Week 4 Production notes!

Interview with the Vampire

After reading the screenplay, i think the film tells the story of Louis, a man who claims to be a vampire, who tells his story to a young reporter. Tracing Louis' history as a plantation owner in Louisiana, his encounter with the vampire Lestat and subsequent transformation into a vampire, the sad story tells of loves and losses, as well as Louis' search for answers and knowledge about vampires.

The screenplay describes Contemporary San Francisco - Louis de Pointe du Lac tells a journalist the strange details of his life: how two centuries earlier he was attacked by the degenerate vampire Lestat; how he rejected his mentor's advice by feeding on rats and poodles; how the pair 'adopted' a young orphan, Claudia, whose thirst for blood outstripped even Lestat's; how their individual inclinations and ethical codes gave rise to lethal tensions between the various members of this bizarre, undead 'family'; and so on. For all its ambitions and visual flair, It's not only not scary, it's also dull and conventional. The design makes for some heavy dollops of 'atmosphere'; The major problem lies script which is dramatically repetitive and philosophically banal. Profoundly unremarkable.

Watch the orignal official trailer!

Week 2
Heart of Darkness

While reading Heart of Darkness I gathered quite the collection of mixed feelings. As far as the story line goes, this book sucked. Never has 133 pages been that painful to read. However the literary devices used in the novel were fantastic. There was a lot of great symbolism and meaning behind even the smallest things. But seriously, would I have killed Joseph Conrad to make this novel even a little bit interesting?

                Rather than spending my time and space in this paper trash talking Conrad and his lack of creative talent, I might as well talk about what he did well, his literary devices. Throughout the novella, the main theme is darkness. Even from page one, the concept of darkness is there. He uses the fact that while he tells the story it is twilight on the Thames to represent the coming darkness of the story. Furthermore, as the story goes on and becomes darker, so do the surroundings of the Thames.

                Another great analogy he uses of darkness is when he talks about how even England was one of the “dark places of the earth”. Of course he is talking about it being once uncivilized. But much like Africa, it was civilized, it just wasn’t modernized. Therefore the big bad rulers of the world came and shed some light on it with some good ole fashion murder and slavery. It’s kind of like a fraternity at a college, first you have to get treated like crap, but if you’re good enough, you get to be one of the cool kids eventually. It’s a viscous cycle; first Rome did it to Britain, now Britain is doing it to Africa. All in the name of “bettering the world”, which is usually code for “let’s go make money off the wazoo by taking control of the people who can’t stand up against us”.

                 Over all, was this novella fun to read? No, not at all. But was it worth it to read? Yes, very much so. This book is a right of passage, it takes a while to get through, but once you do you will have gained the world. Because anyone who realizes what happened to Kurtz has the upper hand in their own life and has a better chance of making sure they don’t go down the same path. So in conclusion, nice job Conrad, you created a masterpiece.

Week 1

Wizard of OZ

This book/movie, I was told to watch since Freshmen year, it was described to me several times, as a classic. I even went to the library, to search for the movie, but was never motivated enough to pick it up from the shelf and watch it or read it. And bring an international student, i am aware of movies and books from various culture with high-end climax, that when i watched Wizard of OZ in the class, I felt that ok! i finally can say i watched it, but never understood the entire purpose of the movie. Was the movie intended to be for just entertainment, or had a learning purpose or a motive. I couldnt figure out. But it was truly a different experience, and i did go home and complete the movie! :D:D:D

My favorite scene in the movie would be:

Dorothy: It really was no miracle. What happened was just this... 

Dorothy: [singing] The wind began to switch / The house, to pitch / And suddenly the hinges started to unhitch / Just then the Witch / To satisfy an itch / Went flying on her broomstick, thumbing for a hitch! 

Munchkin: And, oh, what happened then was rich! 

Munchkins: [singing] The house began to pitch / The kitchen took a slich / It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch / Which was not a happy situation for the Wicked Witch! 

Week 3 Screenplay Writting!

The Magicians

Fade In:
City of New York, street views, more setting focus on Brooklyn
Ext. PROTAGONISTS introduction

James, Julia and Quentin walking on the sidewalk, Quentin trailed them (description of each of the characters portrayed by their clothing, behavior and interaction)
focus on quentin and his inner thoughts speaking loud

Quentin

I would have rather be alone with Julia or alone!
quentin all Nervous for his interview – still walking on sidewalk

Focus on James – he figures out how Quentin is feeling
quentin did his first magic trick

Silence in the background, focus on the coat and the magic trick
James

I have one guess for his password “Password”

Quentin

Password?

James

Nice firm shakes, lots of eye contact, feel comfortable

Julia

Just be yourself

They are eating at a restaurant (Low grey sky flickered sign of snow)
Quentin

(Agitated)- When will this be over, all of this? First the crows on power lines, then the dog shit, windows breaking – all signs of worst luck that I have. When will this be over!

James

(Ignorant) Burp! Gosh I eat too much.

Julia

(Brightly) Because you’re a greedy pig! Because you’re tired of being able to see you’re feet! Because you’re trying to touch your stomach to you’re penis.

Quentin

Feeling Cold!

song – TUNE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND
In the olden times, there was a boy, young and strong and brave-o, he wore a sword and rode a horse and his name was….

Julia

Stop!

The End