Category: Random

Happy weekend, everyone! The weather here is in the 60s, with a cool breeze shaking the yellow pollen out of the air. Great day to write on the patio! My aim is to complete the first book draft by the end of the weekend.

Today’s Indie (#8) is Neil R. Brown Fine Art Photography. You can see his works on his web site, but you might see him at your local arts festival too. He had a booth at Atlanta’s popular Dogwood Festival a few years back, an annual arts festival in Piedmont Park (although due to the Georgia drought, I think it’s been moved this year). Neil will be at the Inman Park Festival in Atlanta. Those of you close enough to drive, it’s worth checking out!

In addition to many black and white photos of stark nature, Europe, and national parks, he also has tinted images for sale. These are my favorites because they combine black and white with tinted blue streams or purple/yellow flowers. The juxtaposition of the two is intriguing.

You can select any three images to put in a trio frame, if you wish. Currently I have a trio of Banff Lake, Two Car Garage, and The Black Canyon. Then last year, my hubby bought me the 5×7 of Crimson.

While I loved the sharp red rose tint of this picture, it wasn’t until I received it that I had the real gift. Neil signs the back of all his prints, and he informed me this photo was taken in New Orleans’s Garden District. I grew up in New Orleans and was heartbroken when Hurricane Katrina hit, making this photo all the more special.

Check him out – at your local festival or on his web site!

Indie # 7 – Box of Moonlight. Watch the preview.

Written and Directed by Tom DiCillo. Starring John Turturro, Sam Rockwell, Catherine Keener

This Indie film holds a special place in my heart, for many reasons.

The characters are charming, complex, and yet familiar enough for me to recognize in everyday life. Several dialogue lines could be my friends and family, verbatim. This encourages a strong connection to the characters–essential for films or books.

The film is set and filmed in the South (near Knoxville, Tennessee). The lush green hills near the Smoky Mountains are an idyllic backdrop, in addition to reminding me of scenes from childhood. Small-town diners, hotel swimming pools with tall fencing, and the vegetable gardens all set a scene of small town Americana.

In one charming scene, Turturro and Rockwell engage in a tomato fight in a stranger’s vegetable garden. While lighthearted and set to upbeat music, this scene isn’t without its purpose—things screenplay or novel writers can learn from. DiCillo is a master at weaving scenes, and this is only one example which people can connect with and writers can learn from.

• It’s humorous, and we see Turturro’s stifled spirit begin to loosen up a bit. Character Growth.
• The threat of being caught by police brings a bond to both characters. Common Goals.
• When the police surround them, Turturro’s white shirt is in view. One cop says he can see it and to come out. Sighing, Turturro begins to stand, ready to face the music. Immediately, Rockwell insists Turturro remove the shirt and hang it on a nearby vine, allowing them both to crawl through the field and escape.

  I love this scene because it’s clear Turturro would never think of rebelling on his own, but Rockwell’s character has introduced him to making changes. Shaping Each Other’s Lives/Transformation.
  

• Turturro and Rockwell both eat homegrown tomatoes, right off the vine. The crimson tomato color and their facial expressions make me crave one. There is absolutely nothing like the fresh, Earthy smell of tomato vines and the flavor of one grown in a garden. Store bought tomatoes are not the same, never will be. Use of human senses – sight, touch, smell.

  These work visually in film. Novelists must carefully select words which convey the same thing on the page, drawing the reader into the story. This part also reminds me of a carefree time in childhood. My grandmother was quite proud of her extensive vegetable garden. We visited there every August where I picked vegetables every morning with my grandfather. One year we visited in December, when I was horribly distraught to learn that vegetables don’t grow year round.
  

• Writer/Director Tom DiCillo was kind enough to share this trivia nugget: The tomato scene, while choreographed and modified for the film, was based on a real-life experience when he was younger. Only he and his best friend had to hide out in the tomato field for several hours before sneaking away safely.

  Incorporating true-life experiences, where applicable, into works of art can give the artist a joy beyond words. Life’s emotional rainbow gives us colored paints to play with, and it’s a delight when we can find a way for something true to life to work in our art. Immortality.

  Watch it, folks! It’s one of my favorite Indie films.

My thanks to Tom DiCillo for the encouraging words and advice as I wrestle with completing my third book. You’re an inspiration to artists everywhere and keep up the great work!

I’m taking a detour from the Indie list to bring you an announcement from my frustrated mind. Ready? Here it is.

A talented cast, sprinkled with eye candy, does not make up for a plot’s lack of motivation.

Motivation is THE key to what characters think, do, fear. It’s the reason they are who they are, and why they want what they want. Does anyone else think it goes without saying, you must research and find out what your character motivations are???

Goals – what characters want. Motivations – why do they want them, what makes them tick. Conflict – what is going to get in the way of them achieving this?

The big 3: Goals, Motivation, Conflict. (Also the title of Deb Dixon’s useful book.)

I just went on IMDB. The #2 movie in the USA this past weekend was “Street Kings.” The #7 movie was “Smart People.” Ahem. In the midst of writer’s block, a lack of other movies playing, and two free movie passes, I went to see them.

First, Street Kings, aka Elaine’s stupid choice.

It seems every book and movie I pick up or see lately has great potential, but they fall through. Why is this? This movie even had Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie. Talented individuals. And Hugh Laurie also fits into the eye candy category. (Along w/Chris Evans, but he couldn’t save the movie either.)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention at least one good thing. They DID share some motivations toward the end of the movie, but truthfully, it was too late. Motivations are what help us identify with and care about a character’s journey. If we don’t learn their motivations until close to the end, we can’t care all the way through.

You can write a book or screenplay about pig farmers in outer space who love to go to the opera. (Okay, ridiculous example, but stick with me here…) But you must make their motivations REAL.

Second, Smart People.

This movie, despite the selfish angst by Dennis Quaid which is never really explained, had some snappy dialogue. Original stuff, rare in today’s recycled world. But the motivation wasn’t there. Or perhaps it’s just because I expect a great deal when I pick up a book or see a movie.

Let’s be honest, though. In today’s world, a medical professional would demand the use of a condom before she sleeps with someone. Am I alone in this theory? I can understand someone not as knowledgeable, or a teenager too embarrassed to purchase them. But a medical professional??? That’s cheating to forward a plot which isn’t backed by real motivation.

Sometimes it’s like walking a tightrope, because we also want our characters to have flaws so we can watch their transformation. But when a character does something so completely against who they are, it’s unbelievable, it takes us out of the story, and in the end, it lessens the storyteller’s credibility.

Motivation is key. And it helps characters become more real to the audience.

Soap box is getting plenty of attention. Guess I’ll get off of it for now. Thx!

Indie # 6 – America’s Heart and Soul

I saw this film purely by accident. I needed to kill time between work and another appointment, and this film’s time span fit the slot. It only stayed in theatres for 2 weeks, supporting the concern over how even Indie films are being forced to have big opening weekends in order to survive.

A documentary by Louis Schwartzberg, this 84 minute gem has captured the most beautiful photography of America I’ve ever seen. His use of time-lapsed photography is brilliant and amazing. I’ve experimented with various lenses and cameras, but don’t think I have the patience for time-lapsed photography! However, it serves him well because so many scenes–from sunrise over snow-capped mountains to a flower unfolding in bloom–are absolutely majestic. So glad I saw this on the big screen, even though it’s worth viewing on DVD.

The entire movie is comprised of 3-4 minute interviews with people from all walks of life, talking about dreams/hopes/freedom. Some famous people appear (Ben from Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Patty Wagstaff, and others) but mostly it’s the local folks, peppered throughout the USA.

One of my favorite snippet behind the scenes is Minnie Yancey, the rugmaker in Appalachia. Her main quote: “I’ve been broke many times, but I’ve never been poor.” When I researched the making of this movie, I learned that she wasn’t originally scheduled to be in the film. Louis Schwartzberg got lost driving through Kentucky and stopped at a local store to get directions. She told him how to get back to the main highway and he put her in the movie. It’s one of the best interviews, in my opinion.

Go see it when you’re in need of a little inspiration or you want to see how beautiful Americana can be with the right amount of time and the right camera lens!

The Boondock Saints. Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe.

While watching this movie w/the commentary, I learned it was not released in the USA due to its violence and the close proximity to Columbine. However, the film did well overseas and has become a cult classic on DVD.

Can you say vigilante?

While vigilante themes are nothing new, this movie has superb performances and Willem Dafoe’s detective character was quite original and amusing. He listens to opera while researching a crime scene, he sends his subordinates out for coffee and errands every time they answer a question wrong, and he’s human enough that we feel for him.

Troy Duffy, the writer/director, went the extra step with Dafoe’s character, giving him traits and quirks as well as street smarts. The result, an originality aura and the audience likes him. There was some snappy dialogue as well.

While I love watching behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews w/cast, etc., I’m not usually patient enough to watch the commentary, except when it’s a Tom DiCillo film. Perhaps because he includes tidbits and reasoning for scenes, and is entertaining to listen to. Other film commentaries seem to be written for the Valium crowd.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Boondock Saints. For those of you who don’t like bullets and blood, be forewarned. I only say this because of movies I’ve had to walk out of due to the torture element. I can cope with a great deal on screen, but no torture. Not even a hint of it. But if bullets don’t bother you, this is a great film to check out on the Indie List.

More tomorrow!