Learning from the Past

As a director, I think it’s important to learn as much as I can about my craft. So, usually I have at least one if not two books going on about filmmaking or directing. I find value in theory and hearing how other directors work. In the book I’m currently reading there has been a great deal of focus on several movies I’ve never seen. So, a few weeks ago I decided I’d start having movie nights just for me. The films would be movies that were classics, ones that I had missed at the theater or movies I just have never gotten around to watching.

The film that initiated my movie night was The Godfather. Now I know many of you might be surprised, but don’t be. I’ve never been interested in mob movies, haven’t ever seen Good Fellows either. But the directing book made so many references to it that I thought, hell I need to see it, to get the full understand of what this guy is talking about. It turns out I liked it. It’s not as much of a mob movie as say The Sopranos, it’s more about family, a particularly powerful Italian family. It was beautifully shot, the story is strong, and the characters are developed so well that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Probably the only thing that I didn’t like is the length of the film. I am glad that I decided to watch it and it has helped make my reading that much richer for doing so.

I followed The Godfather with Citizen Kane. Citizen Kane is a favorite of mine, I haven’t seen it in several years and again the book was referencing it quite a bit. I thought it would be a good film to follow The Godfather. I knew what to expect, I knew it wasn’t a very long movie, and I knew I loved watching Orson Wells as Kane. So, that following Friday I sat down and watched this classic. There were several scenes I had totally forgotten about and scenes I can still hear my film professors dissecting and pointing out how inventive Wells had been with his shots. When it comes to this movie, there is so much I love about it but the best part for me is observing Wells act. When he’s on screen my eyes are drawn to him, even if it’s Joe Cottons or another actor’s moment in the scene. As a filmmaker, I just think about, how young Wells was, 26 years old, how driven he was and what he accomplished, it motivates and inspires me every time I see it.

My last movie night was two weeks ago, I was visiting a friend and we decided to watch Sixteen Candles followed by Some Kind of Wonderful. Now if you don’t know me that well one thing you’ll quickly learn is I love John Hughes movies. I grew up on his films and as a filmmaker he is one of my greatest influences. One day I’ll make a film that has that John Hughes’ feel. I enjoy Sixteen Candles the most out of all of Hughes films. I think that’s because it’s he’s first directing job and you can tell. There are obvious problems throughout the film but in the end it doesn’t matter. The viewer most times accepts it and allows the film to carry you through. It’s a very simple story and the characters feel more like friends then characters in a movie. For me, watching it is like inviting an old friend over for dinner. After Sixteen Candles we moved on to one of Hughes later films and one in which he didn’t direct but produced. During this viewing of Some Kind of Wonderful I realized how disjointed this film really is. I will always enjoy it but there are some major story problems in this film that you kind of have to ignore and go with the flow. I recently picked up a book about John Hughes, the brat pack, and their movies. There’s a whole chapter all about Some Kind of Wonderful and the problems they had making it. One of the major problems was they really didn’t get the script in ship shape. It had started out in a more comedic tone, then it started to get dark, then back to comedy then a mesh of comedy and drama and finally they settled on more of a drama. The thing is this was not an original idea it was basically a retelling of Pretty in Pink, which unfortunately for Some Kind of Wonderful, wasn’t as good or as solid. The one thing I love about John Hughes and his films is the honest of the characters. No matter how simple or messed up the story gets, in a Hughes film you get real, normal, everyday characters that you can relate to and feel they are being completely honest to you the viewer.

Now, the funny thing about all these movies is that they each have something in common with the script I’m currently writing. See I’m working on a script that is a character driven piece, which usually isn’t my thing. I like to write more event driven scripts. But this idea came to me after visiting England and I really liked it but it’s outside my comfort zone. In a very weird and I guess subconscious way I’ve been seeking out help, looking for stories that are similar or have an element in them that is similar to the story I’m trying to hash out. The script is definitely in the Hughes like tone and style. There are plenty of manipulative characters and situations like in The Godfather and my main character has a very similar journey as Kane’s. I had all of these elements already down before I started my movie nights, so, it’s interesting to me how this has fallen together. Its showed me, what past filmmakers can teach us present day filmmakers, if we’re just willing to have a movie night just for ourselves.

Hunting....for rabbits?

Reading isn’t my strong point. I read slowly so it takes me a long time. In the last few weeks I’ve read over 12 scripts. I’m amazed at what talent is out there and don’t quite understand why we are getting so many bad films when there are fresh new scripts out in the world. But I forget it’s more about money sometimes then making a great film. Anyway, most of the scripts have been good, pretty commercial which is great, always want to get a script that can be sold but unfortunately most are not that original, which makes it easier for me to put it down and move on to the next. It’s hard to write something original since everything has been done one way or another. But it’s even harder to write something that feels original but really might not be…and that’s the golden script. As a filmmaker, you think I want something different, something people haven’t seen but you still want them to connect and have that feeling of familiarity, even if it’s just a passing moment. As a screenwriter, I myself love commercial films but even I tend to question my scripts, because in the end I want my story to stand out and be original. If you can find a way to take something people have seen a million times and turn it just slightly into something different, something original then you’ve accomplished that level of familiarity thus some form of originality. So, the hunt continues for at least two scripts for us to produce and for me to direct. I really am looking forward to that moment of finding just the right script. Every time I begin a new read hopes of instant connection and total immersion are present. Then on the other side of course is my excitement to move forward with making a film, getting the business plan and budget together, start thinking about casting and locations and such things. I have hopes we’ll find a script soon and be able to shoot something next summer. Fingers crossed.

My own writing is coming along well. Outlining and character development is in full swing. This is probably the most structured part of writing for me. Laying all the plans out, making sure everything has a purpose and a through line. Getting to know my characters on a deeper level and it always happens, discovering that one character that raise into a more important role than I had imagined. This is the hardest part of writing for me, picking my brain for all the details of the story and developing believable, realistic characters that are unique in their own way not a copy of someone else’s creation, it’s hard and sometimes I totally fail at it but if I get through it, it is the most rewarding. I’m happy with what’s evolving in the stories thus far and look forward to the day of sitting down and giving each character their voice. But at the moment I have to be patient and work out all those minor and major details. Question, I’ve always been interested in how other writers develop their stories. What steps do you take to build and create your stories? I’d love to hear your process.

A word on “Clombies”, we are still in the fundraising game, it’s just a matter of time. With picking up two more projects I feel the odds will to be better for “Clombies” and I am dedicated to making sure that when “Clombies” is made, we do it right and give it all the advantages we can. It’s a small horror film that done right will be great. So, no matter how long it takes to make it, it will be done and done right.

Signing off for today, have some rabbits to round up, have a great weekend and we’ll speak again soon.