To shout or not to shout ? That's the question !
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:25 am
I've just started to make a DVD-copy on my casablanca. It will take about
one hour. It gives me the time to write an article about my weekend in Dartmoor.
I was there for the third time to make my film "Until You Smile", a documentary
about my best English friend. His name is Brian Higbee (look at my email
address... It's vanderlindenhig@... ) We've known each other for more than
25 years now. We first met in Cranbrook (Kent.) He then said something like
: "Perhaps we'll be friends for life ... !" He's a folksinger, entertainer
and artist. He was born in London. He lived in Kent for many years and now
he lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in the middle of
nowhere, "far from the madding crowd". Strange, isn't it ? In my film I will
try to show why Brian moved to the "Far West" and why he left so many friends
in the pretty village where he lived. Last year I asked one of my Flemish
friends, who is a professional film maker, to help me. I didn't have a good
microphone which is essential when filming a folksinger. I had my scenario,
but my Belgian friend, who's always very enthusiastic or even over-excited,
started to put pressure on me when we were in Dartmoor. I had only asked
him to help me recording the songs, but after a short time my scenario did
not exist anymore... I was unhappy, but I stayed calm. Now I don't blame
my professional friend for it you know. I'm sure he is a good director and
he always has very good intentions. He's always very helpful. He's even the
very good picture of a film maker who makes films for fun, not for money.
Money is not essential for him. He also does his utmost to stimulate beginners.
I admire his positive behaviour. He has already made excellent films. But
now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park
! It was very impressive, but Brian did not feel easy anymore. He is always
relaxed, but now I even saw a scared folksinger with a scared expression
on his face. I did not see the real Brian anymore. At home I edited my film
and I sent a copy to him though I was not very happy with the result. Brian
was not happy either. I found that the film was too static. He found that
he looked very tired. That's why I went back to Dartmoor some weeks ago
together with friends of my own club. We bought our own microphone for the
trip and it worked well. One of the friends who accompanied me is a guitar
player himself... That was an other advantage. Brian was cheerful again.
He was in the mood. I gave Brian and young Davy enough time to play music
together. Now I could film a cheerful musician and artist. Brian showed
his real face again. Last weekend I was in Dartmoor with my wife to take
some shots of Dartmoor and the shots I missed for the "finishing touch".
Don't be afraid. I told my Belgian friend all these things and he accepted
everything. Perhaps last year he didn't realize that Brian and I have been
friends for more than 25 years. We know each other's qualities and also each
other's shortcomings.And he didn't know that Brian is a very sensitive person.
So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them very
well. Perhaps you remember I'm also making a film about life in a concentration
camp. Some days ago I organized a meeting with my actors. I explained them
everything. Standing in front of my blackboard in the clubhouse I felt like
a teacher again. But I think it was very useful. The filming session will
take place next Sunday. I think that there will be no need to shout unless
something abnormal happens.
Now I've told you something about my filming in Dartmoor. Could also other
film makers write articles about the films they are making ? That would
be interesting. Making a film is always an adventure. I would like to know
how other friends make films. We could exchange views on film making. I always
read Ken's articles in the Video Magazine and other texts. They're very interesting,
but I miss similar articles on this website. That's a pity. In the mean
time my DVD-copy is ready and I'll have to stop now.
one hour. It gives me the time to write an article about my weekend in Dartmoor.
I was there for the third time to make my film "Until You Smile", a documentary
about my best English friend. His name is Brian Higbee (look at my email
address... It's vanderlindenhig@... ) We've known each other for more than
25 years now. We first met in Cranbrook (Kent.) He then said something like
: "Perhaps we'll be friends for life ... !" He's a folksinger, entertainer
and artist. He was born in London. He lived in Kent for many years and now
he lives in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in the middle of
nowhere, "far from the madding crowd". Strange, isn't it ? In my film I will
try to show why Brian moved to the "Far West" and why he left so many friends
in the pretty village where he lived. Last year I asked one of my Flemish
friends, who is a professional film maker, to help me. I didn't have a good
microphone which is essential when filming a folksinger. I had my scenario,
but my Belgian friend, who's always very enthusiastic or even over-excited,
started to put pressure on me when we were in Dartmoor. I had only asked
him to help me recording the songs, but after a short time my scenario did
not exist anymore... I was unhappy, but I stayed calm. Now I don't blame
my professional friend for it you know. I'm sure he is a good director and
he always has very good intentions. He's always very helpful. He's even the
very good picture of a film maker who makes films for fun, not for money.
Money is not essential for him. He also does his utmost to stimulate beginners.
I admire his positive behaviour. He has already made excellent films. But
now with Brian he began to shout "One, two, three, action ...!" in a very
loud voice. You could hear an echo at the other end of the National Park
! It was very impressive, but Brian did not feel easy anymore. He is always
relaxed, but now I even saw a scared folksinger with a scared expression
on his face. I did not see the real Brian anymore. At home I edited my film
and I sent a copy to him though I was not very happy with the result. Brian
was not happy either. I found that the film was too static. He found that
he looked very tired. That's why I went back to Dartmoor some weeks ago
together with friends of my own club. We bought our own microphone for the
trip and it worked well. One of the friends who accompanied me is a guitar
player himself... That was an other advantage. Brian was cheerful again.
He was in the mood. I gave Brian and young Davy enough time to play music
together. Now I could film a cheerful musician and artist. Brian showed
his real face again. Last weekend I was in Dartmoor with my wife to take
some shots of Dartmoor and the shots I missed for the "finishing touch".
Don't be afraid. I told my Belgian friend all these things and he accepted
everything. Perhaps last year he didn't realize that Brian and I have been
friends for more than 25 years. We know each other's qualities and also each
other's shortcomings.And he didn't know that Brian is a very sensitive person.
So my question is : do you have to shout when directing a film ? I would
say yes, yes when there are many people in the filming scene, but I would
say no when the number of actors is very limited and when you know them very
well. Perhaps you remember I'm also making a film about life in a concentration
camp. Some days ago I organized a meeting with my actors. I explained them
everything. Standing in front of my blackboard in the clubhouse I felt like
a teacher again. But I think it was very useful. The filming session will
take place next Sunday. I think that there will be no need to shout unless
something abnormal happens.
Now I've told you something about my filming in Dartmoor. Could also other
film makers write articles about the films they are making ? That would
be interesting. Making a film is always an adventure. I would like to know
how other friends make films. We could exchange views on film making. I always
read Ken's articles in the Video Magazine and other texts. They're very interesting,
but I miss similar articles on this website. That's a pity. In the mean
time my DVD-copy is ready and I'll have to stop now.