Cinematography Project

[Nathos]

Hello everyone,

I'm working on organizing a cinematography exercise and wanted to see if IDFGers would be interested. General format will be to obtain a short script and pick one scene to put into production. Arrange for actors, gather equipment, grab a location and shoot the scene. Depending on interest and resources, we would shoot the scene in different styles, with one or more cinematography teams.

The goal is to focus on one scene and film it in a particular style, and take a bit more time than perhaps is normal or feasible on a low/no budget set to really dial it in. Depending on numbers/interest, we would shoot the scene multiple times with different DP & direction. Participants would be expected to crew and help each other out. There would be opportunities to gain experience and learn grip/electric and sound crew roles as well.

As sessions are completed, have edits made of the different approaches to the scene, compile them on a DVD and have a screening/critique session. Have the creative team in charge of a take go over what they wanted out of the scene, what they wanted to achieve, and get feedback and share ideas on what worked, what didn't and what else might have been tried.

If you're interested, contact me (PM through this board or email), I'm running signup sheets. Let me know what you'd be interested in, and what your background is or primary areas of on set experience are.

Later,
Mark

[PJMAtkinson]

This is a good way for those wanting to gain more experience in a position you're interested in, or try something new to see if it works for you.

It's also a good way to challenge the IDFG/ISA/independent writers out there. This scene is ideally no longer than 5 pages, has 4 or fewer characters and 1 setting (preferrably indoors at this time of year) and very minimal props and effects. If you've got something you think might work, please send it to either myself or Mark, via PM or email. Once everyone has signed up and the creative teams are established, we'll have the directors/DPs select the piece that is the most filmable and engaging.

Remember, script format, high impact, show me, don't tell me. This could be an excellent way to kick start a longer script by focusing intently upon what could be a pivotal scene.

[White Elephant Films]

We did this a couple of years ago. Bruce, Mike and Jason, christine and I all shot a version of the same script. To my knowledge mine is the only one that was ever fully edited. It was a lot of fun and IIRC Bruce was able to get some Kino-flos donated from Cinequipt. It was fun and I learned quite a bit.

We all agreed on the direction and blocking at the start of the day so that the only differences were the lighting and camera angle/movement.

[EricDeanFreese]

I would be interested in being one of the DPs.

[Prescribed Films]

I'm pretty sure you could count Prescribed Films in for a version.

If it's just a scene, I'd really want to push for shorter than longer. Just sayin.

Jason

[Nathos]

If it's just a scene, I'd really want to push for shorter than longer. Just sayin.

Agreed. One, maybe two pages of script shot is my intent. Looking for a scene that has interactions between two characters in an interior location that would be feasible to have full control over. Looking at lifting a scene out of an existing piece, or custom writing a script for this project.

Actively looking for a script currently. Will start the ball rolling on production logistics shortly.

Mark

[Nathos]

Got a script submission that looks promising. Eric, PF, I'd appreciate it if you guys would take a look and tell me what you think.

[Prescribed Films]

I like it! Can't wait to show it to Insane. Yay blood!

How much did you want to control? Part of me thinks it'd be cool to shoot it completely seperately. Like PF would shoot a version down here. Pat would shoot a version up there. And so on. From the top down. Different actors, sets, etc. We could get A LOT of different results. Different things to study.

I guess this is in the "Cinematography" section. It was your vision dude. It's all cool with me. Just throwing it out there.

Jason

[EricDeanFreese]

I think it is well-written, though I'm a bit tired of the maiming and murdering stuff.

[PJMAtkinson]

You could play this one several ways, depending on how it was cast. A husband and wife? Lovers? What about a brother and sister? An interracial couple? A parent and adult child? What about twins?

I think it's more about being incomplete without someone. Perhaps that is the greatest danger we all face. To survive alone or to die with the one you love.

Sometimes it's not enough, just to live.