breakthrough

I was feeling very bummed about this whole thesis thing. How was I going to write a thesis proposal that had both a script and "situated my film within a theoretical and social context"? Plus, during class we shared treatments. I felt the reception to my idea was less than warm- and rightly so- it all was sort of a muddled character piece. I can't answer "what do you want to say with this film?" or any of their well-intentioned questions.

But then on wednesday night, spilling into Thursday morning, and spilling out during a dark nightime walk along ocean beach, I got a new idea. I feel like I allowed myself to be imaginative. I just suddenly realized that this is my strength- my crazy imagination- I must use it and not be scared off just because I don't want a film filled with CGI-characters or being catchy/gimmicky like the Sixth Sense or Fight Club.

So, I'm off to write my fresh new script. Very happy about the my new concept.

Looking at photographs of Paris and Surrealism, as well as a book of photos by Arthur Tress, is helping stir me up.

Step One: Gather Images

Today in our thesis class we shared images that inspire us in the film we are setting off to make. Gathering these pictures at the library, thrift stores, old catelogs and magazines, made me feel like a kid again. Carefully cutting and arranging a big collage on a folding board. I think in the end mine came out successful- in the sense it was me: slightly sloppy and whimsical, drawn towards foggy black and whites more than bright violent colors.

Paging through the book, "Paris and the Surrealists" sent me shooting to a new direction on my project. I always feel like since I'm not a Dali fan, I must not like surrealism. But I think I'm going to re-examine that idea and see what the masters' texts hold. Why is it that when you start to get an idea, it keeps morphing and morphing until you can't see the original seed it grew from?

Day One: The blank page

The ideas are percolating but the script is still unwritten.
I have a self-imposed goal of December, 2006 for a finished film and a film school MFA diploma.

Will I make it?
Will you help me?