I do what I can...part 5

Well, here we are again...this is the spot for Comedy Cluj Film Festival and you can find it on the festival`s blog (unfortunately, only in Romanian for this year). The ending reads: `What of a world without laughter?`

I do what I can...part 4

COMEDY CLUJ: http://www.comedycluj.ro/

The Comedy Cluj site...still under construction, but getting ready for the event. I have been taken up by the volunteer coordinator as a collaborator for the site so, besides writing some of the material, I am taking my turn in coming up with suggestions for layout, spell-check, etc.

I do what I can...part 3

So, what`s new? Well, I`ve been doing some translations for film subtitles for Comedy Cluj and also done some more writing for the official website (www.comedycluj.ro). The site is still under construction, so you`ll have to take my word for it for now...I`ll leave you with the event`s mascots. Happy fellas!

Thought bubble of the day...part 2

I watched Bill Maher`s film, Religulous, and while the host was interviewing a guy called Dr. Andrew Newberg, I thought to myself...hmmm...he looks familiar. And indeed, he is not a new face to me, I`ve seen him on What the bleep to we know? and a BBC documentary called God in the Brain. What I find absolutely intriguing is the idea of biologically breaking down the idea of god, the chemical and anatomical make-up that facilitates our perception of some sort of transcendence, or presence or all the other forms people have associated with divine nature. And I must admit it, I like the idea of bringing the haughty perception of God to the same level as other feelings such as ...say...love, the need for protection and certitude, etc because it takes away a poweful means for legitimising a lot of crazy stuff by people who - consciously or not -abuse the incontestable magnetism of this idea. Let`s face it, if the guy who threatened you you`ll suffer the consequences of your not living according to his (questionably) moral standards, would tell you it is his own voice that assures him of your demise, and not that of a high and mighty being, you`d laugh in his face. Plus, it will re-light an interesting conversation I had with a friend a while ago (at the cinema, over a popcorn and during the commercials!) over consciesness, the big deal that we make of it (come on, we think it is the reason why we are chosen by god or...providence or how you want to call it, to reign supreme, to explore new boundaries to...bla bla bla, you get the idea!) but that it is merely a mutation, an accident almost of evolution. From a survival point of view, it is really a crappy thing to have, since it doesn`t really get you far, and we can all agree it is not always easy to live with it and the angst it brings along. So, will have to chit-chat more on that one...

I do what I can...part 2

Long time no post, right? (I bet you are asking yourself, my dearest non-existent reader, why am I talking to myself and constantly acting like I have an audience...I stopped wondering about that a long time ago...). Thanks to a good friend from Cluj, involved in organising a comedy film festival, I got to do some work. Working on some English translation for the festival`s promotional materials. Should they like it, I might make it to the official site of the event (fingers crossed!). Just in case you are bored to death and have nothing else better to do, here it is:

"Step right up and prepare yourself for sheer comedy delight with Comedy Cluj International Comedy Film Festival! Emerging from foamy waves of film passion and ready to wash away those grey tedious afternoons, Comedy Cluj aims high on the laugh-o-meter, making its public burst into laughter with a heavy-duty artillery of 70 fire-cracker comedies. Oh, and on a more social note, Comedy Cluj provides a gathering place for film aficionados/enthusiasts/lovers, critics and everyone in-between from all corners of the world can meet and exchange musings.

We are here to…

- give you a taste of cultural diversity that will leave you coming back for more…

- lure films and audiences from around the world

- give you a taste of a bewildering range of comedy sub-genres (satire, parody, romantic comedy, opera buffa, black comedy, sit-coms, absurd, etc) leaving the public with a highly sophisticated palate and eye for the best productions.

- take out the middle man, providing an environment for unmediated/direct interactions between film creators, producers and distributors

- give the home comedy production a gentle nudge, or a kiss, if you will, that would wake it up from its present slumber

- put the Charisma back into Comedy, enticing viewers of all ages – a special attention to all of the hip youngsters – to feel its evergreen appeal

- take our shot at placing Cluj and Romania on the glitzy map of cultural, artistic and cinematic hipsterdom."

I do what I can...

Whaaaaat? I told you I`m guinea pigs...less! So I do what I can and with...whom I can. Good thing I still have me.

I don`t know about acting (haven`t tried it for some years now...might consider a re-run for this year with the Drama society at NTU...who knows!), but trying to make an expressive face for a few seconds in front of the camera...some lights, some props, some spice added to it...I get the cinematic trance! Now, if I could only link the trance to the narrative and conceptual, and striking a balance...then I might be actually DOING something, instead of just coming up with ideas I keep postponing.

Memo to me: if you keep posting some of these images, it would be a good idea to talk more about why you keep making them...or simply mock yourself, that`s good too!

TranSLATE 2

Nae Caranfil`s E pericolo sporgersi. Simply brings a smile to my face so I have to include it here.

-And now you want to show me your vinyl collection, or what?

-I understand you are making a pass on our girls, right?

-Have we met before?

-For your sake, we`d better not! That`s all I`m sayin`...

-You want something from me?

-Yeah! I want you to leave this girl alone! She`s mine.

-Which girl?

-You know all too well. The one that`s just left.

-So, you`ve been listening?

-No...but I know she`s been here. Why...just because we allow you in our town to do your service, you think you can have a go at our girls?

-For now, the only one having a go is you...at me!

-HEY! Watch it! I`ve done three years of boxing as a kid, if you`ll tick me off I`ll make you bleed!

-Be....careful what you say. I`m wearing a uniform and that might spell trouble for you.

-I`ve tried to argue with you from man to man, but is seems like you don`t want to...

-Maybe you want to meet the rest of the patrol?

-Maybe you want to meet my brother, who is into karate...there`ll be blood, I tell you!

-Maybe you need a beating up!

-I tried to argue sensibly with you...

-You want a fight?

-Be careful...

-Fight?

-If you touch me, I`ll break your glasses you son of a bitch!

-Who do you think you are, talking like that about mum?

-And why are you acting tough?

-You`ll see what I`m made of...

-Why did you hit me?

-Who....who hit you? Me...?

-Yes, you...you wanted to hit me. Why did you want to do that. Why?

-D....don`t make me loose my temper!

....

-You damned Bucharest scum!

TranSLATE 1

A hilarious fragment from Cuibul de viespi (Wasps`Nest), a film based on one of Alexandru Kiritescu`s plays. Probably sums up pretty well all one can say about Romanian sense of humour and the Balkan....ehrm....charm. I know it is hard to incorporate all the savory linguistical bits but...here is a somewhat valiant attempt (hopefully):

-You got the braids? Thank heaven and all of the saints! Put them there. And you? Why are you daydreaming? Get a move on…destination: braids! And get the incense burner.
-What incense burner?
-What incense burner? What incense burner? The one we use for the braids! Now go and fetch it for me….WAIT! But don`t get me the wrong one or I`ll use it on your head!
-Alright…
-WAIT!!! Bring some incense too.
-…
-WAIT!!! And make sure you don`t bring some coals instead….WA..
-WAIT! I get it! Don`t patronize me!

-You deserved that, you rascal!
-I`m late because I had to queue.
-Queue…huh? Nein! You be smooching…
-Ma`am?
-Mit soldiers!
-Wha…? You are out of it…
-Insult you me? Gypsy! You little cat! Lazy bones! Ptttt!
-Calm down you two. What`s this all about?
-She should leave me alone, coz I`m an honest girl, not like her… silly old bat!
-Wass? Gehn zum Teufel!

-Requiem it is…but a lucky one!
-Sis…did you write the (remembrance) list?
-I did.
-Read it!
-Ana, Grigore, Tinca….puuuuuuut that down theeeeeeeeeere!....Didina, Tina, Gherghina…
-Don`t stand about to see what an fool she is. She is from Caracal, she can afford it! But you are from Transylvania, right?
-I get this sort of humiliation even in front of the servants!...Balasa, Androne…
-….and all their relatives…I say, let Zamfira know how much you`re worth!
-Tase, Marghioala, Ionicica…
-What? You`ve listed all the boors from Tase`s family? Devil take them! God rest their souls!
-Arghirita, Sofronie, Marita…
-Marita?
-Yep!
-On Margareta`s remembrance list?
-Aham.
-Vanda`s mother…
-Aham.
-Where`s your brain, sis?
-Oh, gosh! You`re right! You`re so right! It`s because of that debauched woman that we got into all this trouble! Ptttt! It`s not within our nature….to curse and all….but she deserves it! May she turn into dust…may God and the virgin Mary turn her into dust!
-I`ve never cursed anyone in my life, and I won`t do it now! But may I see her buried without her shoes on, oh Holy Mother and Saint Filofteia! The Lord gaveth unto us, the Lord taketh!
-What is it?
-Hit my back! Whooooooah…you almost knocked me down!
-Well, you were coughing real bad and…

You ROtoscope my world! part 2

And a second draft of the same animation. I added some colours now and tweaked it...I think I`m beginning to see a flicker of potential here...just enough to encourage me to keep going and try out new things during this holiday...just what the doctor ordered!

You ROtoscope my world!

Well, did I say I`ll have guinea pigs for today? WRONG!!! So, I had to go for plan B in order to avoid feeling utterly useless this day. And plan B was...try one of the following:

- light saber effect

- rotoscope animation

- blue screen

After trying to set up, act out and manage not to fall over doing the blue screen shtick, I came to the sensible conclusion that trying a bit of rotoscope action would be safer (though not for my poor eyes, and, as it turns out, for my nerves, given the fact that I don`t have a digital pen, so I had to get it done via...ah....you`ve guessed it...MOUSE). A few hours later and many clicks and drags away...here is a first draft. So imperfect and lacking in potential it makes me want to cry but I`m still going to post it, for no other reason then for the sheer effort that went into making it (yes, even in this un-glamorous state it is).

Random fantasy

Yesterday I decided I should break free of the vicious circle of laziness that seemed to overwhelm me and try to mess about with something to make me feel a bit more productive. So, I thought about some of the books I have already mentioned in my earlier posts on film architecture and special effects and thought I should try out something. The main idea was to take some everyday items, like pins, perfume bottles, tin foil, a bottle of wine, a candle, and use their surface, their texture, different angles to give the impression of some sort of a setting. So I took some photos initially, but then I decided I should give videos a go to, and so after an afternoon spent on editing and finding an inspiring score (Arnold Schoenberg`s Pelleas and Melisande), I came up with this:

Brainiac

And another conference for today...I definetly will subscribe to the University of California Youtube channel, I don`t care what happens to my reputation (sic!). Now, Dr Ramachandran was a bit of a familiar figure, since I previously have seen him appear on a BBC Documentary called God on the Brain. This conference (rather boldly) takes on the question of what is it about art that gets us...with a few jokes sprinkled at the end of the conference about the struggles and ineffectiveness of philosophers while dealing with this issue (though this is sort of a common practice within academia, if you come to think of it, a bit of teasing of your - usually Humanities- colleague).

Interesting points made about the idea of hyperbolae and selection, and the link between enjoyment and pleasure derived from something that `touches` you and the idea of activating, stimulating the brain...almost like the idea of the importance of the process, instead of the actual end point.

Ping-(S)Pong

`A pre-eminent voice for liberal Christianity, John Shelby Spong was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2000. His admirers acclaim his making contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary lay person—he's considered a champion of an inclusive faith by many both inside and outside the Christian church. His challenges to the church have also made him a target of hostility, fear, and death threats. Calling himself "a joyful, passionate, convinced believer in the reality of God," he seeks not to create a new religion, but to reform the church he loves. Series: "Burke Lectureship on Religion & Society" [1/2005] [Humanities] [Show ID: 9117] `

Bookingham

Now that the deadlines are history, I can finally go back to reading some of the books I set my sight on. The one that is currently come to my attention is Michael Rabiger`s Directing.

I find I can open it at pretty much any page I want and just start reading. It draws you in, although it is supposed to be one of those rather aridly written `technical` books. I found some interesting techniques for motif and theme exploration, basics of script writing and of course lighting (which is becoming slowly but surely a little obssession of mine).

Rock me Amadeus!!!

Ah, yes! Remember the somewhat trashy song of Falco? I did and also remembered Amadeus, the movie by Milos Forman and seeing that I liked it very very much...I couldn`t resist the temptation to read the play of Peter Shaffer that has inspired the film.

Funny how you see some of the references when reading the play...most strikingly, the venticelli`s whispering in the trailer.

Come to think of it...I should start looking for tickets to the play itself...hmmmmm....

Film and Architecture

Browsing through Dietrich Neumann`s Film Architecture I seemed like a good idea to investigate further upon the issue of set design and general architecture in films. Even more so, as the influence of these two elements is reciprocal in its nature: that is to say, besides the obvious influence that the choices made for set design and location on the overall ambience that the viewer is likely to perceive, not to mention the added value in terms of symbolism and discourse, there is also the influence the medium of the seventh art exerts over architecture, its evolution and its perception by the public.

Some interesting bits of information I`ve found on this site are concerned with Michelangelo Antonioni`s use of architecture as an indirect means by which to express the characters` state of mind (the example that is most often given is that of the final scene of his 1960 film, L`Avventura)

Another thing that caught my attention and seems worthy of further reading is Sergei Eisenstein`s theory of space constructions, that presents architecture as `frozen music` (sounds really exciting!)

Finally, Saul Metzstein`s article discusses the possibilites that are open to film-makers when it comes to sets...creating them from scratch, a la Fritz Lang, having total control over the outcome, but also considering the costs and, most importantly, making the resulting architecture live and breath the air of the time and place it strives to be an illustration and logical outcome of; shooting on location, trying to find buildings that have a visual impact, but are not too familiar as to ruin the idea of the future vision. And, we also have another film to look at: Menzies`1936 film, Things to Come

Aaaaaah…we had our first day of shooting with Bindni`s Play parade project yesterday. It has been a real fun and exciting day to learn a few things but most of all to get a taste of the whole crew working together ambient, which for someone used to work alone like me was really a great experience. I`m looking forward to the next sessions, hope I can do a good job of whatever task I`m assigned the next time (or the same). Meanwhile, I thought I would upload some of the videos we did while doing the camera training with Leslie, the last week. Since the project would be filmed using a HD camera, Leslie went through some of the basics of camera operating and through the exercises that followed, we, hopefully, learned them. We also did a bit of sound recording. The exciting part was that we got to direct, film, record and act out scenes in turns. I found that a good idea because it not only gave each of us the opportunity to boss around….ahem…sorry, I mean…to try out different roles…but also to get a sense of the importance of each individual role and of their coordination for the success of the final shot.

Here are some of the exercises. The first one is a close-up of Bindni indoors, and without sound.

Mid shot, with Matt as director, me recording the sound, Ben as subject and Sam at the camera (hope I got that one right).

Wide mid shot, with Matt acting, Ben as cameraman, Sam recording the sound and me as director (oh, yesssss!)

Not really the sort of material you would use to show-off. Clearly, a looooooooooooot to learn still. Nevertheless, the part of setting up the shots was a really engaging one for me, because photography and image manipulation is still the area that I feel most confortable in and which gives me the best opportunity to experiment and express visions.

A Bit of Everything

Yesssss....I know! I really should continue my 3D Studio Max tutorials because I don`t seem ti be making any particular progress outside semniars on this. But, but....I just had an idea and I can`t stand to let it fly away without having a go at it. So, I spent some hours this afternoon doing a collage. I am not sure what for should I use it...it could be a moodboard for next Friday`s Identity seminar...but I`m not sure, because even though it fits some adjectives I came up with while talking to Roma, it doesn`t reflect the sort of visuals I had in mind for the project. Oh, well...I`ll see about this. I could maybe included in the SPP presentation for Tuesday...but that`s just another definite....maybe! Irrespective of whether or not is going to make it into the materials for any of the seminars, I still found it a good exercise for lighting, brushes, burns, layer properties and transparencies, overlays, etc.

The initial idea was to have feel-slates...that is...separate slates with different segments (crops) of the body and face to suggest differing, contradicting emotions and to create a sort of dynamic composition. I don`t know about the dynamic part...though I think the hotspot created by the convergence of objects in the left gives a feel of ....woooosh! to the picture. At the same time, the upper right corner is the `cool spot`: the lifeless eyes and the mocking (cockish) stare together with the colours used develop into an opposite pole (I hope!).

Well...I guess that`s it! I should run to do some tutorials now and maybe a bit of reading...

Extra....extra(work)...read all about it!

Two weeks ago, we got an email from Bindni Karia, a 3rd Year Multimedia student asking for any volunteers to help out with her project. I, along with some of my 1st Year colleagues (I`m trying to memorise all the names, I promise I will) have replied and...here we are...involved in this project. We have had a first meeting last Friday, discussing mainly what we would like to do and of course, what we are needed to do, but there isn`t any definitive list yet. We will probably here more about it this Friday when Bindni will tell us (I guess) Who, When and What For?

Let me say a few words about the project. The basic aim of the production is to highlight the importance of having a safe and nice place to play in, outside the confinement of the house. There will be several interviews on the matter and the plot follows along the efforts of a team organising a play parade (why didn`t they have one of those when I was a kid?). And, hopefully, there will be a happy, happy end to it all, commanding a tear from the viewer`s eyes and making him more aware of how bad play deprivation is for the hearts and minds of those little brats....sorry, I mean....for those little angels.

Also, today we had a training session for operating and HD camera. Quite exciting, seeing that we got to do some work too and try our luck. I haven`t retrieved the footage yet but I`ll post it as soon as I can. It was fun fun fun because we not only got to handle the camera, but also had to try out different roles, from directing, to sound recording and acting (well, posing is a better word for it). Oh, I just got excited, really excited...I know I hide it well, but I did...

Trying to make good use of my enthusiasm for the day, I`m also looking at some Youtube videos on camera angles and shots. I`ve read about some of these, like the dolly and bird`s eye view, but it is definetly more interesting and makes much more sense to see them `in action` as it were, in shots from movies so that one can get a better perspective of what the visual potential of a certain angle or positioning is.