Storyboarding in Paradise

Posted in Diary of a Directrix
March 7th, 2010 by Devi Snively (The Directrix)

storyboards sm2Some unintentional comic relief on our past sets has resulted from people trying to interpret my pitiful attempts at storyboards.  My inability to draw is beyond mere incompetence, it’s positively absurd.  Fortunately, this will not be an issue on DoloresI had our first storyboard session with our wonderful new D.P. on Friday and I swear it felt like a religious experience.  Not only did he build on my ideas and sketch them beautifully in no time flat, but he added so much more to the vision in my head.  So, rest assured, I will not be drawing my usual crazy scribbles for this film, beloved pack members.  We are now in very skilled hands.

It’s been exciting assembling our team for the new film.ravenbehindscenes smMuch like auditioning cast, building our production team reminds me just how very many different movies we might make, how each additional team member will contribute significantly to the look and feel of our film. Just imagine – we are building a future world together.

ravendevimonitor smI’m always shocked to hear how many directors hate this stage of production.  What could be more fun than spending days on end with potential cast and crew members sharing endless interpretations of one’s next film?  Just as I’d done with  Death in Charge, I’ve been taking the majority of our interviews and meetings at Alcove and Figaro’s (my fave local cafes)  It’s not like any standard interview.  Many of these initial meetings have lasted hours.  But that’s a good thing.  Assembling crew is not merely hiring somebody for a job.  It’s determining who is going to be a part of the family.  We have to know we can communicate, share a similar vision and work well under pressure together.

alice-in-wonderland-catAlso, while there is no right or wrong in art (though Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has me seriously questioning that philosophy –    seriously, how the hell does one make Wonderland BORING of all things?! Fortunately, The Last Station has restored my faith in cinema, but I digress…), it is essential that all creative positions on a production are filled by people who are making the same movie.  We must be able to effectively communicate.  After all, we’re forming a family and producing offspring.

family fightThat’s another surprise I discovered out here in La-La land.  See, back in the Midwest, we always made movies for fun.  It’s a pleasurable experience.  Nobody’s doing it to get rich or famous.  It’s for the love of it, the artistic expression.  But here, where that’s not always the case, I’ve learned from peers that not every production team does become one big happy family. In many cases, by a shoot’s end, people might even be bitter and angry with one another (then again, I suppose that is what “family” means to some folks alas)

trippingroup sm On our sets, the moment I call “That’s a Wrap!” is generally an emotional one followed by lots of hugging and cheering.  During the course of shooting a film, the members of the cast and crew go on a journey together.  Sure there are tense moments, the occasional bickering, and misunderstanding.  But at the end of it all, we’ve always been a bit sad it’s all over.  bonfire smWhen we wrapped on trippin’ in the wee hours of a Monday morning after 16 straight days of shooting 18-hour days, we didn’t go home and pass out.  We cheered, hugged, broke out the beers, gathered around the bonfire and rejoiced.  Hours later, the goodbyes were so bittersweet, reminiscent of summer sleepaway camp when everybody had to go home, promising to write and be BFFs always.  Sniffle.

iancynsmAnyway, it’s fun being back at the beginning of it all again, knowing that these fun people with whom I’m discussing art, life and philosophy over cappuccinos at Figaro’s, with whom we’re storyboarding and prepping will soon be our kin, too.  Welcome to the family, Guys – we’re so happy to have you on board!

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