My friend John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He’d lived in our building for about 40 years. He knew everyone and knew all the best gossip about them. In the last few weeks of his life, he became this scared, confused, little boy crying in his bed all the time. I kept wishing I could have the old John back. I think I wrote Artemis & the Astronaut just so I could give Artemis back her Henri.
Category: film notes
Tips to write the best LOGLINES and SYNOPSIS for your story/screenplay
Here is a template LOGLINE you can use – just fill in the blanks:
(TITLE) is a (GENRE) about a (DESCRIPTION OF HERO), who after (INCITING EVENT), wants to (OUTER GOAL) by (PLAN OF ACTION). This becomes increasingly difficult because (OBSTACLES AND COMPLICATIONS)
Interview with actor Charley Scalies (The Wire, The Sopranos)
During filming, we hoped it would be nominated for an Emmy, especially when one reviewer said he couldn’t catch any of us acting. Highest praise. As for the “stevedores”, we had no doubt since we all hung out together just like a brotherhood on the docks. But David Simon, the show’s creator, felt its ratings were not high enough to even be considered. Of course, he was right.
Not until later, when the show was called out as being one of the ten best written TV shows of all time, did we came to realize that we might have been a part of a show that would not only be watched, over and over, but studied.
In 2014, I received an invitation from my alma mater, St. Joseph’s University, to speak to members of the Richard Johnson Center for Anti-Violence about my experiences on the series. I was gob-smacked to learn they were studying “The Wire” for its sociological implications!
Tips to hiring the best crew members for your film
HIRING A CREW FILMMAKING NOTES Job Hiring Your Production Crew – When hiring your CREW, first and foremost what you’re looking for is other leaders. People who will take their position and own it – make themselves the LEADER of that job. This is a collaborative medium. Everyone can pour themselves into the film, no… Continue reading Tips to hiring the best crew members for your film
Tips on Negotiating when setting up a project
NEGOTIATING FILMMAKING NOTES How to Negotiate – Every aspect of producing involves negotiating, in one form or another. You always need to go in with the attitude that people already want to work with you. 12 MAJOR POINTS TO REMEMBER IN NEGOTIATIONS 1. PLAN WITH YOUR LIMITATIONS IN MIND Know you limitations. In poker they… Continue reading Tips on Negotiating when setting up a project
Directing Actors. And Actors working with Directors. TIPS
DIRECTING ACTORS FILMMAKING NOTES Film Directing and being a Film Director What Is A Film Director? How do you run an independent film casting call? How do you get the best out of the actors you’ve chosen to bring your film to life? Whether you’re running your first independent film casting call or into your… Continue reading Directing Actors. And Actors working with Directors. TIPS
SOUND Design, Effects, and Musical Design in Film. Tips
SOUND DESIGN FILMMAKING NOTES Film Post Production and What Is Sound Design? The process of creating the soundtrack for the visuals of a film. Since silent films began to talk, filmmakers have been looking to improve the post production of their film. It has become a whole new creative world as people like George Lucas… Continue reading SOUND Design, Effects, and Musical Design in Film. Tips
The SHOTS are all you have. Film Directing SHOTS
FILM SHOTS FILMMAKING NOTES Interview with Oscar Nominated Production Designer Michael Corenblith FILM DIRECTING SHOTS – One of the most over used cliches in film is “The Shots are all you have.” The following are what you need to think about practically so you can think creatively and device the best shot list and camera… Continue reading The SHOTS are all you have. Film Directing SHOTS
Photography in Film. The art of Cinematography
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY FILMMAKING NOTES Cinematography is the art of manipulating light and shadow, and capturing it as a moving image. We’ll be posting articles and insights – maybe a bit of inspiration too! Whether you’re a pro or have hardly picked up a camera except to point and shoot at a birthday party, we hope… Continue reading Photography in Film. The art of Cinematography
The ART of ART DIRECTION and PRODUCTION DESIGN in the movies.
ART DIRECTING FILMMAKING NOTES Production Design – the domain of the art director – is the visual art and craft of cinematic storytelling. The most important job that no one outside teh industry knows about The art director renders the screenplay in visual metaphors, a color palette, architectural and period specifics, location designs and sets.… Continue reading The ART of ART DIRECTION and PRODUCTION DESIGN in the movies.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 