Film Project for class - Laura
.::Script::.
Scene: Indoors in classroom at HCCS. Elephant in tux with red bowtie on left - monkey with gold hair and lips on in middle - lamb with bowtie on right. (blue indicates voice or black slide)
Camera starts with all three in frame.
"In a time in your life when who you are is important"
Elephant looks at Monkey for awhile.
Monkey looks at Elephant and Elephant looks away.
Monkey looks forward again.
"When giving up is not an option."
Lamb looks at Monkey.
Monkey looks at lamb.
"One young woman defied the odds. "
Lamb says to monkey
"hi"
Laura
A novel by Carine Nuzah
Elephant leans over to Bunnie and asks,
"is that a boy or a girl?"
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..::Notes from the Director::..
Thursday April 30th:
When I originally came up with this idea, I was hoping it would go farther than just my first film.
That’s why I am so proud to present my 2nd film "Laura". I planned on making it a series highlighting parts from other books. The popularity from the book reading community has encouraged me to continue to release more short films to promote books. The review from Bookmarks magazine was my favorite. They mentioned exactly what I had in mind for these films. And, since then, I have received numerous phone calls and emails from writers who want their books to be promoted in this light. However, I think the setting and the structure of the characters has to be maintained with professionalism in order for this to continue.
When reading the reviews from YouTube viewers, one has to consider that they might like the film, but do not favor the actual story. On the other hand, they may like the story, but not how it is portrayed through this medium and in this way. The audience has to want to tune in every week or month in order to see what book will be promoted. The audience is the key in making this project successful.
I think the portrayal of the characters situation is played out well through the use of stuffed animals for my videos. The choice to use the stuffed animals was based off the fact that it would be very difficult to find actors for the numerous amount of books I want to portray. Thinking of the animals as actual actors is easy to do when the animals are personified with their sense of movement. The question always is, which animals should I use. It's always fun shopping for them. I tend to look for specific aspects like beady little eyes and they have to be the same size. They have to sit a certain way and move a certain way. For the film "Laura" my favorite one is the elephant. When I found him, I immediately thought he would be perfect for listening because of his giant ears.
As the second installment of short films, I have used the book "Why some men want to become women - and Vice Versa" by Carine Nuzah. In Nuzah's book, the part I have portrayed, was after the main character Fredrick goes to the psychologist at the suggestion of his parents when he was eighteen. When in the meeting with the psychologist, she suggests that he may have transsexual characteristics and the story really develops out from there. He starts dressing more like a woman and starts classes at a local community college as a woman. That’s where my short scene starts. It picks up with him in class and although he is hiding his real identity from his classmates, it is quickly discovered that he is a boy. One other student mentions it in class out load and Fredrick (now Laura) is thoroughly embarrassed. Another classmate, now her friend, asks to hear her story after class and tells her that she looks beautiful as a woman. This gives Laura the confidence to be who she wants to be and dress how she wants to dress from then on out. It hope my portrayal will do a good job in summing up the situation. In order to see Fredrick's full transition to Laura, one would have to read the book.
Thursday May 7th:
During production today, we made a few changes from the original idea. During the shoot in the classroom, I decided the shot would be better from the back because of the desks that they were sitting on and because the front of the classroom as a background would be more interesting. Also, we found out that it was hard to move their heads separately from their bodies so we decided to turn their entire bodies. I think both of these decisions made the film lose a little of it's humor aspect. I chose these particular animals because of their cute little faces, but as it turned out, I messed that up during filming because the viewer isn't able to see them well. If I had more time, I would go back and completely do the shoot over get more angles. I have learned the importance of doing the shoot from as many angles as possible while you're still on the set in order to prevent having to get everyone together to try it again.
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..::Now Presenting "Laura"::..
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me:
I realized today that I forgot to give you a copy of the little commercial I made. Thank you for your compliments. I was feeling a little self conscious because no one clapped afterwards but I figure its cause they were expecting it to be longer. That itty bitty short thing was 200 pictures worth. I was stunned when I was done. :)
I hope this made it to you before its too late. Have a great summer. See ya around next semester!
PS it can only play in windows media player like we found out it class. Thanks again for the great semester.
Lee Harrison (film prof):
Got it, Wanda. Yes, I think that's exactly the case. And that's why anyone who attempts film/video etc. gets a lot of credit for a few moments. I fully realize that what you did was a great deal of work. I also thought it was creative and imaginative--and useful. Can't beat that combination.
Your grade for the course, by the way, is a 93/A--93 for the Final Exam and 93 for the Project. I enjoyed working with you Wanda, and I wish you all the best in your future--and future courses. Have a great summer as well.
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OMG so this was fun and happened to be only class I got an A in this semester. I'm alright with that.