Filmmaking
How to Do Visual Comedy the Edgar Wright Way
One of my favorite writer/directors is Edgar Wright. His films, including Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, The World’s End and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, are some of my all-time favorites. Why, you may wonder?
One of the many reasons is his very inventive visual style. He knows how to use a camera and his actors to maximize comedic or dramatic effect. And sometimes he even does both at the same time.
Don’t know what I mean? Fortunately, I don’t really have to explain further because someone else, Vimeo user Tony Zhou to be exact, has already made a video highlighting exactly what I’m talking about.
Watch it. You just might learn something.
[vimeo 96558506 w=560 h=315]
And Just Like That . . . He Was Gone
Or, so they thought. Turns out he was just working very long hours producing a movie called The Beautiful Ones. But now, at least for the moment, that’s over.
To explain in greater detail, the first phase of the shooting is over. The second phase will commence in about six weeks. I’m still working on other aspects of the production.
The reasons for this particular, and somewhat unorthodox, schedule are many, so I won’t bother to get into them now. Suffice it to say this is the way we’re doing it this time and that’s pretty much it.
Regarding this phase of production itself, I will have more to say about it, and various other related topics, after I’ve slept a bit more. Until then, enjoy this:
[vimeo 27009580 w=500 h=281]
Sunday Meetings Are Fun -- No, Really
It isn’t really a secret, but yes, I’m working on a movie. It was written by an old friend of mine (old in the sense I’ve known him a long time, not the other thing) and he is also directing it as well. This isn’t his first movie. In fact, he’s directed several already, but he’s trying to broaden his range and show he can do something different than he usually does.
I appreciate that and I can relate. In fact, that’s one of the main reasons I’m producing the movie with him. Although, I’ve produced movies before so my motivation isn’t exactly the same as his. More on that in a later post.
In the meantime, we have our first production meeting today (Sunday) where all the key people get together, go through the script and discuss how we’re going to get this movie done. It’s usually a good time full of lots of creative energy and optimism.
It’s also one of the few times everyone will be in the same room before we get to the set on the first day to actually start filming. Or, in this case, capturing images to a really large flash drive. Still, it’s pretty much the same process.
I haven’t been to one of these meetings in some time, so I’m looking forward to it. In truth, I’m looking forward to the entire process.
I guess I missed it.
In case you were wondering, the picture above is of legendary director Sam Peckinpah on the set of The Wild Bunch, one of my favorite movies. If you haven’t seen it, now is a good time to remedy that situation.