Chapter MovieMaker - Cardiff

Hello,

Our next screening's this Monday (01/10/2007) at 6:30pm in Chapter Screen 2. We'll be showing some films and would like to show some more. If you have one and would like others to see it, please bring a copy on Mini-DV or DVD.

Our blog is blooming, so why not visit http://chaptermoviemaker.blogspot.com to watch / rewatch / comment on films we've screened.

And finally, those of you interested in a 2-day directing course should check out the notice below. It's in London, mind.

best,

Tom.

Alexander Mackendrick on Film-making
An introduction to the Craft of the Director

with Paul Cronin, editor of the book: ON FILM-MAKING: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRAFT OF THE DIRECTOR by Alexander Mackendrick

‘Invaluable... I can easily imagine a college without a film program building a curriculum around these writings.’ Martin Scorsese

A 2 day London Film School workshop 22nd & 23rd September 2007 to apply email:s.vanroomen@lfs.org.uk

Introduction

Paul Cronin, editor of the book: On Filmmaking: an Introduction to the Craft of the Director by Alexander Mackendrick presents a workshop based on Mackendrick’s influential teachings, featuring previously unseen footage of his lectures.

This two day workshop is an excellent opportunity for any filmmaker who wishes to learn more about film-making from one of the masters of the medium. Alexander Mackendrick’s practical approach serves as one of the best introductions to the craft of film-making available to filmmakers today. The workshop is structured around the illustrated lecture MACKENDRICK ON FILM which features never-before-seen footage of Mackendrick teaching and talking about his approach to film-making, and interviews with some of his former students and colleagues who discuss his ideas in detail.

Topics covered include:

· Crafting a narrative screenplay

· Turning your script into a film

· How the director works with actors

· When not to write a shooting script’

· Why you should always try to cut dialogue from your script

· How ‘Movies show and then tell’

· Why a ‘clever plot’ might not be a good starting point for your story

· Why props and 'incidental business' are crucial to the job of the director

· ‘The Pre-verbal Language of Cinema’

· Why you should be beware of flashbacks

· ‘Exposition is boring unless it is in the context of some present dramatic tension or crisis’

· ‘Passivity is a capital crime in drama’

· ‘The role of the antagonist may have more to do with the structure of the plot than the character of the protagonist’

· Setting the fuse and the obligatory scene

· How different camera angles and movement help create different emotions in the audience

· ‘What is happening now is apt to be less dramatically interesting than what may or may not happen next’

· ‘If you’ve got a beginning but don’t yet have an end, then you’re mistaken: you don’t have the right beginning’

· ‘Drama is expectation mingled with uncertainty’

· Use of the foil character

· Why a good story can be told from the point of view of any character

· Why you should always look for the longest axis on your set

· ‘What you leave out is as important as what you leave in’

· Postcarding as a method of structuring your story

As well as being inspired by Mackendrick’s hands-on approach to film teaching, novice filmmakers will leave the workshop equipped with many invaluable craft-based ideas that will help at all times when writing and directing. Those who are more experienced will have their understanding of the craft greatly enriched.

Fee: £120.00

‘It was a privilege to see Paul's film, and thus to become one of Mackendrick's many fortunate students.’
Matthew Burton, UK

‘Your work on Mackendrick is fascinating. I’ve been to film school yet learned more about directing from the 30 minute extract than the year (and $20K) I spent at school.’
Neil MacLean, Canada.

‘The two days were an inspiring help for my work as a director and teacher. I know my work will be better in future because of your efforts.’
David Crossman,