Wednesday 23 June 2010

Leaving Las Vegas

I've just had the pleasure of revisiting this film, thanks to ITV2.

When I first watched it as a kid, it was just a series of twisted images for the adolescent wank bank. After watching it tonight, I feel very differently about it.

You can look at this film in two different ways:

OKAY NICHOLAS CAGE, YOU'RE A DRUNK, WE GET IT!

or

A beautiful study of two massively flawed and psychotic characters, set against the backdrop of one of the most isolated and diverse cities in the world.

The script is beautifully written, and I can't recommend it enough.

I'm definitely an advocate of the latter point of view. There are many touching, emotive moments in this film. I love that they are both able to accept each other as they are (at least, to begin with). This is symbolised by the flask that Sera gives him when he moves into her house, and he tells her strait that he has no problems with her 'trade'. Their chemistry is so natural and visible on the screen. Even as a prostitute, she is endearing.

I'm glad I rewatched "Leaving Las Vegas". I knew I liked this film, but I wasn't quite sure why. Now, I remember.

8/10.

Monday 21 June 2010

Some Interesting Links

Thanks to Cryptimus over at Triggerstreet for these links.

"Five Types Of Highly Unsuccesful Screenwriters"

http://twoadverbs.blogspot.com/2009/11/unsuccessful-screenwriters.html

I hope I don't turn out to be any of those!

"Three unrepresented writers you don't want to be"

http://twoadverbs.blogspot.com/2009/11/dont-let-this-happen-to-you.html

I found both articles to be informative and entertaining.

Here is a resource of screenplays, categorised into the elements of screenwriting that they represent:

http://www.gointothestory.com/2010/05/gits-recommended-scripts.html

Some great scripts available there, including "The Apartment" and "It's A Wonderful Life". Enjoy.

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Addicted To Shorts

While on my search for a decent camera to begin film-making with, I've been watching literally hundreds of short films made by various people. They're so inspiring. Here are a few I highly recommend:

Facts About Projection is poignant and interesting:

http://vimeo.com/8972758

Flying is a short film documenting the flight of one special airplane:

http://vimeo.com/2104162

Galileo is beautiful, hard to describe any other way:

http://vimeo.com/8076404

The Cabbie is a look at what the amazing Canon 7D can do:

http://vimeo.com/8595246

I'm so ready to start filming my own stuff, written and storyboarded, I just don't have the moola! So frustrating! Leaning towards the Canon HV30 for the HD-MiniDV format and awesome lense adaptability. Only £300ish to save then.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Labour Of Love - The Struggle For Perfection

The last couple of weeks I've been quite busy, with my girlfriend staying over and celebrating her birthday. Then a couple of days ago, she went off to her Mum's house, and I had some quality time to actually progress with my new screenplay - or not.

It's never that simple. I opened Movie Magic, browsed to my screenplay's folder, and instead, opened my first screenplay, One Bag Full. Just out of nostalgic curiousity. That was it. I spent three hours tearing it apart. I just couldn't stop re-writing. You might think to yourself, that sounds horrible. But it wasn't. It was satisfying, and exhilerating. I felt so good for improving a screenplay that I'd considered finished. There's a certain feeling that runs through you, when you know you have improved a scene drastically. It's a good feeling. Finally, I managed to close the script and begin work on my most recent venture.

My new screenplay, which will remain untitled until it's finished, is a WW2 escape story, with a similar sort of tone to movies like The Cockleshell Heroes and The Great Escape. I realise the genre has been done to death, but I do think I'm approaching it with a fresh, and slightly unique, perspective.

So, after almost two weeks of zero writing time, I re-draft almost an entire screenplay, and bang out the first thirty pages of my new project. Good times. It's good to be motivated.

I've been dreaming up so many ideas lately too. Even in my dreams I'm coming up with ideas, good ideas, and actually remembering them as I wake, racing to write them down in a panicked moment of almost-forgetfulness. I think I have a large enough bank of ideas to write at least 10 good screenplays. Here's hoping.

Before I go, I have a short script that I want to produce. I have friends/actors willing to 'star' in the short, and I intend to direct it myself, but I have no equipment for production. All I need really is a camera and a microphone. A decent one. Some musicians would be cool too, for creation of an original score. If anybody is interested, and can maybe help, put me in touch with people or whatever (London area), or even if you have an idea for fund-raising so I can buy a camera of my own, please get in touch!