Major improvements. Thursday was a train toward the Alps to see Ludwig’s famous castle. Kitsch as can be, but being there, with dramatic mountain tops above and long green valleys below, and feeling the mass of the stone work, was impressive. Next day found the little river here in Munich where they surf a standing…Continue Reading
Long story short, the festival is rough. Tons of bad work that lacks emphasis, narrative density and other very depressing things. In the midst of this, looking at my film on a bad projector with bad sound a few lessons finally settled in. Anybody back at CalArts, take this to heart! Make a SHORT film,…Continue Reading
I fly out to Munich tomorrow for the Munich International Student Film Fest. I’m excited about it. It’s a weeklong and there’ll be filmmakers from all over the world to meet. I got an email a couple weeks ago with the itinerary and there’ll be a tour of one of the big beer breweries. I…Continue Reading
I shot the hotel room scenes over the weekend and I’m relieved to have it done. Without Dave’s help its much more difficult. Last night at three in the morning I woke up and realized that part of Ervynis’ dialog is all wrong and should have been adjusted. Its too much for one person with…Continue Reading
Forth floor, go right, down the hall next to the crappy robot-chandelier, beneath bad rip offs of Keith Herring figures you’ll find the entrance to the Herring Suite. A hundred bucks a night, sleeps four, not named for the deceased artist, instead it takes its name from the ripe odor of the herring fish. Atlantic…Continue Reading
Almost to Berlin now – another hour on the train yet to go. Last night we left Vilnius around 9pm – we had some shots to get in the station, but security came running out and interrupted. Ridiculous – there was talk about terrorism etc…me and Dave and two old men, come on. These guys…Continue Reading
Here are some words from day one. Today went well, i feel like we got what we planned for and got what we needed. Up and early to remind martznas and romas to wear good shoes bring xtra socks-shots in deep snow. 930, met with sound guy out on the street to deliver wireless lavs,…Continue Reading
The hill of crosses started something like a hundred and twenty years ago (don’t quote me) when people started putting crosses up to honor loved ones deported by the czar. Under the soviets it continued even though they bulldozed it with regularity. Its an unusual place. A little hill completely covered in crosses. We start…Continue Reading
So this morning Martynas and Romas came over. I gave them a lame little task to improvise just to see what they would do. I told Martynas he was in a hurry to go buy some flowers for a party later. Romas was also going, but his leg was bothering him. We did that and…Continue Reading
Happy Thanksgiving. I’m in a dark internet cafe with Duran Duran rocking, its dumping snow outside. Dave is going into a blood sugar crash, so I have to make it quick. Yesterday we met with Martynas and Romas. These guys are both about 65, both retired television directors. Tomorrow we’re going to do a little…Continue Reading
