Monday 23^rd February

Today’s Lighting class consisted of a rather rushed light class as the CCP tutor took abit longer explaining the project than she was supposed to. But after getting the lighting and camera kit rigged up, I feel I did learn a lot. We went over all the basics of lighting and also camera, as Ray said people tend to forget about the camera work when in the assessment.

Overall a productive class and took some good notes

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This is definitely one of these rare films that comes along from time to time, its a film that deserves its 166min running time, every minute is a pleasure to watch. As the story unravels it pulls you in more and more. I have to agree, I heard in class that the tug boat was the best bit in it, and I don't disagree.

After watching this film for sometime I looked at how long was left to watch and it was something about an hour and a half, this didn't bother me at all. The story completely pulls you in that you just loose all thought of time. But for some reason I kept thinking when they changed the year of the scene, for example when they flash back to the hospital, all I kept thinking was what we were discussing in Andy's class about audiences 'back in the day' would not understand that. Or well directors assumed they wouldn't. Anyways! 

I found acting by Brad Pitt was one of his best so far, from start to finish he plays the role to a 'T' his co-star Cate Blanchett as impressive. Although I don't like how when he is a kid they change Brad to another actor. If they could use to much CG from when he was older they could have done it when he was young. I felt this take me out of the story.

From start to finish I found the cinematography just brilliant, the warmth this film seemed to have just added to the effect. I do feel though that some characters were sadly sorely left out of the script, such as his mother, and the elderly residents of the house.

I really don't want to discuss the film anymore as there are too many plot lines I would end up spoiling for those who haven't seen it. 

Two films, one made you happy, the other made you want to kill yourself

Well today did start of in a good note, the musical documentary. Maybe a bit much for 9 o'clock in the morning, but never the less did have a up beat note and put a smile on my face from time to time. It did give me a new appreciation more for musicals and I don't just think 'What utter crap' any time I hear them mentioned now. But maybe the documentary did drag in places, I feel the out takes from the musical films did last a tad longer than they should have.

But saaaaying this that! The film in the afternoon we watched in production class actually made me want to get up out of my chair and just leave the room, it was a painfully badly made film that should have lasted no more than 3o minutes. But then proceeded to go on for another hour! The film has no merits what so ever, its badly cut together, the camera work is terrible in places, the plot is just ... there are no words to describe. Its just 'Wrong' in every possible way. 

If something that bad can get funding then I have no worries what so ever about any idea's I pitch to producers in the future '''LOL'''

Film Review

MGM Musical Documentary

Not the best documentary I have ever seen by any means, but still good in many ways. I feel if they had just shortened the film out takes just a little bit it would have been a much more enjoyable watch. I also would have liked to have seen more commentary by say ... crew members who were on the shoots and maybe the directors. Just talking about their experiences when filming these musicals. It was all very well having every Hollywood actor within a 100 miles introducing the films, but they never really talked about their own personal experiences all that much. 

I just feel I can watch these musicals any time I want, but I can't listen to them talk about their past experiences with these films anytime I want. Maybe thats just me though, but overall a good watch, I just feel like I should have walked away at the end feeling like 'wow' in awe about it, but it failed to reach any climatic note about the genre.

Generation Kill

Generation Kill is definitely a must watch TV show, its one of the few war based drama's to come out of America that actually feels real and fresh.

The show instantly feels like it was footage taken from actual film taken during the war, the characters could well be real in my eyes. This is down to the extremely well written script and the level of acting by the cast. There are no unnecessary action thrown into the equation just to keep people interested. After awhile you begin to forget your watching a war based TV show, as the characters not the war takes the front seat.

Although saying this, I am on episode 5 and I am missing just a little bit of action, I don't mean throw in some over sized explosions and such, but they could shoot themselves in the foot by trying to avoid the action to much to make it more believable and in turn make it feel not real by missing it all out together.

The conflict in the characters and what they have to deal with on a day to day basis, does give this show a sharp edge. The show does show the internal conflict a soldier has to go through during a war and how they deal with it. Which I don't think I have seen in any other war based drama apart from Band of Brothers. 

Overall a very well put together show, if missing just a little bit of thrill to it.

Here are some extracts from my PDP, probably not in order in terms of when they happened. But here they are anyways.

Today in screenwriting I left feeling I had definitely learned a lot, we were taught that you should always try tell a story more visually than just with dialog. I don’t know but something about this just clicked with me and I felt like I could finally tell a story, as before I felt a script needed dialog.

 

In Andy’s class today we discussed the merits of sound in cinema, and what it has done to the films since. Could of film survived without it and such. Was an interesting discussion, although I think everyone’s response was the same and was kind of like listening to the same thing in a different voice? But overall was an interesting discussion. Now of to watch Generation Kill!

 

Another interesting day in screenwriting, one of the few classes we are guaranteed every week. We each read out our scripts and casted members of the class to read out certain roles. Was interesting to see the other class member’s style of writing, as I think we each own have our unique style. Richard seemed happier with my new script than my old one, which is always a good thing.

Following our class discussion earlier this week, today we watched a documentary about the history of sound. Was a interesting watch and I can definitely see the role of sound, but saying that I am no more interested in sound as a field I would want to get into, although I am taking on board its merits.

Singing in the Rain

When going into watch Singing in the Rain, I had only bad ideas of what I thought the film would be like. I assumed it was a 2 hour musical. But after getting some what into the film and no musical number, and having laughed alot at the sharp comedy of the film I was proven wrong on what I thought the film would be like.

This bit is usually were I say but...I didn't like this part of the film. But I can't say there's any part of it were I thought they maybe should have done that better or such. The film is a good all rounder comedy. Made me laugh a number of times, I would recommend it to anyone.

I still don't like any singing in films what so ever, it hasn't converted me. But I can honestly say if they disguised this film with a different title and re-released it today, it would make alot of money.

This film I think has alot of wrong conclusions about what the film is, and what it is like. Having never seen it before I still thought 'Oh God' when I was told it was Singing in the Rain we would be watching.

The acting was top notch comedy acting, all the actors had their roles down to a T. They all complimented each others acting and helped shape a good film. 

But yeah, overall a really sharp-funny comedy that goes from strength to strength. Can't say I will rush out to buy it but I wouldn't mind watching it again in a year or so.

Battlestar Galactica

After being given a iTunes voucher, I have been downloading away. And Battlestar new series has been downloaded.

Well what can I say, a truly brilliant show! Has everything you could ever wish for a good TV show. It has a brilliant back story, Awesome special effects (Yeah I said awesome) it has a easy to follow story line which feels like it should feel more complex but it isn't ... this is a good thing. 

Also the political aspect of the plot lines are really interesting and feel real, modern and fresh. It gives the show a more intellectual side to it rather than just robots and blonde haired robots. And urmm yes I do love the action scenes, these are a special add on for me :) Can't beet a good old over sized explosion.

The first few new episodes have left off exactly were it stopped, I loved the previous series so I was glad of this. I hate when TV shows feel the need to change the style after awhile.

The previous series left us on a huge cliff hanger, and the new episodes didn't spoil it by giving it all away in the new episodes. It in-fact brought up more interesting plot lines for us to continue down. 

All though they are bringing in the whole time paradox idea ... much like Lost. I get really confused when they start saying 'Oh but this happened when this happened back then and now were here, because blah blah blah. It's an interesting idea but I do hope they don't go as far down this road as Lost seems to be going ... and went.

Overall a brilliant start to a brilliant TV Show. I only wish my internet can download it faster ... its sitting at 3 hours remaining :( 

City of Lights

I thought this silent movie was going to be like the rest, bad quality in terms of visually, and a terrible remix score. But I was pleasantly surprised as the film was starting I could see the reel quality was just ten times better than the rest and I didn't notice a score at all, if there was one It did a good job because a sign of a good score is if you don't even notice it.

I found the film started of really strong, had me laughing in no time, and this continued for the large part of act one.

Although I do think the film was confused on wether is wanted to be a comedy or a serious love story, I found it went from happy to a tad depressing to happy again, all in a short space of time. Saying this I do think its the funniest film I have seen in awhile, even compared to new films. Good laughs don't get old. 

I found the story of Chaplin meeting the rich man who only remembers him when he is drunk the strongest part of the movie, they made a great duo. It threw alot of laughs my way. 

But as soon as it went back to the blind girl, I found myself bored very quickly. Maybe because I was looking at the film solely as a comedy and she was the one factor in it that didn't have a comedy slant on it. I find it hard to connect to seriously played characters in comedies, Its either a comedy or not, I don't think there is space in between. 

But saying all that, I do see why her character was created. It was a motivational force for Chaplin to propel him into the comedy.

Overall a brilliant film in my eyes, wouldn't mind watching it again at all.