Brett and Melanie, a work in progress
I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I feel a change in the in the air, and that’s lit a fire under my feet to get the films that are already shot, but unfinished done, and then try to add a few new wrinkles to this couples/relationship/romance/sex format I’ve been working in for more than a decade.
Making that easier is the fact that starting with BILL AND DESIREE, I’m working with a young and hungry editor who’s taken on all of the dreary aspects of editing, and has been a great partner in the creative part. I’ve never had anyone edit my films, so it’s a totally new experience and I love it!
Making things even easier still is that this next film, BRETT AND MELANIE really seems to want to be a film. Brett and Melanie are great storytellers with a wonderful on-camera rapport; and the way they found themselves and found each other is a great story.
About 20 years ago I realized that my way of being an artist was to find great material and then do the best I can to keep up/stay out of the way; and Brett and Melanie’s story is another great example of how true that is. I almost feel more like a technician than an artist, just making sure all the knobs are turned to the right setting. Maybe that doesn’t sound fun, but it really is. This film has a life of its own, I’m just here to help bring it out into the world.
The embedded clip is a peek into my process. At this point footage from the two cameras used to capture the interview are shown side by side. Once the story/audio is locked, we start figuring out when to show the two shot, and when to show the close-up. If this is done well, the audience hardly notices the edits, and moving between the two shots can even help subtly emphasize the story by providing reaction shots and music-like rhythm.
Or at least that’s what supposed to happen. Like I said, mostly I just try to get good material and then not mess it up by getting too fancy!
