Not what I expected, but I absolutely loved it. It started out slow, but once we got to know Nicholson's character I got drawn in. I couldn't figure him out and I had to know what he was going to do next. I needed to know what he was thinking. That to me, seems to be the mark of an extraordinary actor. How does he do it? How does he express so much and make me want to know so much more? There is a scene near the end of the movie when I want him to do something. I'm screaming for him to go just go, and the camera lingers on his face. There is so much expression on his face, but it is unclear what the heck he is thinking. I couldn't figure him out, and I loved that.
It wasn't just him. Nurse Ratched had me scratching my head as well. Was she a brilliant nurse, saying and doing the things she did for a purpose? Or was she a crazy bitch acting in pride? I wondered throughout the movie what she was thinking and what her motives were.
I really loved all of the characters. Especially Chief. I just want to give him a big "secret hug." I wish someday that I could write a screenplay like this.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
2001: A Space Odyssey & The General
2 films down: Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," and Buster Keaton's "The General." I have completely opposite responses to both.
2001: A Space Odyssey
I watched it last night. Here's what I know about this movie. It seems to be a really reflexive film. You're not really force-fed anything. You observe and you come to the conclusions on your own. Conclusions about life, technology, and how those interact. I think that's what I know about this film. But I have to confess - I slept through most of it. And the music really irritated me, waking me up a lot.
I love movies because of characters. I love getting to know them, learning to love them, and being involved in what happens in their story. This is definitely not a character piece. I don't get these kinds of films. I know they're important and artistic and intellectual, but it's just not my thing. I had the same response to 8 1/2.
I was confused when it was over and I woke up. I always thought that this was the movie about the evil computer with the red eye. I googled it, and apparently it is - I just slept through it. So I'm watching it again, right now. I felt too guilty crossing it off of my list when I barely saw any of it. And I have always wanted to see what happens with HAL.
The General
I haven't seen a lot of silent films, nor any Buster Keaton. I was instantly in love with this movie. How he could play such a lovable character without even speaking just baffles me. His movements, gestures, facial expressions were perfectly hilarious.
Keaton is a train engineer for the South during the Civil War. The woman that he is in love with is on board his train "The General" when it is stolen by the northern army. He sets out to rescue her in a chase that is filled with disaster after disaster.
I was in awe of how well they did this film. It was made in 1927 without the mass of technology that we have today. Shots were coordinated so perfectly while most of the film took place on board a moving train.
I could watch this movie again and again, and I think that I might. I will have to watch more of his other films too. I think I might try and make a short silent film next quarter.
2001: A Space Odyssey
I watched it last night. Here's what I know about this movie. It seems to be a really reflexive film. You're not really force-fed anything. You observe and you come to the conclusions on your own. Conclusions about life, technology, and how those interact. I think that's what I know about this film. But I have to confess - I slept through most of it. And the music really irritated me, waking me up a lot.
I love movies because of characters. I love getting to know them, learning to love them, and being involved in what happens in their story. This is definitely not a character piece. I don't get these kinds of films. I know they're important and artistic and intellectual, but it's just not my thing. I had the same response to 8 1/2.
I was confused when it was over and I woke up. I always thought that this was the movie about the evil computer with the red eye. I googled it, and apparently it is - I just slept through it. So I'm watching it again, right now. I felt too guilty crossing it off of my list when I barely saw any of it. And I have always wanted to see what happens with HAL.
The General
I haven't seen a lot of silent films, nor any Buster Keaton. I was instantly in love with this movie. How he could play such a lovable character without even speaking just baffles me. His movements, gestures, facial expressions were perfectly hilarious.
Keaton is a train engineer for the South during the Civil War. The woman that he is in love with is on board his train "The General" when it is stolen by the northern army. He sets out to rescue her in a chase that is filled with disaster after disaster.
I was in awe of how well they did this film. It was made in 1927 without the mass of technology that we have today. Shots were coordinated so perfectly while most of the film took place on board a moving train.
I could watch this movie again and again, and I think that I might. I will have to watch more of his other films too. I think I might try and make a short silent film next quarter.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
12 Great Movies in 10 Days
When I was a sophomore in high school one of my teachers handed out AFI's list of 100 greatest movies. It quickly became my goal to watch all of the listed films. 12 years later, and I've only seen 43 out of 100 (seen movies in black).
1. Citizen Kane
2. The Godfather
3. Casablanca
4. Raging Bull
5. Singin' In the Rain
6. Gone With the Wind
7. Lawrence of Arabia
8. Schindler's List
9. Vertigo
10. Wizard of Oz
11. City Lights
12. The Searchers
13. Star Wars
14. Psycho
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey
16. Sunset Blvd.
17. The Graduate
18. The General
19. On the Waterfront
20. It's a Wonderful Life
21. Chinatown
22. Some Like It Hot
23. The Grapes of Wrath
24. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
25. To Kill a Mockingbird
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
27. High Noon
28. All About Eve
29. Double Indemnity
30. Apocalypse Now
31. The Maltese Falcon
32. The Godfather Part II
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
35. Annie Hall
36. The Bridge Over the River Kai
37. The Best Years of our Lives
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
39. Dr. Strangelove
40. The Sound of Music
41. King Kong
42. Bonnie and Clyde
43. Midnight Cowboy
44. The Philadelphia Story
45. Shane
46. It Happened One Night
47. A Streetcar Named Desire
48. Rear Window
49. Intolerance
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
51. West Side Story
52. Taxi Driver
53. The Deer Hunter
54. M*A*S*H
55. North By Northwest
56. Jaws
57. Rocky
58. The Gold Rush
59. Nashville
60. Duck Soup
61. Sullivan's Travels
62. American Graffiti
63. Cabaret
64. Network
65. The African Queen
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark
67. Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
68. Unforgiven
69. Tootsie
70. A Clockwork Orange
71. Saving Private Ryan
72. The Shawshank Redemption
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
74. The Silence of the Lambs
75. In the Heat of the Night
76. Forrest Gump
77. All the Presiden'ts Men
78. Modern Times
79. The Wild Bunch
80. The Apartment
81. Spartacus
82. Sunrise
83. Titanic
84. Easy Rider
85. A Night at the Opera
86. Platoon
87. 12 Angry Men
88. Bringing Up Baby
89. The Sixth Sense
90. Swing Time
91. Sophie's Choice
92. Goodfellas
93. The French Connection
94. Pulp Fiction
95. The Last Picture Show
96. Do The Right Thing
97. Blade Runner
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy
99. Toy Story
100. Ben Hur
That, being a FVS major, is absolutely unforgivable.
12 of the films that I haven't seen are on instant view, and it's my goal to watch all of them before spring break is over: 2001: A Space Odyssey, The General, High Noon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Bonnie and Clyde, Intolerance, Jaws, The Gold Rush, Network, A Clockwork Orange, Platoon, Do The Right Thing
First up, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick, 1968
1. Citizen Kane
2. The Godfather
3. Casablanca
4. Raging Bull
5. Singin' In the Rain
6. Gone With the Wind
7. Lawrence of Arabia
8. Schindler's List
9. Vertigo
10. Wizard of Oz
11. City Lights
12. The Searchers
13. Star Wars
14. Psycho
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey
16. Sunset Blvd.
17. The Graduate
18. The General
19. On the Waterfront
20. It's a Wonderful Life
21. Chinatown
22. Some Like It Hot
23. The Grapes of Wrath
24. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
25. To Kill a Mockingbird
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
27. High Noon
28. All About Eve
29. Double Indemnity
30. Apocalypse Now
31. The Maltese Falcon
32. The Godfather Part II
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
35. Annie Hall
36. The Bridge Over the River Kai
37. The Best Years of our Lives
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
39. Dr. Strangelove
40. The Sound of Music
41. King Kong
42. Bonnie and Clyde
43. Midnight Cowboy
44. The Philadelphia Story
45. Shane
46. It Happened One Night
47. A Streetcar Named Desire
48. Rear Window
49. Intolerance
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
51. West Side Story
52. Taxi Driver
53. The Deer Hunter
54. M*A*S*H
55. North By Northwest
56. Jaws
57. Rocky
58. The Gold Rush
59. Nashville
60. Duck Soup
61. Sullivan's Travels
62. American Graffiti
63. Cabaret
64. Network
65. The African Queen
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark
67. Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
68. Unforgiven
69. Tootsie
70. A Clockwork Orange
71. Saving Private Ryan
72. The Shawshank Redemption
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
74. The Silence of the Lambs
75. In the Heat of the Night
76. Forrest Gump
77. All the Presiden'ts Men
78. Modern Times
79. The Wild Bunch
80. The Apartment
81. Spartacus
82. Sunrise
83. Titanic
84. Easy Rider
85. A Night at the Opera
86. Platoon
87. 12 Angry Men
88. Bringing Up Baby
89. The Sixth Sense
90. Swing Time
91. Sophie's Choice
92. Goodfellas
93. The French Connection
94. Pulp Fiction
95. The Last Picture Show
96. Do The Right Thing
97. Blade Runner
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy
99. Toy Story
100. Ben Hur
That, being a FVS major, is absolutely unforgivable.
12 of the films that I haven't seen are on instant view, and it's my goal to watch all of them before spring break is over: 2001: A Space Odyssey, The General, High Noon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Bonnie and Clyde, Intolerance, Jaws, The Gold Rush, Network, A Clockwork Orange, Platoon, Do The Right Thing
First up, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick, 1968
Friday, February 18, 2011
First production
I experienced my first shoot last night (it was cancelled last week). I am in charge of audio, even though I've never done audio before. Or any production since high school. It turned out to be pretty simple. I had an "assistant" to hold the boom, and I operated the field recorder. I didn't bring headphones (no one told me to. I guess I was supposed to just know), but I had ear buds in my car. I think I should try and find some youtube instructional videos to learn more. We'll be back to shooting next week.
It was a pretty good night. We started at 11pm, and ended at 1:30 (it was freezing, and we were in an alley downtown). Everyone did such a good job, I was really impressed. Watching the script come to life was hilarious, a lot funnier than I had thought.
So, here are the pros and cons: Pros - it was a great experience; watching everything unfold, seeing how things were run. I really feel like I can do this. I feel like I can take on my own project and know what I'm doing. I'm taking Field Production next quarter, and I've been really nervous about it, but now I'm really excited.
Cons - My plan to "fake it til i made it," was a failure. I just can't do that. It feels like lying. My insecurities totally got the better of me, and I felt incompetent for a majority of the time.
I'm okay with that though. The pros outweigh the cons. I know I have a different learning curve with this stuff. But once I get the hang out it, watch out! I will be an unstoppable force.
It was a pretty good night. We started at 11pm, and ended at 1:30 (it was freezing, and we were in an alley downtown). Everyone did such a good job, I was really impressed. Watching the script come to life was hilarious, a lot funnier than I had thought.
So, here are the pros and cons: Pros - it was a great experience; watching everything unfold, seeing how things were run. I really feel like I can do this. I feel like I can take on my own project and know what I'm doing. I'm taking Field Production next quarter, and I've been really nervous about it, but now I'm really excited.
Cons - My plan to "fake it til i made it," was a failure. I just can't do that. It feels like lying. My insecurities totally got the better of me, and I felt incompetent for a majority of the time.
I'm okay with that though. The pros outweigh the cons. I know I have a different learning curve with this stuff. But once I get the hang out it, watch out! I will be an unstoppable force.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Screenplay
I'm trying to write this screenplay - I have it mapped out. I love my protagonist, I think she's really endearing and cute. I know exactly how this story is going to unfold. But the first five minutes are proving to be difficult. How do I want this to start? I want to have a narrator, but can that work without seeming contrived? Will it seem like I am trying to make a Jean Pierre Jeunet film? I love saying that name. I wish I could find a way to say it every day.
It is due in one week. We started reading each others' screenplays yesterdays, and I want more than anything to write the best one in class; to have mine stand out as being far better than everyone else's. I feel like the biggest idiot in all of my other classes. I just want one where I am the best.
So how am I going to do this? How should Margaret be revealed? In my outline, we go straight to her. But that seems too soon. Granted, this is a 20 minute short, but I think that, for the tone and pacing of this screenplay we need some time before we meet her. In one of my favorite animated shorts - "The Danish Poet," we don't meet the protagonist - Kasper Jorgenson until a minute in, and that's a 15 minute short. As a matter of fact, that's another of my favorites with a narrator. A narrator just adds a whimsical tone. More proof that I need a narrator. However, a narrator calls for beautiful, poetic writing that I don't think I'm qualified for. Oh gosh, decisions decisions.
I want to just watch "A Very Long Engagement" and think this over. But I have to go to class, and I have to figure out scheduling for project managment, and - OH MY GOSH, I need to leave right now and pay my Maurices bill. Oh life, can't I just create and live and be happy?
It is due in one week. We started reading each others' screenplays yesterdays, and I want more than anything to write the best one in class; to have mine stand out as being far better than everyone else's. I feel like the biggest idiot in all of my other classes. I just want one where I am the best.
So how am I going to do this? How should Margaret be revealed? In my outline, we go straight to her. But that seems too soon. Granted, this is a 20 minute short, but I think that, for the tone and pacing of this screenplay we need some time before we meet her. In one of my favorite animated shorts - "The Danish Poet," we don't meet the protagonist - Kasper Jorgenson until a minute in, and that's a 15 minute short. As a matter of fact, that's another of my favorites with a narrator. A narrator just adds a whimsical tone. More proof that I need a narrator. However, a narrator calls for beautiful, poetic writing that I don't think I'm qualified for. Oh gosh, decisions decisions.
I want to just watch "A Very Long Engagement" and think this over. But I have to go to class, and I have to figure out scheduling for project managment, and - OH MY GOSH, I need to leave right now and pay my Maurices bill. Oh life, can't I just create and live and be happy?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Overwhelmed
Happy Valentine's day. Today is a reminder that I need to get done with school already, get out into the real world, and meet a real adult male. For now, this is life in pause...at hyper speed.
I hate my studio production class. I can't tell if I hate the content, the teaching style and thus the culture of the class that results, or if I just completely suck. I'm worried that it might be the latter, but I think that all three aspects play a role. I was talked down to by some 20 year old on a power trip today, and I really don't need that.
In all, it has been a rough, emotional day. I tried signing up for classes this evening, and three classes that I had planned on taking intersect so I can only take one of them. So far, I have 10 credits for next quarter. That isn't even full-time. I'm worried that this isn't going to work out the way I hope. If I have to wait until next winter to graduate - that's over a year from now - I don't know what I'll do. I need to go see my advisor tomorrow, but his hours are between 9 and 10. And I just want to sleep...until next year.
I'm so tired. I'm tired of work, of school, of this town. I'm tired of being away from my family. I just want to be done. I've felt so restless for the last 2 months; so frustrated over things that I have no control of. I need to go on a vacation, but I can't go alone. I want to go to Sasquatch, but there's no one to go with. I'm sick of this shit. Sick sick sick. And so angry. I'm tired of being angry. I just want a god-damned break. Is that so much to ask for?
I hate my studio production class. I can't tell if I hate the content, the teaching style and thus the culture of the class that results, or if I just completely suck. I'm worried that it might be the latter, but I think that all three aspects play a role. I was talked down to by some 20 year old on a power trip today, and I really don't need that.
In all, it has been a rough, emotional day. I tried signing up for classes this evening, and three classes that I had planned on taking intersect so I can only take one of them. So far, I have 10 credits for next quarter. That isn't even full-time. I'm worried that this isn't going to work out the way I hope. If I have to wait until next winter to graduate - that's over a year from now - I don't know what I'll do. I need to go see my advisor tomorrow, but his hours are between 9 and 10. And I just want to sleep...until next year.
I'm so tired. I'm tired of work, of school, of this town. I'm tired of being away from my family. I just want to be done. I've felt so restless for the last 2 months; so frustrated over things that I have no control of. I need to go on a vacation, but I can't go alone. I want to go to Sasquatch, but there's no one to go with. I'm sick of this shit. Sick sick sick. And so angry. I'm tired of being angry. I just want a god-damned break. Is that so much to ask for?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Fall 2011
That's when I should graduate. 38 more credits. Right this moment, I have enough credits to satisfy a bachelor's degree. I don't mind, though. I had to do a lot of soul searching to get to where I am. If I had finished school at Simpson where I started, I'd probably be the sad housewife of a fake and rundown youth pastor; spiritually lost and overwhelmingly in debt (I guess I'm still spiritually lost, but only mildly in debt). My path is my own, and I don't do things the way everyone else does. So I'm okay with being 28 when I graduate. I'm doing what I love. I feel inspired in class every day. What more can you ask for?
I said that I was going to talk about why I sit by myself in class. But that's just boring. My personality changes when I get on campus. I think I pretend to be who I was in high school - naive, shy, goodie-goodie. Maybe because I had more friends then. Oh well.
I start production on my first short film tomorrow. The boom-mic will never have been used so perfectly. Actually I've never done audio before, but I'm gonna fake it til' I make it.
I said that I was going to talk about why I sit by myself in class. But that's just boring. My personality changes when I get on campus. I think I pretend to be who I was in high school - naive, shy, goodie-goodie. Maybe because I had more friends then. Oh well.
I start production on my first short film tomorrow. The boom-mic will never have been used so perfectly. Actually I've never done audio before, but I'm gonna fake it til' I make it.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
What Am I Doing?
Confidence. It's an academic battle for me right now. Switching to the FVS major was the right move, but I am constantly questioning myself and my abilities.
Self-pros:
My major is in productions, and I'm minoring in business. I feel like that's a good move for me. The business minor will be essential for maintaining a budget, schedule, and working with cast and crew. I've taken business law, human resource management, and accounting, and those will come in so handy.
I'm taking a Production Management class, and I can see myself falling into stride there. I love breaking down the script. I love getting things organized. Once I get it all figured out, I think that I would really enjoy all of the paperwork too. I've also found that my passion is in supporting others. I love helping where I can, and setting up others to do their jobs.
But I'm also finding confidence in my own creativity. I've got a book of ideas: Story ideas, shot sequence ideas, production company ideas, and I'm working on my first screenplay.
Self-cons:
I am constantly second guessing myself. I have very little confidence while I am learning. My Studio Production class is a train-wreck. My professor's teaching style is to turn all of the equipment on, assign jobs, and yell at us as we fearfully try to produce a show. "Heating lights" "roll tape" "speed" "ready VT1" "audio, you're in the grass" "Camera 2 needs head room" "YOU'RE STILL IN THE GRASS!" Oh my gosh, my heart is pounding just thinking about the yelling. I feel like the most incompetent person in that studio.
So those are my pros and cons. I think it all stems from my fear that everyone is judging me. I'm afraid that everyone thinks I can't do this and I am unable to get that out of my head. I know I shouldn't let that affect what I do. But I have to care what some people think, right? College is one of the best times to network - I might have to work with some of these kids one day.
Ugh, networking; socializing. I hate it.
Tomorrow we'll discuss why I sit by myself in class...
Self-pros:
My major is in productions, and I'm minoring in business. I feel like that's a good move for me. The business minor will be essential for maintaining a budget, schedule, and working with cast and crew. I've taken business law, human resource management, and accounting, and those will come in so handy.
I'm taking a Production Management class, and I can see myself falling into stride there. I love breaking down the script. I love getting things organized. Once I get it all figured out, I think that I would really enjoy all of the paperwork too. I've also found that my passion is in supporting others. I love helping where I can, and setting up others to do their jobs.
But I'm also finding confidence in my own creativity. I've got a book of ideas: Story ideas, shot sequence ideas, production company ideas, and I'm working on my first screenplay.
Self-cons:
I am constantly second guessing myself. I have very little confidence while I am learning. My Studio Production class is a train-wreck. My professor's teaching style is to turn all of the equipment on, assign jobs, and yell at us as we fearfully try to produce a show. "Heating lights" "roll tape" "speed" "ready VT1" "audio, you're in the grass" "Camera 2 needs head room" "YOU'RE STILL IN THE GRASS!" Oh my gosh, my heart is pounding just thinking about the yelling. I feel like the most incompetent person in that studio.
So those are my pros and cons. I think it all stems from my fear that everyone is judging me. I'm afraid that everyone thinks I can't do this and I am unable to get that out of my head. I know I shouldn't let that affect what I do. But I have to care what some people think, right? College is one of the best times to network - I might have to work with some of these kids one day.
Ugh, networking; socializing. I hate it.
Tomorrow we'll discuss why I sit by myself in class...
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