LAUNCHING!!! Yes.... here we go!!
Episode 1. CAN YOU HEAR THE KISS?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
BELLADONNA the creative process
I couldn't resist this..inspirational.. for all. Please watch it
ANNIKA
ANNIKA
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Filmmakers Independents Independence
Change is a constant in life, but the rate of change sure is variable. In the last year changes seem to have reached a crescendo. Climate, Economic, Political, Technological and Social changes seem to be interacting in a kind of maelstrom. With no time to fully integrate new things into any system, a new kind of constant adaptability becomes the way situations are addressed and solved. Todays solution is only valid for today, tomorrow the context will be different.
One of the victims of this is the illusion of certainty.
The challenge for the independent filmmaker in extracting every drop of value from a budget is to make use of this changing landscape. Digital image / sound capture and post production are one of the most obvious areas for increased accessibility and cost saving. The path previously to a high quality image included film, processing, one light prints for editing, etc etc, all of which had high unit costs and specific hardware and arcane skills that were the domain of specialists. Digital democratisation means the computer you write the script on can in a pinch , be your edit station and post house. Relatively affordable cameras like the Red one with slr lenses are one of the main missing pieces in this puzzle.
It is finally feasible for an independent filmmaker to own all the machinery of production (Sounds like the beginning of a Marxist analysis), not just to make a film but a seamlessly high quality one. Owning the the tools doesn't make you an instant expert , but allows unbelievable flexibility in choosing options and a kind of unstoppable ability, with a small team, to get a project finished.
This is a new kind of immersive full contact filmmaking, its not perfect for every project but makes new kinds of projects possible. The upside is control and the ability to experiment and tweak, the downside is constant education and long long hours. ( incidentally not really downsides if you love what your doing, which is the only reason I can imagine for being a filmmaker.)
So its a kind of revolution, a revolution of possibilities in a world of uncertainties. In a world of change there are no shortage of interesting and relevant stories. And then there is the internet and the possible future of independent online distribution.
Bring it on.
Get to it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
BELLADONNA how does it all happen?
Hi All Happy 2009!!
How amazing that it is already February, here in BELLADONNA land its go go go, and we have some really wonderful stories lined up. Over the last few months I've received many e-mail about the whole 'creative process' how do you do it?... what are the practical steps but also starting to talk about the 'magic' of creativity. How a thought can become manifest... I 'm really passionate about this because it extends to everything we create from our a cake to a film to your life. Also filmmakers WATCH OUT FOR THE ORANGE TEXT this is directly to do with information about the technical do's and don't (well from my perspective) and GREEN as Marcus Blogs about his experience with the RED CAMERA. Also we have made some wonderful creative friends along the way which I want to introduce to you, they are wild, collaborative and fabulous in their intent and how it is expressed in the world. First thing is first few of you have asked about the rehearsal process.. . here is a list of why I think its vitally important to rehearse.
1.Actors , no matter how famous ,are humans who have particular ways of working... some love to rehearse and block the action for hours and some don't. The rehearsal process is a time where you get to know how bring out the best qualities forward.
2. ON SET everything is very much heightened.. time of precious.. everything must go to a schedule.. everyone is standing by... it is rarely a time where things can be explored and beautiful moments found.. if an actor doesn't feel safe you'll see it and feel it.
3. This I think is a key one... some actors get better with every take... while others get it on the first or second take and then start to feel frustrated.The rehearsal period is the time to find that out, and find a way to work around it.
4. Personally I think one of the most wonderful ways to work with is to paraphrase. It means that they use their own words instead of the scripted words... that way it becomes very clear for both actor and director when the intention of the scene is really understood. Questions such as: how can we make this clearer.? does it need to be re written? or understood in a wider context.?
5. I like to work with physical exercises at the beginning to get the body moving. Yoga.. voice.. breathing... relaxation...
6. Finally, rehearsal is a time where you can discover, play, make mistakes.. and build trust.. which is essential...because once you 're on set... surrounded by people expecting you to "GET IT' make up artist powdering.. sound people pealing back the layers of your clothing to attach the mics , lights and extras, it is tricky to find your centre the bubble of trust that allows the magic to happen.
7. If as a Producer or Director you're not convinced or sure just put yourself in the actors shoes...and then remind yourself that the film relies on the actors ability to convey the character authentically...and that authenticity I think can only blossom when there is respect flowing both ways. Take the time.
How amazing that it is already February, here in BELLADONNA land its go go go, and we have some really wonderful stories lined up. Over the last few months I've received many e-mail about the whole 'creative process' how do you do it?... what are the practical steps but also starting to talk about the 'magic' of creativity. How a thought can become manifest... I 'm really passionate about this because it extends to everything we create from our a cake to a film to your life. Also filmmakers WATCH OUT FOR THE ORANGE TEXT this is directly to do with information about the technical do's and don't (well from my perspective) and GREEN as Marcus Blogs about his experience with the RED CAMERA. Also we have made some wonderful creative friends along the way which I want to introduce to you, they are wild, collaborative and fabulous in their intent and how it is expressed in the world. First thing is first few of you have asked about the rehearsal process.. . here is a list of why I think its vitally important to rehearse.
1.Actors , no matter how famous ,are humans who have particular ways of working... some love to rehearse and block the action for hours and some don't. The rehearsal process is a time where you get to know how bring out the best qualities forward.
2. ON SET everything is very much heightened.. time of precious.. everything must go to a schedule.. everyone is standing by... it is rarely a time where things can be explored and beautiful moments found.. if an actor doesn't feel safe you'll see it and feel it.
3. This I think is a key one... some actors get better with every take... while others get it on the first or second take and then start to feel frustrated.The rehearsal period is the time to find that out, and find a way to work around it.
4. Personally I think one of the most wonderful ways to work with is to paraphrase. It means that they use their own words instead of the scripted words... that way it becomes very clear for both actor and director when the intention of the scene is really understood. Questions such as: how can we make this clearer.? does it need to be re written? or understood in a wider context.?
5. I like to work with physical exercises at the beginning to get the body moving. Yoga.. voice.. breathing... relaxation...
6. Finally, rehearsal is a time where you can discover, play, make mistakes.. and build trust.. which is essential...because once you 're on set... surrounded by people expecting you to "GET IT' make up artist powdering.. sound people pealing back the layers of your clothing to attach the mics , lights and extras, it is tricky to find your centre the bubble of trust that allows the magic to happen.
7. If as a Producer or Director you're not convinced or sure just put yourself in the actors shoes...and then remind yourself that the film relies on the actors ability to convey the character authentically...and that authenticity I think can only blossom when there is respect flowing both ways. Take the time.
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