Shooting People Taipei

SHOOTING PEOPLE TAIPEI GOES INTO HIBERNATION

2006-12-02T10:25:00.000+08:00

Yes, SPT is slowing down to a complete stop over the winter months. It is drastically lowering its metabolic rate and core temperature as of this moment.

SPT has gorged itself upon the fruits of this past season of guerrilla film-making and is taking to its cave with a library of film, good and bad, to stave off boredom.

Once it has tapped out its stored body fat and energy reserves SPT will stir and, hungry and ravenous for new adventure, emerge blinking into the sunlight.

Fresh instigations and activities coming in March. Suggestions welcome.

LOGO CONTEST

2006-11-09T16:55:00.000+08:00

SPT Logo Contest

Shooting People Taipei wants you to design our logo.

We'll use it as a banner to grace our blog and add it to the end of all SPT short films.

It'll also be stuck on stickers, and printed on t-shirts.

If we achieve total world domination, it will be featured on the new world flag and any and all stationary, as well as monogrammed towels in the VIP suites of all new government offices.

Inclusion in decorative floral arrangements at all world airports and freeway gardens will also be considered mandatory.

The logo should read "Shooting People Taipei".

The winning entry will be decided on December 16, unless insufficient designs are received.

The winner will receive front row seats to all screenings provided they are the first to arrive and sit in the front.

Details:
Shooting People Taipei Logo Contest

The words "Shooting People Taipei" must appear in the logo.
Resolution: 300 dpi.
Size: at least 20cm in any direction.
Transparent background preferred.

Transparent backgrounds are preferred.

STATIC - NOVEMBER'S INSTIGATION

2006-11-05T15:44:00.000+08:00

Thanks to all who came out to the Treasure Hive at Treasure Hill yesternight for the viewing of SPT Public Education films. The films will be posted to youtube.com very soon. Keep an eye on our blog http://shootingpeoplefilms.blogspot.com/ for details.

For November, SPT presents an instigation by Kyle Craig - STATIC.

Details are listed below. Completed films will be screened in the ZhongXiao-DunHua area (details of exact location closer to time) on Saturday, December 2nd, 2006.

As always, SPT encorages writers to email SPT their scripts for posting on the blog. If you want to get involved but don't have a camera or crew, email SPT or leave your contact details on the blog for others to get hold of you.

Let SPT know if you plan to make a short.

THE INSTIGATION
__________________________________________________

Theme: STATIC

LIMITATIONS:

1-3 minutes, NO CUTS!!! You can apply any other array of editing tools, but your entire film must be ONE UNCUT SHOT.

*This restriction does not apply to any audio in the film. In fact, you are encouraged to use and edit sound in an interesting way.

*The film can be narrative or non-narrative. Tell a story, or don't!

*Use any dialogue you want, or, don't use any at all!

*The camera can be stationary or moving, it doesn't matter.

Kyle

__________________________________________________

Shooting People is a community of people with a common interest in film. It seeks to foster relationships that aid, abet and stimulate the creation of short films and videos. Its creations are distributed on the World Wide Web, communicating the experience of living and creating in Taiwan.

This Saturday, 11/4 - Shooting People Taipei Public Education Screening

2006-11-03T10:37:00.000+08:00

A quick reminder that the Public Education shorts will be screened at the Treasure Hill Film Bunker (No.71 Treasure Hill) TOMORROW from 5:30pm onwards.

If you'd like to come along we'll have shorts seen and unseen projected on the wall (inside, for those fearful of rain and cold).

This is the last weekend of the Treasure Hill celebrations before it undergoes its reconstruction, so it's your last chance to explore this valuable part of Taipei's living history. There will be many other activities going on around Treasure Hill as well.

Stay tuned for details of our November Instigation: STATIC!

OCTOBER INSTIGATION - PUBLIC EDUCATION - SCREENING NOV 4

2006-10-20T07:50:00.000+08:00

This month Shooting People is looking for short films that provide a little Public Education! Who's your public? Choose Your public - and then Educate and Edify them!

This is a great chance to hook up with like minded people and write, shoot, and edit a short film.

Everybody has had a situation in Taiwan where they needed to overcome an obstacle in their path. How did you overcome it? Could you stage a re-enactment? Let others benefit from your experience!

Or maybe there is a question that you've always wanted an answer for and never found? What does that cardboard guy do with all the cardboard? What are the benefits to chewing betel nut? What does that recorded voice broadcast from the blue truck really say? Get out there and find out! Record the results and let the public benefit.

If you've got an idea for a video, write a script and email it to us at shootingpeople.taipei@gmail.com. Please include "Public Education Instigation - Script Submission" in the subject line. It'll be posted on the blog for all to see and make.

If you'd like to participate, but you don't have a camera or are not sure what you can do, leave a comment here.

Drop us a line if you plan on making a film and let us know.

A viewing of the Public Education films will be held on November 4th at the final Treasure Hill (soon to be under reconstruction) Celebration in Gongguan (details coming soon).

After the Nov 4 screening we'll post all videos on the shooting people: (soon to be even bigger and better)

Here's a note on Public Education from our Instigator, Kelley:

I was thinking of doing a series of shorts for my website, www.therealtaiwan.com, that could be used as sort of a video guide on how to do useful things around Taiwan. Imagine it like a video message to the public that had never been to Taiwan, or maybe live here and just want to show their friends and family how things work around here. You get it.

I wonder if people could be interested in:

· MRT (I've already written a script for this one)
· Pub Crawl
· Paying bills
· Getting a job
· Ordering Food
· Simple Chinese jingles they can use around town. Maybe demonstrate how they make Taiwanese people happy or piss them off.
· Using a squat toilet
· Getting a driver's license

Or load up all your little secrets into a humdinger They can be serious or funny. All I hope for is that they're accurate and useful.

Try to keep it to a 5min max.

Cheers

Kelley

MANDALA 9/23 - In Review

2006-09-24T02:50:00.000+08:00

A big thanks to everyone who braved the drizzle to come out last night and watch the MANDALA shorts projected on the side of the Treasure Hill Film Bunker. Kudos and awed admiration for our filmmakers.

A great turnout, a tasty BBQ and a good time.

Many thanks also to Ming Yi and Co. for use of the projector and thanks too to the DJs who played afterward.

We'll post links to the selected shorts over the next week or two.

Stay tuned for news of a fresh instigation...

Here is the first of the MANDALA shorts posted.

Many thanks to Norman Szabo for his amazing work and effort on this.

MANDALA - Screening Sept 23, Treasure Hill

2006-09-21T20:45:00.000+08:00

Saturday 9/23 (tomorrow) we screen the collected MANDALA shorts at the Treasure Hill Film Bunker (plus a few other seen and unseen shorts).

We'll screen them as soon as it gets dark (around 6:30pm) but before that there is a barbeque - the fires'll be stoked from 5 pm on. We'll have some corn to contribute but if you'd like something meatier or more substantial.... please bring along something that suits your wants to throw on the barbie.

If you'd like to drink some beer or other liquid refreshment bring that along too.

THE TREASURE HILL FILM BUNKER IS AT 71 TREASURE HILL - (Go to the path on the left of the temple, above the basketball courts and keep walking straight up until the end)

Treasure Hill is not too far from the intersection of Keelung and Ting Zhou roads in Gongguan.

If you have any trouble finding the place please give me a call on 0910 202 261 when you're in the vicinity.

HERE'S A REMINDER OF WHAT IT's ALL ABOUT

THEME: MANDALA
Screening Saturday 9/23 at 6:30pm
BBQ begins around 5pm
Instigator: River

The only rule was that you include the following dialogue.

THE DIALOGUE

A: What's next?
B: I'm thinkng.
A: What are you going to do now?
B: Just wait a minute.
A: I'm waiting. It's taking longer than I thought.
B: Something's wrong. I knew it.
A: Yeah?
B: Yeah. I know what I'm going to do.

MANDALA is one script, a dialogue between two actors.

It is up to the director of the short to determine the setting, players, drama and situation.

REVERSE CHRONOLOGY - THE CALL

2006-08-24T20:41:00.000+08:00

Here is the first of the two films made using the Reverse Chronology Theme. Post a comment and tell us what you think!

We have both Chinese and Slovenian subtitles. Take your pick.

The Call (Telefonski Klic)

Subtitles by Tjasa Fink

The Call (電話)

Subtitles by Amy Lin

IN REVIEW - 08/04/06 SHADOWS

2006-08-05T12:04:00.001+08:00

Last night was a challenge due to a small turnout and an absence of filmable shadows.

However, an improvised situation was devised based on an idea of Bill's, Dorian filmed it and it had everyone laughing.

Wrap party took place at JB's near Shi-da - it was more well attended then the shooting!

NEXT THEME: MANDALA
INSTIGATOR: RIVER
SCRIPT SUPPLIED! DIRECTORS SIGN UP NOW AND RECRUIT YOUR OWN ACTORS.

SHADOWS SCRIPT#1 - SCARED OF YOUR OWN SHADOW

2006-08-04T20:23:00.000+08:00

There is no title at the beginning.

A person, X., walks across the square at CKS. A solitary figure, he appears to be deep in thought. He heads off into a less populated part of the square.

As he walks, the light from a streetlamp ahead of him illuminates his face clearly. He hears footsteps, his own and seemingly, someone else’s behind him. They are just slightly off his own, nearly matching the rhythm of his own but not quite. He pauses. The footsteps pause too, an instant after his own. X’s eyes shift from side to side. He is having an internal debate about whether to look around. We cannot see behind him because his head fills most of the frame.

No. He is imagining it. He continues walking toward the streetlight and again he hears the mysterious footsteps, almost as though someone is trying to imitate his gait. He casts a quick, nervous glance over his shoulder but there is no one there. He turns back around. Strange.

The rhythm of his footfall quicken as he approaches the lamppost, the footsteps behind him speed up pace too. He starts to trot, looking behind him he sees nothing but he still hears the mysterious footfall. He passes the lamppost, still looking behind him. As he turns he sees a giant shadow looming over him and growing larger. His face contorts with fear and he drops to his knees, brings his hands up to protect his face, and turns around to see… Nothing.

His face relaxes into bewilderment. He glances around to see if anyone was watching. He looks at the streetlamp and follows it around to where his own shadow lies ‘over’ him. Realization dawns. He makes a quick bunny ears with his hands to test his suspicion. He jumps up and down to hear the echo of his footsteps. Oh.

He dusts off his knees, looks around again to make sure no one saw him. He starts. A couple of lovers are sitting in the shadow of a tree. The couple stands up and walks into the light. The girl turns to the guy - a subtitle card appears “And I thought it was just an expression.” X. embarrassed, walks quickly away.

TITLECARD : SCARED OF YOUR OWN SHADOW

Written by Ben Andrews

Shadows 8/4

2006-08-04T03:55:00.000+08:00

THEME : Shadows
OBSTRUCTION & CONVENTIONS : Black and white only. No dialogue. Ambient sounds only.
INSTIGATOR : Bill
DATE & TIME : Friday, August 4th - 7:00 pm -
LOCATION : CKS Memorial Hall (meet out front of National Theatre, near MRT Exit 6).

OBSTRUCTIONS & CONVENTIONS :
These are constraints, requirements or tasks the writer or director should follow... as chosen by the instigator.

WRITERS :
Bear in mind obstructions, location, and limitations on props and length of the films etc. Bring props along if specified.

SCRIPTS :
Accepting scripts by email through Wednesday August 2nd.

DIRECTORS :
Read through the scripts posted on the site. Choose the one you want to film. Draw up your story board. Come with a camera.

CAST & CREW :
Cast and crew are the meat and bones of any film. Bring friends. Act in and be part of crew in a fast paced short film shoot. Groups of various levels and experiences and languages are randomly thrown together to follow a director's lead. Then see it on the screen.

EDITORS :
The number of editors determines and limits the number of films that will be made. If you'd like to edit a short 1 to 5 minute film but can't come on the night, you are still very welcome! Contact us ASAP and arrange for footage to be passed on to you!

NOTES :
It is a Friday night, so the “wrap party” begins after filming is finished. Meet back at the starting point for the after-shoot review. Directors hand over the footage, everyone else has drinks... the night is still young.

Please forward the the link to this blog to anyone who might be interested in film making in Taipei, Taiwan.

2006-08-04T02:45:00.000+08:00

Why Shadows? Thoughts from the instigator.

2006-08-03T15:09:00.000+08:00

Why shadows?

"Where there is much light, the shadow is deep” - Goethe.

Film captures the energy of flowing time as photons alter the chemical structure of silver nitrate on celluloid. Our eyeballs capture the energy of flowing time as photons alter the chemical structure of proteins, causing a polarization in a retinal cell, causing a signal to be sent to the brain. Both processes translate information about time and light.

And what else is a shadow but translated information? Images of the essences of things doing a fourth-dimension dance across The Cave's wall? Shadows are superheroes with dark sides. They are radio shows broadcast invisibly to families huddled in front of a post-war cabinet of technology. Shadows are places to skulk in. They are places to run from. They are places to avoid the awesome energy of the sun. They are puppets on a wall telling an ancient story of beginnings. They are flash-frozen images of atomic agony on a brick wall.

The shadow is the source of the voice you consult before making every decision. It is also sometimes the voice that torments you late at night when there is no light and the shadow has retreated deep inside, behind your peepholes.

Shadows are paired with reflections - and without reflecting light we wouldn't be able to make films anyway.

That's why. Write some good scripts yo.Why shadows?

“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep” - Goethe.

Film captures the energy of flowing time as photons alter the chemical structure of silver nitrate on celluloid. Our eyeballs capture the energy of flowing time as photons alter the chemical structure of proteins, causing a polarization in a retinal cell, causing a signal to be sent to the brain. Both processes translate information about time and light.

And what else is a shadow but translated information? Images of the essences of things doing a fourth-dimension dance across The Cave's wall? Shadows are superheroes with dark sides. They are radio shows broadcast invisibly to families huddled in front of a post-war cabinet of technology. Shadows are places to skulk in. They are places to run from. They are places to avoid the awesome energy of the sun. They are puppets on a wall telling an ancient story of beginnings. They are flash-frozen images of atomic agony on a brick wall.

The shadow is the source of the voice you consult before making every decision. It is also sometimes the voice that torments you late at night when there is no light and the shadow has retreated deep inside, behind your peepholes.

Shadows are paired with reflections - and without reflecting light we wouldn't be able to make films anyway.

That's why. Write some good scripts yo.

Feel free to post comment or food for thought regarding shadows.

IN REVIEW - 07/21/06 REVERSE CHRONOLOGY

2006-07-22T09:32:00.001+08:00

STORY : "THE CALL"
DIRECTOR : Brook
REVIEW : Director came super prepared with a storyboard, lighting, a 1 meter bamboo boom pole, flash lights, MD sound. Short on girls this week, but at the last minute Tjasa joined the cast!
HIGHLIGHTS : blocking traffic in Ximending for the death scene under a bus. Rumors of Slovenian subtitles!

STORY : "DENIAL"
DIRECTOR : Ben
Review : Shot a week later (07/28/06) in Ximen. Bill plastic-bagged and bic-ed in the neck in drug deal gone awry.

STAY TUNED FOR VIDEOS

THEME : Reverse Chronology
OBSTRUCTIONS & CONVENTIONS : All shots must be hand held. Only one character can speak.
INSTIGATOR: Brook
DATE & TIME : Friday July 21st, 2030 (8:30pm)
SITE LOCATION : XiMenDing Taipei. (Red Theatre across from MRT#6)

7:00 Dinner at Thai Restaurant. (optional)
8:00-8:30 arrive
8:30 Meeting, Q&A, and final words of cast and crew.
9:00 Filming begins
11:00 Return to starting point with footage. DV to DVD transfer begins and editors meeting begins.

WRITERS : Reverse Chronology is a challenging theme it might help to have an engaging, or surprise ending (that is, the beginning) to work backward from.
Why does your story unfold backwards?
How might the surrounding area of XiMenDing be utilized in a script?
Bear in mind our location and limitations on props and length of the films etc.
Bring props along if specified.

SCRIPTS : Still accepting scripts by email through Wednesday the 22nd. Read them on this blog!

DIRECTORS : Read through the scripts posted on the site. Choose the one you want to film. Draw up your story board. Come with a camera.

OBSTRUCTIONS & CONVENTIONS : (constraints, requirements or tasks the writer or director should follow... as chosen by the instigator.)
- All shots must be hand held.
- Only one character can speak.

CAST & CREW : The meat and bones of any film. The more the merrier! Come act and be part of crew in a fast paced film making activity

EDITORS : the number of Editors determine the number of films we will make. We will only make as many films as we can finish.
As always if you'd like to edit a short 1 to 5 minute film but can't come on the night, you are still very welcome! Contact us ASAP and the footage can be passed on to you!

NOTES: It is a Friday night, so the “wrap party” begins after filming is finished. Meet back in the square beside the Red Theatre for the after-shoot party. Have a drink, chat, mingle and handover tapes, notes etc to editors, or move on to the rest of your Friday night plans… the night is still young.

See you there!

Please forward the the link to this blog to anyone who might be interested in film making in Taiwan. All are welcome!

REVERSE CHRONOLOGY - THE SCRIPTS

2006-07-21T14:01:00.000+08:00

SCRIPT#1 - REVERSE CHRONOLOGY - DENIAL
by Bulaien

Shot in first and third person. Three characters: Mickey, Alan, and Phil. The speaking character is Alan. We see some action from the point of view of Phil (Phil is the camera), and some from a third person perspective. The three characters meet to make a drug deal, which turns out to be a set up. Phil and Alan go together to meet Mickey to make the score. The deal ends with Mickey and Alan leaving Phil passed out in the square. The back-story: Because Phil refused Alan’s sexual advance, Alan brokers the deal with Mickey for revenge—he knows Phil has the cash, and Mickey the drugs.

SCENE ONE

Shot in first person. Camera operator (Phil) lying on ground, camera in bag. Sit up and remove bag with free hand. Scan the scene, slowly stand, and stagger around. Find bearings. Walk toward MRT entrance. Fade to black.

SCENE TWO
Shot in third-person. We see Phil on the ground. Mickey is kneeling next to him. Alan returns with two beers and a lit cigarette.
Alan:
“Hurry up, dumb ass. It’s in his front pocket. [Mickey gropes back pocket] Other front fucking pocket! [Mickey finds Phil’s wallet] There you go, Mickey Micardo Retardo. [Mickey tosses the wallet to Alan] OK, let’s get the fuck out of Jackson, hombre.” [Alan and Mickey leave the frame. Phil remains still]

SCENE THREE

Shot in third-person. Tight shot of Mickey waiting. Mickey pulls a pack of cigarettes from a pocket, finds the pack empty, and tosses it down. Camera moves to shoot from behind Mickey and we see Alan and Phil approaching. We hear Alan’s voice as they approach.

Alan:
“That’s huge with a capital fucking H. Six-eight, 320 pounds. I watched him eat five fucking fried chickens and slam back nearly twenty-four cans of fucking beer. You’d think I could remember the fucker’s name, but for the life of me, I can’t think of what it is. Actually, the whole trip is a bit of a blur. Fuck. Hey Mickey! You look like a fucking boner standing over there!”

SCENE THREE

Shot in third-person. Long shot. Mickey, Phil, and Alan standing in the square. Phil hands Alan money, and Alan jogs off to a café. Mickey and Phil awkwardly stand waiting. As soon as Phil turns his body away from Mickey to look at something in the square, Mickey springs into action. He puts a bag over Phil’s head, and stabs Phil in the neck with a pen. Phil goes limp and Mickey helps him to the ground

SCENE FOUR

Shot in first-person. Camera (Phil) and Alan walk the last 10 meters or so to where Mickey is standing. Camera (Phil) moves naturally between Alan, the destination ahead, and Mickey.

Alan:
“Goddamn it’s hot. Fucking hot. Hey bro, this is Phil. Phil, this is Mickey. Dude, got a smoke? [Mickey gestures that he doesn’t]
All right tricky Mickey got no ciggy, let me run over there
[gestures to one of the cafés]
and grab some smokes and some beers. Chill here for a minute.
[Alan turns to leave, then turns back]
Crikey!
[in faux British accent]
Gimme a couple of hundred, will you Phil?
[Camera (Phil) extends hand that is holding money, and Alan takes it]
Fuck yeah, now we’re cooking with gas.” [Alan jogs out of the frame]

Phil and Mickey stand silently. Awkward silence. Stretch it. As soon as camera (Phil) turns to look at something in the square, a bag is placed over the camera (Phil’s head). Camera (Phil) is moved to simulate struggle. Grunting sounds and breathing. Fade to black.

SCENE FIVE

Shot in first-person. Camera (Phil) comes up and out of MRT entrance. By the time camera reaches street level, Alan is approaching—he puts his cell phone in his pocket. Alan and camera (Phil) walk together to an inconspicuous spot in the square next to the Red Theater where Mickey is waiting. Alan does all the talking on the way to the meeting place. Camera (Phil) looks around naturally.

Alan:
“Hey, man. Come on. Got the funds? Good. It’s just over here. Let me do the talking—you know how much I like to talk. [laughs] This shit is nice. Mickey’s got some contact in the Philippines. I’ve been there. Fucking whores. There was this crazy German guy at a bar called Gotham that could open bottles of beer with his fucking eye sockets. Fucker was huge.”

SCENE SIX

Shot in third-person. Close shots of Alan talking on a cell phone.

Alan:
“Yeah, he’s on his way. I told him I’d meet him at the MRT entrance. How much? All of it. I told him if he stepped up and bought it all, you’d knock a thousand off. You sure you can handle your end, ball sack (Balzac)? [turns head] He’s coming.” [walks off in the direction he looked]

SCRIPT#2-REVERSE CHRONOLOGY-Flailing for Footwear
by Lis
This film depicts the cumulatively frustrating experiences of a shopper going over the edge.
Characters: Female Shopper (increasingly amassed with frustration)
Female Shopper 2 (passive aggressive but seemingly oblivious)
5 Sales people, 1 cashier
Location: Hsimen – 2 lingerie stores, 3 shoe stores.
Scene 1
Camera view from outside a shoe store in Hsimen. FS is coming out of the store flailing her arms in anger, shouting at someone to her right. “You bitch! I was gonna buy those!” Camera flips to FS2. She turns and gives FS a scornful, incredulous look, then turns and keeps on walking. FS pathetically flings a chocolate bar wrapper at FS2, Donald Duck style. Then FS says to no one in particular, ‘I can’t believe she did that!’ Scene cuts with FS standing in front of the shoe store looking angry and dejected.
Scene 2
Earlier in the evening:
FS is in lingerie store happily feeling the material of all the pretty bras. Sales woman approaches. FS asks about sizes. Sales woman smiles and shakes her head, ‘Maio.’

Scene 3
FS in another lingerie store. Sales woman shows her a giant granny bra. FS points to pretty one. Sales woman smiles and shakes her head, ‘Maio.’
Scene 4
FS in shoe store #1. Camera pans the sparkly shoes. FS walks on.
Scene 5
FS in another shoe store #2. She sees gorgeous shoes and asks about sizes. The sales woman smiles and shakes her head, ‘Maio.’
Scene 6
FS in shoe store #3. She likes the shoes and they seem to have her size, so she tries some on. She finds a styling pair that she likes, walks around the store in them, smiles and giggles with delight. Then she puts them aside while she continues to try on the others. She’s walking around in an ill fitting pair when she notices that her chosen shoes have disappeared from the fitting bench on which she left them. She sees FS2 at the purchasing counter as the cashier is bagging FS’s chosen shoes.
FS shouts, ‘Hey! . . . HEY!’ Then she starts after her. (First scene occurs at this point)
Scene 7
After her fit of flailing, FS returns to cash register, slouching, plunks a pair of plastic flip flops on the counter, and says, ‘I’ll just take these.’

SCRIPT#3- REVERSE CHRONOLOGY – YOU KNOW WHAT I NEED (Backwards)

by Roberto Azula

One Man, One Woman

Props:

Pack of cigarettes

Lighter

Two drinks

Purse

Scene one: Woman splashes drink in leering, smoking man’s face. Man looks at her in shock. He looks ashamed. He nods, and clasps his hands together. He bows. She shakes her head and blows air out of her cheeks. She snatches the pack from him and throws it off camera.

Scene Two: Smoking man smirks and appears is grinning and leering at woman. He is lustily smoking the cigarette. He is in heaven smoking. But it appears he is making obscene gestures with the cigarette at the woman.

Scene Three: Man takes hold the cigarette and says, “You know what I need.” He puts the cigarette back in his mouth. He lights it.

Scene Four: Woman enters and sits down at her table. She notices the cigarettes are gone. She looks at man, and the cigarette he is holding in his mouth. She looks disgusted and shakes her head.

Scene Five: Man is struggling with himself. Man puts a cigarette in his mouth His hands are shaking. He is struggling with himself. He puts the packet of cigarettes in his pocket.

Scene Six: Man is staring at a pack of cigarettes he is holding. He begins leering and smacking his lips.

Scene Seven: Man sees a pack of cigarettes on a table. He looks around to make sure no one can see him. He grabs the pack and looks at it in quiet horror and desperation.

Scene Seven: Woman is at table. She puts the cigarettes on the table. She shakes her finger at the man in a “No, no, no” gesture. The man nods. The woman points off camera. She gestures at the man not to leave. The man nods. Woman takes her purse and leaves.

Scene Eight: Man takes out the pack of cigarettes, almost in tears. The woman looks on with pity. She stands from the table, and gently takes the pack from him. He looks at her gratefully.

Scene Nine: Man looks longingly at woman. She looks at him with compassion. He says, “You know what I need.” She shakes her head, again with compassion and understanding. She mouths “No, no, no!”

Scene Ten: Man and woman sitting at a table. Man is looking very sad and almost sick. He looks over at woman. He says, “I can’t take it anymore. Just one more smoke. Please!”

SCRIPT#4 - REVERSE CHRONOLOGY - THE CALL
TITLE: THE CALL
BY BEN ANDREWS

A. & B. are interchangeable roles, not intended to be gender specific.

SCENE ONE
EXT. TEMPLE

B. stands in the street looking at the body of A. in disbelief. Her cell phone lights up and the ring tone plays. B. starts with realisation and looks from the body of A. to the phone and back to the body as she brings the phone to her lips. her lips part and her finger hovers over the ACCEPT CALL button.

NOTE: Do not have to show body, only B's reactions.

SCENE TWO

A. and B. are walking out of the temple. A. is laughing, gesticulating wildly, walking backward so he can face B. and harangue her further. A. is clearly enjoying himself.

A.
You're as crazy as the nutjob who rang you. Ever since we've been in this country you've been getting weirder...

A. takes another step backward and falls off the gutter, losing his balance. He turns his head as he falls. We see his P.O.V. A bus is bearing down on him at speed. BANG! All becomes black.

NOTE: You might want to storyboard this for it to be effective. No one has to be put in danger. The action is implied rather than seen. Using the ZOOM as a bus pulls into stop might be the way to go.

SCENE THREE
INT. TEMPLE

B. has a stick of incense and is waving it awkwardly up and down three times, bai-bai. A. is in the background,leaning against a wall, gently mocking B.with his nonchalant attitude and smirk.

SCENE FOUR
INT. TEMPLE

A. and B. Step into the temple. They are unfamiliar with the temple and look about them nervously. A.speaks In lowered tones.
A.
I can't believe you're doing this. We weren't even raised... whatever religion this is! Why do you think it'd make any difference whatsoever? You're not even... religious at all!

B. goes and buys a stick of incense from the temple caretaker.

SCENE FIVE
EXT. STREET DIRECTLY OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE
A.
So we're here to stop whatever is going is to happen to Mum or Dad or whomever. What I want to know is who would stage a practical joke like that? It's got to be that girl you work with... you know? The... the South African chick!

B.shakes her head.

A. (CONT'D)
Yeah, I s'pose you would have known her voice. Hey! Maybe it's one of her friends!

SCENE SIX
EXT.

A. and B. are walking along the street. A. is talking animatedly to B.
A.
So what you're saying is that you got a call, this afternoon, from somebody...

B.raises her head as though about to correct A. But he continues.
A. (CONT'D)
... a woman, you say! who said she was God and that someone close to you would die tonight, am I getting this right?

B.nods
A. (CONT'D)
And then you can expect another phone call, at that moment, to tell you... what? Oh yeah! To REVEAL to you your ultimate purpose in this life. Ha! What a crock!

IN REVIEW - 06/30/06 TRAINS

2006-07-11T13:51:00.000+08:00

TRAINS

The theme was trains.
You could use up to, but no more than, eight lines of dialogue.
The script must feature a train.

Here is one of the resulting films that night.

THE TRAIN

IN REVIEW - GUAVA

2006-06-30T03:41:00.000+08:00

The GUAVA theme went off well. Here are the films made that day.

Attack Of The Killer Guava

Guavapocalypse

Guava Guy

IN REVIEW - 4/28/06 COMPOUND NOUNS

2006-05-01T14:15:00.000+08:00

The Second Shooting People was held at a bar called The Voice.
Scripts were written on the spot using random evocative compound nouns.
One short got shot that night.
Music by .22 and Aiwa

THE ONLOOKER

IN REVIEW - 04/21/06 - SHOOTING PEOPLE'S FIRST NIGHT

2006-04-28T14:02:00.000+08:00

The theme was 'An Evocative Word'.

Six people, six evocative words, a mad Chinese restaurant with gallons of freshly brewed Taiwan beer on hand in a beautifully preserved wooden Japanese Colonial Era house.

Obstructions: No sound, must be shot using video function of digital stills camera, all participants to be credited using anagrams of their actual names.

Here are the three resulting works (The night grew too old for three of the scripts).

JUXTAPOSE

SEXTET

CELLAR

INSTIGATOR vs. ALLIGATOR

2006-04-28T00:00:00.000+08:00

(Why "instigator"? Well it was really a question of "instigator" vs. "alligator". An alligator just hangs out in its swamp and lurks and eats things not making many films in the process. Basically just scary reptilian stuff, you know! An instigator might be inclined to start a riot, or be the origin of an idea leading to a series of subsequent events growing in size and influence. And that is where you come in, unless, of course, you are an alligator.
Anyone can be an instigator. What that means is if you have small idea or even a grand plan for the evening of film making activities we want to include you. If you have a good theme, and/or a site/location you think will work well send us an email and can be an instigator. You can even choose a date and time that you think works best! So, share your spark of inspiration and spice up everyone’s world with theme/plan to make a film to. Look over this blog to see what themes were used in the past and how well they worked. So think about in brainstorm and dream about it... you got some sparks going on there.
Be an instigator and instigate! It makes more sense than to stay at home be an "alligator" and "alligate"!! )