I spent the week looking for locations again. We also decided to make some major changes to the script for 'The Mirror' and now have a third and final draft, which I typed out yesterday and sent to the entire crew. I now understand what my tutor meant by a Director's interpretation of the writer's script. I think I am finally progressing towards developing a directorial 'style'. Imagine...one day, people will watch a film and say "Oh, but that is such a typical GK film! How dull!" Sigh...big dreams!
I did a shoot for Hallam Volunteering on Wednesday aka Valentine's Day. It was at a class for senior citizens, to keep them fit. The toughest part of it was that almost all of it was handheld and I tried my best to be as stable as possible. Also, there were windows on every side and plenty of daylight coming in. We coped by moving as close to the people as possible, which was easy, because there were quite a few intimate interviews.
I also watched dozens of short films over the week for inspiration or ideas, in terms of plot structure. One film which struck me as an extreme form of what we are trying to achieve in this film, is 'Meshes of the Afternoon' by Maya Deren. It was shot on film, in black and white. It was a landmark in American film, one of the first Psychological films to ever be made. I decided that 'The Mirror' would not push the psychological angle that far, but would certainly explore it. I also did some research on the condition we are exploring in the film. Here's an extract from Wikipedia:
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder, which involves a disturbed body image. It is generally diagnosed of those who are extremely critical of their physique or self image, despite the fact there may be no noticeable disfigurement or defect.
Most people wish they could change or improve some aspect of their physical appearance, but people suffering from BDD, generally considered of normal appearance, believe that they are so unspeakably hideous that they are unable to interact with others or function normally for fear of ridicule and humiliation at their appearance. They tend to be very secretive and reluctant to seek help because they are afraid others will think them vain or they may feel too embarrassed to do so.
Ironically BDD is often misunderstood as a vanity driven obsession, whereas it is quite the opposite; people with BDD believe themselves to be profoundly ugly or defective.
BDD combines obsessive and compulsive aspects which has linked it to the OCD spectrum disorders among psychologists. People with BDD may engage in compulsive mirror checking behaviors or mirror avoidance, typically think about their appearance for more than one hour a day and in severe cases may drop all social contact and responsibilities as they become homebound. The disorder is linked to an unusually high suicide rate among all mental disorders.
A German study has shown that between 1-2% of the population meet all the diagnostic criteria of BDD, with a larger percentage showing milder symptoms of the disorder (Psychological Medicine, vol 36, p 877). Chronically low self-esteem is characteristic of those with BDD due to their value of oneself being so closely linked with their perceived appearance. The prevalence of BDD is equal in men and women, and causes chronic social anxiety for those suffering from the disorder.
Phillips & Menard (2006) found the completed suicide rate in patients with BDD to be 45 times higher than in the general US population. This rate is more than double that of those with depression and three times as high as those with bipolar disorder.
You may find more information on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder
We did several test shots over the week, experimenting with white balance and F stops. On Friday, we had a class with Paul, where we listed some of the main problems with shooting 'The Mirror' and possible solutions. That is where we hit upon the idea of a manual white balance for the bathroom shots. We also learnt about using a spider dolly. Afterwards, we lit and shot a few scenes with a portable blue screen. We experimented with the shots and people used and are waiting for the results next week. I just got back from another test shoot in the bathroom on location. Most of our locations are confirmed and we are working on a storyboard and production schedule, to keep everything on track. Casting is on the 23rd and we are hoping for the best! I hope it goes well...
I have spent a lot of time this week working on my script for my MA film as well. Even though it is very early, I can never sit still when it comes to writing and am currently working on 4 scripts. I don't know when I will eventually make them, or if they will ever be produced, but I am giving them all a fair chance for now. I am off now, to watch a few films and enjoy an early night, for a change!
Au revoir!
gk*
1 comment:
Somehow I feel i'm in a film class each time I read all the technical details behind your project. It's great. I'm fascinated by the disorder that you mentioned. I'll look into it, as I may want to write a short story about it.
By the way, when you're not so hectic with shooting and writing scripts, check out Chuck Palahniuk's Invisible Monsters.
Plot below:
The fashion model protagonist of Invisible Monsters has just about everything: a boyfriend, a career, a loyal best friend. But one day she's driving along the freeway when a sudden "accident" leaves her with half her face, no ability to speak, and next to no self esteem. From being the beautiful center of attention she becomes an invisible monster, so hideous that no one will acknowledge she exists. Enter Brandy Alexander, Queen Supreme, one operation away from becoming a real woman; Brandy will teach her that reinventing yourself means erasing the past and making up something better. And that salvation hides in the last places you'll ever want to look.In this hilarious and daringly unpredictable novel, the narrator must exact revenge upon Evie, her best friend and fellow model; kidnap Manus, her two timing ex boyfriend; and hit the road with Brandy in search of a brand new past, present, and future. Changing names and stories in every city, they catapult toward a final confrontation with a rifle toting Evie by which time the narrator will have learned that loving and being loved are not mutually exclusive, and that nothing, on the surface, is ever quite what it seems.By turns witty, poignant, and exhilarating, Invisible Monsters will take you on a ride you'll never forget.
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