Clermont-Ferrand: February 2008 Archives

Brian and I are back from our totally inspiring trip to Clermont-Ferrand.  A big thanks goes out to those that made it possible for us to go there and get the lie of the land.

As I mentioned previously it will probably take a while for the things we learned in Clermont-Ferrand to register here on the blog and in our script.  But already there are a few things that seem interesting and CF's resonance is beginning to be felt. 

For instance, I have a far clearer idea of how I would like to position the look of my film.  I feel that this is at once important and unimportant.  There is no point in having a film that looks great if the story isn't there.  This is blatantly obvious stuff as a broad filmmaking rule is concerned, but, all too often you find examples of work that suffer because of the image.  This is by no means limited short filmmaking either. 

I recently watched a feature that potentially had a great story with fantastic drama but the image was pitched in such a way that any emotional content of the film became secondary, the production values were just too high for the story which would have been immeasurably improved had there been a stronger sense of reality to the images.  Too beautiful isn't the problem here either, the problem was of something being inappropriate.  This message was firmly put home for me in Clermont-Ferrand more through discussion with other filmmakers more than with anything in particular that I saw.  Those that had a strong focus on the image of their films seemed to be missing a vital ingredient.  The upshot of this for me was that I have some way to go with my script before I'm ready to really consider the camera.  I knew this anyway but there is nothing better to focus the mind than having the consequences of actions laid bare for all to see.



Of course, balance is everything.  I still want to shoot on film and know that some of the strictures that come with that process could be damaging to my ability to catch certain things, but I need to learn to cope better with the medium and create an environment that allows for those issues.  I believe that the discussions I've had and things I have watched recently have been very helpful towards getting the best out of my script, and of course getting my script to be the best it can be too, and that must come first.  I will continue to plan to shoot on film for now but it is the script that will get the focus of my attentions and in the background I will be thinking about how best to achieve the results I want.

Back to the drawing board for me, to be forewarned is to be forearmed (or something?).

It will come as no surprise to hear that last night was another late night.  As usual it was spent in very interesting and highly amusing company (a big thank you goes to Scottish Screen for organising the dinner and having us along).

I sat next to veteran short film distributor Derry O'Brien from Network Ireland TV and EM Media's John Tobin who was involved in the fantastic Control by Anton Corbijn.  Needless to say they were highly illuminating and gave much food for thought.

In amongst the wonderful Auvergne feast, and a curious Irish take on Chinese food from the French (rice and potatoes was the only vegetarian option), was lots of talk of all things film.  I won't write too much introverted stuff just yet I don't think - suffice to say the experience of being at this amazing festival is one I will always remember and I hope that some of the wonderful films we've seen and people we've been lucky enough to meet and talk to rubs off on our work.  I will likely make reference to the sage words I've listened to here a lot over the coming months as our script is honed we edge towards production but for now I'm just going to let it all sink in.

It's our last day in Clermont-Ferrand so I'm going to go and make the most of it...

My head hurts.

Yesterday we had a very intense day getting the lie of the land and firmly ensconcing ourselves in the Salle de Jean Cocteau to watch short films.  This is the life.  It's hard to believe that there is such a passionate audience for the film short film discipline.

Twelve films in and we're starting to get a handle on the way the festival works and how to pick what we want to see.  We met some great people last night who are here for a pitching session that takes place today.

I'm going to stop writing now because I'm so hungover this barely makes sense.  Have a look at the photos on Flickr.

No sooner had we arrived in Paris than we were accosted by the ubiquitous accordion toting tube surfers.

Bienvenue chez cliché!







Brian and I are very excited about our trip.  We hope to meet lots of interesting people and really get a feel for what's happening in the short film world.

We'll keep you posted with our progress.  I'm now going to spend the 3½ hour train journey to Clermont-Ferrand watching short films and updating my directors notes.

ADDENDUM:
For those who are unaware of directors notes they are exactly as they sound, a statement of intent from the director as to how they intend to treat the script so everything from design and performance to music and edit.  The more successful you get the less you have to make things clear beforehand, so far as I'm aware.  I'm afraid I won't be publishing my notes as these things are wont to change and I don't want to nail my colours to the mast too soon.