What next?
After watching a vast array of short films, I still very much stand by my second draft, Blue. That isn't to say I'm not open to different ideas, and if one I feel strongly about comes up in the near future I would definitely write it and see how it compares to Blue. However, I am certain I want to make a complete short film.
As far as alternative ideas go, I had considered many. Primarily short comic duologue pieces in a similar vain to my first draft; Cigarette Break. I have yet to complete these and still need to upload the scripts. However, I did not like any of them over Blue. I think it is the most cohesive piece I have written in tone, and I can very clearly see the film shot for shot in my head, which I cannot say for other attempts. I also think it's simplicity plays into it's hands and I like that it is fairly straightforward, but can be seen very differently. After all the piece is from the boys very selfish perspective, and it is clear to see he is not as lonely as he makes himself out to be, it is clear he is in many ways only adding to his own misery. He does little to escape it and takes no direct action within the film, acting very much as a passive protagonist, something I can personally relate to.
Aims for my project:
Primarily, I want to create a cohesive piece. A lot of student films are not necessarily bad, but often stumble with bad sound design, choppy editing or awkward dialogue. So I really just want to make something consistent, that there is no need to say "Considering it was a student film..." about.
Secondly, I want to explore character heavily. I want some form of connection to build between the audience and the protagonist as the film runs and for them to at least understand and if not empathise with him. It should be a character piece before most else (apart from cohesion).
Finally, I want to experiment with more abstract ideas and expressionistic features. I want lighting throughout to be unnatural but always reflective of the mood, in fact I want essentially every element to feed into the creation of a different mood to mainstream cinema, something more uncertain, and far more subdued. Sequences in Blue will definitely be good to explore this, and as the camera work should be fairly uncomplicated and static it will allow vast experimentation with lighting and other technical aspects.
As far as alternative ideas go, I had considered many. Primarily short comic duologue pieces in a similar vain to my first draft; Cigarette Break. I have yet to complete these and still need to upload the scripts. However, I did not like any of them over Blue. I think it is the most cohesive piece I have written in tone, and I can very clearly see the film shot for shot in my head, which I cannot say for other attempts. I also think it's simplicity plays into it's hands and I like that it is fairly straightforward, but can be seen very differently. After all the piece is from the boys very selfish perspective, and it is clear to see he is not as lonely as he makes himself out to be, it is clear he is in many ways only adding to his own misery. He does little to escape it and takes no direct action within the film, acting very much as a passive protagonist, something I can personally relate to.
Aims for my project:
Primarily, I want to create a cohesive piece. A lot of student films are not necessarily bad, but often stumble with bad sound design, choppy editing or awkward dialogue. So I really just want to make something consistent, that there is no need to say "Considering it was a student film..." about.
Secondly, I want to explore character heavily. I want some form of connection to build between the audience and the protagonist as the film runs and for them to at least understand and if not empathise with him. It should be a character piece before most else (apart from cohesion).
Finally, I want to experiment with more abstract ideas and expressionistic features. I want lighting throughout to be unnatural but always reflective of the mood, in fact I want essentially every element to feed into the creation of a different mood to mainstream cinema, something more uncertain, and far more subdued. Sequences in Blue will definitely be good to explore this, and as the camera work should be fairly uncomplicated and static it will allow vast experimentation with lighting and other technical aspects.
Some good, clear aims here. You are using your blog really well.
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