ROTJ: THE PRESTIGE

You saw it here first: ROTJ is Review Of The James, and here is one on THE PRESTIGE. I admit to looking forward to this movie ever since BATMAN BEGINS opened last year, and I'm an acknowledged Chris Nolan addict of the highest order ever since MEMENTO, which is one of my favorite films of all time. So...my expectations were high, and that ordinarily spells doom for any film that I'm anxiously awaiting. NOT IN THIS CASE, HOWEVER...IT WAS FREAKIN' AWESOME, and I mean that in the most sincere, sober tone that I can muster. The story, adapted from Christopher Priest's graphic novel, tells the story of a rivalry between competing Magicians at the conclusion of the nineteenth century. The plot contains surprises and twists that I won't ruin here, but let's just say that if you're smart, and as the movie says "watch closely," then you can figure out what's going on, even if you don't get every thing. I admit to figuring out a few things, but Nolan is such a master at this type of storytelling, that I was only satisfied to the highest degree, and not bored, that the story turned out how I predicted it would. Now I didn't see everything coming, but enough that I was hoping for a "just" conclusion, and Nolan delivered. Coming off the best Batman flick ever made, Nolan took the amazing Christian Bale and legendary Michael Caine to PRESTIGE, and joined them with the charismatic Hugh Jackman and the sultry Scarlett Johanssen for the film's leads. They all perfomed to the height of their abilities, with Caine only getting more nuanced and emotive the older he gets, Bale still protecting his reign in my book as the most talented and intense actor since Daniel Day-Lewis, Jackman probably giving his best performance since the first 2 X-Men flicks, and Scarlett...well I'm sure she was great, but I get lost in just looking at her. David Bowie and Andy Serkis rounded out the main players as Nikola Tesla and assistant, and they brought nothing but class to an already intimidating cast of great players. Folks, I am giving this a 4 on a 5 scale, knocking it only for not totally surprising me, but still being awesome nonetheless. (I love this flick, but have to hold the 5 for films like MEMENTO and PULP FICTION that are landmarks to cinema as a whole itself.) Go see it guys, you won't be disappointed!!!

GCFF Part Three: Visiting the set of GRAVE SILENCE & Hanging out with Zombies...

Howdy all. It's not every day that one gets invited to a film set, whether student or professional, nor is it every day that one gets to hang out with Zombies. I GOT TO DO BOTH TODAY, and it was pretty awesome. Bethany Koch and Ryan Simmers, the co-writers, creators, & directors of GRAVE SILENCE, invited me to come and take a peek as they did some pick-up shots of their Zombies walking through the woods at a local park. I arrived when asked, around 9:30, and found to my dismay that they still hadn't begun. The make-up should have been already applied, which would have taken around an hour or so, and I was just supposed to watch the shoot. Unfortunately (especially for Bethany & Ryan) I discovered that one of the realities of student-filmmaking had struck them: the unreliability of kids their age. It was the third day of shooting over the weekend for the dynamic duo, and Ryan told me that the past two days had met with considerable success. This Sunday morning though, all the people that he and Bethany had planned on using had suddenly become unavailable, or impossible to reach. So, in order to save the day they had been scrambling all morning recruiting new zombies (Bethany was even driving around town chauffering several of them personally) for the shoot. Anyway, I didn't have anywhere to be until 11, so I hung out and watched the make-up application process. I was extremely impressed, but not surprised, that Bethany was the master behind the make-up, with able assistance from Ryan, Maddy and Jenny, among others. Zombie recruits like Mary, Rachel, Trees, Ben, Brian, Big Mo, Amanda, Victoria, and Dani were joined by the return of one of our most legendary Drama students: LAZENBY. Yes folks, and Lazenby fans, the DARK ONE himself showed up and allowed human hands to apply Zombie make-up to his delicate skin, and then proceeded to demand to be annointed ZOMBIE KING, since he probably would be the snotty, elitist Zombie amongst undead society. After the make-up application was complete, (including the disgusting process where Ryan had them line up and stand while he threw fake blood over them all) Ryan and Bethany planned out the shots (graciously listening to my suggestions since I admit to geeking out and giving unsolicited tips onsite) and then proceeded to execute some cool shots of the Zombies, walking through the woods in search of human flesh. My time quickly ran out, but I happened to grab some cool shots of the whole process, and look forward to not only visiting GRAVE SILENCE during shooting again (and any other of the 10 films that invite me), but also to the final film which I'm calling as the leading contender based on my reading of the script. Hopefully, Ryan and Bethany can match their superior writing skills with some intriguing filmmaking style. I'd love that.

GCFF Part Two: Director's Meeting & Interviews with Chris Sirmans & John Ross

Howdy all. The GCFF is in full swing now, with filmmakers shooting at random locations and the feeling of overwhelming madness is in the air. In order to combat this very thing, I make it a point to hold weekly Director Meetings on Thursdays after school to cover certain things with the kids (LIKE DEADLINES), keep my board on the wall updated with jobs completed for all the rest of the Drama students (non-filmmakers must complete 3 film jobs by end of 2nd quarter for credit), and to let the directors voice problems that we can solve quickly. At this meeting, we brought up the subject of their shot lists being due, their film poster deadline, this year's GCFF t-shirt and poster designs (we are still in need of both for any would-be designers), and I gave them the date for the Director's Party, which will be the Thursday after the film's ultimate deadline of November 27th. I like to reward them in a small way with food and tokens of my esteem for going through the process, and then listen as they share their stories about the process as a whole. It was productive, but as one who hates meetings (and pretty much humanity as well) I kept it short.

Interview with Chris Sirmans, Director of THE LEGACY:
TJ: Tell 'em who you are, man...
CS: Chris Sirmans, Senior, 17 years old.
TJ: ...and LEGACY is your first film?
CS: Right...this is the first film I've directed.
TJ: Alright...so what inspired you to even attempt this...I mean, you're not even ADVANCED DRAMA...you're a Drama 1--
CS: DRAMA 1.5, actually...I guess I was inspired by the group I've always hung around with...I mean John Ross (Director of THE UNSEEN & this year's HUNTER) and a few of the others...basically just everyone in Drama, and I had a story to tell.
TJ: I'll say...I mean THE LEGACY is quite a unique entry into this year's festival...what inspired this particular story?
CS: Well..I guess I liked THE LEGACY because it represented just taking an idea and breaking it down into something real. I mean, it's about something that's being passed on, from a grandfather to his grandson...and in this case a retiring superhero from a past generation who is passing down the torch to his grandson and--
TJ: Superheroes?
CS: Yeah, I knew I could sell that to you too, Mr. Howell..but it was like bringing something fantastic down to earth, for me...if that makes sense. My own personal relationship with my grandfather has quite a bit to deal with it too, and the issue of respecting and valuing one's elders. Also...it helped because I have virtually no budget.
TJ: Will that be the biggest challenge, do you think? The lack of budget?
CS: I'd say my own self-doubt will be my biggest challenge, to be honest. I mean, I've never done this before...and I'm sort of a perfectionist, so as long as I make myself happy, I'll be pleased with it.
TJ: Okay...so what do you want the audience to experience when they see LEGACY?
CS: I guess I want the audience to take the message of "Appreciate one's elders"...since they have so much wisdom and knowledge to pass on, and I really feel that because my own grandfather almost passed away last year.
TJ: Alright, Chris...thanks. How about a final quote?
CS: Quote? "Legends never die......"

Interview with John Ross, Director of HUNTER:
TJ: Alright, John Ross...
JR: Hey Howell...
TJ: Give 'em the stats.
JR: John Ross, Senior, 17 years old.
TJ: Now I have to start with the fact, that you well know, that I loved THE UNSEEN...it was my pick for Best Film at last year's GCFF....I like THE LIST, but I thought yours was the best...but I don't judge....
JR: Right...thanks.
TJ: So HUNTER is your 2nd film?
JR: Actually it's my 3rd...I made THE UNSEEN, and a sort of untitled experimental one that I'm still working out....
TJ: I see...well what I loved about UNSEEN was it was experimental, complex, ambiguous...I mean you could take a variety of meanings from it...is HUNTER in the same vein?
JR: Definitely. I mean...I don't want to give the plot away right now, but I want the audience to get a certain feeling from it...more than any simple understanding...I guess I'm trying to provoke a similar reaction to how I felt when I thought of it.
TJ: I see...and what inspired HUNTER?
JR: A nightmare actually...
TJ: Really...
JR: Yeah, and some personal experiences that I've gone through this year that felt like a nightmare. It was an atmospheric type of setting where I wake up in the middle of students from foreign countries...all eating and talking...then the students are taken one by one to a metal door, and once through, are strapped down to a chair and have a drill bored into their heads.
TJ: Right....drill in the head, yeah. Now you and I have discussed our favorite filmmakers before, but who would you top out as your main influences here?
JR: Well, my favorite filmmaker is Chris Nolan.
TJ: Rock on...
JR: Yeah, I guess you could say that I'm trying to emulate his sense of grittiness and realism, but the main influence on HUNTER would have to be from Takashi Miike. I mean, he is the one guy that can take any completely normal situation and then through manipulation of mood and atmosphere make the audience feel like they are getting a glimpse of hell.
TJ: So what do you believe will be the biggest challenge you will face in shooting HUNTER?
JR: Probably the environment, or getting my locations and sets to show exactly what I want without interference from the rest of the world.
TJ: Ah, the pressures of low-budget filmmaking. What do you want the audience to experience from HUNTER, or is there a message in the film?
JR: I don't necessarily have a message in the film, unless it's something like "Love can drive a person to lengths they never dreamed possible...."
TJ: Alright, John and thanks. Final quote?
JR: "I hope HUNTER makes you uncomfortable."

GCFF Part One: The Pitch Process

The GOTHAM CITY FILM FESTIVAL is underway people, and here is yours truly, The James, with a post on the first part of the process that every filmmaker must pass just to qualify for the right to direct a film in the festival: The Pitch. I could be the soulless bastard that most believe me to be anyway, and just let any kid make a film. That would be easy. It would also be easy, and somewhat amusing to then watch their grades crumble along the way with their self-esteem, as they slowly begin to understand the difference between the "idea" of doing something and the reality of the commitment involved in creating something as intensive as an original film. So, to eliminate the "dreamers" from the "doers"...I decided to have them pitch their idea to me, just like they would have to do with any producer in the real world, if they were lucky enough to get an actual meeting. The minimum requirements for the pitch are actually quite simple, but it's sufficient to bring out the best in some, acquaint others with the realities of what they might be facing, and frighten off the few who don't have what it takes to do the job. All that was required was 1) A typed summary of the 10 minute film with working title, and 2) A scene-by-scene outline of the film with actual locations specified for each scene. This lets me know that they are serious, have planned out what story they want to tell, and that they have scouted out possible places to shoot. THAT'S ALL....NOT EVEN A SCRIPT!!!! So...I had about 15 directors (either solo or in pairs) sign up to pitch...and here's the result:

1. Reed Wilcox's BLINK: Reed's a classy guy that has a lot of clout with me. His brother, Neal, acted for me for 4 years in shows, and Reed was even acting for me before he became an Orange Park High student in one of my shows. He and his brother have won GCFF awards before for the BLADES & BUCCANEERS flicks, and his own SIMPLE INSANITIES that he shot with Steve Scruby last year. So...I wasn't really worried about Reed taking this seriously, since it wasn't going to be his first barbeque. Anway, he met me at Firehouse (always a smart move pitching to me at a favorite food spot of mine) and told me about his suspenseful labyrinthine journey of the mind film that he calls BLINK. I was impressed, as usual, and it was easy to approve him even when he candidly told me that he was still working out the ending. Funny thing is, Reed isn't even my student, and has never been, but he loves Drama and filmmaking, and meets every deadline that my kids do because of his sheer love of the craft. APPROVED.

2. Alex Salas' CAN YOU FEEL IT: Alex is pretty much an MVP around the Drama Empire. I count on him, Bethany, and Megan to handle a ton of stuff that I couldn't do alone, so when he expressed interest in doing a film this year, he really could have handed me anything and I would have worked with him on making it acceptable. Like I said, the kid has earned his spurrs in Drama, but let me also say that he is......."unique." Anything Alex does, it's very......"Alex." He just has his own way of seeing the world, and when he told me that he wanted to shoot a musical, with NO DIALOGUE, and even NO ACTUAL SINGING, but with characters lip-synching popular songs for their communication in the film......................................I was a little concerned. However, Alex Salas would not be deterred. I will work with him as best I can, but I am still very concerned; not so much about his grade (he earns more extra credit than any other 5 people) but........with his sanity. CAN YOU FEEL IT?.......I'm starting to think I can.........APPROVED.

3. Steve Scruby's THE ASSET: Possibly one of the most intelligent, articulate, and insightful kids I've ever had the pleasure to work with, Steve is making his own film this year, and it's a 50's Film Noirish Hard-boiled style Detective drama. Of course, he had a definitive story, articulate presentation, had done his research on the genre, but I do worry for him in regards to costuming, sets, and getting people to take his vision (which is often beyond most of the norms) seriously. However, it's Steve...and he does work magic with groups in Drama, so I extend the benefit of the doubt. He's also, along with Reed Wilcox, among the most technologically proficient filmmakers in regards to editing and post-production. I've got my fingers crossed for this one. APPROVED.

4. Chloe Reed's WHO IS MR. R?: Chloe, Chloe, Chloe....this girl is one of a kind. I have always known that she has intelligence, charm, and sophistication but I think that it's finally going to be on display for the world to see this year. It's her 3rd year in my Drama class, and she's directing her first film which would have to be described as a suspense-driven psychological drama. Now, her outline had some problems, which we worked through, and one of the things I love about this girl is while she's tough and stands by her decisions, she is never to pig-headed or obstinate to take direction, especially when you can get her to see problems and then come up with solutions. I sent her away from the initial pitch meeting with suggestions, and she PROMPTLY came back quickly with corrections. In fact, I was extremely impressed with her ideas, and her wish to do something beyond the cliche High School type of story that most girls her age would be obsessed with. I'm a Chloe Reed fan, to be honest, and can't wait to see WHO IS MR. R.? After two subsequent meetings.....APPROVED.

5. Nicalette Thomas' COLOR BLIND: Nikki is one of 2 Drama 1 students who are making first films this year, and that means they have to be at the top of the heap. Ordinarilly, I want Drama 1 students to wait and watch the Advanced kids make films just to see what the process is like, but Nikki would not be denied. She had a story she desperately wanted to tell, and pitched her idea accordingly. Her film is a drama based on the problems that an interracial relationship might engender within the couple's family, friends, and surrounding environment. I was impressed with how seriously she took the pitch process, and hope she finds sufficient support along the way to ensure her film's completion. APPROVED.

6. Emily Hancock & The Valeri Kernell's JUST PLAIN WRONG: E-Ha and TVK doing a film together sounds like a recipe for success to me. They are definitely a yin/yang combination as each has what the other needs to be a dominating force in this highly competitive endeavor. While Val has the top-notch story-telling and script-writing skills along with organization, Em has an unstoppable source of creativity, spontaneity, and energy that when focused makes magic happen. One rules the original scripted realm, and the other rules the world of improv...sounds like a match ready to unleash itself on the GCFF. After batting around a number of ideas, including Stalker's Club (An idea inspired by both of their preferred dating methods), they decided on something closer to home with an unpretentious high school comedy, which is actually both a nice change of pace from our other grim toned entries, and could possibly the sleeper "feel-good" film of the festival. I think both these ladies rock, and am hoping for the best. APPROVED.

7. Erica Law & Samantha "Trees" Ivansco's NEW WORLD ORDER: I just met Erica this year, and she's been great in Advanced Drama, and this is the second year I've had the tiny force of nature that the classes refer to as Trees in my class, but when I heard that these two wanted to do a film...I was a bit concerned. Why? Well, much as I love Trees....and it's hard not to with her positivity and bizarred elfin laughter echoing in our warehouse-like environment, she's not the most organized kid walking the earth. Another thing that Erica shares with her is that they aren't exactly forceful personalitites, and that's something that I think a successful director has to be, on occasion, but especially when dealing with kids their age. That was at the start, then when they told me it was a Vampire film.....I was even more concerned. The possibility of a horrible cliche-driven accident of nature and grade-annhilating fatal thrust began to appear before me, but Trees and Erica assured me that it was a simple film in nature and that they wanted to do it more than anything. I don't know what I was thinking, but I eventually relented after they agreed to a few minor revisions and confirming locations. While I admit to being revulsed to yet another LARP-inspired idea becoming film, I guess with as many Drama kids into that as I have, it was inevitable. Maybe Trees just bewitched me, but...APPROVED.

8. Ryan Simmers & Bethany Koch's GRAVE SILENCE: Just an incredible pair of people that I've had the pleasure of working with for 4 years now. Both have worked for me extensively in class, in shows, and in the film festival as actors and offscreen duties. This year marks their first collaboration as directors, and I'm truly excited for them both. As far back as last year, I remember Bethany talking about making a film this year, and she and Ryan came up with ideas over the summer all in anticipation of where we are now. Their pitch was the most professional of the bunch, with summary, outline, script, and even test photos of their ZOMBIES in action. A story that begins with tragedy, love, and with zombies shot as a silent film will definitely be one not to be missed. I also have a credit in this one, since I inadvertently gave them the title for the film. This pair of insanely talented people will be a force to be reckoned with this year, and the other filmmakers should definitely view them with fear! APPROVED.

9. Chris Sirmans' THE LEGACY: The second Drama 1 student to take on the Herculean task of directing a film, Chris is a bright guy who steps forward from a crew of kids I know and respect to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with. His story follows a kid who is presented with the prospect of inheriting something fantastic from his dying grandfather, and the dilmmas that will be associated with possessor of this gift. I look forward to this film as well, as its subject matter is unique in the festival. Hopefully, if his very professional pitch and subsequent alterations in the outline are any indication, the film will capture the emotions of the characters and have intriguing storytelling that will make this short film palatable to the audience. APPROVED.

10. John Ross' HUNTER: A working title at the moment, it's the latest feature from John Ross, last year's GCFF Maverick and Best Director Awards winner for his previous flick, THE UNSEEN. I have nothing but high hopes for this one too, which is also suspense-driven with horrific twists that seem to emerge from his acknowledged influences of Miike, Wook-Park, Gilliam, and others. While never one of my Drama students, but a former English Honors student and I Troupe player in "Harvey V.2," John has a great deal of talent that I hope goes through the same focused process he used last year to produce a film that was simultaneously accessible to the mainstream audience, but unmistakably his own unique vision. Only someone with his credentials could have shown up at the meeting in less than professional attire (dressed for his part-time job which he would be leaving for) so I stole one from him at last year's GCFF where he was sufficiently dressed. End result...APPROVED.

These are the 10 FILMS that made the cut. There were 3 others that pitched, and for various reasons they decided not to continue the process. Likewise, 2 other potential films never even made it to the pitch, but that's one of the reasons for this initial step: to separate the "dreamers" from the "doers." Next GCFF update will be at one of the weekly directors meetings, and possibly an interview with one or two of the filmmakers. Until next time, the singal's in the sky...and the people of Gotham need me.

GCFF: THE 8TH ANNUAL GOTHAM CITY FILM FESTIVAL 2006 BEGINS AGAIN...

FOTJ, it's almost that time. The time when the filmmakers start rolling, people start scurrying, chaos, betrayals, and mutinies occur, friendships strengthen and fall apart, and grades/reputations are built and demolished. Yes...The GOTHAM CITY FILM FESTIVAL is beginning again! Almost 8 years ago, when I first began teaching, my only rule of thought for the projects I assigned in Drama were..."Would I think that was cool?" Therefore, being a huge cinephile/film afficinado myself, I couldn't help but think that making a film would be a huge learning experience at multiple levels, and provide an awesome sense of accomplishment on its completion, and provide us with various sources of entertainment in the process. I also decided that we should have the films compete against each other in our own festival, beyond just for grades, but for artistic achievement as well. So, I came up with the afore-mentioned Dark Knight-inspired titular film festival. Honestly, we started out REAL GHETTO...most films were horrible, editing was done on two vcr's hooked up together, and the awards ceremony that culminated in the whole project was an in-school production. Hard to believe that 8 years later, it's something that I have independently judged (I will not be stalked over the judging ever again), people dress up for this night-time event like the Oscars, many of my former filmmakers and students make a point of attending, film festival t-shirts are made for the event, and we have over 150 people show up for our ever-increasing professional production. I admit to feeling a sense of pride with how much it has grown, and now, for the first time, I am going to document its progress through every phase of production. You can expect posts on the director pitches, some director meetings, script deadline and reviews, film posters, trailers turned in, and finally...the films themselves. I might even get to take a trip to a few of the sets in production, and an interview or two to boot. (The kids are hams...they'll talk about themselves all day.) Anway, I'm excited about it...I think we have some really talented people wanting to make some truly original and unique films this year, and I hope you follow along with us.

BRICK: A film noir set in a high school...and the best film I've seen lately.

Howdy all, it's a return for The James. Sorry to have been away so long, but combatting illness, end of the quarter madness, and getting the new Fox Soccer Channel, all conspired to prevent me from keeping up with the blog. I will try to keep it more current, and thanks for checking back. On to business: I watched a few flicks this weekend: High Tension (Amazing in conception and execution, and I totally recommend this intelligent horror flick), Neighbor #13 (boastfully derivative of Oldboy and Fight Club without anything truly new to add), and Brick! Brick was UNBELIEVABLE...the kind of film that makes you wonder why so much crap is out there when this is possible, and intimidates you if you ever aspire to make one yourself. It's a new feature from writer/director Rian Johnson, who edited the wonderful little horror flick May from a couple of years ago, and it's basically channeling Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Bogart, Lorre, and the whole wise-cracking, street-lingo, absence of simplicity, murky morality atmosphere that comes along with Film Noir; but set in a high school. One guy, Brendan, is trying to help his ex-girlfriend, and then has to solve her murder. The characters are all over the top...but still manage to represent the same dark truths about human beings that all film noirs have: we're selfish, there is no goodness, and life (truth) is cheap and only individually relevant. Trust no one in the film, as it is set in an environment of lies, and no one escapes unscathed. I wish all my kids would watch this and judge the usual bullshit they consume against it. Anyway, it's my recommendation for the video store, or a purchase that will hopefully entertain, and inspire you that there are still genuine and authentic voices out there trying to make art in the middle of a commercial vacuum...a film noir setting in itself.