After learning about the correct way to direct on set, it was finally time to utilize these skills. When we first started filming today, I found my self disorganized. But after recalling my research, I remembered that being a director is about "aiming for excellence. not perfection". With this being said, I focued on helping my crew perform to the best of their ability while shooting. And if we couldn't reach perfect, that was perfectly fine.
Candid photo of me directing
One issue I faced while directing on set was time. No amount of research could have prepared me for the sheer amount of time goes into filming. This was an issue because of our location. My group and I were filming in the band room, meaning we were limited to filming before school ended -- not to mention a week long break that is one day away!! Because of this, my group and I tried to rush the process.
As I previously stated, our cast worked very well together. However, there was one major takeaway from this experience I will make sure to fix in the future, the unintentionl comedic atmosphere. In my earlier casting posts, I discussed Mr. A's and Liam's student-teacher dynamic, but what I didn'trealize was that their relationship was less strict and more fun. By fun, I mean that the two often had a playful mood while delivering lines. This served as a slight issue because it caused more takes to be done which created a rushed set.
Blooper
Final take
Overall, this leads to me to believe that casting close friends as the lead roles in a film can come with some flaws. If I were to focus on our currect situation (Liam & Mr. A), I would say they did an amazing job with what they were given. So yes, we shot a lot of takes, but they broke down that friendly wall and really embraced their individual charcter
After all the preperation leading up to today, we finally saw our cast interact while in character. As I was planning for my swede, I knew that Liam and Mr. Ardilla would have a good dynamic because their charcter roles mirror their actual student-teahcer relationship. While we were filming today, I really saw that intensity in Mr. Ardilla that Damien Chazelle saw in J.K. Simmons. The way he delivered his lines and how he held himself proved that he was the right choice.
Snapshot of cast interacting
When it came to Liam's role as Andrew, his acting was on par with Miles Teller's. The timid responces combined with the fearful emotions really brought this film to life. In addition to this, Liam's drumming skills were exactly what my crew and I were hopeing for. In my recent planning post, I discussed how Liam was a good fit because he's a great drummer- lets just say these expectations were delivered. While filming, Liam seemlessly played the drums while delivering emotion truly taking this swede one step further.
Being in the final days before filming my group's swede, I wanted to make sure I was properly utilizing myself while on set. One technique I think could be very useful is using hand signals. It is very common for directors to use a clapperboard when filming. Clapperboards help out the editors with sound and knowing the correct order of the clips.A great way to do this on a budget is by using your hands.
According to bhphotovideo.com, these hand gestures aren't just a low-budget tool, they can reduce the noise on set allowing for a better environment. Hand gestures also create a more organized setting because the crew can see what take or shot were on without confusion.
Director hand signals
The image above has many examples of how I can make set a professial and fast passed envionment.
After knowing how the casting was done for Whiplash, it's now time to decide who my group wants to cast for our swede.
As I stated before, Andrew Neiman is a very complex and talented musician. So, when it came down to who could really represent this role, we looked at our own Buddy Rich in the making, Liam Kenny. Liam is a sound designer in my group, but he is also part of the CSHS drum line. His talent, along with his overall knowledge of drumming, really made him a perfect fit for this role.
Andriew Neimen
Now it comes down to Fletcher. Who can really take on the act as this brutal and violent mentor? My original thought was my friend Alexis. She is a very comical person who tends to take on many different personas (in a humorous way) and always gets a good laugh out of anyone she's talking to. Upon further discussion, her laughable nature just isn't someone we thought could take on this identity. Ultimately, we landed on someone we knew could deliver our expectations, Mr. Ardilla.
Mr. A is the band teacher at CSHS. Because of this, Liam and him already have that "student-teacher" dynamic that is represented in the film.
One of the most important mise en scene elements in a film is the cast list. The actors are the audience's direct connection to the story in the film. If the correct actor is chosen, certain emotions are easily conveyed to the audience. So as the director, I knew that who we cast could make or break our swede. To take a step back, we have to understand the original cast of my team's film, Whiplash.
A little backstory: Whiplash (2017) is based on Whiplash, the short film, that the filmmaker made a year prior. According to slashfilm.com, the original short film served as a necessary "proof-of-concept" in order for Damien to secure funding. But in addition to this, Damien got to see if his casting could hold up to his expectations. It did not. SlashFilm states that Johnny Simmions' (Andrew in the short film) line delivery felt very "campy" and "over the top" compared to Andrews' complex nature. Thus, following the premiere of Whiplash the short film, Damien decided to cast Miles Teller as Andrew Neiman rather than Johnny.
Whiplash Original Short Film
Yes, this decision "hurt" Johnny's feelings, but making these tough decisions is part of the process in producing a better film.
While learning tips and tricks about directing may be important, it is also vital to understand what I'm directing. Meaning that I need to breakdown what aspects in my group's scene are most relevant. In this case, it's style.
Extract from Whiplash (2019)
A film's style is dependent on the director's technique. With Whiplash, we see elements of a psychological drama. Although the film is about music, this specific scene feels similar to an emotional drama or a thriller. Especially in the scene above, this style is apparent. The quick cuts and close ups of Andrew create a sense of fear and tension that is unique to this film and this director's style.
Knowing how to identify style and how it'srelevant can better my knowledge of directing, ensuring that every choice has an emotional impact.
For my next step in becoming a successful director for my team's swede, I must understand the director of my scene, Damien Chazelle. In the article "On the border between film and music: Damien Chazelle" from filmustage.com, I learned how Damien's movies go far beyond telling a story; he turns film into music. Unlike other directors, he doesn't just use sound as background music; he "treats every cut and camera movement like a part of a song". I also learned that by doing this, every shot feels like a note in a performance to really emphasize the rhythm of the story.
Damien Chazelle
One thing that really stood out to me was his ability to develop emotion and the extent he takes it. In his films, he often explores obsession and "the sacrifices people make in pursuit of greatness", as stated by Damien himself. He tends to focus on his character's fears, desires, and their overall personal battles. In Whiplash, we see Fletcher and Andrews' relationship become a phycological war which ultimately tore them both down. This unpredictability leaves the audience in a state of uncertainty.
After my group decided who had each role, we finished the scene Analysis from Whiplash (2014). While working on it, I found myself confused on what it means to be a true director. So, in order to really undergo this role, I have to do proper research. My first stop was medium.org's "12 Rules of Directing". The focus of this article was that directors should lead every decision with purpose. As stated in the article, "Everything on screen is the result of a deliberate choice - everything is there for a reason" meaning that leading with purpose isaboutintentional decisions that bring meaning.
Pavement Media: 4 Principles of Directing
My next stop in truly understandingdirecting was watching the YouTube video above, "4 Principles of Directing." In the video, he discusses that the basis of directing consists of visual conversations, showing, anticipating, and most importantly, screwing up. In the video, he discusses that directing gets easier the more you practice and make mistakes. So yes, keeping the audience engaged and being prepared is important, but it is crucial to make mistakes and learn from them. As quoted in the video, "aim for excellence, not perfection".
Overall, I now know that directing is built from imperfect guidelines that guide you towards excellence.
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