Student Filmmakers - June 2008 - (Page 20) Directing cameras. Of course I lost, I’m not stupid. They made me sing “The Happy Wanderer,” one of the dumbest songs ever written. The takes quickly got better and better. By take 14, the scene was alive and charming. The next day the studio executives came to the stage after seeing the dailies. Watching this grim group come on set was like watching a jury come back from deliberations. God forbid they should smile, people would want more money. They stopped the shooting and said they had an announcement. There was a strict rule against alcohol on the lot, but they were so happy with the film they passed out champagne to celebrate. We drank a quick toast and went back to work charged up. The un-playful actor or director is a person in a creative jail. The technical term for this is “untalented.” Any dingbat can shoot a scene with less than a week’s instruction. I said, “shoot a scene,” that’s not the same as “directing a scene.” When you hear “He’s a John Badham (Short Circuit, Men in Trees, Heroes) is a noted film and television director and producer. Badham is Professor of Media Arts at The Dodge School of Film and Media, Chapman University in Orange, CA. His book, “I’ll Be in My Trailer: The Creative Wars Between Director & Actors,” (written with Craig Modderno), was released by Michael Wiese Productions in July, 2006. really good shooter,” know that’s a buzz phrase for “all you get from this wing-nut are some neat visuals.” A real director puts a special spin on their work. There is a reason why actors throughout time have been called “players.” They are playing a part. Directors don’t have the word “play” in their job title, but if they have no play in their soul, they are not directors, they are traffic cops. Be a good director, by building a set where creativity can flourish. Join Online Film and Video Forums moderated by experts Post your questions, comments and ideas related to Directing, Lighting, HD, Cinematography, Music and Sound, Production and Post Production in the forums. 20 studentfilmmakers June 2008 http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/bb
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