Taking classes at VFS is fun and all, but it isn't the only way to learn about the film industry. Today, I earned my first credits - as an extra and a grip - while a short film was being shot. It was easy to do, and now my name will appear in the end credits. That's cool.
These kinds of opportunities are one of the benefits of attending film school. Not only do you get some on-set experience for the resume, but there's the distinct possibility of being asked back for other shoots, or perhaps of being recommended to other directors. It's another foot in the door.
I want to thank Nicholas Humphries of VFS, who was the writer, producer, and director of the short film, for sending the invitation to anyone in the program to come help out. He appreciated the assistance, and I appreciated the opportunity to participate. Best of luck, Nick, when your film goes to the film festival.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Meeting the People
Three weeks into our classes, things are generally looking good. I'm talking about interesting classes on the whole, and we are getting to know more people at VFS with whom we may be collaborating in the future.
A couple of our instructors who impress me are Dean Burns and Kelsey Kirvan. I think Dean is sharp as a... porcupine needle (sorry, can't use a cliche). He's mellow, but he knows his stuff concerning the film industry. Not to mention that I'll always fondly remember him as the person who introduced the terms 'loglines' and 'beatsheets' to my vocabulary. Thank you so much, Dean!
As for Kelsey, I don't know if "impressed" is really the word I'm looking for. I just love the guy for his personality and approach to our pitch classes. Any guy who claims (even in jest) to have turned down a job because of the pants requirement is fuckin' right on in my books. Last week, he reached one of his objectives, which was to make one of the girls in our class cry. No, he isn't really cruel; he's just funny as all hell. And he attended the University of Western Ontario -- the mortal enemy -- at the same time I went to Guelph. I do believe him when he says he didn't drive a jeep at Western.
Last Friday night was karaoke night, and "WHOA NELLY" did we have fun. The writers were well represented, singing a number of classics very poorly. A few actors and some film production people showed up, too. The highlight of the night came at the end when I nearly knocked the DJ's MacBook Pro on the ground when I tripped coming off the stage.
And tonight was the mandatory mixer for first-termers. The objective was to meet students in the other programs at VFS, collect names and email addresses, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. The beer we drank immediately preceding the mixer was a definite help.
So that's what life on the left coast has been like of late. For the most part, it's tres cool. No regrets so far.
A couple of our instructors who impress me are Dean Burns and Kelsey Kirvan. I think Dean is sharp as a... porcupine needle (sorry, can't use a cliche). He's mellow, but he knows his stuff concerning the film industry. Not to mention that I'll always fondly remember him as the person who introduced the terms 'loglines' and 'beatsheets' to my vocabulary. Thank you so much, Dean!
As for Kelsey, I don't know if "impressed" is really the word I'm looking for. I just love the guy for his personality and approach to our pitch classes. Any guy who claims (even in jest) to have turned down a job because of the pants requirement is fuckin' right on in my books. Last week, he reached one of his objectives, which was to make one of the girls in our class cry. No, he isn't really cruel; he's just funny as all hell. And he attended the University of Western Ontario -- the mortal enemy -- at the same time I went to Guelph. I do believe him when he says he didn't drive a jeep at Western.
Last Friday night was karaoke night, and "WHOA NELLY" did we have fun. The writers were well represented, singing a number of classics very poorly. A few actors and some film production people showed up, too. The highlight of the night came at the end when I nearly knocked the DJ's MacBook Pro on the ground when I tripped coming off the stage.
And tonight was the mandatory mixer for first-termers. The objective was to meet students in the other programs at VFS, collect names and email addresses, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. The beer we drank immediately preceding the mixer was a definite help.
So that's what life on the left coast has been like of late. For the most part, it's tres cool. No regrets so far.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Falling for Vancouver
It's 9:00 pm, and I'm thinking about the day that just passed. It turned out to be a near-spectacular day -- 20 degrees, pure blue skies, a calm breeze. It was so good that after school finished, I went walking all over the place just because I wanted to be outside.
Ultimately, I went to David Lam Park in Yaletown. There were families with young children playing on the swings and slides. Two teams enjoyed a game of frisbee football (or something like that). Cyclists and joggers passed by along the sea wall. As for myself, I was simply taking it all in while listening to my personal soundtrack on my iPod. Interestingly, the music provided the perfect background to my observations of the activities unfolding all around. At one point, Phil Collins' True Colors played while I was admiring the deep blue water, the light blue sky, and the fabulous green of the thick grass. Then I closed my eyes and smelled the salty water of False Creek, and I could feel the breeze bringing some relief from the sun. Then I re-opened my eyes to watch a sea bird glide just inches above the water.
As great as it was, I wanted to share the moment with my wife and daughters, who are still in Korea. They would have loved it, and they will love it when they finally arrive.
And that's the feeling I'm now getting about Vancouver. This place really is special. It makes you feel good to be here. Two weeks ago, I felt out of sorts, like I didn't belong. Now I walk down the street just like any Vancouverite, and I could see myself staying here for quite some time. Days like today can make you fall for Vancouver.
It's 9:24 pm, and the city's lights shimmer outside my window. Just another source of enjoyment in this wonderful place.
Ultimately, I went to David Lam Park in Yaletown. There were families with young children playing on the swings and slides. Two teams enjoyed a game of frisbee football (or something like that). Cyclists and joggers passed by along the sea wall. As for myself, I was simply taking it all in while listening to my personal soundtrack on my iPod. Interestingly, the music provided the perfect background to my observations of the activities unfolding all around. At one point, Phil Collins' True Colors played while I was admiring the deep blue water, the light blue sky, and the fabulous green of the thick grass. Then I closed my eyes and smelled the salty water of False Creek, and I could feel the breeze bringing some relief from the sun. Then I re-opened my eyes to watch a sea bird glide just inches above the water.
As great as it was, I wanted to share the moment with my wife and daughters, who are still in Korea. They would have loved it, and they will love it when they finally arrive.
And that's the feeling I'm now getting about Vancouver. This place really is special. It makes you feel good to be here. Two weeks ago, I felt out of sorts, like I didn't belong. Now I walk down the street just like any Vancouverite, and I could see myself staying here for quite some time. Days like today can make you fall for Vancouver.
It's 9:24 pm, and the city's lights shimmer outside my window. Just another source of enjoyment in this wonderful place.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Loglines and Beatsheets
A week into my classes at VFS, I realize just how little I know about the business of film and TV. We started our Genre: TV class by listing different genres and examples of those genres on the board. At least half of the TV shows mentioned I had never even heard of before, and probably 90 % of them I hadn't seen. Needless to say, having spent so much time in Korea has caused me to abandon my television viewing habits. Under normal circumstances, that would be fine, but as an aspiring writer, maybe I've got some catching up to do. So, in addition to all the regular homework I have to do, now I have a whole bunch of TV shows I should watch. Hmm, could be worse, I suppose.
Yesterday, I completed my first homework assignment -- an adaptation of the first chapter of The Maltese Falcon. The point of the assignment was to learn the correct format for writing a screenplay. Whether or not I did a decent job of adapting the story is probably not important right now, but it was good to get the practice.
I also completed reading a script for the first time: Some Like It Hot. Written half a century ago, the screenplay is probably meant to demonstrate some features that we would not want to include in our scripts today, especially the overly-descriptive action paragraphs and the guiding of the camera. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining story, easy to visualize.
As for those loglines and beatsheets, I learned what they are: difficult to do! But at least I know what their purpose is. And it's those kinds of things that begin to make me think I'm getting something useful out of this program.
P.S. In case some of my former co-workers in Korea read this, don't be confused about the term beatsheets. Those aren't something you use after enjoying your favourite porn on the Internet. Just thought there might be some confusion there. Carry on.
Yesterday, I completed my first homework assignment -- an adaptation of the first chapter of The Maltese Falcon. The point of the assignment was to learn the correct format for writing a screenplay. Whether or not I did a decent job of adapting the story is probably not important right now, but it was good to get the practice.
I also completed reading a script for the first time: Some Like It Hot. Written half a century ago, the screenplay is probably meant to demonstrate some features that we would not want to include in our scripts today, especially the overly-descriptive action paragraphs and the guiding of the camera. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining story, easy to visualize.
As for those loglines and beatsheets, I learned what they are: difficult to do! But at least I know what their purpose is. And it's those kinds of things that begin to make me think I'm getting something useful out of this program.
P.S. In case some of my former co-workers in Korea read this, don't be confused about the term beatsheets. Those aren't something you use after enjoying your favourite porn on the Internet. Just thought there might be some confusion there. Carry on.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
View From My High Perch
It's 8:34 pm. It's the second night I've been in my new abode -- a studio apartment in a condo, on the 17th floor, in downtown Vancouver. I have great views of... more skyscrapers, in every direction. Actually, though, it's pretty spectacular. The snow-capped mountains are visible on clear days, so it's nice to just gaze out the window.The weather changes quickly here. This morning, it was raining hard as I walked to school. By the afternoon, it was nice and sunny. In the early evening, I went for a walk along the waterfront, and by the time I got home it had started to rain. Just a few minutes ago, I saw lightning out my floor-to-ceiling bedroom window. It's really quite the vision watching dark, swirling clouds from my location in the sky.
I like my neighbourhood. It's less than 20 minutes on foot to school. There are plenty of options for eating and entertainment nearby. The waterfront is just two blocks away. I'm pretty lucky.
Anyway, I should actually spend some time this evening looking at homework. Gotta read the script for Some Like It Hot. Beyond that, I don't really know what to do yet, but at least you could do worse than have to read movie scripts for homework.
It's 8:55 pm. Until next time...
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