Here's the next session, taught by TJ Johnson, on acting. We seem to have lost just a bit of the presentation at the end, covering TJ's clip from Pirates of the Carribean -- our apologies for that. Everything else is intact!
Showing posts with label Session Recap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Session Recap. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Session 3: Acting
Here's the next session, taught by TJ Johnson, on acting. We seem to have lost just a bit of the presentation at the end, covering TJ's clip from Pirates of the Carribean -- our apologies for that. Everything else is intact!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Storyboard to film comparison
Here is the video that I showed this morning, a comparison between storyboards and the finished film of a project I produced this last week.
www.hall-e-woode.com/vinearts/storyboards.wmv
www.hall-e-woode.com/vinearts/storyboards.wmv
Session 2 - Pre-Production
Well, we had another successful session, this time covering the aspects of pre-production.
Remember, your homework this time through is to take your scripts through the pre-production process. Prepare for your shoot. Get things in order. Start thinking about casting. And invite your friends and family to come to the next session, on acting and directing, in two weeks. Cost is $7 for the food (for those who are just wanting to come to the acting session, if you're coming to all of the sessions, don't worry about it, you've already paid), and will feature an actor that I work regularly with, TJ Johnson.
Be sure not to miss the next session, as TJ and I will be discussing the aspect of acting, and directing an actor.
Also, remember to be thinking about a name for this film community. We will christen the community at the conclusion of the workshop, so you still have a few weeks to submit an idea.
The video, along with a few other resources, will be up next week.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Antagonism
The principle of antagonism: A protagonist and his story can only be as intellectually fascinating and emotionally compelling as the forces of antagonism make them. Robert McKee in "Story."
The antagonist is the force that comes against the protagonist and tries to stop what the protagonist is doing or trying to do. In characterization, the obstacles that the protagonist has to overcome help to expose the true character of the protagonist. Human nature is mostly conservative. We're all prone to "doing it the easy way." Providing conflict through antagonism adds depth to a story. The more powerful the forces of antagonism opposing the character, the more completely realized the story and character must become. Pouring energy into the negative side of the story won't just bring the protagonist and other characters to full realization, but also take the story to a powerful and fulfilling climax.
Antagonism doesn't necessarily have to be a character. There are many other sources of antagonistic power to befall your protagonist.
Experiment with forces of antagonism in your story. Remember to make it probable and believable.
The antagonist is the force that comes against the protagonist and tries to stop what the protagonist is doing or trying to do. In characterization, the obstacles that the protagonist has to overcome help to expose the true character of the protagonist. Human nature is mostly conservative. We're all prone to "doing it the easy way." Providing conflict through antagonism adds depth to a story. The more powerful the forces of antagonism opposing the character, the more completely realized the story and character must become. Pouring energy into the negative side of the story won't just bring the protagonist and other characters to full realization, but also take the story to a powerful and fulfilling climax.
Antagonism doesn't necessarily have to be a character. There are many other sources of antagonistic power to befall your protagonist.
Experiment with forces of antagonism in your story. Remember to make it probable and believable.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Robert McKee's Common Script Report
The question was asked in class and went unanswered, about rejection notices. Here is the quote I was going to share with you.
Robert McKee, author of "Story," says the following is the most common report he wrote about individual scripts, while he was employed as a Hollywood Story Analyst:
"Nice description, actable dialogue. Some amusing moments; some sensitive moments. All-in-all a script of well-chosen words. the story, however, sucks. The first thirty pages crawl on a fat belly of exposition; the rest never gets to their feet. The main plot, what there is of it, is riddled with convenient coincidences and weak motivation. No discernible protagonist. Unrelated tensions that could shape into subplots never do. Characters are never revealed to be more than they seem. Not a moment's insight into the inner lives of these people, or their society. It's a lifeless collection of predictable, ill-told, and cliched episodes that wander off into a pointless haze. PASS ON IT."
As I tried to impart, if you have a good story, strong characters, good conflict and a strong story arc, you won't see a story analysis such as this!
Robert McKee, author of "Story," says the following is the most common report he wrote about individual scripts, while he was employed as a Hollywood Story Analyst:
"Nice description, actable dialogue. Some amusing moments; some sensitive moments. All-in-all a script of well-chosen words. the story, however, sucks. The first thirty pages crawl on a fat belly of exposition; the rest never gets to their feet. The main plot, what there is of it, is riddled with convenient coincidences and weak motivation. No discernible protagonist. Unrelated tensions that could shape into subplots never do. Characters are never revealed to be more than they seem. Not a moment's insight into the inner lives of these people, or their society. It's a lifeless collection of predictable, ill-told, and cliched episodes that wander off into a pointless haze. PASS ON IT."
As I tried to impart, if you have a good story, strong characters, good conflict and a strong story arc, you won't see a story analysis such as this!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Session 2 writing assignment
Filmmaking is a collaborative effort. That means we work together to produce a final product. No one person can do it alone! Please, as you start writing your story for Session 2, (January 24), don't be tempted to have one person write the script. Get together and everyone on your team contribute.
Remember, story is primary. I'm not worried about the proper format YET! If you have a good story, it will work. Trust me, it will take everyone on each team participating to generate a good story. We're only looking for a 5 to 10 minute story. Tell your story in one act, with one climax. You can put a couple of turning points in and don't forget conflict. It's the conflict that drives the story forward.
For this assignment, conflict can be interpersonal, or environmental. What keeps your protagonist from getting what he wants? You're going to have to get your protagonist up the tree on the first page or so, throw rocks at him from page 2 to 5ish, and get him down in the last page(s).
Let it flow. The more people collaborating together will stimulate your creative juices.
Remember, story is primary. I'm not worried about the proper format YET! If you have a good story, it will work. Trust me, it will take everyone on each team participating to generate a good story. We're only looking for a 5 to 10 minute story. Tell your story in one act, with one climax. You can put a couple of turning points in and don't forget conflict. It's the conflict that drives the story forward.
For this assignment, conflict can be interpersonal, or environmental. What keeps your protagonist from getting what he wants? You're going to have to get your protagonist up the tree on the first page or so, throw rocks at him from page 2 to 5ish, and get him down in the last page(s).
Let it flow. The more people collaborating together will stimulate your creative juices.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The first day - a success!
A big thanks to everyone who came out for our first session, Concept to Script. Ken Malgren did a great job teaching, and everyone in attendance had excellent questions. We split into four groups and the homework has begun!Remember:
The teams' homework is to (1) develop a concept and script for a short film 1-10 pages in length, and (2) submit possible names for this film community within Vineyard Boise.
Click here for the .pdf of Ken's notes. The video will be uploaded later on this week, so be sure to check back!
We'll see you in two weeks, on Saturday, January 24th, 10 AM in the Youth Garage at Vineyard Boise.
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