Ebert to Spielberg

Movie fans have become critics. Critics have become the voice to the film maker rather than an opinion to the audience. Yet film makers are still film makers. I have myself written many reviews and thought that I could be a critic one day. The truth is I do not want to have the job to tell another artist that their film lacks flair because they broke a rule of film making. I want to understand why they made the scene they did, how they chose the actors, I want to learn about the film makers imagination to have a better understanding of the art they created.

Me, my producer, and cast at 2013 LYS Film Festival

I have myself written a few storyline and scripts. I am not an Oscar winner but I did have a film win the Best ‘E’ for Everyone short at the 2013 Love Your Shorts Film Festival in Central Florida. It was an amazing feeling having people appreciate your ideas and connect with your story. The best part was people asking the hows and they whys about your film making experience. It is a rush and a high greater than any other. Since I have written and directed my own film, I have seen different perspectives on films and what really puts the flair in them. I have been inspired by others and I read more reviews to gain a wide range of perception on the artist behind the camera.

I am going on a journey to writing a new script, and directing a new short. I am going to put a lot of emotion into this film and I want to invite you on this journey. I will begin to document on this blog where my inspirations are coming from and the how and where I am within the film making experience. If you follow the blog for reviews or fun ideas, keep on following because the ride is about to turn into a rollercoaster. Lets journey the experience together whether you are a Ebert or a Spielberg.

Soap in Your Soup: Part 1

Funny Girl

It has been said that multi-taskers are also slackers. Seems like an oxymoron, but in actuality they are never giving their full attention to just one task. Splitting their attention to numerous jobs individually only concludes into lacking results. You can’t expect a gourmet Italian meal is the chef is stirring the sauce while simultaneously washing dishes, you’d have soap in your soup.

In film we have many types of multi-taskers, there are those who go all in on one project; yet do every job possible, people that write, direct, and star in their own films. Then you have the cross project gurus who work on multiple projects at one time. In part one of this two part multi-tasking venue the focus is directed toward those who cross over from the world of music into film. Is it more than star power that drives these multi-taskers? Or is it forced behind the scenes to sell a face in every industry possible.

The number one epic fail of film transitions for a vocal artist goes too… you guessed right, Mariah Carey!!! Glitter was rated in IMDB’s worst movies of all-time list. OUCH! Now it wasn’t all Ms. Carey’s fault, there was bad writing and directing to complement Carey’s unchaining on screen performance. Then again after years off-screen she appeared in Precious, where by surprised she shocked everyone with the depth and realistic principles she brought to her character. What a bounce back! Kudos to you Mariah! Some transition fails are not so lucky to have a comeback on screen. Sometimes the momentum of a fasted famed star can only result into a train wreck. From Justin to Kelley was the musical that was to bring competitive show contestants into multi-talented movie stars! The producers must have forgotten the multi-talented part. Kelley Clarkson was just learning how to handle her first record or how to be in the spotlight at all. While Justin Guarini was trying to hang on to whatever 15 minutes of fame he had left on his stopwatch. A disastrous summer musical was not the answer. Gladly producers Simon Fuller and John Agoglia realized or else we would be talking about From Clay to Ruban. Thankfully Kelley Clarkson never dipped into the multi-tasking world of music and film again, and that is why her rocking music is so successful.

At times we can put down one project to focus on another before returning to our original endeavors. There are many who have done well with this multi-tasking technique. Jennifer Lopez had a semi successful music career before going into film. Her motivation for success led her to soften our hearts as the Maid in Manhattan, displayed strength in Enough, and made us weep as Selena. Being so consistent in film, she again has drifted back to the music world. The film industry has open arms for the cross over star. Even though this pretty face has suffered some bad criticism, audiences love seeing Justin Timberlake on screen. His natural charm and humor sour off the screen and coat our inner NSYNC craved child. Behind a microphone on stage or on SNL, Justin has a way to make us fall in love with him over and over again.

Only if there was a hall of fame for super stars. The greatest actors to transition from music are ones some of us have forgotten about their past vocal talents because their impressions come from the amazing presentations on screen. Mark Wahlberg, once a boy band member, now an action hero super star in the third Transformers film. He has also given justice to his humorous side with TED and The Other Guys. Some people might miss Marky Mark, but others are glad he has cap sized in film. Will Smith, forever our Fresh Prince, but now will always be the man who can make anyone want to give their heart away. He humbled us in Pursit of Happyness and had us laughing in Hitch, he is an actor no doubt after watching his performance in Ali. Jennifer Hudson, Oscar winner, and will never be in someone else’s spotlight again. She can handle both music and film well, she is the pure American dream. The number one all time successful multi-tasker is Barbra Streisand with an Oscar for Best Actress in Funny Girl, and 10 Grammy Awards, no one holds a candle to this Guilt Trip gem.

There is no shame in travelling into the unknown, or pushing your talent boundaries. When you are engraved with a talent you embrace it. The lesson here is to go for it, but know there is a chance one can fail miserably and learn that you can try again later. Others might find passion in two worlds and navigate according to a true calling. Or you may never look back at what brought you to where you are and master the art of leading a multi-tasking career. Honor those who can avoid the criticism and hardship of getting soap in their soup.

And the Winner is…

The Fighter. When you hear that the movie you watched 3 months previous come out on the nominees list for the Academy Awards you pick sides for every category. The Fighter, being a major front runner at this year’s Oscars, holds true to its roots, and gains a large fan base.

With a budget of $25 million, The Fighter made Paramount proud grossing over $82 million.  In December the total gross doubled every week for four weeks straight. Who knew that a movie set in small town New England about a boxer and his drug addicted brother would join the Oscar front runners.

What is it about this movie that catches the Academy’s attention? Mark Wahlberg trained for four years to play the real life boxer Micky Ward. His dedication to making the film partly came from his similarities with Ward. This gave the film authenticity that carries through to the audience. Being able to connect with a character in the film creates depth and beauty. The audience can feel apart of the story, as if they are a character in the movie going through the conflicts and joys with the other characters.

Also noting the incredible roles played by Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. The acting in this film produces a disturbing reality that grasps your attention. The actors create independent character, each holding their own attributes that distinguish the line between one another. You dont think ‘what a great cast’, you think ‘wow they really brought those characters to life’. These type of performances are the ones that deserve the Oscar nominations.

What really holds your attention is the directors style. David O. Russell, (also known for Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees) has won the Best Director title for other films, but this is his first Oscar nomination. Russell’s style follows the story. He focuses on the perspective of the character and lets the tells the story through their eyes. It is a fresh style, having the camera angles highlight the characters and their actions instead of overload imagery and developing over the top metaphors.

The Fighter is a down to earth movie, with a triumph ending. It is like taking the classic movie, Rocky, and giving it the structure of reality. Russell emphasized the truth of the story by letting the character develop the plot, not the setting or the camera work.

This long awaited film was finally created, and done the right way. The Fighter has already outdone itself. Which gives rise to audiences saying, “Hello Oscar.”