The Daniel Craig “Method” of Filming a Scene - Do Whatever Works! #indiefilm

"Method actors suggest that you do sense memory exercises every time you do a scene. I use every method I can. Whatever works, I'll use." - Daniel Craig on his nameless role in the gangster film "Layer Cake."

While initially shooting the main scenes for a short motion picture that I’m working on, it has become obvious that some of the rules taught in schools and books about production need not apply to this particular project. Blocking scenes -- an often essential part of the moviemaking process, is one of these rules. Most filmmakers, film professors and related experts will probably tell you that blocking is necessary for everyone including cast and crew to know where to stand or which directions to move in a scene.

Yes, blocking makes things move quicker and easier since people know how they are going to fulfill whatever role they’re playing (acting, makeup, focus pulling, cinematography, etc.) in the production. I won’t deny that. Blocking can also cause confusion, divides focus and lead to actors forgetting other important parts of the scene, such as the dialogue -- something that was brought to my attention this month. On this current project, I’ve started to realize that sometimes, blocking is not a useful method for which to set up some of the scenes that we’re shooting.

British actor Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond in “Skyfall” does not adhere to one particular method of preparing for a movie scene. Instead, Craig utilizes whatever helps him get into character for the particular role and production that he is involved in. Perhaps, it would do many filmmakers some good to take a page from his book of setups and preparation -- including me.

For the most part, it does not matter how you get to your destination, so long as you make it there. What started out to be so simple in concept became a little more involved than I anticipated. Now, I must adapt and adjust where necessary to make sure that the bigger picture is not lost in the shadows of minor details like whether a guy sips his cup of tea before or after he walks through a door. It doesn’t really fucking matter -- just get him moving; and no, this scenario is not from the production I’m in the middle of now. That would be too easy.

Thank You all for visiting and interacting with this blog. I know that it’s behind on the Monday Movie Meme (let’s just skip this week, ok?) and the King Dong series among other posts. I will do what I can to keep this thing going and not lose my mind in the process.

If you have any requests with regards to these blog series or any others (movie cocktails, reviews, festivals, events, interviews, etc.), feel free to send them my way.

Movie Characters That Be Actin’ Up

There is a method behind the Monday Movie Meme lateness. If you haven’t already, check out the “Life Of Pi” discussion about CGI that was posted earlier today.

Selecting cast members for roles in the short film I’m working on has been a more challenging experience than I thought it would be -- in a good way, I suppose. One thing that I’ve realized is that talent comes in some very unlikely and unsuspecting places. An actor who you might be just “ok” in one role could be perfect for another character and so forth. So, the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme is based on performances -- whether good or unsatisfactory: Actin’ Up.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies about actors. These films can be biopics or fictional fare where one of the characters work in theater, television, film or one some type of cruise ship touring show, etc. -- you get the picture! Here are my selections for this week’s Actin’ Up theme.

My Tehran for Sale
An Iranian woman, seeking freedom to work as an actress, plans to relocate to Austalia because theatre is banned in her country. She leads a double life -- working as a seamstress and performing in secret underground theater shows in her spare time.

Multi-Facial
“Fast and the Furious” lead Vin Diesel stars in this autobiographical short film about an actor struggling to find work in commercials, etc. because he doesn’t fit casting directors’ stereotypical guidelines for ethnic roles.

Queen of My Dreams*
In this short documentary, actress Fawzia Mirza reimagines the Bollywood heroines that she looked up to as a young girl -- only this time, one of the female stars is placed in a masculine role.

What movies have YOU seen that are about actors?

*Stay tuned for an interview with Fawzia Mirza, from my 2012 Couch Fest files, on this very film!

Does Ang Lee’s ‘Life Of Pi’ Movie Share TMI on the CGI?

Photo Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Based on Yann Martel’s novel of the same name, “Life Of Pi” starring Suraji Sharma is considered to be the next “Avatar” -- at least, according to TIME Magazine.

Academy Award winning director Ang Lee helms this 3D adventure-drama about a young boy who develops a connection with a fearsome Bengal Tiger after both of them survive a disaster at sea.

Does knowing that the computer-generated tiger featured this film was made to match a real one take away some of the magic of watching it for the first time? I wonder if it's unecessary for audiences to already know that the production team created a fake tiger modeled after the realistic movements and appearance of an actual tiger. Yes, that tidbit likely won’t matter once moviegoers are thrust into a world where everything seems real – thanks to 3D glasses that add to the excitement of genre films.

Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film CorporationI’m not sure about the rest of you all, but when I go to the movies -- especially ones featuring animals or unimaginable stunts, it’s more fun to be able to at least consider the possibility that these elements were really present on sent, even if they were not. I'd rather know about all of the CGI tricks and tips after watching it.

The wow factor of having 15 artists in the Visual Effects department who worked solely on the fur for a CGI animal would be just as, if not more, fascinating to learn as part of a special features section when “Life Of Pi” is released on DVD.

People who already read the book probably won’t care either way but those of us who are being introduced to this fantasy adventure for the first time via its big screen adaptation could probably benefit from not knowing all of the intricate details that went into making the movie. It does, however, peak my curiosity -- how realistic will this tiger look? How well will the boy interact with the tiger? These are things that can only be found out by going to check out the movie and seeing for myself.

One thing's for sure -- I DO want to know whether this boy and his new tiger friend will forever remain castaways living on a boat in the sea or find a new home elsewhere. I’m also interested in finding out how the human in the story finds ways to communicate with a wild cat. 

“Life Of Pi” opens nationwide on Wednesday, November 21st. Check your local theater listings for showtimes.

 

Have YOU read “Life Of Pi” by Yann Martel?

Do YOU think “Life Of Pi” will be the next “Avatar?”

Can YOU draw a tiger by hand or on a computer?


The media and images in this sponsored post are made possible by the distributors. All opinions are my own. The Monday Movie Meme will be posted later today.