Running Down the Screen

This week being what it was, I'm sure everyone was swamped with finishing their documentary projects, so you may not have gotten to look at the reading. If you didn't, you'll want to return to it this week. There will be no assigned readings, since spring break is next week, but when you get back, you'll need to have finished your screenplay and storyboards (which we will be getting more into this week), so this reading will be helpful in further getting down the screenplay format and just understanding how one is put together. As I said before, this isn't a screenwriting class, so I'm not that concerned with sticking to the specific format, but it's good to get in the habit of using some of the techniques employed in the examples we've looked at to lay out your thoughts. I think Syd Field does a good job of laying out just what the function of the screenplay is as well as a sense of the language that is used. Since you are directing your own screenplays, it will be easy for you to understand how to shoot it, but it should also be clear to someone else reading it, namely me, what is happening in the story.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all came up with for the first project as well as the rest of the work we'll be doing this semester. I happened to catch an interesting little independent film called The Station Agent this week. It seemed to slip through the cracks a bit. I had never heard of it, but it sounded intriguing. It stars Peter Dinklage, who is a dwarf, and has many height centric plot lines to his credit, this one included. He is actually quite recognizable, and likely you have seen him in something along the way. 

The movie does deal quite a bit with his short stature and the inevitable attention that comes with it, especially in a small town, but it probes deeper than that at human relationships that are non-sexual, which is surprisingly hard to do these days it seems. It is understated in so many ways, that it often seems to be wandering, but there is a purpose in the plot line. I always find it interesting to listen to at least a little bit of the commentary on these indies, especially for the talk of production. They are always made for such little money and in such a short time, that it is rather amazing when they look as good as they do, and that they get seen at all. It's inspiring though to hear about the work that is put into making it happen from the standpoint of someone who is into making films. It gives us all hope that it can be done without the benefit of a big studio's backing or a lot of high profile stars, or even much of a crew. 

I have also been watching The Kite Runner, which I had planned to write about, but I keep getting interrupted before I can finish it, so I'll write about that one in a future post.