Today we started the Criterion B part for our Wong Kar Wai. First we got back our grades. In total I got 4-5 marks off, which is a little bit more than I was expecting but I'll live with. I was happy with my chase scene mark so all is well.
The scripts that were chosen were Andy's, Jeff's, Adrian's, Joyce's and mine. We were all de facto leaders. I was hoping to work with Jeff and Andy because we're all good friends and we work well and I wanted this last unit to be really enjoyable but since we were all leaders it wasn't possible. I was willing to work with anyone anyway so it doesn't really matter. In the end the group that I formed is comprised of Ashley, Louise, Catherine and Ella. It'd be interesting and a challenge since we never worked with each other in this semester of film, and we don't really know each other's abilities or personalities all that well, but I'm sure we'll manage.
We started off slow, expectingly since everyone had to read and familiarize themselves with the script. I wrote mine kind of novel-ish so I think they all got a clear understanding after one read. They didn't have any questions about the plot or dialogue or anything so I guess that's a good sign.
We immediately started off thinking of roles, cast, equipment, locations, and storyboards/shot list. Here are the roles we allotted:
Director: Me
Sound Director: Louise
Cameraperson: Ashley
Editor: Ella
Producer: Catherine
The director is me since it was my script so it was basically automatic. Louise is the sound director because it's a role she hasn't done before and since we are allowed to use copyrighted material for this project, she can share her good music taste with the world. The cameraperson is Ashley since she has never done this role before, and I believe she has a good vision as well as taste on how a shot should look like. Originally Catherine was going to be the editor but because she is very busy with Prom as well as other things, we'd thought it'd be best to give the job to Ella. Ella was I believe the editor for the chase scene project so at least she has experience in using Final Cut Pro, so we are in good hands. The producer may seem like a cushy job, but there's a lot of things to handle such as getting the locations down, the cast down, costumes, etc. Because she is organizing the prom, I believe her organization skills will come in handy. Hopefully it won't be too much of an obstacle.
In my script there are 4 main characters: Lydia, Danny, Larry and Lauren. Lydia and Danny appear for the majority of the movie while Larry and Lauren finishes it off. While I was writing I did keep in mind that my script has the possibility of getting chosen so I had already thought of actors. Here is my list and my reasons.
Lydia = Katrina. I know Katrina of being a theatrically as well as musically talented. She takes Drama extended has worked with Ella before, so Ella has first hand knowledge on how good she is. I have heard her sing (during some classes) and it's pretty good. She also can be very expressive with her face, at the same time be subtle. Also this role requires some Cantonese speaking, which she can also do. I think she'll be great for this role.
Danny = Nathan. Frankly I think I was being too idealistic in my decision for Nathan to be Danny. He does take Drama extended, and I have no doubts on his work ethic. I just don't know if he can act or do the character Danny that much justice simply because of his personality. I think that I will have to work with him like I did with Andy and Medora in the film noir so that he can understand the character and will be able to perform the emotional scenes we have in store for him. The main reason I wanted Nathan is because of his look. He does look old and has a fast growing beard. He is also American, which is what Danny is. Also some of his playful and light-heartedness in his personality may become helpful too. I also kept in mind the chemistry that needs to be sustained with him and Lydia (Katrina) I think that he and Katrina are pretty good friends, so I'm not concerned about the atmosphere of the film being too awkward.
Larry = Chris. We already confirmed Chris is playing this role. I thought he acted well in his film noir, and I think he is a good naturalistic actor. Also his voice is deep, which is necessary for Larry's voice overs to be effective. I'm quite confident in my choice with him and I think he'll deliver.
Lauren = Asia. Lauren is a really small role so I wasn't too concerned with who should play this part. I just need someone Chinese and won't slow down the production stage. Asia seems to fit.
Ashley already organized what equipment we need: HD Camera, Boom mike, lights, stand, dollies, the whole 9 yards. She is currently working on the storyboards; a grueling task, which I appreciate her doing. I thin Louise will have a fun time picking songs.
There are two main things I'm worried about: 1) Time, 2) Locations. We only have less than 3 weeks left until school ends, and we have less than that time considering of all of our obligations. I think that we can film the reservoir scene this week if the weather improves, the restaurant/bar scene some time next week along with the apartment scenes. Since I have Final Cut pro at home, I'll probably be having Ella over a lot to edit. The main problem is that she lives in Kowloon, so I don't think the visits will be too frequent.
The locations are a problem. I don't think there will be a bar or hospital that would let us film. For the bar, we changed it to a restaurant. In Catherine's chase scene they used the local restaurant down Braemer Hill, so we'll probably use that. It's still Wong Kar Wai since it is a local Hong Kong restaurant.
For the hospital scene, we'll either change the script so that Larry beings Lauren back to her house, or we use a clinic (if we can get one). Or (Ms Wong suggested this) we get an establishing shot of a hospital, and decorate a room so that it looks like a waiting room. I think that would be hard but it's the most possible solution we can do without compromising too much.
By the end of the day, I'd be lying to say that I wasn't worried. Hopefully I'm being overly paranoid, but already this project seems complicated. But I have confidence in my group as I think today was a productive session. Next class we'll get Chris' voice overs and some more organizational work.
I was an IB Learner because:
Communicated: Discussed options with group and explained to them my ideas and choices
Balanced: Discussed the roles everyone wanted to do as well as changing them according to their personal interests.
Open minded: I was willing to modify the script in accordance to practicality reasons.
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