A Christmas Party
I have a new section dedicated to my newest movie, A Christmas Party. My job has had a media competition for the past two years, and so I did this.
I'm pretty happy with it. I think that I hit a certain base level of competence with the whole thing. I couldn't look at any part of it and see glaring errors. The script's mediocre, not fantastic, but okay. So is the directing, as is the editing, as is the design. No part shines, but no part really is blatantly bad.
That sounds like I'm being down on it. I'm not. It's hard be happy with your own work. I'm honestly content, considering I spent 3 hours on the script, 4 hours planning, 3 hours filming, and 10 hours editing. 20 hours from just one person. Not too shabby.
But don't take my word for it. Watch A Christmas Party, and tell me that I'm wrong.
Comments
Santa.
I saw the pictures. So I'm glad it worked out for you. I always assumed, however, that you were born to play the role of Darren from Bewitched. Granted you were born too late, but that's what you were born to do.
Of course the followup questions is: Sargent or York?
I wish I had been that witty. No, as one large man to another, I was trying to make sure you knew their were acting oppertunities for you other than Santa Claus.
You can also be Thug #2, or Victim #1.
One day I hope to direct.
That's when the real money starts.
Plus I get to tell people what to do.
Actually directing is tough. Getting performances out of people, is very difficult. If you're serious, which I feel you're not, but my irony filter isn't firing at 100%, you should just write something and film it. You're a Mac guy, so you should be able to edit it with just the built in tools.
Give it a try, it's extremely rewarding.
Ahh to be in movies.
Oh, and I eat a diet rich in irony, so I can't be held responsible for my actions or words.
I've found directing my own stuff makes me a better writer. It's one thing on paper, but then another thing when other people bring it to life. Especialy with film, because other than the voice-over, there's very few ways of delving directly into what's in a characters's mind. And people hate voice-overs.
I have never really done anything in the movie making arena. I have written some dialogue, but my writing tends to skew towards the absurd.
Directing does seems like an awful lot of work. I would rather write something and then be bitter when someone 'tinkers' with it.
Voice overs are present in most first time scripts, or films. I'm not saying you have to write and direct a movie, merely that it can be a rewarding experience that will give you a new perspective on your writing. Specifically, if you are in to narrative, it can help you nail down structure. But I think you've inspired my next article.
I don't know if I will ever write a movie, but I have been thinking of trying my hand at stop motion animation, and I have a bunch of Lego people with nothing to do.
Second of all, great work, Terry! I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.
Joe
Posted by: J. Cruz at December 16, 2004 4:09 PM