Smile, Breath and Go Slowly

Completed

I am still open to critique and will edit, but the movie is completed!! Yes, i found some music. I am in the process of uploading it to Youtube - and will post it here when it is completed.

The film, as you will see, has a strong Buddhist philosophy - the title is from Thich Nhat Hanh - but beyond the narrative of the film, the process of using a disposable camera seems very Buddhist in the idea of having no possessions.

I hope you like it!

and again, will edit to see your critiques.

Music - Umph

Hey Folks,

The movie is nearly completed! I have been throwing it together ever since I picked up the DVD at Rite-aid. The first edit ran about 3:30, but I have since cut it down to 2:19, and after I get some input I may cut it down even more. Though sad to say I am not riding on a wave of perfectness. I am stumped on the music. I can't find anything that grabs me, that acts as a companion to the film, that isn't distracting but helps in telling the story. I have dangled with lyrics and non lyrics alike, but will probably lean towards non-lyrics, since it is easier to shorten a non-lyric song. I want something that builds, but isn't heavy. Once I find this song, I'll know it. Least I hope so.

First Impression!

The movie is currently being exported into a file I can use in iMovie. While that is taking place, I thought i would share with you my first impressions. 14 dollars to develop the film, the movie is a lot more 'grainy' than I originally thought, the sun 'burned' into the film creating a purple bowling ball, Rite Aid supplied me with their own soundtrack - think elevator music - which i will happily extract, and I forgot to shoot "something"

the exporting is nearly finished - i'll keep you posted!!

Shooting - Completed

Yesterday I shot the movie, and only ran into one major problem... the camera wouldn't turn on. So, I had to go and return that and get a new one. Before i filmed i was deathly afraid of running out of time - since I only had 20 minutes - because of this fear I didn't shoot too many re shoots, which might create a problem since I only used about 7 minutes of film. The movie has elements from my previous work, and this is probably due to the fact that it's a silent movie and I only have one actor, but it is a different story. The final product will span about a minute and a half possibly less. I will hand in the camera today - maybe get it back today - and if thats the case i will post my first impression on the footage.

Happy Tuesday!

Storyboards - Finished

since I can't draw, my storyboards are quite interesting. In fact they are missing the whole drawing element. So, instead I went through each scene and wrote out the frame size ie: close up, long shot, etc... the cuts, and the main action. And after planning the movie out to this extent I have a hard time seeing the movie exceed 2 minutes, but you never know. I also received some advice from a friend who helped smooth everything out. I should use the word 'smooth' rather lightly, I have some long cuts that will take a lot of rehearsing if I want the movie to develop like it did in my head, and knowing how movies take shape, smooth is rarely used. Regardless, it should be fun little ditty.

I haven't played around with the camera in fear that something bad will happen
3 total settings - 2 of which I have no idea how to make believable
I hope to film next week

Story - Almost done

I have the theme, the story arch, and in the process of talking to a friend to help out. I still need to draw my shots, though they already are taking form in my head, and fine tune the story.

the story is about independence
very simple
figure, at this point, about 3 minutes long
and hopefully I'll shoot in the next few weeks

I'll keep you posted...

The Story - Guidelines

Even though I have yet to write anything down concerning the story, I have thought some 'things' out, and they are:

1. narrative
   
2. upbeat
3. colors
   
4. simple shots
   
5. 1 - 2 different settings
6. maybe outside
7. story of love, romantic maybe
8. realistic - in the idea it could happen to you - keeping in mind this is a movie though
9. low use of dialog
   
10. natural light

Thats all I have so far. I should also note: I don't want to tell a story that has been told a million times, but a thousand times is ok. One more thing: every little detail about this unfolding story will not be published though this blog, just general ideas, and the progression.

Why Disposable?

Other than a great challenge, It's cheap. For a year now I have been wanting to create some movie magic but since I don't have the resources nor the money, I can't. The disposable camera idea seems to be the best bet economically.
I am sure other filmmakers are making their own disposable movies, so the story will take presidents, and hopefully the viewer will forget it came from a disposable camera. I will document the writing process, the help I get from friends, the filming, and the publishing on youtube or myspace all through this here blog.

Some technical details.
The Camera

• No zoom
• up to 20 minutes of digital video and sound
• 4 buttons: on/off, playback, record, delete
• 35 dollars
  

The Movie

• Short, possibly silent, 3-5 minute movie
• 1 or 2 central characters

The Process

• The movie will be returned on a DVD
• Mac the Ripper to take the movie from the DVD
• Edit using iMOVIE
• Publish using a free streaming service
  

and there you have it. Now I need to write a doable movie. I'll keep you posted.