Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Not slice of life

So, while I prepare for the next workshop, sometime in early April, I have a lot of time to think.
I have been studying Bresson again, reading a series of essays edited by James Quandt. In an essay by Amedee Ayfre, The Universe of Robert Bresson, he points out something which seems obvious once you think about it, but I missed.
Yes, Bresson, is the master of the everday, mundane detail. He has stripped his people to their essence, in the activities we observe of them.
L'Argent opens with the main character going about this work, disconnecting the hose from the his fuel truck, placing the cash for the job in a wallet, getting into the cab to do onto the next job, and so on. In A Man Escaped he may show a number of scenes of the men going about their everyday activity, for example doing their daily wash in the shower room. We see Mouchette leaving school, going home to her mother, feeding the baby.
Still you would never say that Bresson is showing a slice of life. Mundane these activities may be, but the way that Bresson treats them is something more. Their activities and these objects and transfigured. Ayfre would say that we glimpse the character's soul.
So, now looking back at all the new scenes I have written how would I treat them? Thinking now I would say that if I were to treat them as slice of life they would not sit comfortably with all the rest, and to be honest I don't think I am that person. Just turn on the camera and see what happens? I don't know how to do that.
No, I think what I am looking to do involves another quality, lighter, brigher, fuller, louder, intense even, but it is not loose. How will I do this? I really don't know. Some more thinking.
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Sunday, March 08, 2009

Revised script

Well just distracted, that's why I have written lately. When I go into writing mode it is hard to take some of that energy and put into the blog. Besides, what would I say?
I feel as if I have enough now that I can prepare for the workshop. I intend to put in one long day at the end of the month and shoot it on video. I will cut this into a new edit and then...more feedback.
What have I written?
I have added another layer to Claire, as we see her at work, in her neighbourhood, interacting, now affecting, not inert, taking an opinion, having a view. I thought of this as the plateau that she can later throw herself from.
I keep struggling to keep all of these new scenes simple. I spent a lot of the time trying to think of major events but always came to realise that I will succeed in small increments. I do not need to create these seismic situations. I have those already. I need the little things. For example, a scene where Claire goes into the local grocery store. She hears a song she knows being played. She goes home excited to discover it once again, but when she puts it on she is disappointed. It is inadequate. That' s all it needs. No great revelation.
I really need more of these small pieces now, not great ones.
I have also developed her relationship with Paul, extending and developing a day out together.
My one question is around Sophie. Do I have enough? It is hard to know now. I am the point I need to see the edit. I have once again lost objectivity and it is timed to take it out to other people.