INK – Page 4 – Deborah S. Patz

Nov122015

In the Movie, Not the Book: Hermione’s Obliviate

So frequently we say and hear “I liked the movie, but the book better.” Here’s a case where I think the movie was different to the book – neither better than the other… just different. And it really works.

Book and movie spoiler alert!

In the book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows…

Hermione reveals to Harry that she has obliviated her parents (from ever knowing her) at a strategic story moment. A moment where it rings home to Harry that she is indeed an equal partner in the team against Voldemort. It’s a powerful moment because we learn this fact at the same time as Harry, and understand – with the same shock that Harry feels – how much Hermione has chosen to lose to pursue their goal of pursuing Voldemort. She, too, has experienced great loss of family.

But in the movie…

We don’t have this reveal. We are not as tightly aligned to Harry’s point of view as we are in the book. The movie is more of an ensemble of characters and the POV therefore a bit looser, (1) allowing us in on scenes and secrets that Harry may never learn, and (2) letting us identify with – and journey through the story with – other characters who may be closer to our own personality, and (3) permitting the film to “show, don’t tell” scenes that are in the book.

So back to the movie itself…

At the start of the film, we see Hermione’s preparation for the weighty task ahead (pursuing Voldemort with Harry and Ron). She obliviates her parents before our eyes and we can see and feel her pain as she does so. Now a highly-skilled witch, we see her image melt away from picture frame after picture frame and we know the spell is working. Her parents are losing any memory of her, past and present. It’s powerful and painful to watch, and we know there is no other way. So now, along with Hermione, we share her secret from Harry – for does he really need to be told of this moment to know in his heart that Hermione is a solid and reliable part of the team? She’ll prove it in many ways anyway.

So there you have it. A beautiful example of two portrayals of the same scene, told differently in book and movie, yet both just as powerful… just different.

Cheers and a good shoot… or book to you,
Deb

Sep192015

Story Retold: It’s All About the Style

Weird how we can see the same story retold over and over again, isn’t it? I mean how many versions of Cinderella have you seen or read? Or Jane Eyre? And each one is a different experience, never an exact copy.

Well, there’s a fellow on You Tube (Anthony Vincent) who performs Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” in 20 different styles. Very entertaining!

To find it on You Tube, search for: Katy Perry 20 different styles
http://www.youtube.com/

And it’s wonderfully illuminating because: It’s all about the differing styles. The video clearly shows that it’s the way a story is told (or song is sung) that can totally change the experience.

So…. What’s your style?

Cheers and good style to you,
Deb

Sep32015

Magic Hour – Big and Small

Crimson and gold clouds stretching to the far horizon… a pink blush of colour tints the buildings left behind… sunset is a vibrant, spectacular time of the day – especially when the weather conditions are just right. No wonder at all why it’s called “magic hour.”

We can’t help but look to the skies for the extravagant light show, can we? Well, know that there are many other – smaller – magics happening at sun rise and set too.

Look down. Look closely.

Find the flowers that close up in the evening and open again at dawn. Everyday. Every single one. It’s a quiet kind of magic, but magical all the same.

Look closely. What small magical events and stories are happening around you?

Cheers and magic to you,
Deb

Aug162015

Ink wisdom: “Pirate’s Passage”

Think of pirates and your mind will no doubt go back to the Golden Age of pirates. An age so often romanticised in books and movies. Why don’t you first think about Sir Francis Drake? Or other explorers of the Caribbean? If it was government-sanctioned, was it not still piracy?

You gotta love a book that challenges your ideas on a topic… especially when the story is told as a modern day adventure story.

Author William Gilkerson gives us this new persepctive on pirates and on what is good and what is bad from the grizzled old Captain Charles Johnson (who appears to be a sailor out-of-time). Using fiction, the new ideas cannot possibly come across as factual and dry, but instead keep you guessing, teasing you back and forth on both sides of believing them. Through the POV of 12 year old Jim, you are taken on a journey to the thin line of choice to become a pirate yourself or not. And when you’re there, the decision is not as easy as you thought it would be when you were on page 1.

Then again, serious decisions are never as easy as they first seem, are they?

Cheers and good decisions to you,
Deb

Jul22015

Writing: What’s Stopping You? The Perfect Writing Space?

Can you picture it? That perfect writing place?

A window overlooking nature (forest or beach), an ergonomically comfortable desk chair, a keyboard at just the right height, reference books and inspiring objects all within arm’s reach, but breathing space on the desk so as not to clutter the mind, and wall space that’s either a white board for you to work out story problems like a fresco painter, or cork board with ample space to tack up movable notes and inspiring pictures… happy sigh. While we’re dreaming, how about a servant to bring you a cuppa tea or coffee when you need it?

Dreams indeed.

Ever seen the haphazardness of Nature? Perfection of writing space is not necessary. Grab a notebook or tablet and go sit in a new place: a living room chair, the back seat of a car, the deck of a sailboat, wherever. Now write. Journal stuff. Anything. Go!

See? It’s possible!

What’s the perfect writing space you have to let go of?

Cheers… with a little INK,
Deb

Jun212015

Words to Ponder: Blaise Pascal (and contest winners)

“I have made this letter longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter.”

– Blaise Pascal

How efficiently Pascal describes the usefulness of an editor!

… makes me think about that Budgeting/Writing Pencil again. Happy first day of summer to the winners of the spring contest to win one! Thank you all for participating! I decided to randomly select more than one winner after all (just because!), and will be in touch with you shortly to send you your pencil. It’s interesting to see where people access the blog. The winners are:

#1 = Dan (Canada)

#2 = Rona (USA)

#3 = Louise (Canada)

… plus honorable mention goes to Barbara, who so often comments!

Cheers and good editing to you,
Deb

P.S. The actual pencil is NOT the same size as in the picture. 🙂

Category: INK