You sometimes have to smash your head on the concrete before you realize, "before I run I must learn to walk." I did that very thing of course. I tried to immediately translate my "idea" and that short story into a script. Nah-uh. That was a big no-no. You have to learn the hard way sometimes, or at least I do. After that failed attempt I went searching online and found a couple of great websites that had famous screenplays and/or suggestions and advice. I read as many of those screenplays as I could and bought a book that was recommend. Since then I feel I have a better grasp on what I want to accomplish and everything is rolling along a lot smoother than before. Well, it's still fucking hard.
The book I picked up was Syd Field's The Screenwriter's Workbook. What a great read and what great insight into this hard profession. It has become an invaluable tool worthy of any sins it may dare me to act out! I kid. If you are interested in screen writing and not sure where to start or what to do in general pick this book up and you wont be disappointed.
Now, onto the movies I've watched due to reading this book and imploring the "exercises" from it:
2046
What a phenomenal piece of art. I get a little weary calling movies "pieces of art," sometimes I even feel it is a bit pretentious, but 2046 was stellar from top to bottom for me. This gave me a new found love and curiosity for other foreign films. I'll just start by saying the brilliance on the technical side was jaw dropping and eye opening. The art direction, special effects, cinematography and camera work were all just top-notch. There were a couple of scenes where colors really dictated the mood ( I know that's nothing new, but the way this movie played with it made it standout for me). Another thing that really stuck out for me was the way the people, when alone, were framed in a shot. Very neat stuff.
I'm not big on foreign films, usually, and that's because I hate reading subtitles. I know it sounds a little trite, but I fell it takes away from my enjoying of the "visual" aspects of the film, which to me is one of the reasons films are around--to be seen. Glancing down to read really takes away from the visual experience for me and is distracting. Nonetheless, I felt everything in this movie worked and played off each other in a way that I got the best of both worlds.
The chemistry between Mr. Chow (sorry don't know the actors name) and Ms. Ling (I know her, but not sure of her name) was mesmerizing. At times I forgot I was watching a movie and I thought I was just eavesdropping. I've never had a movie do that to me before. Now, that leads me to the script which was very, very well constructed and quite possible the most original thing I've seen in years. It inspires me as a want-a-be writer to strive for something a little bit off the beaten path.
I hear people saying, even people that liked the movie, that it was too long. I find that funny because for me it flew by and didn't seem long at all. I'm usually the one saying movies are too long. Go figure.
I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't. Yes, I know I'm behind because some of you film nerds have already seen it.
The Seventh Seal
Man, what a great idea and what a great movie. The writing and the acting really stood out for me! Highly recommend a viewing if you have not seen it. Yeah it's old, but one of those old movies that still "works." The questions brought up in this film are truly universal and work no matter the century or technological advancements; well unless we prove God does not exist. I'll write more later.
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