Picture Lock!

You would think you take a script and make a film.  The story is fixed. 

But give the same script to different directors, actors, film editors and you will have two completely different films.  

How does that happen?

Because directors interpret the scripts and extract the qualities they want from each actor. The same line – “what are you doing? ” can be as said as mean and clipped, or loving and teasing. Directors choose locations, photography angles, and other variables that tell story in a certain way.

Editors use color in the film to portray mood and tone. A mountain ridge landscape shot can appear foreboding or welcoming.  

Editors also choose scenes to emphasize story themes and music to emphasis the emotional context of the characters’ performances.  Leave out a fight scene, put in a love scene and you have a different story. Play jazz or blues and sense the change in feeling.

This from Madi, Sidetracked film editor, on this week’s process:

“I have the picture locked” (when all changes to the scenes are finished and approved) …

“..and am moving forward with the coloring and sound.”  (adjust the color contrast and exposure so it appears natural and matches the mood and tone of the scene and select and polish dialogue, sound effects and music)…

“It has taken time to get the story to come out the way we want it to, but I think it is almost there.”

Madi knows her role in shaping Sidetracked and she is almost where she wants the story to be!

Here are some screen shots of the two principle actors, Louis Celt as Jack and Pearl Prentice as Mari. What’s the tone of the screen shots? What can you tell about relationships and story from expressions, the setting? Is Mari looking at Jack in the solo picture or someone else? 

 Remember color and sound are still to come.