Week 2 Day 4 – bouncing off the art room walls

Today started with SAFC staff and us labsters singing in the new day. Paddy was a tough task master and actually wrangled a pretty respectable version of ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ out of us.

Stephen gave a great lecture on the protaganist/antagonist relationship. Then it was back to the art room  where Peter had to listen to my frustrated rantings about the bottomless pit of development hell that was engulfing my every pore. (not in a self obsessed over dramatic way…well maybe a little)

I then drank a nice warm beverage and got on with the final touches for tomorrow’s presentation, see pic below

it will all make sense tomorrow (hopefully)

Ended the day watching the low-budget film ‘Mum and Dad’ at the Mercury. Not much to say about it except that I was very happy when the credits eventually started to roll.

Ashlee

Beginning of Day 9

Where has the time gone?  My assignment seemed simple enough – make a 90 second film about Film Lab.  Thankfully its not due tomorrow, its taken me 4 days to work out how to get the camera talking to the computer – lol!  What would seem so simple to anyone else has sure taken me out of my comfort zone, yikes, embarrassing!  Andrada has been a godsend, patiently answering all my tech questions.  Now I still have to make the film!  

Only 6 days of film lab to go, but I don’t want to focus on the end – I need to just focus on the present and make the most of the moment.  Gotta get back to work, talk to ya later

Sonya x

ashlee blogging

Week 2 Day 3 – hump day

Today started with the challenge to sight read some music on my cornet in front of everyone, that was the easy part of the day.

We watched the film ‘butterfly kiss’ which was confronting and created much lunch-time discussion. I didn’t really dig it and its not a film I’d want to watch again but it defiantly had an impact.

I then returned to my second home the art room to explore character, yet again.  Peter asked some difficult question for which I had no answer. Vesley joined me in the room to work on his project and it was nice to have some company for a change.

By the end of the day I had moved forward despite myself. I mad a visual representation of a sub-character that is integral to the initiating event, see pic below

the plot thickens

Obviously I’m still struggling to not think in terms of plot! But I have resisted the urge to write anything down, Yay for me.

Ashlee

Day 7

Ashlee has been sent to the art room to create this week, and she is creating vivid art pieces to explore the characters of our film.  Its wonderful to listen to her talk about her characters through the artwork. 

I’m having a few tech difficulties which I hope to iron out very soon so I can get on with my 90 second film lab “infomercial” (term coined by Paddy, lol!).  Hugh and I had to analyse some films today.  He had Sexy Beast and I had Annie Hall.  It was good to get past the superficial “yeah it was pretty entertaining” and realise that good films don’t just happen by accident; there is always a lot of thought put into them; much more than meets the eye.

Sonya x

Week 2 Day 2 – the search for character continues

Today has been fun, liking my new home in the art room. Chose to explore the grandmother character today, see pic below

boundaries and defenses - not your usual granny

Stephens lecture on structure and time was thought provoking.  Had a good chat with him about my characters.  Still not allowed to do any writing yet, which I’m getting used to now and am actually kinda enjoying the freedom that it is creating in my head.

Gonna keep focused on character development tomorrow and try to keep away from plot.

Ashlee

Week 2 Day 1 – a new beginning

So today we are back in the swing of things, after a bit of sinnging Producers and Directors are seperated.  This is the theme of the day. In the afternoon I work on illustrating the essence of my main character through a visual representation of her. Its a work in progress… see pic below.

it's all leading somewhere

The process although abstract is very useful by helping clarify the mental image I have of the character.  Peter is a big help in guding me into potential chains of thought that may be worth exploring.

Presented my work to Sonya at the end of teh day and she saw a lot of detail in it.  It was great to hear her considered reaction to the work.  Moving forward I think, but its difficult to not focus on plot, gotta resist the urge to tie everything up with a bow.

Ashlee

Day 6

Week 2 of Film Lab is here and I’m really into it.  All us producers have to make a 90 second film each about Film Lab, our film and the creative process.  My mind is buzzing with ideas and I’m happy I’ve got somewhere to channel or this creative energy that Film Lab is stirring.  Just don’t mention Little Red Riding Hood to me…

Sonya x

end of the beginning

Missing everyone today, so I sang ‘I wish I knew….’ in my lounge room this morning, but going solo just aint the same.

Feeling a lot clearer about our project now than mid-week. The coin toss did the job, and I have no doubt we are heading in the right direction now. Working with Peter using colour has reminded me of the control we have (even at low-budget) over the pallet we choose. Less can be more…mmm???

Had a load of fun yesterday with Paddy, composing and recording a waltz to use as a soundtrack for our presentation. Never thought I’d be playing my cornet in the kookaburra cafe! Kinda surreal but not.

End of week 1 resolution: Blog more often

END OF WEEK 1

Wow! What a difference a week makes!  I think I can speak for both of us that we are tired but inspired.

Hello world!

This is our first blog for Film Lab!

2nd day of Film Lab.

Sonya: I’m loving Film Lab.  I feel parts of my mind which have been asleep for a long time, are waking up again.  I’m loving the music, the games and the art.  I’m feeling alive and well.  This is a rare opportunity to be in an environment that’s conducive to creativity, to exploring the boundaries and pushing the envelope of ideas. Ash and I are in a quandry tonight, but I’m not worried, cos I know we’ll get sort it out.  Is it gonna be Next of Kin or Double Blind?

Ashlee:  Having an awesome time at Film Lab.  Gonna toss a coin tonight to determine our fate.