We have two new faces, Rahul and Avirath. They couldn’t make it to the first session because they were in other camps. I did a make-up session at my house and they’re up to speed now.
We begin with an excerpt from a Hollywood film School of Rock. I love this film for its use of rock music by a school teacher to foster the spirit of independent thinking and creativity among children. While rock is associated with drugs and the rebellious spirit of youth from the 60s and 70s, this film gives it a new and untainted incarnation.
The scene we are studying is one in which the character Mr. Schneble, played by Jack Black, introduces his 10-year-old students to classic rock. Again, we explored it by first asking the fundamental question, "How is it written?" Film is an extension of literature. If its not written, it doesn't become a great film - an axiom we forget in Indian cinema.
Every action, movement, location and prop in the classroom scene with Jack Black and his students is meticulously written in a script. The choice of music has been meditated on and explicitly called out. Each character that plays a different instrument has very specific traits that make him (or her) who they are. The kids observe, imbibe, comment and laugh at Jack’s antics.
Jack Black is a wonderful actor to watch - totally involved, very passionate, very animated when he needs to be and soft as pillow when its called for. Through him, the rock stars and their music from The Doors, Deep Purple and AC/DC spring alive. Its a window into the past through sheer acting.
A Hollywood filmmaking is all dynamic camera. Every movement of actors versus the camera is orchestrated to render a precise effect and illicit an emotion from an audience. Kids get an idea of how a Hollywood film is made with complex machinery and an experienced crew. The classroom is a set. Every prop, costume and hairstyle has been designed.
We sit down to review treatments. Every kid in the class of 11 has written one. Deepti has written three as has Siddarth. Every story has a beginning, middle and end. Every story is a little gem. Some are very funny. Others are subtle and have poignant endings. Their language is simple and narrative. Question is, “Can they be made into a short film?”
We continue writing through the next hour. Our attitude - “We’re going to make a film out of each treatment.” That keeps all the kids involved. Some rewrite their treatments, other explore new stories. We will narrow five of these to make films.
We wrap up the session with an introduction to the camera and the tripod. At FilmCamp, the handheld camera is frowned on. We also don’t allow pans or tilts. Our mantra is, “Know your frame, and know it intimately before you begin to move it.”
Kids practice how to setup a tripod and mount the camera. The guys do what they do best - goof off. The girls, as always, are their diligent and meticulous selves.
We finish with what needs to be done for the next day. Treatments need to be ready and completed. We begin on the scripts tomorrow.
Read more about this workshop here:
