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Deborah S. Patz – Author

Author of film books for industry pros and youth

Mar92012

Carefully Casual

He was in the process of finishing his latest film when he attended the film party. The press was there, but he knew they would be. The party was high-profile, the attendees a who’s who of the industry, all dressed to stand-out from each other – a mosaic of artsy, funky, formal and just plain black clothes.

But he was surprisingly casual for such a party: jeans, sweatshirt, jean jacket and a baseball cap. Instead of not fitting in, he appeared down-to-earth, approachable… and he stood out from the crowd. How radical. How counter-promotion.

Or was it?

When the press camera was trained on him, it became clear: his company’s logo was on the sweatshirt; his latest film’s logo was on the baseball cap; and the logo of the biggest financier of his latest movie was on the jean jacket. So, in one interview frame – no matter what he said, no matter if he were the focus of the interview – he’d be advertising three logos at the same time.

Now that is carefully casual. Very clever.

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Feb242012

Inspirational Celebrities: Charlie Chaplin & Rainbows

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.”
– Charlie Chaplin

Not only that, but it’s after a storm that rainbows come. Sure, your head may be down from “stormy” circumstances… but keep that chin up! A rainbow – and all its magic – is coming your way. It may not be where you expect it to be (look away from the sun), but it’ll be there.

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Feb102012

The Fun Theory in Life and on a TV Series

Have you seen The Fun Theory?

Turning stairs into piano keysand it’s more fun to walk up and down them… and so you may choose the stairs over escalator more frequently (“Piano Staircase”). Turning a bottle recycling container into a game and it makes it fun to recycle… and so you may choose to recycle more often (“Bottle Bank Arcade Machine”).

Fun – well placed – can help us make good choices. Fun helps us break the monotony of repetitive activities and find the joy again daily living.

Now think about television series. Same set, same cast, same crew week after week. Eventually all the camera positions seem to have been tried. What was easily an exciting discovery at the start of the season slips into sameness many episodes later.

So… add a little “Fun Theory” to your set behind the scenes. I’m not talking about making piano keys on the floor of craft service (the sound department alone would have a problem with that!)… but use your imagination. Re-ignite the spark of fun behind the scenes and liven up the cast, crew, their imaginations and consequently have a better shoot.

Here are just a few ideas:

  • Theme Thursdays… where on Thursday every week the dress code is different (e.g. Old Production T-Shirt Day)
  • Competitions at Craft… anything from trivia competitions to match the baby pic with the crew member contests where crew can come-n-go to craft throughout the day to participate
  • Milestone Episode or Slate Celebrations… anticipate and plan to mark the day of the 100th slate, or a certain episode number with informal celebrations at craft or at lunch

What (non-invasive) fun will dream up and bring to set?

Cheers & a fun shoot to you,
Deb

Jan272012

Ciné-surfer: Stella Pacific Management’s Resources Re: Child Labor Laws

Stella Management has a great summary California child labour laws and work hours for film sets here:

http://stellapacificmanagement.com/?page_id=8

Though your production may not be based in California, for early planning purposes anywhere, this page gives you an excellent overview of what hours you can expect are reasonable for child performers. Of course as you near production, ensure that you abide by the local laws.

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Jan192012

3… uh, 10 (& more) Reasons It’s A Great Time to be a Filmmaker

Does the new year have you needing inspiration from multiple sources (to help you with direction in the industry)? My publisher charged about 50 MWP authors to come up with 10 reasons it’s a great time to be a filmmaker and assembled them into an eBook.

Rather than pages and pages of lists, the eBook is like a living room full of about 50 diverse authors who all take the idea “10 reasons…” and speak from their POV on the subject. Some of the many interpretations are bound to reach you at whatever stage you are in your career. Check it out on the MWP website (where I believe it’s free when you sign up for the MWP newsletter). You can also find it on Kindle. A nice, inspiring new year’s gift to yourself.

Rather than a list myself, here are 3 of my most favourite nuggets from the eBook… Why it’s a great time to be a filmmaker:

1. “To transform our characters, our audience and ourselves” (from Stuart Voytilla, author of Myth and the Movies)

2. “You are a storyteller” (from Rona Edwards, co-author of The Complete Filmmakers’s Guide to Film Festivals)

3. And from MWP’s own VP, Ken Lee: “…push yourself in your areas of weakness rather than relying on your strengths and what you know you can do. You’ll learn more about yourself when you challenge yourself.”

What speaks to you in the eBook?

Cheers & an inspiring new year to you,
Deb

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Jan132012

How Many Parkas?

I have an industrial-strength parka that’s so big and thick that it stands up by itself. It’s perfect for standing around on set amid the depths of a Canadian winter. I’ve tried various combination of gloves and mitts over the years and found a combo of liner and mitt that actually warms my hands during those frigid outside days that never appear to end. On the feet… liners, sub-zero socks and heavy-duty Sorel winter boots, of course. I can be ready for the worst of outside winter weather.

Or so I thought…

After a trip to the Yukon in January and taking a dog sled ride I was rightfully humbled. The host – barely regarding me as he organized to prepare our trip – handed me a parka. I protested, saying that I had brought my own “real” parka, and started to explain its sub-zero features. He looked at me plainly and said: “You’ll need this one too.”

I was speechless.

I’ve filmed outside in minus 30, wearing but 1 parka. I’ve filmed dog sledding – albeit in Ontario – and wore only 1 parka. I’ve seen “Snowbuddies” and other films featuring dog sledding. No matter how bad the weather, I swear they were each only wearing 1 parka.

But sometimes film does not reflect life.

My host was so right. Layered parkas were essential. A human parka blimp, my body could take the cold and windchill as we sped across the frozen Yukon River. And what a ride it was!

Remember a time when your preconceived notions (from film life) surprised you in real life? Sure it’s great to watch it (on film) but it sure is awesome to live it, no?

Cheers & a warm shoot to you,
Deb