Picture lock yesterday
(Friday, 13th), 3 days ahead of Monday's deadline. Before
picture-lock, the film is
spliced on one side only. After picture-lock, it's spliced on
both sides.
The work print (containing scratches) will screen Saturday, the 28th.
The high-quality answer print
won't be available until sometime next year.
Students must get their own answer prints made. The school doesn't do
this,
nor pay for it. Although they technically own the film.
***
Wendy shot the
title & credits today. They came as a single, big sheet of film
that was then cut into four 8x10's. She choose a cool font for the title, Liliana.
The last days before picture lock involve severe sleep
deprivation. Students become
testy. Time on edit
bays (flatbeds) is divided
into 4-hr slots. When 4 hrs is up, next
person waiting wants on. But person already there is never done, and wants to stay
& edit longer. Fights erupt -> "Get the heck off my flatbed!" Every minute
counts
when deadlines loom large.
During final review w/ prof (Helaine) & TA (Ed),
Lisa had a cut of Zarena
spinning
one direction, to
the opposite direction - breaking a rule of filmmaking. Helaine
stopped the film
& backed it up. She did this several times. The
girls snuck peaks
at each other that said, "Looks like we
have more work to do, fixing that cut."
When breaking rules, it either works
wonderfully or fails horribly. Lisa started to say,
"I could
change ..." Helaine interrupted, "Don't touch that cut!
That's a miracle
cut."
***
10-pg paper due same day as picture
lock (Monday). Some students feel that
borders on sadistic. Wendy said, "They want to see what you're made of."
Prof
said the 508 semester is unifying or all who endure it. When underclassmen ask
about 508, they glancing at each
other with knowing looks, that say, "Oh, 508, you
poor thing. You
don't know what your in for." It's like boot camp for Film students.
The topic of Wendy's 10-page report is any new film movement,
except the French
new wave, which is most popular. Wendy watched Easy Rider
& Vagabond (Agnes
Varda) several times each, comparing & contrasting the two. She always falls
asleep
before the movies are done. She hasn't watched either movie in its entirety yet.
Agnes Varda is considered her own
movement. Vagabond is supposed to be a feminist
film, but the main character (Mona)
does not fare well, especially at the end. So it's
hard to see how it's
considered a feminist film.
The first 'Foley' (sound) effects were recorded yesterday.
Wendy took her camcorder to
school yesterday & recorded the (picture-locked) film.
Lisa then transferred
the DV cassette to regular VHS & Wendy gave it to the composer,
Ed. His job
takes center stage now.
***
Final sound mix in 2 weeks. Test shoot for Lisa's film will be the same day
(Friday, 27th).
Wendy's film
screen's 28th. So they'll start shooting Lisa's film before finishing Wendy's.
No time
to celebrate. No rest for the weary. Wendy feels it'll be less work to
shoot &
edit Lisa's film than it was to write, produce, direct, & edit soundtrack
for hers.
After a late night of editing audio
last week, Wendy found her car was locked in parking
lot at Shrine
auditorium (closes at midnight). I couldn't go get her, cuz I'd had a couple
of beers. She sounded dazed & confused, and was planning to walk a few blocks
to
Valerie's house. Valerie, a upperclassman, lives in not-so-great part of town.
I didn't want her
walking thru Watts at 1AM. She finally got a ride to Valerie's from
another girl, classmate. Valerie has a purple velvet sofa, which is where Wendy slept.
She walked to school in the morning, no
prob.
Mom
was not thrilled about Wendy walking the streets of Watts during
wee morning
hours. Ever since Van died, she's been protective of Wendy. She's cautioned
Wendy
numerous times since.
Valerie is in a video at Atom films
here (might have to register first,
free), a 15-min
piece about USC Film school.
The piece begins with George Lucas (Star Wars). One of Wendy's favorite profs,
Dr. Casper, is also in the video.
She recognized prof Boyd's deep voice before seeing
his face. During the first class for Dr. Boyd's class, they played a funky Curtis
Mayfield
song, while he strutted his stuff down the aisle (taught in Norris
theater/auditorium),
wearing a cool, gangster hat. He lectured with the hat on.
***
Dean Daley was seen walking around
campus with Mel Gibson & his son last week.
Heard the Dean was smiling large. =)
Wendy has a meeting Monday, to chart & plan next semester's courses, & the rest of
her time at
USC. There are 3 main areas of focus:
Wendy likes Film best. Directing & working with actors/actresses is most exciting to her.
The big money seems to be in TV. New media is wide open for those wanting to
blaze
their own trails. We'll know more Monday.
She's been talking to the guys in
Animation dept. They have to newest, more powerful
stuff for PCs. (Film
students get vintage WWII cameras & editing machines). When
Wendy
graduated in '99, USC graduated their first Animation class
(graduate).
***
We walked thru
Heisler Park last night & stopped at Dietrich's (coffee shop), for some
late-night inspiration. While standing in line, she started crying
spontaneously .. cuz
it feels so good to have picture-lock, and cuz it came out so good. People were looking
at me like I was a big meany.
Fade to
black.
Next -> Home
stretch for first 16mm film
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-> Completed
shooting first 16mm film
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