Author of film books for industry pros and youth
Block, light, rehearse, shoot
Take after take after take
Move to new set-up
The dance of the shoot day can be a little poetic, no? Feel free to share some shoot day poetry of your own! In the meantime…
Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb
“A dream is an idea of the heart.”
– Me!
Unlike Cinderella, I believe dreams can be made fully awake; there is harmony between heart and mind in its creation. Whether you realize the dream is up to your actions…
What ideas are in your heart right now?
Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb
The Film Doctor site has some truly interesting – and not your typical – resources. I especially enjoyed the article on “Should you go HD Digital for your next film?” and the “Aspect Ratio” chart. Surf by and have a look:
http://filmdoctor.net/resource-library/
Cheers & happy ciné-surfing,
Deb
“But if along the way you act like someone you’re not, pretty soon that’s who you become.”
– Gabriella (High School Musical 2, 2007)
Painful words, but they ring true. We are defined by our actions, aren’t we? We may deny ourselves when we make certain choices we deem are out of our character (who we want to be or who we think we are), but if we keep repeating these out-of-character choices, then at some point we have to accept that these choices are us… or we have to start making the “right” choices for ourselves. And we have the power to change… and that’s a hopeful thought.
Cheers & good choices to you,
Deb
You can find sunglasses in amber and also in… that other colour. Do you call it polarized… or ND?
Cheers & a happy summer shoot to you,
Deb
We treasure on-screen characters like they are real persons, often assuming them to be alternative personalities of the performers who play them. Yet…
All the elements of filmmaking come together to create memorable on-screen characters from the writer’s invention and the initial casting choice through the magic created on set to the choice of shots in editing, including which shots are juxtaposed on either side, and the soundscape.
Memorable scenes can exist outside of both key story points and of memorable characters, and yet it is the characters themselves that bring us back, wanting to see more. With those characters we make a connection.
In honour of the last Harry Potter movie this weekend, here’s a look at 7 memorable characters of the first Harry Potter movie (“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”):
1. Harry Potter – Of course. A surprisingly average wizard with a few extraordinary talents and an admirably uncorrupted heart; oh, to have his resilience amid such darkness!
2. Dumbledore – Classic master of magic with great kindness and who inspires deep trust; of all the scenes, we anticipate the Dumbledore/Harry scenes the most.
3. Ron Weasley – Earnest and real; he’s the only one who can ask to see Harry’s scar and the question doesn’t make Harry (or us) uncomfortable.
4. Hermione Granger – She makes an interesting choice that defines her future in Gryffindor as opposed to Ravenclaw, for her bravery exceeds her vast, enviable intelligence, and this brings us closer to her.
5. Fred & George Weasley – Hard to picture them as separate characters (and they like it that way); they embody the laughter that is essential in life and especially amid darkness; how the imp in all of us would love to get away with what they get away with!
6. Severus Snape – His presence fills the room; vastly intelligent, temperamental, and it appears a depth of character yet well hidden but sneaks out now and then; a worthy adversary to Harry, and one anticipates their verbal sparring
7. Rubeus Hagrid – More than the “gentle giant”, he has such staunch loyalty that helps him to earn a spot amid the brave folk of Gryffindor, and when it comes to creatures, a totally refreshing opinion of what is beautiful.
Again, this is my person list, and your list may differ. Still, it obviously takes an ensemble of characters to create the story moments. Scenes exist in that “space” between characters as they interact (or in the interaction between character and setting).
How many memorable characters are in your script? How can you make your characters more memorable through the various elements of filmmaking from prep to post?
Cheers & happy invention to you,
Deb
P.S. For more Harry Potter “lists”, the Hollywood Reporter a number of “25 Surprising Facts”:
* About Wizard’s Wands & Props
* About Costume & Animal Facts