So the film is cast and the script is almost done, just working out the kinks. I need a crew member to run sound as I will be using a double system method using a Zoom H4N recorder and Canon DSLR 7D. I have used this camera in many situations with picture and video, so I am comfortable with the workflow and the extra work dedicated in post.
"Most Mormons take an anti-abortion or "pro-life" position on the issue of abortion. Fully 70% say abortion should be illegal in most or all circumstances, compared with 42% among the general population. Two-thirds of Mormons (68%) say homosexuality should be discouraged rather than accepted by society. When asked about the theory of evolution, only 22% of Mormons say it is the best explanation for human life, with three-in-four (75%) disagreeing." (http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1292/mormon-religion-demographics-beliefs-practices-politics)
"Mormons make up 1.7% of the American adult population, a proportion that is comparable in size to the U.S. Jewish population."
"In Utah, July 24 is Pioneer Day, a state holiday commemorating the day in 1847 when the first Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young, entered the Salt Lake Valley."
Apparently the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is all the rage with mormons. I think it would be great if the cop only listened to this when he is in his car.
“The most ordinary word, when put into place, suddenly acquires brilliance. That is the brilliance with which your images must shine.” ―Robert Bresson
I enjoy this quote because it reaffirms my belief that films are deeply shaped in the editing. Production is important, but the order of those "ordinary" shots creates the magic of cinema. I love the psychology of editing, and I believe it is deeply important to understand what images do together as a whole. Films have syntax and semantics just like language does.
This style of comedy is simple and somewhat dry. I am inspired by dry humor, and especially Canadian dry humor. I want to incorporate moments that may be awkward, and humorously dry. The movie Dirty Work directed by Bob Saget and written by Norm MacDonald is a good example of the style of humor I will try to capture. Heres a link
This location is ideal for filming because I will have unlimited access to the house and surrounding areas, which include an open grass field, and a grand mesa that I can also film around. This location is extremely close to the border of Utah as well, so I have the option of getting some landscape footage of Utah itself to give the location some reality. I also will be able to use my friends mother as an actor so I don't have to waste time, money, and aesthetic on trying to make a young person look older.
This is a picture of the Grand Mesa where I will be shooting my Utah sequences. I want shots of the very suburban neighborhood in this area and also wish to emphasize the open spaces of emptiness in Utah.
Color In terms of color schemes, I would like to emphasize a warmer color palette for Utah and a cooler color palette for the Boulder sequences. This image greatly expresses some of the desired shot composition and mood.
In order to get a cooler color palette, I will need to film in areas with more trees than sidewalk, so I will most likely avoid shooting on pearl street. This picture is Boulder in the summertime, but I will still be able to create different moods with the different landscape in each of the two places.
Costuming As of right now, I do not entirely have a vision of what the main characters will be wearing. I have narrowed it down to somewhat formal attire as con artists usually dress nicely to present themselves as orderly citizens and not stand out too much. They will discover in Boulder that the dress isn't actually as formal as they are used to in Utah. I need to get two pairs of sunglasses that are unique are characteristic to each character.
The corrupt police officer will be wearing dress khakis with a white button up shirt and plain black tie with plain black suspenders. He will appear more as a detective than a police officer.
Intentions
Freud thought that comedy came from the repressed. People laugh at something because they have repressed that specific desire or action. They have restricted themselves because of societal conditioning and when they un-repress, or sublimate in a cathartic act of laughter it is because the joke has released apart of themselves they that have repressed.
Movies
A good movie to see in order understand con artists more is this fictional documentary about a con artist named Casper Carr. It's called Street Thief, and gives a better understanding (even if fictional) of the ways into a con artist. From this movie I learned that being a con artist is all about the presentation and delivery of self as confident and belonging. He will wear a construction outfit, walk into a supermarket, pick the lock into the back room and steal all of the money in the safe. He would research his targets for weeks on end in order to get scores of $70,000 dollars or more. I want my movie to have some elements of style that this movie contains. An example:
The style lends itself more to documentary, however, I want to utilize it in a way that works with my own tendencies and characteristics in my filmmaking. I think I could make this style work in at least one scene to build tension before the big score. The handheld feel builds greater tension and adds less stability, which would be good to build before the climax of the short film.
Further Mormon Research
I found this quite informational short film that is of great use on mormon.org. Full of useful facts, perceptions and information to use at my disposal.
A New York Times Article giving some insight into perceptions on a mormon religion and the recent PR campaign to improve the image of mormons.
