Spectacle Macabre. On Set. 14th January 2012.

Orange Wednesdays, you know what I mean. 

My cinema plans could finally come true, at least at some point.

“The Descendants” by Alexander Payne (whose “Sideways” I loved) - checked/watched.

I am not sure what should I say about it though. 

There are some great scenes, beautiful shots, strong and subtle acting. There is a story that makes audience smile and cry and feel and think. But there is still something missing for me. The film shouldn’t be just a separate great pieces of jigsaw - it needs to BE great. Everything about it needs to make a perfect sense all together. It’s the same when you make the cake - doesn’t matter if the ingerdients were fresh and delicious if the cake doesn’t taste right. 

The first half was a bit disappointing. There were strong emotions floating in the air, but I couldn’t quite catch them, getting distracted by the annyoing soundtrack and some irrelevant details that actually became very important. 

The film changes when Clooney discovers his wife dark secret. Finally, we can flow with him, lead by his mixture of feelings: his anger, his shock, saddness, disappointment. That was what I needed - I just wanted to follow the actor, feel what he feels and I couldn’t achieve that at the beginning. I am not sure whose fault was that. I might just blame the music. 

“The Descendants” is a good comedy and quite good drama, but it just doesn’t work for me all together. There is something missing about the whole film. Some shots made me feel akward and it was that kind of artificial akwardness that you meant to avoid on the screen. Anyways, it might just have been the music.

If I figure it out - I’ll let you know. 

Filmmaker.

Check my epic fails out here: 

http://vimeo.com/user6098868

My mistakes are good mistakes. (Let me refrase the quote from “Madison County Bridges”) -  I am happy that I made them. Enjoy! 

Post-production of “Spectacle Macabre” is going well. Hope to see finished film very soon! 

It’s My Party - 1st DAY SHOOTING.

It’s My Party - THAT’S A WRAP!!! 

Good news to spread! :)

“Spectacle Macabre” is in official selection of Best Short Student Film at Manchester Film Festival that is taking place in the great city of Manchester between 13th-15th of April! 

If you want to check the film out - follow the link!

http://vimeo.com/38566659

Well Done Everyone! 

I have been participating in the events of the first edition of Manchester Film Festival because for the obvious (and good!) reason. Nevertheless, I found all the short film festivals both: compulsory and inspiring for the young filmmaker as myself. 

On Friday, during the opening gala, the multi-award winning director Mark Gutteridge hosted a masterclass, talking about his experience and the way of getting very close to start shooting his first feature. However, in this post I’m going to focus on the films that impressed me the most. Both of the Gutteridge’s shorts he showed to the audience confirmed the old truth - the simplest ideas are the most beautiful. 

So here is the list of the films you should check out! Made by all kind of the passionate filmmakers:

“Dawid and Dominik” by Andy Salamonczyk and “The Phonebox” by Ian Robertson. Two clever and sweet (or bitter-sweet) comedy with a bit of dramatic, sad tension. Mostly funny though, some great lines included. Who doesn’t like when films make you laugh?

I’d say that all the shorts nominated for BAFTA, which I had pleasure watched today are worth checking! I especially love the winner - “Pitch Black Heist” by John Maclean with Michael Fassbender and Alexander McQueen. Great story of two thieves getting ready for some big action. Simple warning - never make friends with people you make bussiness with. 

Then, there are some good titles from Short Film Category:

Especially: “Zombie Musical” by Ryan Mchenry - an interesting pastiche, oddly, but in a sarcastic way, close to High School Musical. Pleasent (despite violence and blood in a real Robert Rodriguez style) to watch, quite amusing.

“The Bride of Vernon” by Calvin Dyson - funny and original story based on simple and old idea of doctor Frankestein and his experiment. 

“Gin&Dry” by Oscar Piewes - the sweet, nostalgic and funny story of the residents of the rest home. The real mosaic of individuals - different memories, old habits, personalities. Great, inspiring film - as a piece of art and a life knowledge.

I am looking forward to tomorrow screenings, hopefully the more good stuff is coming!

Meantime - watch this film if you haven’t seen it already! :)

http://vimeo.com/38566659

Peace. 

My last Orange Wednesday wasn’t that successful. I chose to watch ‘Mirror, Mirror” as I was very curious about what Indian director has made from the classic fairytale. 

The film is quite predictible and a bit boring. Julia Roberts is the best part of the cast, there is no doubts about it. Although, the whole movie seems a bit flat. Something is definitely missing. Personally, I think that Lily Collin’s Snow White is lacked in any kinf of energy and charm. She is naive and sweet in the annyoing way, you just want to slap her on the cheek to wake her up. She eventually gets a bit of personality while she decides to become a thief with the seven “dwarfs” (seven interesting characters). Still. She is not likeable for me. Only at the very ending, when little smirk appears on Snow’s face and then, surprisingly, she performs a song in the typical for Bollywood cinema style. I think that it was an excellent thing to do for director Tarsem Singh. It spices up a plain fairytale, made in typical Hollywood style. I also need to mention that Sean Bean is actually alive and the end of the film, which is pretty impressive. 

Well, the other things are mostly about the films I have been involved in lately. Tomorrow I need to wake up at 6am to be ready on Terence’s set for 8am. I’ve been really enjoying working on his film though. “A Little Bit” is a sweet and sad story about friendship within love. Even though, it focuses mostly on the relationship between men, I feel that everyone can relate to it. The ending is a bitter-sweet nostalgia that is present in everyone’s life.

Also, post-production of “It’s My Party” is going all right, although there are still many things to be fixed. Fingers crossed for this film as I really believe in that story! 

Have a good night!

Peace.