James H. Kelly's Lounge Discussions

Simple and effective.

Thanks Julie. Let me know when it's up.

Very nice James!

Really wonderful work! Moving.

looking for 90 min animation pieces mrateringg@hotmail.com Middle East Distribution

I'm writing a script depicting the life of Isaac Brock who fought for Upper Canada in the war of 1812

Many people have written " Battle ensues " and then only listed key plot points ( hero is incapacitated and barbarian rides off with damsel )... and dialogue of course... action coordinators are often used to figure it out ( 2nd Unit Director / DP ).

You need to hit the emotional beats of the battle. There's no point in having it in there at all if it doesn't make you feel something about the characters. I wouldn't worry about the technicalities of the fighting, but would focus instead on what our characters are doing specifically and how their goals are thwarted.

That's what I thought, to keep writing : one soldier bayonets another in the head then another did this, blah blah blah. takes too much time, ill focus on the protagonist only ^_^

So, my take: Every action that reveals your protagonist or antagonist and the future needs of the story is important. Make sure the things that you need to make the director accomplish are set out, and evocatively so (and then give that hope away, lol, but still ...). Do not allow yourself to be bogged down in what the location might look like. And, respectfully " I don't know what will look good until I'm at location physically planning it out" is your giving yourself an "out." Now's the time; plan it. Just because you may have to change your plans later, does not give you the leeway to approach it with half your attention and excitement, now. If you're going to be the director, great, but it sounds like you would still have to entice the funds. Why give that opportunity to excite others, short shrift? Best, and luck.

My, but this is a lively thread. There's a lot of interesting opinions here, whether born from experience, guesswork, or plain fantasy. I read every comment and really didn't see that much negativity (re: hostility). Actually, I was rather surprised there wasn't more. I say that because filmmakers are by necessity, somewhat overly tough on themselves, and those who show little understanding of the craft. I'm sure Jerry meant well with his initial opinions, but as someone previously said, they are at best, naive, at worst, the result of being in the arc of a super narcotics high. ;-P He made absolute definitive statements that are quite ridiculous, though I'm sure his intent was pure. I enter this conversation now because I am an award-winning screenwriter, and a novelist, and multi-talented, and can multi-task, AND I'm in pre-production on my 1st feature. TA DA! Even though I can do all those things, and have worked in the Hollywood system for 15 years on some of the biggest films of all times with some of the biggest directors, including Cameron, I won't know how good I am as a director until the film leaves the editing room. My experience after 30+ years in film, writing 19 screenplays and 8 published novels, is that most writers are not so good, and neither are most directors. Many of the great directors are great because they had incredible crews to work with. I've seen firsthand how a director can sink a project by going it alone. I've also seen directors who only had a skill set, but no apparent talent, and their movies failed. I've seen directors who had talent, but hardly any skill set achieve their vision because they allowed the crew to do their jobs and they took advice well. This is how I hope to complete my film. Because of my past experience, which anyone can see by visiting my websites, I've been bringing together a rather fabulous international crew to help me realize my vision. There are folks from Germany, Thailand, Sweden, Singapore, America, and Laos, so far. Their input has be wondrous. I belong to a writers group, and from their comments on my script, along with my cinematographer's comments, I rewrote certain scenes. Why? Because those comments made sense, and everyone wants to make a great movie and have a fun time doing it. The point for me is that, yes, a screenwriter can make a good director, just as anyone else with certain talents, drive, focus, ambition (in a good sense), can. In this thread, I agree with everything Alle has said. Do I think every screenwriter should try to direct his or her own film, or that they, by divine right would be fabulous at it. No. That doesn't mean I'm against anyone from doing it. Like anything taken serious in life, you should learn all you can about the craft your going into before you start. Filmmaking (except in Cameron's case) is a collaborative effort. (It's a joke, James, though with a ring of truth.) Unlike a carpenter using tools from his toolbox, where he or she wields each tool, the tools of a filmmaker--his or her crew--have minds, talents, and skill sets of their own, and are usually chosen for how well they interpret the directors vision. My uncalled for advice, is to take the intent of what Jerry said, and if you, as a writer, feel you can bring something to the table that another director can't, then go for it. There's no one stopping you...except the all the powers that be in the world, the movie gods, the financiers, the naysayers, most of your relatives, your wife or husband, girlfriend or boyfriend, people you don't even know, and the cruel hand of fate. If you feel that you have the power to bend Kismet to your will, then maybe you do have what it takes to be a director. Still, whether you will be any good at it will only come when the end credits role and the lights come up. It's the sound that follows, which will give you your answer.

I've thought about directing. Since I know the visuals in my head when I'm writing, and how the angles should be, etc. Unless I find a director who has the same visual ideas I do.

Stuart- what are your websites ? Am I missing them on your profile page ?

Royce, check the ABOUT tab on the profile page. My girlfriends don't that much about me. :-) ... Alle, I'll freak out on first day of shooting!

Stuart for some reason the first time I tried that there was no " about". Now I have seen it. Thanks.