, but they feel like family. Funny how that can happen when they're the only people you see all day, every day for 15 weeks.
It's crazy to think about how much I've learned. I think back to all the things I didn't know in August that I know now. I can look at behind-the-scenes pictures of movies and say: "that's a dolly," "that's a flag," "that's an HMI," and know exactly what they're doing.
I can say that I've been a part of 14 movies. I can look at rolling credits at the end of a film and not only know what the weird positions like "key grip" and "gaffer" are, but say that I've done those.
It's just unbelievable.
It's so much better than I ever imagined it could be.
So once again, thank you to everyone who convinced me to come here. It's been worth every penny and every mile.
And thank you to everyone who supports me so much. You're all incredible. I'll see you very soon.
And then the semester will be over!
It's so weird, because I feel like I've been here FOREVER, but it's gone by so fast. I don't know how that works, but it does.
Our screening is December 14 and I can't wait to see everybody's movie. It's in the big theater on campus, and I know it's gonna be incredible.
So now, it's time for me to reflect on my ridiculously awesome semester.
First of all, I'm so glad I'm here. I'm so lucky to be here. And I miss my family and friends and Mike, but I can honestly say this is the best decision I've ever made. So thank you, everyone who convinced me to come here. I know this is going to be the most amazing two years ever, and I can tell it's going to lead to great things.
Secondly, I say this all the time, but I don't know if I've ever written it here. If I have, too bad, cause here it comes again: I am so glad I didn't get in last year.
When they say "everything happens for a reason," I'm now positive it does. Because if I had gotten in last year, I wouldn't be in a class with these incredible people that are in my class now.
Our class is really special. I see it, we all see it, and so do the professors. And I just know we're going to do great things. And it's awesome to think that in a couple of years, we might all be in LA. And in a city of 12 million people, it will be so great to know I have friends there.
And seriously, I know I've only known these people for 3 months, but they feel like family. Funny how that can happen when they're the only people you see all day, every day for 15 weeks.
It's crazy to think about how much I've learned. I think back to all the things I didn't know in August that I know now. I can look at behind-the-scenes pictures of movies and say: "that's a dolly," "that's a flag," "that's an HMI," and know exactly what they're doing.
I can say that I've been a part of 14 movies. I can look at rolling credits at the end of a film and not only know what the weird positions like "key grip" and "gaffer" are, but say that I've done those.
It's just unbelievable.
It's so much better than I ever imagined it could be.
So once again, thank you to everyone who convinced me to come here. It's been worth every penny and every mile.
And thank you to everyone who supports me so much. You're all incredible. I'll see you very soon.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Editing!!
Yesterday, we started editing, and I love it!
I've been excited about editing the whole year, and it's definitely all I thought it would be.
We get to edit on our own time, and we can spend as long as we want in the editing suites. We each get an editing suite, which is a room with two large screens, and we get to edit all day, every day. If we want to. Which mostly I do.
I'm editing a classmate's comedy about a woman who has sex with a person dressed up as a cigarette. It's a comedy. It's a little crazy.
But it's really fun to edit something I didn't make. It's really interesting, and fun to collaborate with the director.
Tomorrow we get to watch what we have so far and get comments from the professor. I'm so excited!
I can't wait to show everyone. I really would edit everyone in the class' movies if I had time.
I edited yesterday and today for around 8 hours each, and I realized, I could definitely do this as a job!
And it's almost like rewriting a story. So, who knows, if screenwriting doesn't work out, I can always try to be an editor! Or maybe I'll do both!
It is weird, though, being in the suite all day and not seeing light or anyone else. When I finally come out of the suite, or when I see another human being, it's the strangest feeling.
Back to my Batcave tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes!
I've been excited about editing the whole year, and it's definitely all I thought it would be.
We get to edit on our own time, and we can spend as long as we want in the editing suites. We each get an editing suite, which is a room with two large screens, and we get to edit all day, every day. If we want to. Which mostly I do.
I'm editing a classmate's comedy about a woman who has sex with a person dressed up as a cigarette. It's a comedy. It's a little crazy.
But it's really fun to edit something I didn't make. It's really interesting, and fun to collaborate with the director.
Tomorrow we get to watch what we have so far and get comments from the professor. I'm so excited!
I can't wait to show everyone. I really would edit everyone in the class' movies if I had time.
I edited yesterday and today for around 8 hours each, and I realized, I could definitely do this as a job!
And it's almost like rewriting a story. So, who knows, if screenwriting doesn't work out, I can always try to be an editor! Or maybe I'll do both!
It is weird, though, being in the suite all day and not seeing light or anyone else. When I finally come out of the suite, or when I see another human being, it's the strangest feeling.
Back to my Batcave tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
D1s
As of Sunday, D1s were officially over. They were amazing! They were so much more fun and less stressful than I ever expected. I had a blast!
To bring you up to speed, Key Grip wasn't that bad. My gaffer and I loaded everything into the truck in 27 minutes, which is basically record speed, and basically means we're amazing. There's something about wrapping the Grip truck that's just so exciting.
It's one of these huge trucks, and all of the lights, flags, bounces, gear, the dolly, and anything and everything else you need to make a movie goes on.
Not the actors, though. Just the stuff.
Anyway, it usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to wrap the truck, and anytime I'm wrapping, I just get this rush of adrenaline. It's really the strangest thing, but I get really pumped up. So when we did this in 27 minutes, I was so excited.
We got the dolly up the ramp in, like, one push and from there on out, I was working in warp speed.
But moving on.
I finished out the D1 cycle doing production design on a science lab show, and it was very cool. We had this awesome Chemistry guy who came in and told us what would look normal. He also wrote all of these awesome equations and little virus pictures on the glass for us, brought in bright blue reagents and these crazy contraptions that spin around to mix up the fluid, and gave me a little cooler of dry ice to use. It was really amazing.
The day after that, I was script supervisor, which is the person who watches Video Village to see what the camera is filming, and keeps a record of how long the takes were, where the actors were looking, what the color looked like, how much of the script was covered, and more.
I like the job, but it turns out I'm not so good at it. It was fun, though, and I think I could get better with practice. Not that I'll be getting any more of that any time soon.
Anyway, it's amazing to think that I worked on 14 movies. I can't wait until the screening in December. It's so crazy to think about what I know now, that I didn't know a few months, or even weeks, ago.
I was looking at pictures from the set of Public Enemies when my mom and I went there in 2008. There's a picture of a guy carrying a huge light, and I wrote a caption on the photo, like, "A crazy, huge light!" And I looked at these photos the other day, and I totally knew what that light was. It was an HMI. And it's just nuts, because I've worked with those lights. I've set them up. I know what they do.
It's an amazing feeling.
That happens when I see behind-the-scenes photos of movies filming now, too. I just feel so educated.
When I watch movies now, it's really funny, because I notice all of the dolly tracking shots. I notice lighting and eye lines and I wonder how many set-ups they filmed for that scene, and I count the number of set-ups and different angles in each scene. It's the craziest feeling. But I really do feel like I appreciate movies so much more now.
It takes so much work to film a 3 minute film, I can't imagine what it takes to film a feature! But I really, desperately want to know, and I really, desperately want to do it someday.
Monday we start post-production and editing, which I'm incredibly excited for. I've never edited anyone else's work before, so it's going to be very interesting. I think it's going to be challenging, but I think I'll love it. I'll have nothing else to do for a week than sit in a room with three massive monitors and edit a movie.
What's better than that?
To bring you up to speed, Key Grip wasn't that bad. My gaffer and I loaded everything into the truck in 27 minutes, which is basically record speed, and basically means we're amazing. There's something about wrapping the Grip truck that's just so exciting.
It's one of these huge trucks, and all of the lights, flags, bounces, gear, the dolly, and anything and everything else you need to make a movie goes on.
Not the actors, though. Just the stuff.
Anyway, it usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to wrap the truck, and anytime I'm wrapping, I just get this rush of adrenaline. It's really the strangest thing, but I get really pumped up. So when we did this in 27 minutes, I was so excited.
We got the dolly up the ramp in, like, one push and from there on out, I was working in warp speed.
But moving on.
I finished out the D1 cycle doing production design on a science lab show, and it was very cool. We had this awesome Chemistry guy who came in and told us what would look normal. He also wrote all of these awesome equations and little virus pictures on the glass for us, brought in bright blue reagents and these crazy contraptions that spin around to mix up the fluid, and gave me a little cooler of dry ice to use. It was really amazing.
The day after that, I was script supervisor, which is the person who watches Video Village to see what the camera is filming, and keeps a record of how long the takes were, where the actors were looking, what the color looked like, how much of the script was covered, and more.
I like the job, but it turns out I'm not so good at it. It was fun, though, and I think I could get better with practice. Not that I'll be getting any more of that any time soon.
Anyway, it's amazing to think that I worked on 14 movies. I can't wait until the screening in December. It's so crazy to think about what I know now, that I didn't know a few months, or even weeks, ago.
I was looking at pictures from the set of Public Enemies when my mom and I went there in 2008. There's a picture of a guy carrying a huge light, and I wrote a caption on the photo, like, "A crazy, huge light!" And I looked at these photos the other day, and I totally knew what that light was. It was an HMI. And it's just nuts, because I've worked with those lights. I've set them up. I know what they do.
It's an amazing feeling.
That happens when I see behind-the-scenes photos of movies filming now, too. I just feel so educated.
When I watch movies now, it's really funny, because I notice all of the dolly tracking shots. I notice lighting and eye lines and I wonder how many set-ups they filmed for that scene, and I count the number of set-ups and different angles in each scene. It's the craziest feeling. But I really do feel like I appreciate movies so much more now.
It takes so much work to film a 3 minute film, I can't imagine what it takes to film a feature! But I really, desperately want to know, and I really, desperately want to do it someday.
Monday we start post-production and editing, which I'm incredibly excited for. I've never edited anyone else's work before, so it's going to be very interesting. I think it's going to be challenging, but I think I'll love it. I'll have nothing else to do for a week than sit in a room with three massive monitors and edit a movie.
What's better than that?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Camera Team Weekend
I still have one more show of the weekend, but I think I might hate it, because of my job. So, for now, I'll go on about Director of Photography and 1st AC.
DP was the job I was originally most worried about. Lighting terrified me. But after Crew Drills, I thought it was really fun. And as it turns out, it is really fun.
I was DP on Friday, and it was definitely one of my most favorite jobs on set. I told my cinematography professor what kind of lighting I wanted, and he told me how to get it. It worked out perfectly, and I couldn't stop smiling when I turned the camera on and looked through it. I was so impressed.
I also had a blast framing shots, riding on the dolly, and doing crazy camera stuff. This crazy dolly shot the director, Kendall, came up with was so much fun, and our directing professor told her it was cool, so that was really exciting.
I had a great working relationship with Kendall. She and I got along so well, and nothing went wrong. Literally, nothing. All day long, everything was great. The set was so much fun, and I was really proud of my camera work.
I can't really describe how great DP was. If I were a production student, I think I might be a cinematography specialist. Oh, and now I'm noticing all of these amazing shots and lighting in movies. I went to see Skyfall the other day, and I kept thinking, "Look at that great OTS!" and "Those lights are so great!"
Film school will do that to you, I guess.
Today I was 1st Assistant Camera, which is pulling focus. We did this awesome dolly shot-- yes, I do just love all dolly shots-- where we pushed in really slowly. I pulled focus on it while standing on a sidebar and kind of surfing along on the dolly.
I was able to keep the focus detector green and yellow the whole time until the very end. It was great, because it's really difficult to get the focus detectors green and yellow. Even when in focus, they are still usually red. So that was awesome.
More to come! Although we're almost done with D1s. Next Sunday will be my last day of work on set, but I'll be working Monday on my roommate, Dana's set, as well, as official set photographer/volunteer.
Stay tuned to find out how horrible Key Grip was, which I'll be doing tomorrow.
DP was the job I was originally most worried about. Lighting terrified me. But after Crew Drills, I thought it was really fun. And as it turns out, it is really fun.
I was DP on Friday, and it was definitely one of my most favorite jobs on set. I told my cinematography professor what kind of lighting I wanted, and he told me how to get it. It worked out perfectly, and I couldn't stop smiling when I turned the camera on and looked through it. I was so impressed.
I also had a blast framing shots, riding on the dolly, and doing crazy camera stuff. This crazy dolly shot the director, Kendall, came up with was so much fun, and our directing professor told her it was cool, so that was really exciting.
I had a great working relationship with Kendall. She and I got along so well, and nothing went wrong. Literally, nothing. All day long, everything was great. The set was so much fun, and I was really proud of my camera work.
I can't really describe how great DP was. If I were a production student, I think I might be a cinematography specialist. Oh, and now I'm noticing all of these amazing shots and lighting in movies. I went to see Skyfall the other day, and I kept thinking, "Look at that great OTS!" and "Those lights are so great!"
Film school will do that to you, I guess.
Today I was 1st Assistant Camera, which is pulling focus. We did this awesome dolly shot-- yes, I do just love all dolly shots-- where we pushed in really slowly. I pulled focus on it while standing on a sidebar and kind of surfing along on the dolly.
I was able to keep the focus detector green and yellow the whole time until the very end. It was great, because it's really difficult to get the focus detectors green and yellow. Even when in focus, they are still usually red. So that was awesome.
More to come! Although we're almost done with D1s. Next Sunday will be my last day of work on set, but I'll be working Monday on my roommate, Dana's set, as well, as official set photographer/volunteer.
Stay tuned to find out how horrible Key Grip was, which I'll be doing tomorrow.
Me as DP, framing up a shot.
DP on the dolly!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I Love This.
I had a great weekend. After I was 1st AD, I got to spend the whole day in the forest making and clacking slates. Then I got to spend all day at my house doing sound. And it was really great. This probably marks the best weekend of D1s for me, because it was all fun.
Sunday, when I was sound at my house, it started pouring, so we had to run outside and rain-rig all of the cables and all of the furniture we had outside. Yes, we had made an exterior living room because we had to move stuff out of the real living room so we could make a movie set.
But rain makes everything better, and it makes all memories more memorable. So we were all running around in the rain, soaking wet. But laughing. And it was just wonderful.
So anyway, what I'm thinking is, you know that saying, "If you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life"? Well I think that's totally in my future.
Because I've been working 13 hours a day on set, and it doesn't feel like I've been working at all. I mean, I know it's technically school, but it's really like work you don't get paid for. Work you pay for, actually.
But I was thinking about this Sunday when I had done all of the jobs that require the most standing time. My feet hurt, my back was killing me, and I was exhausted. But I couldn't even complain.
Seriously. I didn't even want to complain. The fact that my body hurt so badly was funny. It made me happy. Because I just love this.
And then to think that next semester I'll get to write a feature and a play...well, that's just more happiness on the horizon. Oh, and it's in London.
So, anyway, what I'm trying to say is, it's a great feeling knowing that what you want to do with your life is what you really want to do with your life. Because I feel like I could do any movie-related job for 15 hours a day and never, ever complain.
And that must be the greatest feeling ever.
Sunday, when I was sound at my house, it started pouring, so we had to run outside and rain-rig all of the cables and all of the furniture we had outside. Yes, we had made an exterior living room because we had to move stuff out of the real living room so we could make a movie set.
But rain makes everything better, and it makes all memories more memorable. So we were all running around in the rain, soaking wet. But laughing. And it was just wonderful.
So anyway, what I'm thinking is, you know that saying, "If you love what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life"? Well I think that's totally in my future.
Because I've been working 13 hours a day on set, and it doesn't feel like I've been working at all. I mean, I know it's technically school, but it's really like work you don't get paid for. Work you pay for, actually.
But I was thinking about this Sunday when I had done all of the jobs that require the most standing time. My feet hurt, my back was killing me, and I was exhausted. But I couldn't even complain.
Seriously. I didn't even want to complain. The fact that my body hurt so badly was funny. It made me happy. Because I just love this.
And then to think that next semester I'll get to write a feature and a play...well, that's just more happiness on the horizon. Oh, and it's in London.
So, anyway, what I'm trying to say is, it's a great feeling knowing that what you want to do with your life is what you really want to do with your life. Because I feel like I could do any movie-related job for 15 hours a day and never, ever complain.
And that must be the greatest feeling ever.
Friday, November 2, 2012
1st AD
Today I was 1st Assistant Director on set, and it was really amazing! It was, by far, my most favorite job in production so far. I got to run the set and make sure we were on schedule and pretty much be the director's wing-man. So that was pretty cool.
Actually, really cool. It was the best set I've been on so far, with the best director I've worked with so far, who just happens to be one of the writers. Because we rock. Woo woo.
We had an awesome time, and we were doing a comedy about cats, so that was great.
I just felt so in my element today. It was the first job that I actually thought I was good at! I was very confident about my performance. It was great.
I loved that I was like the director's best friend today. Anything the director needed, I was there to get it for him. My whole purpose was making sure he got all of his shots. And I got to lead people. It was great. It took me back to NAE, which was, once again, such good preparation!
Tomorrow we're shooting in a national park which, by the way, has poison ivy! Cool, guys!
And apparently not everyone reacts to poison ivy. I wouldn't know, because I've never rolled around in it. But I guess I'll find out.
So tomorrow we're outside all day and I get to slate!! Another of my favorite things! This week is basically the best week ever. And Sunday I get to do sound for my roommate, and guess where we're filming? My house! Yes!
Best weekend ever.
And after this weekend, we're officially half-way through! Time flies!
Actually, really cool. It was the best set I've been on so far, with the best director I've worked with so far, who just happens to be one of the writers. Because we rock. Woo woo.
We had an awesome time, and we were doing a comedy about cats, so that was great.
I just felt so in my element today. It was the first job that I actually thought I was good at! I was very confident about my performance. It was great.
I loved that I was like the director's best friend today. Anything the director needed, I was there to get it for him. My whole purpose was making sure he got all of his shots. And I got to lead people. It was great. It took me back to NAE, which was, once again, such good preparation!
Tomorrow we're shooting in a national park which, by the way, has poison ivy! Cool, guys!
And apparently not everyone reacts to poison ivy. I wouldn't know, because I've never rolled around in it. But I guess I'll find out.
So tomorrow we're outside all day and I get to slate!! Another of my favorite things! This week is basically the best week ever. And Sunday I get to do sound for my roommate, and guess where we're filming? My house! Yes!
Best weekend ever.
And after this weekend, we're officially half-way through! Time flies!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Production!
Well, guys, I made it through another week of production. Last week, I couldn't wait to get back on set, and this week, I've only been off one day, and I equally can't wait to get back!
Friday I was gaffer, which is the person who sets up all the lights. I was really excited, because I learned a lot on set. Gaffing was something I was really afraid of, but I got the hang of it, and it was a lot of fun.
I felt like I knew so much. I was like, "Here's a reflection, let me audition this flag for you!" I was running around like a crazy person, setting up lights and putting on gels and auditioning flags. It was pretty sweet.
Saturday I had a day off to prepare for producing, which started out really hectic but ended well. I had gotten the wrong driving directions to the location, which were pre-construction directions on Google. I sent all those directions to my crew, and people ended up being late because they didn't know how to get there! I felt awful.
In the morning, I went to the location, got it unlocked, then I had to go get the cooler from the film school which was thankfully only 1/2 a mile away. On the way there, one of our crew members called and said she couldn't get into the school to get the keys to the generator truck, so I had to go let her in with my card. Meanwhile, her passenger didn't show up until later, so we thought we'd have to find someone new. And in the mean time, another crew member called me from her car because she was completely lost at a roundabout.
Then, the elevator was supposed to run from the 1st floor up to the 3rd floor on weekends, but only stop at floor 2, which was a security thing, which was fine. But it ended up only going to floor two, and not ever to floor 3, so we had to have someone at the 3rd floor beam us up all day. So that was hectic.
Then we had an actor who was late, and I had to pick him up, and it turned out he lived literally .1 miles away from the location, and it was right behind his apartment. And on the way back to the location I went around the roundabout in a circle. Around around the roundabout. Indeed.
But after lunch was cool, and I was struggling for something to do. So I mostly sat there and babysat equipment and carried stuff and watched the time.
Friday I was gaffer, which is the person who sets up all the lights. I was really excited, because I learned a lot on set. Gaffing was something I was really afraid of, but I got the hang of it, and it was a lot of fun.
I felt like I knew so much. I was like, "Here's a reflection, let me audition this flag for you!" I was running around like a crazy person, setting up lights and putting on gels and auditioning flags. It was pretty sweet.
Saturday I had a day off to prepare for producing, which started out really hectic but ended well. I had gotten the wrong driving directions to the location, which were pre-construction directions on Google. I sent all those directions to my crew, and people ended up being late because they didn't know how to get there! I felt awful.
In the morning, I went to the location, got it unlocked, then I had to go get the cooler from the film school which was thankfully only 1/2 a mile away. On the way there, one of our crew members called and said she couldn't get into the school to get the keys to the generator truck, so I had to go let her in with my card. Meanwhile, her passenger didn't show up until later, so we thought we'd have to find someone new. And in the mean time, another crew member called me from her car because she was completely lost at a roundabout.
Then, the elevator was supposed to run from the 1st floor up to the 3rd floor on weekends, but only stop at floor 2, which was a security thing, which was fine. But it ended up only going to floor two, and not ever to floor 3, so we had to have someone at the 3rd floor beam us up all day. So that was hectic.
Then we had an actor who was late, and I had to pick him up, and it turned out he lived literally .1 miles away from the location, and it was right behind his apartment. And on the way back to the location I went around the roundabout in a circle. Around around the roundabout. Indeed.
But after lunch was cool, and I was struggling for something to do. So I mostly sat there and babysat equipment and carried stuff and watched the time.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Directing!
The first production cycle is officially over. And I have officially survived.
I directed my first (and possibly only) film ever on Sunday. And it was okay. It wasn't great, which was surprising. I realized that I'm a pretty terrible director, because I hate making decisions.
I also realized that directing is pretty tough. Especially if-- hypothetically speaking-- you have an Extra who decides to throw a temper tantrum on set and then you fall into a hundred little pieces.
Which actually happened to me. The temper tantrum. Not the falling-into-little-pieces.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there.
But why I really don't think directing is my thing is because I am horrible at thinking on my feet. Seriously. After the Extra incident, I lost my notes telling me exactly what shots and angles I wanted, and my world crumbled.
Seriously.
I need to stop planning so much. As my roommate says, I'm such a "J." Which is a personality type. Meyers-Briggs and whatnot.
Anyway, it means a planner. Which I am.
So directing is over, and I heard my footage looks incredible. Dailies are Thursday, and we get to watch everything we filmed Sunday. So I'm very excited for that.
Here are some pictures of me directing. Enjoy!
I also worked as 2nd Assistant Director, which I realized is the therapy position. Everyone comes into craft services and the green room and complains about bugs and weather and hard work. And then I'm the good guy on set who brings people candy to cheer them up! So that's lovely.
One more thing, I'm not sure I mentioned it before, but one of my classmates dropped a lens on set Friday, and it was taken off of the trucks and we weren't allowed to use it, but it turns out it's not broken. So that's just awesome!
Anyway, now that directing is over, I feel a huge load lifted off of me, and now I'm super stoked for cinematography. I was terrified of it at first, but now I'm so excited! Go camera team!
I directed my first (and possibly only) film ever on Sunday. And it was okay. It wasn't great, which was surprising. I realized that I'm a pretty terrible director, because I hate making decisions.
I also realized that directing is pretty tough. Especially if-- hypothetically speaking-- you have an Extra who decides to throw a temper tantrum on set and then you fall into a hundred little pieces.
Which actually happened to me. The temper tantrum. Not the falling-into-little-pieces.
Anyway, that's neither here nor there.
But why I really don't think directing is my thing is because I am horrible at thinking on my feet. Seriously. After the Extra incident, I lost my notes telling me exactly what shots and angles I wanted, and my world crumbled.
Seriously.
I need to stop planning so much. As my roommate says, I'm such a "J." Which is a personality type. Meyers-Briggs and whatnot.
Anyway, it means a planner. Which I am.
So directing is over, and I heard my footage looks incredible. Dailies are Thursday, and we get to watch everything we filmed Sunday. So I'm very excited for that.
Here are some pictures of me directing. Enjoy!
I also worked as 2nd Assistant Director, which I realized is the therapy position. Everyone comes into craft services and the green room and complains about bugs and weather and hard work. And then I'm the good guy on set who brings people candy to cheer them up! So that's lovely.
One more thing, I'm not sure I mentioned it before, but one of my classmates dropped a lens on set Friday, and it was taken off of the trucks and we weren't allowed to use it, but it turns out it's not broken. So that's just awesome!
Anyway, now that directing is over, I feel a huge load lifted off of me, and now I'm super stoked for cinematography. I was terrified of it at first, but now I'm so excited! Go camera team!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Making Movies!!
Today was my first day on a movie set! Ever! I know they're only 3 minute movies, but they're real movies! With real equipment! And real scripts! And real people!
No one ever wanted to make movies with me in high school, and I'm so excited, because now there are like 30 people who want to make movies with me. And have to.
So that's pretty neat.
We had our first shoot in a warehouse. I was BBE, Best Boy Electric, and I was in charge of driving the generator truck (which went very smoothly!) and running power to set. It was a super easy job, because we only had three lights, and they were all tiny. So I basically did nothing all day.
The first couple of hours were tiring though, because I ran a stick of camlock to set, and then realized I needed to have the power way further back in the building than I had it, so I had to run another stick of camlock out of the truck, move the distro box, and drag all of my cords with me further into the warehouse. It was tiring and I was sweating pretty badly, because I was really trying to hurry up, so they could get the lights up before the New Deal (the first blocking/action sequence of the day, to show the crew what's going to happen). So I was hot and sweaty, but I did it.
And by the way, I'm gonna be ripped by Christmas. I hope. I think I may finally get arm muscles. With any luck, at least.
So, I left set covered in dust and dirt and feeling extremely grimy, but it was fun. I basically watched the filming all day and helped out with lights and moving stuff. And ate some candy. And free lunch. Woo hoo!
I love food. Especially free food. And we had this yummy Mediterranean food with pitas and felafel and pita fries! Yum!
Anyway, after we finished filming and were wrapping all of our gear to the truck, we realized that the garage door at our location came off the track, so all 13 of us tried to get it closed. We couldn't figure it out, so we propped a ladder in there. Later on, right as we were about to leave, we realized the door was still open, so all 13 of us, once again, tried closing it.
It took us an hour after we weren't even supposed to be there anymore to get it closed. But it was amazing! We were an awesome team, and it was actually really fun. Here's a picture:
Well, folks, that's a wrap.
For tonight.
No one ever wanted to make movies with me in high school, and I'm so excited, because now there are like 30 people who want to make movies with me. And have to.
So that's pretty neat.
We had our first shoot in a warehouse. I was BBE, Best Boy Electric, and I was in charge of driving the generator truck (which went very smoothly!) and running power to set. It was a super easy job, because we only had three lights, and they were all tiny. So I basically did nothing all day.
The first couple of hours were tiring though, because I ran a stick of camlock to set, and then realized I needed to have the power way further back in the building than I had it, so I had to run another stick of camlock out of the truck, move the distro box, and drag all of my cords with me further into the warehouse. It was tiring and I was sweating pretty badly, because I was really trying to hurry up, so they could get the lights up before the New Deal (the first blocking/action sequence of the day, to show the crew what's going to happen). So I was hot and sweaty, but I did it.
And by the way, I'm gonna be ripped by Christmas. I hope. I think I may finally get arm muscles. With any luck, at least.
So, I left set covered in dust and dirt and feeling extremely grimy, but it was fun. I basically watched the filming all day and helped out with lights and moving stuff. And ate some candy. And free lunch. Woo hoo!
I love food. Especially free food. And we had this yummy Mediterranean food with pitas and felafel and pita fries! Yum!
Anyway, after we finished filming and were wrapping all of our gear to the truck, we realized that the garage door at our location came off the track, so all 13 of us tried to get it closed. We couldn't figure it out, so we propped a ladder in there. Later on, right as we were about to leave, we realized the door was still open, so all 13 of us, once again, tried closing it.
It took us an hour after we weren't even supposed to be there anymore to get it closed. But it was amazing! We were an awesome team, and it was actually really fun. Here's a picture:
I love it. Good times after a 12 hour day of filming.
I direct my movie on Sunday, and I'm super excited! We just went through a crazy rewrite after we had Director's Prep the other day. I had to work with my writer to change the ending, but it turned out really cool. I'm stoked.
Tomorrow I'm going to decorate my set, which also happens to be in a warehouse. Well, actually, an old tobacco barn that is now a warehouse. But it's cool, and large, and will be incredibly fun to decorate. This antique shop right next door is lending us a bunch of stuff.
For tonight.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Crew Drils are Over!
So, Crew Drills are over, and I feel like a real live filmmaker. Seriously. I do.
I'm very excited for productions, now, and I feel like I know what I'm doing. On everything except lighting, that is. That's gonna take a little time.
Yesterday I got to act, do production design, and be a script supe. Acting was fun, because I got to be the bad guy. Well, kind of a bad guy. My character was torturing this guy who raped her three years before. It was really cool and fun to be able to play that character.
Production design was a little boring, but I heard that on set it's gonna be really busy. I get to create a science lab, so I'm super excited about that. I'm researching how to make foam for my red-colored potion in test tubes. Yes.
Script Supe was really fun. It's all about watching each take and taking notes to ensure continuity and coverage. I really liked it. I also got to draw a Photo of the Day, which was a very 2-Dimensional man in front of fireworks who was happy about crew drills being over.
They were tiring, but they were incredibly fun, and I can honestly say the only job I didn't like was Key Grip.
Productions start in one week! Well, less than a week! Ahh!
Driving test Monday. Yikes.
I'm very excited for productions, now, and I feel like I know what I'm doing. On everything except lighting, that is. That's gonna take a little time.
Yesterday I got to act, do production design, and be a script supe. Acting was fun, because I got to be the bad guy. Well, kind of a bad guy. My character was torturing this guy who raped her three years before. It was really cool and fun to be able to play that character.
Production design was a little boring, but I heard that on set it's gonna be really busy. I get to create a science lab, so I'm super excited about that. I'm researching how to make foam for my red-colored potion in test tubes. Yes.
Script Supe was really fun. It's all about watching each take and taking notes to ensure continuity and coverage. I really liked it. I also got to draw a Photo of the Day, which was a very 2-Dimensional man in front of fireworks who was happy about crew drills being over.
They were tiring, but they were incredibly fun, and I can honestly say the only job I didn't like was Key Grip.
Productions start in one week! Well, less than a week! Ahh!
Driving test Monday. Yikes.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday!
Today was another crazy day in Crew Drills.
First, I was DP, which was incredibly fun. Well, the camera operation part was fun. The lighting part was so confusing and I was entirely overwhelmed and wanted to cry. But it worked out. And I had a blast.
Second, I was First AC, which is a focus-puller for the DP. That was also very, very fun. Rack focusing, where you go from one person or thing, really fast to another person or thing, is great. We had to get the camera really low, so I ended up having to sit on the floor to get focus. So that was fun.
My job also included changing lenses. $5,000 lenses. Cool.
My third job was grip, which I hated. It was a bunch of heavy lifting, which is fine, except for the fact that I'm too weak to do half the stuff, and that annoys me. Also, I got to push the dolly, which was cool, but I was too weak to turn the wheels. Lame. And frustrating. And also, 15 different people were telling me to do 15 different things.
I think it'll be better on set. This was the only job I really didn't like. But I guess loving 12 jobs out of 13 is pretty good odds.
First, I was DP, which was incredibly fun. Well, the camera operation part was fun. The lighting part was so confusing and I was entirely overwhelmed and wanted to cry. But it worked out. And I had a blast.
Second, I was First AC, which is a focus-puller for the DP. That was also very, very fun. Rack focusing, where you go from one person or thing, really fast to another person or thing, is great. We had to get the camera really low, so I ended up having to sit on the floor to get focus. So that was fun.
My job also included changing lenses. $5,000 lenses. Cool.
My third job was grip, which I hated. It was a bunch of heavy lifting, which is fine, except for the fact that I'm too weak to do half the stuff, and that annoys me. Also, I got to push the dolly, which was cool, but I was too weak to turn the wheels. Lame. And frustrating. And also, 15 different people were telling me to do 15 different things.
I think it'll be better on set. This was the only job I really didn't like. But I guess loving 12 jobs out of 13 is pretty good odds.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Middle of Crew Drills!
We're officially half-way through Crew Drills (which have now become known, once again, by their normal, actual name, of Crew Drills), and they are incredible. Tiring, yes. Foot-hurting, absolutely. But incredible, nonetheless.
Yesterday I didn't blog, because I was exhausted. I was out like a light by 11:00, and I couldn't be bothered to type anything. I didn't even open my computer.
Anyway, to fill you in, yesterday I got to act in a scene about a woman who was in love with a giant cigarette. So, that was cool. If your definition of cool is "extremely weird" and "incredibly ridiculous."
I had fun, though. I got to act like I was in a soap opera, which is actually one of my favorite things and lifelong dreams.
Not really.
But it was really fun. I had to say, "Get out. I don't need you anymore!" in a very dramatic, daytime soap way. And that was very, very fun. All of my lines were like that. So dramatic. Unfortunately, there was no fake face-slapping. That was the only thing off about the scene.
That, and the presence of a man dressed up as a cigarette.
Yesterday I was also a gaffer (the light person), which I was actually dreading and terrified to do. It turned out to be really fun, though. I felt hardcore, carrying all kinds of lights and flags and stands. We had a massive light, a 2.5k HMI that mimics sunlight that we had to put up, and I had to stand on a ladder just to aim it. And then, we wrapped the scene late, so we had to wrap to the Grip Truck really quickly. Me and the grip, Nia, rocked it, and wrapped up so fast. We were sweating so badly by the time it was over. People were impressed. Go us.
I was also producer on set yesterday, which consisted of me sitting at craft and eating and talking to a second year from Minnesota. Go north!
Today was really fun. I started off the day as First Assistant Director, which is the person who runs the set. As 1st AD, my job was to make sure we were on schedule and to get everyone to get the shots off in time. It was really fun. Once again, it made me feel like I was in NAE, which is always nice. It's nice to know that something I had a lot of fun with for four years helped a lot in my future endeavors. For real, though. I'm not being sarcastic.
Anyway, it was super cool, cause you get to say things like: "Lock it up, we're going for sound!" and "How long til you can strike those lights?" and the Gaffer will say, "10 minutes," and you'll say, "can you try for five? I need them on in five." And they do. Or they don't. But they try.
And it's really great. And you get to talk in the walkie a lot, and just talk, period. So that's always fun.
My second job today was second assistant camera, the person who gets to make up the slate and do other stuff, like wear rolls of cool neon tape around your belt loop and tape camera focus marks and actor marks. But the most exciting thing is making the slate and slating it. I felt like an actual movie maker. Screw the Red Epic camera. Give me a slate, and I'm good to go. Yay, film school.
Finally, I got to do sound today. Booming! Yes! And I still love it. I just feel so cool. And I am obsessed with the fact that the boom mic makes things so much louder. It's really fun to stand there and eavesdrop with your cool headphones on. For real.
I was very happy today, because at all of my positions I was told I did very well, which is always nice to hear. It's weird, because I always feel like I don't know what I'm doing. So it's nice to know that maybe I do.
Our mentors are second year students, and they're really great. They're so helpful and they know so much, and I'm just so excited to know that by December, we'll know as much as they do. Well, ok, like a third of what they do. But still. We'll sound smarter.
Yesterday I didn't blog, because I was exhausted. I was out like a light by 11:00, and I couldn't be bothered to type anything. I didn't even open my computer.
Anyway, to fill you in, yesterday I got to act in a scene about a woman who was in love with a giant cigarette. So, that was cool. If your definition of cool is "extremely weird" and "incredibly ridiculous."
I had fun, though. I got to act like I was in a soap opera, which is actually one of my favorite things and lifelong dreams.
Not really.
But it was really fun. I had to say, "Get out. I don't need you anymore!" in a very dramatic, daytime soap way. And that was very, very fun. All of my lines were like that. So dramatic. Unfortunately, there was no fake face-slapping. That was the only thing off about the scene.
That, and the presence of a man dressed up as a cigarette.
Yesterday I was also a gaffer (the light person), which I was actually dreading and terrified to do. It turned out to be really fun, though. I felt hardcore, carrying all kinds of lights and flags and stands. We had a massive light, a 2.5k HMI that mimics sunlight that we had to put up, and I had to stand on a ladder just to aim it. And then, we wrapped the scene late, so we had to wrap to the Grip Truck really quickly. Me and the grip, Nia, rocked it, and wrapped up so fast. We were sweating so badly by the time it was over. People were impressed. Go us.
I was also producer on set yesterday, which consisted of me sitting at craft and eating and talking to a second year from Minnesota. Go north!
Today was really fun. I started off the day as First Assistant Director, which is the person who runs the set. As 1st AD, my job was to make sure we were on schedule and to get everyone to get the shots off in time. It was really fun. Once again, it made me feel like I was in NAE, which is always nice. It's nice to know that something I had a lot of fun with for four years helped a lot in my future endeavors. For real, though. I'm not being sarcastic.
Anyway, it was super cool, cause you get to say things like: "Lock it up, we're going for sound!" and "How long til you can strike those lights?" and the Gaffer will say, "10 minutes," and you'll say, "can you try for five? I need them on in five." And they do. Or they don't. But they try.
And it's really great. And you get to talk in the walkie a lot, and just talk, period. So that's always fun.
My second job today was second assistant camera, the person who gets to make up the slate and do other stuff, like wear rolls of cool neon tape around your belt loop and tape camera focus marks and actor marks. But the most exciting thing is making the slate and slating it. I felt like an actual movie maker. Screw the Red Epic camera. Give me a slate, and I'm good to go. Yay, film school.
Finally, I got to do sound today. Booming! Yes! And I still love it. I just feel so cool. And I am obsessed with the fact that the boom mic makes things so much louder. It's really fun to stand there and eavesdrop with your cool headphones on. For real.
I was very happy today, because at all of my positions I was told I did very well, which is always nice to hear. It's weird, because I always feel like I don't know what I'm doing. So it's nice to know that maybe I do.
Our mentors are second year students, and they're really great. They're so helpful and they know so much, and I'm just so excited to know that by December, we'll know as much as they do. Well, ok, like a third of what they do. But still. We'll sound smarter.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Crew Drizzles Day 1
Today we had our first day of Crew Drills. It went really well. It was pretty fun, and very tiring.
From 8 a.m. to noon, I did BBE, which is running power to the entire set, and then sitting around for a while. I really enjoyed it, though, and I never thought I would.
Next, I directed, which was truly terrifying and amazing at the same time. I loved working with the actors, and I got my actor to act amazingly well by comparing the stuff in the scene to Lord of the Rings. Which was incredibly incredible.
When I had to talk about what lenses I was using and what the coverage was, though, I was completely lost at sea. But everything else was great. And I decided to set up the most complicated dolly shot ever in the history of the universe. And I had an 8:1 contrast ratio and a ton of lights. But when we got it right, it looked amazing.
Thirdly, I did 2nd AD which was a lot of sitting around and way too much snacking at Craft.
Overall, though, the day was great. I'm going to try to get my hands on the footage I filmed today in class, because it looked so cool!! Real movies!!! Whoa!
From 8 a.m. to noon, I did BBE, which is running power to the entire set, and then sitting around for a while. I really enjoyed it, though, and I never thought I would.
Next, I directed, which was truly terrifying and amazing at the same time. I loved working with the actors, and I got my actor to act amazingly well by comparing the stuff in the scene to Lord of the Rings. Which was incredibly incredible.
When I had to talk about what lenses I was using and what the coverage was, though, I was completely lost at sea. But everything else was great. And I decided to set up the most complicated dolly shot ever in the history of the universe. And I had an 8:1 contrast ratio and a ton of lights. But when we got it right, it looked amazing.
Thirdly, I did 2nd AD which was a lot of sitting around and way too much snacking at Craft.
Overall, though, the day was great. I'm going to try to get my hands on the footage I filmed today in class, because it looked so cool!! Real movies!!! Whoa!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Classroom Classes Are Over!
Yesterday was our last day of actual classroom classes for the semester. Monday we'll be starting Crew Drills. Here's how they work (I think!):
Each day, Monday through Friday next week, corresponds to one full weekend on the actual shooting schedule. So each day we'll be shooting 6 films- 3 in Stage A and 3 in Stage B. We'll be doing every position we're going to do for real on everybody's show, but this is like dress rehearsal. That's what I'm calling it. Production Dress Rehearsal.
And this will from here-on be referred to as such.
Anyway, Production Dress Rehearsal runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, so we end up working on 3 shows a day. I'm actually really excited for this, because I think it's going to help so much in terms of me knowing what I'm doing. And we get free lunch and snacks. So that's pretty neat.
More about that later. And it might be really later, like Friday, if I'm too tired to update during the week. We'll see.
Yesterday we had a directing class where we practiced making a movie and learned all kinds of protocol stuff, which was very interesting and helpful. I was BBE, which will be my first job in Dress Rehearsal and, therefore, my first job on set. So it was nice to get a little practice in, even though I only had to run one cord.
Anyway, we did this Production Meeting, which reminded me so incredibly much of NAE meetings. I'm so glad I was in NAE for so many reasons, but yesterday I was so glad because I kept thinking, "I totally know how to do this!" Only this is a movie instead of a concert. But still. It was pretty great.
Hmm, what else?
I have no drawn about 4 different storyboards for my movie, but I think I finally decided on one. I may need to cut it down, because right now I have, like, 23 setups, and I really don't want that many. So I'll probably end up doing 5 storyboards. Oh, and these are practice storyboards. Our storyboards for Director's Prep have to be huge, like one picture per 8x11 inch piece of paper. So that'll be fun. I'll get to put my excellent drawing skills to the test.
Anyway, more on that later, too.
Oh! And I'm officially registered for London!!! Which will, I'm sure, be here before I even know it.
Each day, Monday through Friday next week, corresponds to one full weekend on the actual shooting schedule. So each day we'll be shooting 6 films- 3 in Stage A and 3 in Stage B. We'll be doing every position we're going to do for real on everybody's show, but this is like dress rehearsal. That's what I'm calling it. Production Dress Rehearsal.
And this will from here-on be referred to as such.
Anyway, Production Dress Rehearsal runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, so we end up working on 3 shows a day. I'm actually really excited for this, because I think it's going to help so much in terms of me knowing what I'm doing. And we get free lunch and snacks. So that's pretty neat.
More about that later. And it might be really later, like Friday, if I'm too tired to update during the week. We'll see.
Yesterday we had a directing class where we practiced making a movie and learned all kinds of protocol stuff, which was very interesting and helpful. I was BBE, which will be my first job in Dress Rehearsal and, therefore, my first job on set. So it was nice to get a little practice in, even though I only had to run one cord.
Anyway, we did this Production Meeting, which reminded me so incredibly much of NAE meetings. I'm so glad I was in NAE for so many reasons, but yesterday I was so glad because I kept thinking, "I totally know how to do this!" Only this is a movie instead of a concert. But still. It was pretty great.
Hmm, what else?
I have no drawn about 4 different storyboards for my movie, but I think I finally decided on one. I may need to cut it down, because right now I have, like, 23 setups, and I really don't want that many. So I'll probably end up doing 5 storyboards. Oh, and these are practice storyboards. Our storyboards for Director's Prep have to be huge, like one picture per 8x11 inch piece of paper. So that'll be fun. I'll get to put my excellent drawing skills to the test.
Anyway, more on that later, too.
Oh! And I'm officially registered for London!!! Which will, I'm sure, be here before I even know it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Location, Location, Location
Today we had classroom classes, which doesn't make for a very good blog post. But we started getting all of the paperwork that will need to be done on our D1 films, and that's exciting to me. I love paperwork and lists and things. And it reminds me of when we did concerts for NAE way back when.
On another note, a more exciting one, my screenwriting professor really liked my script! We had to do a 5 page story, and mine was 9 pages when I finished. I spent all day Saturday-- no, literally, all day-- sitting in a chair, cutting it down to 5 pages. It took me like 6 hours. No joke. And I'm very proud of it.
So, needless to say, I was pretty excited when he said he liked it and that it was good. There were only a couple of things he wanted me to fix. And he said I really know what I'm doing, and that the writing was very strong. So that was pretty incredible. And now I don't have screenwriting until January. In London.
Today I started planning out my shots for my film. I drew storyboards yesterday and today I started trying to set up the shots I need. I also searched for locations online that people have shot at in the past, and found about 6 that I can check out. My dream location, The Other Side vintage store, has actually been used for a film in the past, so I have my fingers crossed that they'll let me shoot there.
Tomorrow I meet with my ATL crew, and we can talk about the movie. I have to shoot in, like, 2 weeks. Yikes.
Tomorrow we have a test on driving the trucks...double yikes. And next week is Crew Drills! We do 3 mock shows a day, and we're at school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. til 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. all week. But it should be fun. And intense. And crazy. All the things film school is about.
On another note, a more exciting one, my screenwriting professor really liked my script! We had to do a 5 page story, and mine was 9 pages when I finished. I spent all day Saturday-- no, literally, all day-- sitting in a chair, cutting it down to 5 pages. It took me like 6 hours. No joke. And I'm very proud of it.
So, needless to say, I was pretty excited when he said he liked it and that it was good. There were only a couple of things he wanted me to fix. And he said I really know what I'm doing, and that the writing was very strong. So that was pretty incredible. And now I don't have screenwriting until January. In London.
Today I started planning out my shots for my film. I drew storyboards yesterday and today I started trying to set up the shots I need. I also searched for locations online that people have shot at in the past, and found about 6 that I can check out. My dream location, The Other Side vintage store, has actually been used for a film in the past, so I have my fingers crossed that they'll let me shoot there.
Tomorrow I meet with my ATL crew, and we can talk about the movie. I have to shoot in, like, 2 weeks. Yikes.
Tomorrow we have a test on driving the trucks...double yikes. And next week is Crew Drills! We do 3 mock shows a day, and we're at school from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. til 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. all week. But it should be fun. And intense. And crazy. All the things film school is about.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Rock Star!!
Tonight was the Rock Star performance, and it was the funnest night ever! We all got to the school at 7 p.m. dressed as our rock stars, set up, and performed. Everybody was awesome! It was really one of the best concerts I've ever been to. It was funny and exciting and we were jumping around and I took about 500 pictures.
And performing was so much fun! I was super nervous, but when I got up there, I felt like I could perform every night. It was so cool. Everyone was clapping and cheering. It was great.
Anyway, words can't really describe how fun it was. It was incredible. And this was for acting class, remember. Which makes it about 50 times cooler.
After Rock Star we went out with two of our professors dressed in our costumes. When my roommates and I got to the bar, the other rock stars started cheering, and everyone else stared at us. Which was basically incredible.
Best night ever. Or at least since a while.
And performing was so much fun! I was super nervous, but when I got up there, I felt like I could perform every night. It was so cool. Everyone was clapping and cheering. It was great.
Anyway, words can't really describe how fun it was. It was incredible. And this was for acting class, remember. Which makes it about 50 times cooler.
After Rock Star we went out with two of our professors dressed in our costumes. When my roommates and I got to the bar, the other rock stars started cheering, and everyone else stared at us. Which was basically incredible.
Best night ever. Or at least since a while.
Here's a picture of me as Courtney Love.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
180 Degrees and More
I haven't blogged for a few days, and for that I am sorry. But I've been busy. Understandable, right?
So Tuesday was screenwriting, and I got a little bit chewed out for not introducing my main character in terms of archetypal personality. It's kind of hard to explain. But I'm so used to showing who characters are through dialogue action, and show don't tell, show don't tell, show don't tell, that now it's like, tell, tell, tell, and it's difficult! But I'm excited to see what I come up with when I actually get it.
Yesterday I had sound lab which was long, but pretty cool. We learned to put sounds together- dialogue tracks, sound effects, and more. It was really fun. That's what we'll have to do on our films. Dialogue goes in one track, atmosphere sounds in another, sound fx, music, etc. I feel more sound-savvy already.
Last night we had a directing lab about staying on the 180 degree line in movies. This is the imaginary line that makes it look like the characters are talking to one another, even when you can't see the other person, like in close-ups. So we walked into the room, and I realized that I still haven't ceased to be amazed by film school. There were two cameras set up and a camera strung up from the ceiling somewhere, so it was overhead. There were these awesome lights and two mannequins. I'll post a picture later. It was just awesome. That's the only word for it.
We also talked about not making your actors look like amputees, which made me laugh, because I keep thinking of taking pictures with my mom and sister and talking about that.
Oh! And last night, well, this morning, at like 3 a.m., Reb sent us the crew grids so we can see who is working on our crew for our film, and who we work for and when we work. So that's super exciting. We should get our scripts to choose from today. It's all happening!
So Tuesday was screenwriting, and I got a little bit chewed out for not introducing my main character in terms of archetypal personality. It's kind of hard to explain. But I'm so used to showing who characters are through dialogue action, and show don't tell, show don't tell, show don't tell, that now it's like, tell, tell, tell, and it's difficult! But I'm excited to see what I come up with when I actually get it.
Yesterday I had sound lab which was long, but pretty cool. We learned to put sounds together- dialogue tracks, sound effects, and more. It was really fun. That's what we'll have to do on our films. Dialogue goes in one track, atmosphere sounds in another, sound fx, music, etc. I feel more sound-savvy already.
Last night we had a directing lab about staying on the 180 degree line in movies. This is the imaginary line that makes it look like the characters are talking to one another, even when you can't see the other person, like in close-ups. So we walked into the room, and I realized that I still haven't ceased to be amazed by film school. There were two cameras set up and a camera strung up from the ceiling somewhere, so it was overhead. There were these awesome lights and two mannequins. I'll post a picture later. It was just awesome. That's the only word for it.
We also talked about not making your actors look like amputees, which made me laugh, because I keep thinking of taking pictures with my mom and sister and talking about that.
Oh! And last night, well, this morning, at like 3 a.m., Reb sent us the crew grids so we can see who is working on our crew for our film, and who we work for and when we work. So that's super exciting. We should get our scripts to choose from today. It's all happening!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Trucks, But Not Trucks
Today we had a lab about trucks. I was terrified we were actually going to drive them, but we didn't today. That's Friday or next week or something.
In the afternoon, we got to meet more of our actors and I met my other actor. He seems really cool and nice, so that's good. These guys should be really easy to work with.
I got out of class at 2:00 today, which was the first, and probably last time that will ever happen here. So that was exciting. I dressed up as Courtney Love and practiced my rock star project.
And that's about it.
And on a totally unrelated note, laser tag is really fun.
In the afternoon, we got to meet more of our actors and I met my other actor. He seems really cool and nice, so that's good. These guys should be really easy to work with.
I got out of class at 2:00 today, which was the first, and probably last time that will ever happen here. So that was exciting. I dressed up as Courtney Love and practiced my rock star project.
And that's about it.
And on a totally unrelated note, laser tag is really fun.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Actors
Yesterday was a pretty easy day of school. The cool thing was that we got to meet some of our actors. I met one of mine, and I'll meet the other on Monday. The one I met already, J.T. is very cool and seems really easy to work with. I have two guy actors, which is pretty cool, since in previous years, they were at a serious loss of guys to be in the movies. I'm excited to meet my other actor on Monday. It should be fun. They're from the BFA theater program, so they're really excited about being in our films, just as much as we are to direct them.
Today I started my production design homework, which is creating a prop for this character. She's a punk rocker in the '80s, so I have this whole back story for her that she doesn't have a home, and travels around the country staying with her friends. So my prop is this pillow case that she uses to keep her clothes in while she travels. I got a white pillow case, and to make it look used, I went outside and rolled it in the dirt and stomped on it. Which was pretty incredible. I have the best homework.
I also made an anarchy sign patch and I'm making some more tomorrow, which I'll attach to the pillow case with safety pins. I'm pretty stoked. Oh, and I'm putting a shoelace in to look like a drawstring! Cool.
I also went shopping for my rock star wardrobe today. We perform Friday and I'm super excited. One of these nights, my roommates and I are gonna dress up and have a dress rehearsal. Should be incredibly awesome.
That's all for now. I'm attempting to bake bread. Wish me luck.
Today I started my production design homework, which is creating a prop for this character. She's a punk rocker in the '80s, so I have this whole back story for her that she doesn't have a home, and travels around the country staying with her friends. So my prop is this pillow case that she uses to keep her clothes in while she travels. I got a white pillow case, and to make it look used, I went outside and rolled it in the dirt and stomped on it. Which was pretty incredible. I have the best homework.
I also made an anarchy sign patch and I'm making some more tomorrow, which I'll attach to the pillow case with safety pins. I'm pretty stoked. Oh, and I'm putting a shoelace in to look like a drawstring! Cool.
I also went shopping for my rock star wardrobe today. We perform Friday and I'm super excited. One of these nights, my roommates and I are gonna dress up and have a dress rehearsal. Should be incredibly awesome.
That's all for now. I'm attempting to bake bread. Wish me luck.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Schedule's Up!
We finally got the schedule for when we'll be directing our D1 film. What that's told me is that it's very, very close. And I don't know whether to be really excited or really nervous. Excited, I think. I watched some of the D1 movies from last year, and they were pretty good. But they didn't intimidate me. So that's a start.
Anyway, turns out I direct my film the first week of production, on October 21, which is both a good and a bad thing. Good because it should be the most stressful job, and I can get it over with. Bad because everyone's going to be just starting out, including myself. So both. But at least I know. We meet our actors tomorrow and Monday, and I think we get to pick out scripts soon. I have my fingers crossed for a good thriller or mystery to pick from, because I really want to direct a film noir.
I had editing today, and our actual professor started teaching us. Until now, we've had this other guy who may be a TA or just a BFA professor, I'm not sure. Anyway, our professor, April, is extremely cool and has this magnetic personality. And she knows a lot about editing. She has an experimental documentary at the NY Film Festival.
We learned how to do J and L cuts, which are cuts where you bring in sound or dialogue before the previous scene is over. They're used a lot in arguments and other situations, and you can make it seem like people are interrupting each other. It's a little hard to explain here, but I'll try.
So, an L cut is when you have a clip of someone yelling at someone else, and you play that sound footage while the image of the other person plays over it (a reaction shot, perhaps). The previous sound goes into the next video clip. Does that make sense? I hope so. And a J cut is just the other way around. Sounds complicated, I know. But now I know how to do it, and I feel very smart.
I may be able to post my project on here so you can see what I mean. I don't know, though. I'll try to remember to do that.
Anyway, we edited this footage from a movie called Heartwood with Hilary Swank when she was like, fifteen. Ok, she was like 18, but still. Anyway, it was really, really fun.
Today we also made this scene in cine lab and it was incredibly fun. We all had different jobs assigned; I was production designer. It took us like 4 hours to set up this scene with all the lights and everything. It was nuts. But it went by really fast, and it was really, really fun.
Production designer decorates the set. So I had to put furniture on set and props and make the room look like a room. I'm excited to do that job on D1. I'll also be in charge of costumes. Yes.
I also found out that the production designer takes all sorts of behind-the-scene footage on set, so I'm excited for being director, so I can get a ton of pictures of myself directing my one and only time. I was going to swindle a BFA student volunteer into doing it, but I guess now I don't have to.
Anyway, turns out I direct my film the first week of production, on October 21, which is both a good and a bad thing. Good because it should be the most stressful job, and I can get it over with. Bad because everyone's going to be just starting out, including myself. So both. But at least I know. We meet our actors tomorrow and Monday, and I think we get to pick out scripts soon. I have my fingers crossed for a good thriller or mystery to pick from, because I really want to direct a film noir.
I had editing today, and our actual professor started teaching us. Until now, we've had this other guy who may be a TA or just a BFA professor, I'm not sure. Anyway, our professor, April, is extremely cool and has this magnetic personality. And she knows a lot about editing. She has an experimental documentary at the NY Film Festival.
We learned how to do J and L cuts, which are cuts where you bring in sound or dialogue before the previous scene is over. They're used a lot in arguments and other situations, and you can make it seem like people are interrupting each other. It's a little hard to explain here, but I'll try.
So, an L cut is when you have a clip of someone yelling at someone else, and you play that sound footage while the image of the other person plays over it (a reaction shot, perhaps). The previous sound goes into the next video clip. Does that make sense? I hope so. And a J cut is just the other way around. Sounds complicated, I know. But now I know how to do it, and I feel very smart.
I may be able to post my project on here so you can see what I mean. I don't know, though. I'll try to remember to do that.
Anyway, we edited this footage from a movie called Heartwood with Hilary Swank when she was like, fifteen. Ok, she was like 18, but still. Anyway, it was really, really fun.
Today we also made this scene in cine lab and it was incredibly fun. We all had different jobs assigned; I was production designer. It took us like 4 hours to set up this scene with all the lights and everything. It was nuts. But it went by really fast, and it was really, really fun.
Production designer decorates the set. So I had to put furniture on set and props and make the room look like a room. I'm excited to do that job on D1. I'll also be in charge of costumes. Yes.
I also found out that the production designer takes all sorts of behind-the-scene footage on set, so I'm excited for being director, so I can get a ton of pictures of myself directing my one and only time. I was going to swindle a BFA student volunteer into doing it, but I guess now I don't have to.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Budgets!
Today in producing class we got to talk about movie budgets, which is really one of my favorite things to do. Well, one of my favorite things is actually looking up budgets and comparing them to what the movie made, which we also do in producing class. So that's pretty neat.
But I've never seen a broken down line-itemed movie budget before, so it was super cool. And I may look them up in my spare time because I think it's exciting. And also because I'm a nerd.
Other than that, we got to make our own budget, which was really fun. More UPM stuff, which reinforces the fact that I want to be a screenwriter/UPM when I grow up.
We also talked about the WGA in class, which is the Writer's Guild. I realized that I really want to be a member of the WGA. If you're in the WGA, the least they can pay you for an original screenplay is $65,173 for a low-budget movie and $122,354 for a high-budget movie.
I would take either. Anytime. Seriously.
In sound class today we got to go outside on the backlot and make homemade videos. We took the boom mike out and the sound recorders and everything. For some reason, my group ended up making the Poop Chronicles, with five movies centered around poop.
I really don't know why, but I know that when I was acting, I did get to pretend to throw up a lot. So that was fun.
Oh! And I got to use a slate for the first time ever! I've always wanted to use one. I never knew what they were for, and now I do. And they're fun. And magnetic!
I really do feel like it's such an old, outdated movie technology. But I really am in love with them. Slates, that is.
Anyway, it was a pretty eventful day. And we're already more than halfway through the 4th week. We meet our actors Friday! Yikes!
But I've never seen a broken down line-itemed movie budget before, so it was super cool. And I may look them up in my spare time because I think it's exciting. And also because I'm a nerd.
Other than that, we got to make our own budget, which was really fun. More UPM stuff, which reinforces the fact that I want to be a screenwriter/UPM when I grow up.
We also talked about the WGA in class, which is the Writer's Guild. I realized that I really want to be a member of the WGA. If you're in the WGA, the least they can pay you for an original screenplay is $65,173 for a low-budget movie and $122,354 for a high-budget movie.
I would take either. Anytime. Seriously.
In sound class today we got to go outside on the backlot and make homemade videos. We took the boom mike out and the sound recorders and everything. For some reason, my group ended up making the Poop Chronicles, with five movies centered around poop.
I really don't know why, but I know that when I was acting, I did get to pretend to throw up a lot. So that was fun.
Oh! And I got to use a slate for the first time ever! I've always wanted to use one. I never knew what they were for, and now I do. And they're fun. And magnetic!
I really do feel like it's such an old, outdated movie technology. But I really am in love with them. Slates, that is.
Anyway, it was a pretty eventful day. And we're already more than halfway through the 4th week. We meet our actors Friday! Yikes!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
It's Electric!
So, I have just realized that I am the worst blogger ever. My "daily" blog has been left vacant for five days. So I apologize to all of you who are interested in my life.
But in my defense, I've been busy.
Saturday Steph and Skye came to visit, which was amazing. We slid around my hardwood floor in socks and went to a pool party and saw a woman freak out in Wal-Mart. Good stuff.
Anyway, back to school.
Sunday we had an optional lab on learning to use the follow focus. The 1st Assistant Camera person pulls focus on actors, while the camera operator films the scene. So there's this little thing called a follow focus that you turn and...keep the picture in focus! Who ever would have guessed?
Anyway, the lab was really helpful, and basically what I learned was that it's really hard to keep someone in focus when they're walking up to the camera.
Yesterday we had a lab on using the generator. We have these generator trucks and all these big camlock cables that we run from the truck to wherever we want to power our lights. My muscles were sore by the end of the four hour lab, but I felt pretty accomplished and pretty strong. I like some of this hard movie labor stuff. It makes me feel cool.
Today we had producing and cinematography classes. We also had screenwriting. We had to write these scenes about a person with a personality flaw, and then today we read them in class and guessed the flaws. It was pretty fun.
I got really nervous, because I have this thing where I hate when people read my stuff when I'm in the room with them. I wanted to throw up a little. Or leave the room. But I didn't do either. I sat there like a good kid.
And most people guessed my flaw, so that was cool. It was about a girl who was incredibly cynical, and who was at her sister's wedding. Good stuff.
Anyway, my professor laughed pretty hard at one line, so I was pretty happy about that. It's still weird to sit there when everyone is silently reading your script, though.
Hmmm, I think that about covers it. I don't really know what I have tomorrow. It's all in my planner, but I don't feel like looking. I'll just go with it.
Oh, and by the way, the rock star project performance is a week from Friday! So I really have to get into learning "Celebrity Skin" and getting my Courtney persona down.
Also, it's week four. Which means there are two more weeks of classes, and then we start filming. I am still very excited and very terrified for filming. But right now I'm leaning toward excited. It should be fun.
Friday we get to have a meet and greet with our actors from the theater department, so that should be fun. I also think it might involve free food. What could be better, really?
But in my defense, I've been busy.
Saturday Steph and Skye came to visit, which was amazing. We slid around my hardwood floor in socks and went to a pool party and saw a woman freak out in Wal-Mart. Good stuff.
Anyway, back to school.
Sunday we had an optional lab on learning to use the follow focus. The 1st Assistant Camera person pulls focus on actors, while the camera operator films the scene. So there's this little thing called a follow focus that you turn and...keep the picture in focus! Who ever would have guessed?
Anyway, the lab was really helpful, and basically what I learned was that it's really hard to keep someone in focus when they're walking up to the camera.
Yesterday we had a lab on using the generator. We have these generator trucks and all these big camlock cables that we run from the truck to wherever we want to power our lights. My muscles were sore by the end of the four hour lab, but I felt pretty accomplished and pretty strong. I like some of this hard movie labor stuff. It makes me feel cool.
Today we had producing and cinematography classes. We also had screenwriting. We had to write these scenes about a person with a personality flaw, and then today we read them in class and guessed the flaws. It was pretty fun.
I got really nervous, because I have this thing where I hate when people read my stuff when I'm in the room with them. I wanted to throw up a little. Or leave the room. But I didn't do either. I sat there like a good kid.
And most people guessed my flaw, so that was cool. It was about a girl who was incredibly cynical, and who was at her sister's wedding. Good stuff.
Anyway, my professor laughed pretty hard at one line, so I was pretty happy about that. It's still weird to sit there when everyone is silently reading your script, though.
Hmmm, I think that about covers it. I don't really know what I have tomorrow. It's all in my planner, but I don't feel like looking. I'll just go with it.
Oh, and by the way, the rock star project performance is a week from Friday! So I really have to get into learning "Celebrity Skin" and getting my Courtney persona down.
Also, it's week four. Which means there are two more weeks of classes, and then we start filming. I am still very excited and very terrified for filming. But right now I'm leaning toward excited. It should be fun.
Friday we get to have a meet and greet with our actors from the theater department, so that should be fun. I also think it might involve free food. What could be better, really?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Almost Half-Way Through!
Classes, that is. It's crazy! In just a few weeks, we'll be starting Crew Drills and filming.
Today we had editing, and we got to edit an action scene. I got to show mine up on the big screen, so that was pretty cool. I had a lot of fun editing it. In case you forgot, I LOVE EDITING!
Next, we had a cinematography lab, where we played with lights and set up a scene with two different places that had different contrast ratios that our actor had to walk through. We had an 8:1 contrast ratio, which is really crazy, like film noir. And then we had a 3:1 ratio, which was really soft and pretty. It was really cool to watch the actor walk through it. It was dark, then really contrasted light, then dark again, then pretty light.
Also, I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of lights. Starting being the key word. But progress is progress.
My cinematography professor told us this story about a writer who said to a photographer, "You take great pictures, you must have a great camera," and the photographer said, "You write great books. You must have a great typewriter." I thought you'd like that, Mom.
We finally had directing class again tonight. We're starting these crazy, beat-by-beat script breakdowns, where we have to go through and write each change in a scene. It's kind of hard to explain. We have to write the subtext, the emotion, and what we want the audience to know for each and every change in the tone of a scene. I guess that's the best way to describe it.
It's actually quite fun.
Anyway, tomorrow's the last day of the third week of school.
OH! And I can't forget!! Saturday, I'll have a surprise visit from two of my favorite people: Steph and Skye! I can't wait!!
Today we had editing, and we got to edit an action scene. I got to show mine up on the big screen, so that was pretty cool. I had a lot of fun editing it. In case you forgot, I LOVE EDITING!
Next, we had a cinematography lab, where we played with lights and set up a scene with two different places that had different contrast ratios that our actor had to walk through. We had an 8:1 contrast ratio, which is really crazy, like film noir. And then we had a 3:1 ratio, which was really soft and pretty. It was really cool to watch the actor walk through it. It was dark, then really contrasted light, then dark again, then pretty light.
Also, I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of lights. Starting being the key word. But progress is progress.
My cinematography professor told us this story about a writer who said to a photographer, "You take great pictures, you must have a great camera," and the photographer said, "You write great books. You must have a great typewriter." I thought you'd like that, Mom.
We finally had directing class again tonight. We're starting these crazy, beat-by-beat script breakdowns, where we have to go through and write each change in a scene. It's kind of hard to explain. We have to write the subtext, the emotion, and what we want the audience to know for each and every change in the tone of a scene. I guess that's the best way to describe it.
It's actually quite fun.
Anyway, tomorrow's the last day of the third week of school.
OH! And I can't forget!! Saturday, I'll have a surprise visit from two of my favorite people: Steph and Skye! I can't wait!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
We Love Movies
Today ended up being pretty great. First off, I aced my first producing quiz. So that's cool.
I had sound lab today, and we played with these incredibly smart computer recording devices. We plug the boom mics into them and control the sound with this little blinky machine. It's blinky because it has green, red, and blue lights that light up. Pretty neat.
So, this machine is so smart, it will record the same sound under a different file for every take of the same scene. Then it creates its own folders. It's kind of crazy. But very cool.
Also, our sound professor created his own stand for holding the little recording device, and the sound logs. He took this tripod and these other things and this police officer's ticket-writing stand, and put it all together. It's quite incredible. I wish I took a picture. But I didn't. So. Moving on.
We were supposed to have directing class tonight, but it was cancelled so we could go to this pre-screening of For a Good Time, Call, the movie that was made by two film school alumni. They gave us free tickets to the screening, which I thought was just incredible.
The people at the door checked us to make sure we didn't have video cameras and metal detected us. It was pretty crazy!
Also, the theater was HUGE! It was like stadium seating,where some seats were high up and then they tapered down. People couldn't believe I'd never been to a theater that big before, but I haven't. And it was cool.
Long story short, no night class and free movies are two awesome things. Also, it was cool to see some alumni in action. Well, not in action, but you get it.
I had sound lab today, and we played with these incredibly smart computer recording devices. We plug the boom mics into them and control the sound with this little blinky machine. It's blinky because it has green, red, and blue lights that light up. Pretty neat.
So, this machine is so smart, it will record the same sound under a different file for every take of the same scene. Then it creates its own folders. It's kind of crazy. But very cool.
Also, our sound professor created his own stand for holding the little recording device, and the sound logs. He took this tripod and these other things and this police officer's ticket-writing stand, and put it all together. It's quite incredible. I wish I took a picture. But I didn't. So. Moving on.
We were supposed to have directing class tonight, but it was cancelled so we could go to this pre-screening of For a Good Time, Call, the movie that was made by two film school alumni. They gave us free tickets to the screening, which I thought was just incredible.
The people at the door checked us to make sure we didn't have video cameras and metal detected us. It was pretty crazy!
Also, the theater was HUGE! It was like stadium seating,where some seats were high up and then they tapered down. People couldn't believe I'd never been to a theater that big before, but I haven't. And it was cool.
Long story short, no night class and free movies are two awesome things. Also, it was cool to see some alumni in action. Well, not in action, but you get it.
Sound recorder!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Catching Up
Sorry guys. I'm becoming a horrible blogger. Also, I'm busy.
Yesterday we had a lab in using follow focus on the camera, so that was pretty neat. Any time I get to work with the camera, I feel super cool. Also, I get a kick out of bringing things into focus, because it's like magic.
Also, I like looking at the big monitor, because I feel so professional. They hook it up to the cameras, and you can see what the camera guy sees, but through the large screen instead!
Today I had producing, cinematography, and screenwriting. I'm finally starting to get the gist of this cinematography stuff. I now know what ISO and aperture and foot candles are. So that's something.
We have a new scene in screenwriting, about a character with a fatal flaw. Just a normal flaw, actually, but I like to say fatal flaw, because I like the alliteration.
We also watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which is amazing.
In producing, we're now beginning to practice scheduling shooting, and that's really fun. The scheduling and script breakdown are done by the Unit Production Manager on a movie, and I really think that's something I would enjoy doing. UPM by day, screenwriter by night. Sure.
Yesterday we had a lab in using follow focus on the camera, so that was pretty neat. Any time I get to work with the camera, I feel super cool. Also, I get a kick out of bringing things into focus, because it's like magic.
Also, I like looking at the big monitor, because I feel so professional. They hook it up to the cameras, and you can see what the camera guy sees, but through the large screen instead!
Today I had producing, cinematography, and screenwriting. I'm finally starting to get the gist of this cinematography stuff. I now know what ISO and aperture and foot candles are. So that's something.
We have a new scene in screenwriting, about a character with a fatal flaw. Just a normal flaw, actually, but I like to say fatal flaw, because I like the alliteration.
We also watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which is amazing.
In producing, we're now beginning to practice scheduling shooting, and that's really fun. The scheduling and script breakdown are done by the Unit Production Manager on a movie, and I really think that's something I would enjoy doing. UPM by day, screenwriter by night. Sure.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
End of Week Two
I'm already going into the third week of school! It's crazy. It's going by so fast.
Yesterday, in acting class, we got our Rock Star assignment. I've been excited about this project for, like, 2 years, so I'm super excited.
Here's the set up: We were supposed to pick a rock star up from the airport, but something went wrong, and they aren't there, so now we have to go on stage and convince the audience that we're the rock star.
We have to pick someone completely different from ourselves, and then we dress up and have a lip-synching performance. I'm so excited. I think I'll be Courtney Love.
Our directing class was cancelled, and we had a set workshop class instead, which they scheduled basically to put us to work, because flats had to get set up.
I carried in flats, which are huge and heavy, and, long story short, I'm gonna have huge arm muscles by December.
Yesterday, in acting class, we got our Rock Star assignment. I've been excited about this project for, like, 2 years, so I'm super excited.
Here's the set up: We were supposed to pick a rock star up from the airport, but something went wrong, and they aren't there, so now we have to go on stage and convince the audience that we're the rock star.
We have to pick someone completely different from ourselves, and then we dress up and have a lip-synching performance. I'm so excited. I think I'll be Courtney Love.
Our directing class was cancelled, and we had a set workshop class instead, which they scheduled basically to put us to work, because flats had to get set up.
I carried in flats, which are huge and heavy, and, long story short, I'm gonna have huge arm muscles by December.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thursday
I couldn't decide what to title this post. I'm running low on creative ideas.
Not really. I just couldn't decide.
Today I had editing, and we got to edit a scene from a student short film. It was so much fun! I always forget how much I love editing until I do it again. So I guess I'll be having great epiphanies every week now.
I just feel like I'm in such a zone when I'm editing. I don't even know what's going on around me. I love it.
We also had a cinematography workshop, where we built cameras up, lit the room, and looked through the cameras. And let me tell you, those cameras look awesome.
From next week on, in our cine lab, we'll be filming things, and one night we get to do an exterior night shoot on the studio backlot. I'm very, very excited.
There's not too much to tell tonight. Plus, I have to get back to my homework.
Acting tomorrow, and also a new class, Set Workshop!
And tomorrow I get done at 4! Crazy!!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Getting Busy
I had absolutely no time to update yesterday. I came home from class and worked on homework, and before I knew it, it was time for bed.
So, yesterday first. Yesterday I had screenwriting, and my professor took us aside for 10 minutes each and told us what we were doing well or what needed improvement on a short scene we wrote. He said that I had good formatting techniques, and that I'm ahead of what he expected the students to be. So that made me feel really good. I was worried I would go in there and everything I have been doing was wrong. But it wasn't. So that made me very happy.
I also realized something yesterday. Senior year at NMU, I had about 10 hours of class every week. Now I have that in a day sometimes. And that's just crazy! But I love it, and it's so much fun, and I learn sooooo much.
It's about to get pretty hardcore, though. Today we had directing class, and we really learned about our D1 films and what the schedule will be like. Six films are going to be shot each weekend between the two tracks. Friday through Monday will be shooting days, Tuesday will be equipment check-in/check-out days, and Wednesday and Thursday will be planning days for the ATL positions. The week before I'm on an ATL position (director, producer, production designer, director of photography), I'll have the weekend off to prepare. And it goes on like this for weeks. So that's gonna be sooooooo nuts. But I'm excited. I've always preformed well when busy, so hopefully that still stands.
We had a sound workshop today, which was very cool. It's always kind of been a dream of mine to hold a boom mic, one of those fuzzy-covered mics that people in movies hold over the actors. Well, today I got to do that. It was so cool! You have to wear these big headphones and carry around a sound box and hold the boom mic high up or down low, to capture the actors' sound. It's insane, though, because the slightest little noise-- it could be someone talking all the way down the hallway-- picks up in the headphones, and therefore, on the sound track. That's why it's so important for people to be quiet on set...hence the old, "Quiet on the set!"
The boom mic was also amazing at picking up whispering. It's just crazy. I love it. And I'm gonna get some tricep muscles.
In production management, which I so simply like to call "producing," we learned about breaking down scripts. The Unit Production Manager will go through the screenplay and make notes of each character, props, wardrobes, sounds, music, extras, animals, vehicles, etc. mentioned in the script. From this, the UPM makes a shooting schedule and a budget. We're not doing the schedule/budget part right now, but the breakdown part is so much fun. It's very tedious, but I really enjoy it.
Finally, in production design, our assignment for next week is researching characters and wardrobe/hair/makeup for those characters. Luckily for me and my sub-par drawing skills, we can photo-collage if necessary. Even though I can't draw very well, I may try. It sounds fun.
So that's about it for today. Class went from 9 a.m. to around 10:30 p.m. But it didn't feel that long at all. Anyway, I'll leave you with this quote that Steven Speilberg said. By the way, it's the undersatement of the century. When asked about movies he said, "I kind of know what works."
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