How to militarise a group of clowns and hippies to make a 30 minute period movie in a ten day shoot with no experience whatever
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Recently I made a film as a master class session for a group of clowns in Catalonia Spain.
This is an ambitious project to undertake as film audiences are spoilt more and more with the rising standards in movie making, especially home made movies. Most people leave the cinema right after a movie or go to make tea after a DVD is finished, uninterested in the boring credits ( sometimes they miss some cool stuff doing that) and unless you are a movie buff or an actor I can’t blame them. Most people never understand why it takes 300 people to make a Bond movie as the credits roll on for what seems long than the movie itself.
I have done three short films like this now with prospective actors or clowns in training. One in Holland for the Oerol festival on Terschelling Holland, one for Dimitri school of theatre and now in Valls /Reus area.
All have suffered various consequences of making a film as of course how could we expect to have all the essential anonymous behind-camera assistants in such a low budget/no budget project.
For the Reus project we are now almost finished editing with only sound and music to be added. This will be a 25-30 minute short film which will premier in the 25th Girona film festival on the 6 september.
About 12 students were in the master class in april and we shot on various locations in Siruana/Albarca/Montblanc in south Catalonia – amazing authentic locations perfect for the medieval theme based on St George and the Dragon. Called Chilis and Roses – St. George the truth – the story depicts the manipulation of the royals and the church for their form of trickery. A comedy with a message you might say in the Melville style.
For all involved this was an empowering experience in film making and with this group energy I intend to make another soon with some members of the cast/group. In the meantime what is important is to remember some important things for anyone embarking on such an adventure.
1 Try to find some form of money base to pay for travel/ costumes/ props / food.
(We had a great budget of about 80 euro cents a day per person for food. This accomplished from direct organic source – members of the cast. Cabarets were organised for friends in Reus brining in about 500 euros pure to the project. Other investments came from some friends who donated 100 euros ( not so many did this) My foundation stichting rule of three paid for about 1200 euros to the finishing of the project.)
2. Assure that you give roles as clear assistants as well as acting roles. Continuity – clapper board and photos of costume and make up absolutely essential.
3. Make sure your actors dont party all night or even half the night and dont allow any private hedonism on set whether they are doing you a favour or not.
4. If you involve anyone – friends especially – make sure you have basic permissions – copyrights of pictures/contracts etc already clearly worked out.
5. Dont miss anyone in credits !!!