AUDITIONS

Just came back from a weekend of auditions in Brussels.
I was really thrilled and humbled- thrilled because I met great actors, humbled because the script took a life of its own in the hands of the actors- and they gave to it spontaneous touches of brilliance that I've never pre-empted.

It was a good weekend.

LAST FRIENDS

Had a conversation with a group of friends today and one of them suggested this Japanese drama series for viewing Last Friends.
I don't know about the drama series but the cover photo is freak beautiful...

LANGUAGE

I've also decided that Girl and Guy would speak in 2 different languages. Dan pointed out that the viewer would then focus on the semantic differences- but I think the disjunction expressed in different languages is great.

Both actors are essentially not listening or talking to each other. They are absorbed in their own dream world...

ACTORS

I emailed some potential actors from comedien.be. This link came from a father who recommended his son for the role. And I thought to myself- I don't need a comedian! I checked the site anyway, and to my surprise comedien means actor in french. (So much for filming in French!)

Happily I looked through the actors and emailed a few of them. There are a few faces which really captured my imagination and whom I thought might be great for the role. I think Girl should have a really straight fringe, with dark hair, or else have short curly hair, also with fringe. She should look strong, yet dreamy. And unconventional.

So in no particular order, I present to you some actors from the comedien.be:
Prunelle Rulens, Nais Bastide, Melanie Lamon, Edwige Baily, Erika Sainte, Anne-Catherine Regniers, Severine Porzio.

I try to think why I've selected these people to email from the 500+ actors on the site. They have something special about the way they look. Not cookie cutter type of pretty. Also, it was likely that I chose those who weren't smiling or showing their teeth, because the role is a rather sad one.

I am thinking that this whole decision making process is really rather like design. Only now I am designing with a new palette.

Quite exciting.

LOCATION

I think the tunnel is a very likely and very easy location.

LANGUAGE RATIONALE

I've finally come to terms as to why I want the film in another language. It is the concept of gibberish- where it doesn't really matter what the actor is saying; only the emotions are important.

But the text as subtitles in english comes sort of as the package- that you read what the person is expressing.

WHAT ABOUT THE TITLE

Since I call it Doors, maybe it makes sense to have doors appearing at intervals in the background, no?
it would be PERFECT if there were ARCHES and DOORS. and punctual lighting.
sigh.

DOORS

Synopsis:
A girl ponders about her feelings for a guy. As she talks, you realise her emotional journey begins to correlate with the space that she is in.

ROTTERDAM and LOCATION

BEEN OBSESSED WITH LOCATION

So the first obsession started with arches, and the Budapest fishermen's hangout place seem like the perfect place to film. Then was introduced to Oostend at the Belgian coast, that would be perfect too!

Was in Rotterdam walking around and saw some facades that could work. They had the punctuations (doors etc) in the facade that would make nice rhythm, probably filmed during sunset. However, they have no depth, nor the beautiful sunset in the background for the end still shot.

Ghent looks promising. Maybe Antwerp too.

FIRST SHOT

I've hammered out the script in google docs.
Tested out a trial with Ren today.
As we filmed it, I am beginning to think that this short film is actually possible!

Things to take note of:
rhythm of alternating characters. Maybe it could be constant in the beginning then change rhythm.
Pause- only at the part where she becomes mad.
Importance of words and facial expressions.
Need the perfect location!
Antwerp
NAI rotterdam
actors to be barefooted

notes:
zoom in shot
rotating shot
reflecting mirror shot
how close to shoot, half, full body?

BY FORCE

while sitting on the train from Biasca to Basel, I literally forced myself to make decisions about the script. the idyllic notion of creative writing during vacation is a farce. everything takes energy- ppbbtt..

tomorrow, i will force myself to finish it at Gene's. make it in word- at least.