November 2006 - background
- I've been thinking about putting something in for the QPIX Raw Nerve/White Heat short film funding thing they have going in November - it's basically $2000 cash plus a whole lot of free equipment and services - I did have an idea based on a true story in country Queensland about a boxing parson (more on that later!) - in fact I even told them I'd put something in about that, but I've just had to follow my inspiration and lately I've been taken by the story of the first rock'n'roll riot in Australia
- This happened here in Brisbane in 1956 (I came across it in research for a Uni assignment in a book called Radical Brisbane ) and basically I've just developed an idea based around a school girl trying to get to the concert - and what happens there, not knowing of course that there'll be a riot.
- I've never writen anything set in the 50's - and period wise it's interesting - different, but just close enough to our age to be tangible, and (hopefully) not too hard to stage ~ so anyway this is what I'm going to put in - so I'll take the bold step of following the process here - for better or worse - no guarantees I'm going to get it of course
- There's a good run down by the way on the whole incident/period too from the Courier-Mail
12/11/2006
- I started a thread at filmshooting.com yesterday and have got some good feedback I'm incorporating into the second draft of the script. People have been pretty good reading and giving us feedback that quickly!
13/11/2006
- Put in my application today - fingers crossed. I put it in under the "Raw Nerve" scheme - where the theme has to be about Fate, Place, Home and Change - which is perfect as that's exactly what the script is about - so you never can tell but I'm feeling good that way because the script really is well suited to it
- Told by QPIX the applications should be assessed by before the Christmas break
14/12/2006
- Still no news -- looks like early next year now
23/1/2007
- Still no news - they've had to put on a new project administrator which explains the delay
- Came across a copy of Lost for Words by Hugh Lunn at the local library and have read it - I should have found and read this first - it's a good guide to the lingo of the time!
29/1/2007
- Found Hugh's web site a few days ago and decided to email him - his wife Helen got back to me today - they're going to look over the script and give some feedback too - this'll be useful if I get the grant, and just good anyway
9/2/2007
- Got an email from Helen Lunn with lots of good info I'll work in
19/2/2007
- I was ectually in at QPIX today - and was told the decisions have been made and that the letters will go out by the end of the week.
- Also found out last night I've got a job in the Torres Strait for a month on a filming/training project - can't wait!!! [You can read about how it went here: Dauan Island Project]
25/2/2007
- Found out two days ago didn't get it - and I've got to be honest I was (am) pretty disapointed - because it would have suited the themes perfectly, and I've got the ability/track record to do it -- but what can you do - doesn't matter......don't know what I'll do - I've got to focus on the Torres Strait job now, but it would have been nice to do that and then know I had this to do as well -- but doesn't matter
June 2007
- Well I've done the Dauan job and this is what happened:
- Stopped thinking about this and actually started to work on a treatment for a feature about people living on the street - started that, and in between the two Dauan trips actually met some people who live on the street and got a whole lot of feedback/info from them to work into it
- And I just found even though I've been focussing on something completely different (the Dauan job) - and Uni - I can't stop thinking about film making - I have virtually no money or means at the moment but I'm jsut compelled to do it - and I've been going back over reading books, looking at advice on the web and compiling a list of equipment I need to get, and changes to my work method to make a film. I just can't help it to be honest, and I started doing this without a specific project in mind too ~ walking slowly sideways I think back into this one I think - it did hurt not getting that grant - but that's ridiculous - if you want to do it you do it.
- Saw Terrence Malick's The New World which has really influenced me in one way (probably a few) - but he seems to have this ethos of 'create the reality' and then film it - and that seems to be the missing element I think from my other films and film making approach. There is a truth in the way stuff is dealt with in theatre (though the presenatation style is staged) - but the subject matter and approach is truthful, and my film making hasn't had that and ironically been too stagey - and this really fills the gap - and also gets closer (or is part of) the natural energy that I liked from the natural lighting in Barry Lyndon.
- So anyway this is a revelation in technique for me and one which would suit Honeysuckle Way (the homeless script) really well - but also Rebecca's Riot
- Part of my walking sideways I think into it was thinking about this street scene and how to pull it off
- I started quite an interesting discussion about this and how to pull it off with foreground miniatures and other techniques etc on filmshooting.com
- So anyway I've come to accept the inevitable - I really want to do this - it'll be a good work out for my gear and filming technique (both practical and artistic) and I really like the story anyway and want to do it for that anyway
- I've written another draft of the script and brought in more changes from peoples suggestions, and other things I've thought of too - and to be honest it's better for it - not getting the grant was a blessing in disguise I think - it's actually more of a mother/daughter thing now I think which is nice -and the dynamics and motivations for the characters are alot clearer now too.
- I'm going to start looking for cast and crew now - I've got some ideas for some of the roles and positions, so will start approaching some people individually but also advertising in various places. My aim actually is to start at the top and work my way down - so I'll start with all the pro's I know in the industry and see if they're interested or know anyone who is, and then work my way down from there - all those contacts on and off for the last few years have got to count for something!!
- Locations are going to be fun - the riot at the end will be tricky and will require some CGI FX to pull it off - but all the street scenes etc are interesting - if you look at some old shots from the 50's not alot has actually changed in terms of the structures of buildings and the much of the appearance of the street - I've been looking around wherever I go - and with a few judicious choices I'll be able to get the street scenes all right I think
- These
are two streets from the 1950's in Brisbane (Courtesy of Brisbane Images,
Brisbane City Council) - not much has
changed! - though others have more noticeably - but I think with some
good choices I'll be able to get the right street looks
- I'll go over gear etc later
10/7/2007
- I bought a Pelican 1600 case for the Dauan island trip and have refitted it for my Beaulieu R16
- The chord is an extended audio lead for the Synch-pulse generator - the chord was made for me by Rob Greenfield (inventor of the Rob-box) - thanks Rob!
- The four lenses on the right of the left hand box are diopters. The thing under the synch pulse chord is the video split which runs through the eye-piece.
- In the right hand case is the battery (have to get a recharger unit yet) and 2 x 200 foot magazines - both of which need servicing.
- There's more gear to get yet, which I'll detail later - particularly the lighting - audio wise it will be what we used on In My Image - a Sennheiser shotgun, into the Rob box, then into a minidisc recorder - unless if I get an all in one digital recorder with XLR inputs - which I'd pefer to get.
- The third draft of the script is on line now there'll probably be another draft before we shoot. I've put two clippings from the Courier-Mail at the back of it too - which I've reproduced here - click on each one to enlarge
Courier-Mail
Courier-Mail
November 22nd, 1956 November 23rd, 1956
November 22nd, 1956 November 23rd, 1956
- Working on script breakdowns and a shooting schedule now too - not sure of the time frame yet - it will probably be in the September school holidays, or over the Christmas break - but since we are going to need some school kids for some of the scenes it would be easier to organise in September - than over the big break when everyone is away. Once I've done the shooting schedule I'll have more of an idea.
- On the look out for crew now too.
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