Thursday, May 18, 2017
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Screenplay 1st Draft
FADE IN:
INT. ROOM 1 - DAY
CLOSE UP on a phone charger, it is plugged into an outlet. Attached to it is a nearby phone sitting on a desk. A grabs the phone and unplugs it. At that moment, he gets a phone call.
A
Hey? Yeah, I’m on my way now, just tell me where the room is again? Okay.
A pockets the phone, grabs his bag and exits the room into the
HALLWAY
A walks down the hallways of the school, as he goes the number of students progressively thin out until he is alone within an isolated corridor. He walks up to a door and turns the handle.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 2 - DAY
B is sitting at a table looking at his phone, he has a notebook sitting on the table. B puts down his phone and looks up to see A open the door and enter the room.
B
There you are.
A sits down at the table across from B, putting down his things.
A
Kept you waiting, huh? I had to keep reminding myself how to get here.
B
Yeah, it can be a little tricky to find, but this room’s great for when I want to be alone. I’ve almost never seen anyone else around here, and it’s really quiet too.
A
Your own little jack shack huh? Someone’s gonna end up walking in on you.
B
Fuck off! (playfully) Haha, nah, too humid for that.
A pulls his phone out and fiddles with it for a moment.
A
There's no data signal in here.
B
I get signal in here. iPhones just suck.
A
Yeah, yeah...
As A is about to put his phone away it vibrates. A looks, but sees nothing and puts it away after a moment.
The two pull out their notes and get down to the business at hand of learning. Time passes.
B
Alright, I think that’s enough.
A and B put away their things as they prepare to head out.
B
What time is it right now?
B walks over to open the door as A pulls out his phone to check the time.
A
Right now it’s…
A prods at his phone fruitlessly, trying to get it to turn on.
B
It’s?
A
Hang on a second, my phone won’t turn on.
As A speaks B tries to pull the door open, but won’t budge. CLOSE UP on the doorknob as he checks the lock and tries again, but the door remains closed.
B
Great…
A
What?
B
The door won’t open.
A
What? (with more concern than before)
B
I think the lock’s stuck or something, it won’t open!
A
Great… What about your phone? Call someone so they can let us out.
B nods as he pulls out his own phone, but after a moment of trying to turn it on, it too is apparently powerless as A watches on.
B
It’s dead too.
A faces back towards the room.
A
Great… Say, B...?
B
What is it?
A
Was that…there before?
B also turns back to face the room. In a wall outlet there is a phone charger, with a USB cable already plugged into it.
B
Huh? Isn't that your charger?
A
Weird, I don't remember taking it out... But that doesn't really matter. Just charge your phone so we can call someone.
B
Can't, it's for iPhones.
A
Oh, then just charge mine.
A tosses B his phone, B then approaches the charger, reaching out with his hand to pick up the cable. Then, the cable begins to move, startling B.
B
What the flying fuck?!
Suddenly, the cable is tightly wound around his neck, choking him.
A
Holy shit!
A dashes up to try and free B, but the cable is unbelievably tight, and he can't get it off. He quickly looks to the charger, and attempts to pry it from the wall, but that effort also proves futile. A can only watch as B is steadily strangled to death. A's iPhone begins vibrating, almost as if it were laughing.
MoMI Visit
Next I saw a collection of makeup and prosthetic pieces, such as Robin Williams’ famous disguise from Mrs. Doubtfire, exactly as it appeared in the film. Seeing something so tangible that you’ve only ever witnessed on-screen since you were a child is an odd feeling. Removed from the false reality of the world presented by the movie, it highlights the lengths that those who create such pieces must go to in order to present their works to the audience.
Another highlight piece for me was a retro recreation of a
living room from the 1960s. On the TV was playing an episode of Spider-Man and
his Amazing Friends, specifically the episode Spidey Goes Hollywood. Ironically, or perhaps it was done
purposefully, Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends seems to be an anachronism, as
the show dates to the early ‘80s. Regardless, the piece made me think of how
people’s experience with consuming media has greatly been altered since only a
few decades ago. Whereas sitting on the couch and watching TV was the norm for
a long time, now people can get nearly anything, anywhere on their smartphone
or other mobile device. Just as fashion and trends have moved on, so too has
technology and the society that revolves around it.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Scene Editing Analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDBVi3QdwU
I chose this scene from 1984's The Terminator, directed by James Cameron, starting at about 1:20 in the provided clip on YouTube. The pacing of the editing is slow as the Terminator stalks Sarah Connor. The shot during which he enters the club lasts for nearly 25 seconds as the camera tracks Arnold entering the club before cutting to the next shot. The film here ratchets up the tension through the use of long-lasting cuts; the loud, steady,pumping beat of the music. This club music is pushed far away, giving way to a near monotonous drone, continuous and unwavering as the Terminator finds its target. As the film draws closer and closer to the inevitable explosion of this ticking time bomb, the pace of the cuts seem to slow down, drawing out the tension, and the audience to the breaking point of suspense. This is only further heightened as each shot plays out in slow motion, focusing on characters’ eyes and expressions as they scan their surroundings. As soon as the bullets start flying however, the cuts come quickly and relentless, more than 10 in less than as many seconds.
This pacing of cuts, from slow during the build up, to extremely quick during the release of tension, serves those exact purposes. The quick cuts help in suddenly releasing the bottled up suspense layered on by the slow pacing of the build up. The boom of Reese’s shotgun is akin to the starting gun of a race, imploring the film to sprint off as quickly as it can.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Soundwalk
I sat on a bench in Columbus Park drinking a can of sugarcane juice, watching the passers-by. Nearby, a group of elderly Chinese were lined up in neat rows, taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather by performing their regular Tai Chi routines while young families walked past. English and Chinese conversations stand against the faint backdrop of many clothes rustling, feet shuffling against the concrete. They’re taking their time, enjoying the mid-day sun’s warmth. There were many others, also of advanced age, seated at the nearby tables playing cards and conversing with each other in Chinese. A short distance away, a group of teens were playing a pick-up game of soccer as their friends watch and talk trash. As I got up to leave, my exit is punctuated by the sound of their ball being punted into the fence surrounding them.
I decided to go down Mott Street towards Canal. The street is lined with gift shops, restaurants, and the occasional café. Young employees worked the counters at newer bubble tea shops with brightly lit menus, taking orders in confident Chinese and English. A trio of tourists stood at the corner looking at their phones and back to a paper map, discussing aloud in German how to get to their unseen destination. As I round the corner onto Canal, I hear the familiar call of bootleg merchandise. Men and women sling the names of Rolex, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton to the passersby, as though they were casting fishing nets into a rushing stream.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
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