Well, the new Sony head cleaning device did not work. At least, for now, this means, I abandon the "gay comedian" scene. As I said, this is an okay scene to lose, for the most part.
The one problem I dread is that it's contiguous with the moths/evolution/attraction scene in the kitchen. That is, in "plot time," these two set-ups (kitchen and living room) are really the same "scene" -- From the kitchen, Bill says to Marissa, who is in the living room, something to the effect of "How garlicky do you feel? Kissing anyone later?" and she answers from the living room. We're not going to be able to intercut these, I think. It's only a small part of the scene, but I really liked having them call out to each other while each alone on screen.
Not to mention, it's cool to intercut things that were shot in two different places on two different days as if they were at the same time in the same place.
The close-up shots in 'sex, lies & videotape' of Andie MacDowell smashing the earring that she finds with the vacuum cleaner (proof of husband's affair) was apparently shot during post-production, long after initial shooting. They're in an entirely different room than where the scene "really" took place, and MacDowell is visibly pregnant, really, though manages to hide this fact because - coincidentally - the character was wearing a large men's oxford shirt in that scene. They had to match the carpet color and everything. Very impressive.
That movie is just generally impressive as a filmmaking endeavor. The only thing that really doesn't work is the last scene, and I know some other people who really disagree with me, who really like it, so heck...
Anyway, I've got to shoot around the gay comedian. No gay comedians for us.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Personal News!!
I bought a house! Pete and I did, together. Me! Us!
I have never owned a house before. In fact... have I ever lived in a non-rented house? Oh, Bird Street (where we shot the suicide scenes) - my mom's house - I lived there for a couple years. But my life has been pretty mobile. When, at the closing, they asked me to write down all my addresses from the last ten years, I choked. Pete put down his two little addresses, and then I had to confess I didn't think I could remember them all. It took me several minutes, with everyone else in the room watching me and coaching me, basically, just to make stuff up, so we could get on with it (!!). As it was, I think I ended up putting 242 1st Ave, Tucson, when actually it was 242 E 5th St, Tucson, and 737 1st Ave. Or 1st Street? East? And I was so unnerved, I couldn't remember the name of the street in Davis Square where I lived for a couple years and where Louise lived for innumerable years (Elm).
This was quite a rigmarole -- we almost didn't get it because our financing fell apart after they accepted out offer. We didn't know if we'd get new financing until two days before the closing, and didn't know if the seller would accept our new financing until 16 and a half hours before the closing! And all that was after losing two other houses we'd wanted (one of which might still have trumped this one -- but only in some ways, not in all ways), and seeing more than 20 others that were not for us (our low price range made many of the houses we looked at basically uninhabitable - "investment opportunities," as they say). In the end, though, good luck triumphed!
The house is a converted storefront -- years ago it was a candy store, we're told. Neat! I'm going to have to look it up, see if I can find any references to it when it was a store. It's right across from a high school, so there must be thousands of grown-up kids that remember buying candy there. Maybe there's a memoir online or something.
Whenever we see a news report about the horrible economy and housing market, Pete and I recall that line of Jimmy Stewart's in 'It's a Wonderful Life' -- During the panic, when Bailey's trying to get people in the 'building and loan' to calm down, he says, "Look - Potter's not selling - Potter's buying!" [...wait, though - is that backwards?...] Well, that's us!! You can't say we're not doing our best to boost the nation's economic confidence.
Anyway, there it is. We still are in our apartment and will move little by little for a while.
And I'm going to have a garden to plant! Hooray!!!!!
I have never owned a house before. In fact... have I ever lived in a non-rented house? Oh, Bird Street (where we shot the suicide scenes) - my mom's house - I lived there for a couple years. But my life has been pretty mobile. When, at the closing, they asked me to write down all my addresses from the last ten years, I choked. Pete put down his two little addresses, and then I had to confess I didn't think I could remember them all. It took me several minutes, with everyone else in the room watching me and coaching me, basically, just to make stuff up, so we could get on with it (!!). As it was, I think I ended up putting 242 1st Ave, Tucson, when actually it was 242 E 5th St, Tucson, and 737 1st Ave. Or 1st Street? East? And I was so unnerved, I couldn't remember the name of the street in Davis Square where I lived for a couple years and where Louise lived for innumerable years (Elm).
This was quite a rigmarole -- we almost didn't get it because our financing fell apart after they accepted out offer. We didn't know if we'd get new financing until two days before the closing, and didn't know if the seller would accept our new financing until 16 and a half hours before the closing! And all that was after losing two other houses we'd wanted (one of which might still have trumped this one -- but only in some ways, not in all ways), and seeing more than 20 others that were not for us (our low price range made many of the houses we looked at basically uninhabitable - "investment opportunities," as they say). In the end, though, good luck triumphed!
The house is a converted storefront -- years ago it was a candy store, we're told. Neat! I'm going to have to look it up, see if I can find any references to it when it was a store. It's right across from a high school, so there must be thousands of grown-up kids that remember buying candy there. Maybe there's a memoir online or something.
Whenever we see a news report about the horrible economy and housing market, Pete and I recall that line of Jimmy Stewart's in 'It's a Wonderful Life' -- During the panic, when Bailey's trying to get people in the 'building and loan' to calm down, he says, "Look - Potter's not selling - Potter's buying!" [...wait, though - is that backwards?...] Well, that's us!! You can't say we're not doing our best to boost the nation's economic confidence.
Anyway, there it is. We still are in our apartment and will move little by little for a while.
And I'm going to have a garden to plant! Hooray!!!!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
script, lessons & videotape
Well, I have checked four stores, purchased one head-cleaner that my camera won't accept, and now finally have ordered what I hope is the right one online. Alas, it may take a week to get here.
It's possible that it's tape 22 that's the main problem, somehow, and not the playhead. I tried tape 23 in there and it seemed to be fine. I'm reluctant to try more tapes out in case there is something wrong with the camera -- don't want to damage the tapes, somehow. The fact that it might be the tape and not the playhead is a little scary -- it's my only copy of the tape. Makes me realize why duping is so important. Cleaning the playhead will be a good thing, regardless.
Fortunately, as tapes go, #22 would be one whose loss would probably not stop the film from being completed. It is mostly that first day of shooting the "frazzled" scene, which we ended up reshooting with different blocking and lighting the next day. The rest of it is the "gay comedian" scene (which is what I was going to edit next), but I have come to dislike this scene, anyway, because it's sort of simple-minded and perhaps cliche -- a display of Bill's "gay-dar." If I can, I might cut it from the film, anyway -- even though I really do like the aesthetic of it: Bill on a couch facing the camera/a TV, replaced by Marissa in the same spot when he leaves, both munching Chinese crackers from a little bowl. It's a cute little moment - except for the writing.
I find that I cringe at a lot of the writing nowadays. I feel that my final script did not do justice to the years of development I did for each character and the issues, prior. I ended up with an over-simplified and heavily expository version because I was so determined to ACT-- by which I do not mean "be an actor," but to move from INaction and wishing and whining to DOING. I was hellbent on Getting it Done because I felt that I had been idle too long, let it go too long in the stewpot -- needed to get it all out on the plate!! What is it all for, after all, if it stays inside you (or your computer)?
In the Gnostic gospel of Thomas, Jesus says: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." Wise, wise words that have intrigued, shamed, inspired and comforted me for 25 years.
The frame of mind I was in at that time in 2002 was sort of bifurcated; it was one part "to do is to grow" and one part "get me into ANYthing that's not grad school!!" The former is not my typical state of mind, really; it's very "J" (for you Myers-Briggs fans), whereas I am usually exceedingly "P." But I was so sick of my own P-ness (as it were, ha ha). Sick of pondering.
I wonder what others of you thought of the script at the time or talked about when I wasn't around. I'd be very interested to hear your impressions.
I remember that one of the things that enabled me to get the words on the page was that I thought that we'd be able to do a more "improv" style, that I would encourage the actors to improve the lines & scenes (one of the best scenes in 'sex, lies & videotape' was developed by the actors in a rehearsal improv, according to Soderbergh's memoir, I knew). As I wrote a clunky line, I'd tell myself not to take too much time to make it perfect, because I was working on a deadline and we'd be able to fix it during production - I'd leave it to the actors, for their individual shaping.
I know that in our first rehearsals I said that I wanted to do this, but then I recall shutting actors down a couple times early in shooting because - coincidentally - the couple lines that they first chose to improv on were actually very specifically crafted. D'oh! After that, I tried several times to get actors to branch out and be looser, but all resisted me because I'd lost (or never earned) their trust, I think. Did I say, D'oh! Only about ... oh, 15%? of the lines were word-specific. Less, maybe (without the script in front of me, it's hard to recall -- probably it was scene by scene, actually, not line by line). But how could they/you know?
I seem to recall with Kevin (?) that he wanted to say something other than "lime rickees," but "Rickee," of course, is the name of the main character in my other screenplay, so I wanted to leave it in. How would he know that?
It was a directing lesson. I'm not sure I learned more than "I don't know how to do that" (direct through improv), but that, in itself, is a valuable piece of knowledge.
So. Any thoughts or memories about the script?
'Til next time,
Rachel
It's possible that it's tape 22 that's the main problem, somehow, and not the playhead. I tried tape 23 in there and it seemed to be fine. I'm reluctant to try more tapes out in case there is something wrong with the camera -- don't want to damage the tapes, somehow. The fact that it might be the tape and not the playhead is a little scary -- it's my only copy of the tape. Makes me realize why duping is so important. Cleaning the playhead will be a good thing, regardless.
Fortunately, as tapes go, #22 would be one whose loss would probably not stop the film from being completed. It is mostly that first day of shooting the "frazzled" scene, which we ended up reshooting with different blocking and lighting the next day. The rest of it is the "gay comedian" scene (which is what I was going to edit next), but I have come to dislike this scene, anyway, because it's sort of simple-minded and perhaps cliche -- a display of Bill's "gay-dar." If I can, I might cut it from the film, anyway -- even though I really do like the aesthetic of it: Bill on a couch facing the camera/a TV, replaced by Marissa in the same spot when he leaves, both munching Chinese crackers from a little bowl. It's a cute little moment - except for the writing.
I find that I cringe at a lot of the writing nowadays. I feel that my final script did not do justice to the years of development I did for each character and the issues, prior. I ended up with an over-simplified and heavily expository version because I was so determined to ACT-- by which I do not mean "be an actor," but to move from INaction and wishing and whining to DOING. I was hellbent on Getting it Done because I felt that I had been idle too long, let it go too long in the stewpot -- needed to get it all out on the plate!! What is it all for, after all, if it stays inside you (or your computer)?
In the Gnostic gospel of Thomas, Jesus says: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." Wise, wise words that have intrigued, shamed, inspired and comforted me for 25 years.
The frame of mind I was in at that time in 2002 was sort of bifurcated; it was one part "to do is to grow" and one part "get me into ANYthing that's not grad school!!" The former is not my typical state of mind, really; it's very "J" (for you Myers-Briggs fans), whereas I am usually exceedingly "P." But I was so sick of my own P-ness (as it were, ha ha). Sick of pondering.
I wonder what others of you thought of the script at the time or talked about when I wasn't around. I'd be very interested to hear your impressions.
I remember that one of the things that enabled me to get the words on the page was that I thought that we'd be able to do a more "improv" style, that I would encourage the actors to improve the lines & scenes (one of the best scenes in 'sex, lies & videotape' was developed by the actors in a rehearsal improv, according to Soderbergh's memoir, I knew). As I wrote a clunky line, I'd tell myself not to take too much time to make it perfect, because I was working on a deadline and we'd be able to fix it during production - I'd leave it to the actors, for their individual shaping.
I know that in our first rehearsals I said that I wanted to do this, but then I recall shutting actors down a couple times early in shooting because - coincidentally - the couple lines that they first chose to improv on were actually very specifically crafted. D'oh! After that, I tried several times to get actors to branch out and be looser, but all resisted me because I'd lost (or never earned) their trust, I think. Did I say, D'oh! Only about ... oh, 15%? of the lines were word-specific. Less, maybe (without the script in front of me, it's hard to recall -- probably it was scene by scene, actually, not line by line). But how could they/you know?
I seem to recall with Kevin (?) that he wanted to say something other than "lime rickees," but "Rickee," of course, is the name of the main character in my other screenplay, so I wanted to leave it in. How would he know that?
It was a directing lesson. I'm not sure I learned more than "I don't know how to do that" (direct through improv), but that, in itself, is a valuable piece of knowledge.
So. Any thoughts or memories about the script?
'Til next time,
Rachel
Saturday, March 8, 2008
News
Oh - and by the way - Christine got married! The "swell lad" (as she called him) is named David Joy. What a nice name! They got married in Connecticut but live in L.A. nowadays.
You can take a look at Christine's actorly websites:
www.vittaquinn.com
or
www.imdb.com/name/nm2183298/
Kevin has an IMDB site, too, though no photo (unhappy face) (that is, not that your photo should be of you with an unhappy face, but that I'm making an unhappy face because it would be neat if you had some pix up there - does it cost money?). Say, did you meet Parker Posey?? (happy face)
R.J. also has an IMDB site, photoless.
Anyone else?
Ooo - Charlie Linshaw. Charlie has no idea there's a blog, though. Right Charlie? Most people didn't meet him - he played "Eddie," half of the couple whom Marissa "overhears" arguing while walking through Back Bay.
Alas, I have not the clout to get Seeing and Believing up on IMDB until it screens somewhere or until one of us becomes famous enough that anything having touched us is considered as having "general interest" (or some such phrase).
Rachel (other one), I noticed a while back that you hadn't updated your Movie Star site in quite some time.
Anyone else got a website? Jack-the-Mac-Man? Greg? Henh? Anyone? Any news people want to share?
Jenny & Mark, whose house we used for Bill's dining room and Amy's bedroom, had a baby last year. :)
Oh, and I think I just bought a house. Although not all the t's are dotted, etc., so keep all your fingers crossed yet. It used to be a candy store!
Rachel
You can take a look at Christine's actorly websites:
www.vittaquinn.com
or
www.imdb.com/name/nm2183298/
Kevin has an IMDB site, too, though no photo (unhappy face) (that is, not that your photo should be of you with an unhappy face, but that I'm making an unhappy face because it would be neat if you had some pix up there - does it cost money?). Say, did you meet Parker Posey?? (happy face)
R.J. also has an IMDB site, photoless.
Anyone else?
Ooo - Charlie Linshaw. Charlie has no idea there's a blog, though. Right Charlie? Most people didn't meet him - he played "Eddie," half of the couple whom Marissa "overhears" arguing while walking through Back Bay.
Alas, I have not the clout to get Seeing and Believing up on IMDB until it screens somewhere or until one of us becomes famous enough that anything having touched us is considered as having "general interest" (or some such phrase).
Rachel (other one), I noticed a while back that you hadn't updated your Movie Star site in quite some time.
Anyone else got a website? Jack-the-Mac-Man? Greg? Henh? Anyone? Any news people want to share?
Jenny & Mark, whose house we used for Bill's dining room and Amy's bedroom, had a baby last year. :)
Oh, and I think I just bought a house. Although not all the t's are dotted, etc., so keep all your fingers crossed yet. It used to be a candy store!
Rachel
stupid (play)head !
Hello again,
Apparently I am an idiot! ...grrrr... Okay, not about everything. But the stupid part of my stupid brain was clearly - and stupidly - in control when I got this DV camera and paid $100 for the 4-year warranty But Then Didn't Send In the Warranty Activation Card.
Aaaaaaarrrghh!!!!
It is a particularly gnawing error because it cost me $100!!
Now my camera, which I use to upload all my clips, needs service, she said menacingly, squinting. It would have been FREE (for that $100)!
WE are NOT amused.
It could very well be that the problem could be fixed by a head cleaner. I have tried cleaning the head manually with a swab, but it didn't help, so I dunno. I guess I'll buy a head cleaner this week. Much less satisfying than having it professionally cleaned.
This has put a stop to Scene 27, 28 and any other editing.
I am so annoyed!! How can they take your money and then not provide the service?? Grrrr...
I can still progress with trying to figure out what Final Cut "data files" are and getting Scene 6 off to Kevin (who called last night on his way to - did he say, "baseball practice"? In early March? Indoor baseball, Kevin, or have you left NY?)
sigh.
REA
Apparently I am an idiot! ...grrrr... Okay, not about everything. But the stupid part of my stupid brain was clearly - and stupidly - in control when I got this DV camera and paid $100 for the 4-year warranty But Then Didn't Send In the Warranty Activation Card.
Aaaaaaarrrghh!!!!
It is a particularly gnawing error because it cost me $100!!
Now my camera, which I use to upload all my clips, needs service, she said menacingly, squinting. It would have been FREE (for that $100)!
WE are NOT amused.
It could very well be that the problem could be fixed by a head cleaner. I have tried cleaning the head manually with a swab, but it didn't help, so I dunno. I guess I'll buy a head cleaner this week. Much less satisfying than having it professionally cleaned.
This has put a stop to Scene 27, 28 and any other editing.
I am so annoyed!! How can they take your money and then not provide the service?? Grrrr...
I can still progress with trying to figure out what Final Cut "data files" are and getting Scene 6 off to Kevin (who called last night on his way to - did he say, "baseball practice"? In early March? Indoor baseball, Kevin, or have you left NY?)
sigh.
REA
Saturday, March 1, 2008
ow
Well, I've been sick the last couple days, so no editing, and then this afternoon I got a migraine aura, which sent me to bed full of dread. Haven't ever quite got the full headache, though, which is great. Still, it means I can't be staring at the computer for long or those cute little vision-blocking crystaline shapes start forming again. They look like little swatches of Picasso paintings, all lit up.
Migraine auras, anyone?
Did find out that I can't use the DVD recorder as I had hoped, BUT that I might have a way to copy tape-to-tape on campus.
I think what I'll do is send Kevin his raw footage, including all 300 hours of Scene 6 (I exaggerate) (a little), and then also send him the Final Cut data files for the Scene 6 that I put together, myself. Truly, now having cut Scenes 3-5, I know just how bad the sound in Scene 6 is -- it's bad. So maybe, Kevin, you know someone who can deal with it?
Must close my eyes again now.
How 'bout that Diablo Cody? Huh?
REA
Migraine auras, anyone?
Did find out that I can't use the DVD recorder as I had hoped, BUT that I might have a way to copy tape-to-tape on campus.
I think what I'll do is send Kevin his raw footage, including all 300 hours of Scene 6 (I exaggerate) (a little), and then also send him the Final Cut data files for the Scene 6 that I put together, myself. Truly, now having cut Scenes 3-5, I know just how bad the sound in Scene 6 is -- it's bad. So maybe, Kevin, you know someone who can deal with it?
Must close my eyes again now.
How 'bout that Diablo Cody? Huh?
REA
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