Mixing It Up

Posted by – November 27, 2008

This is where I begin my campaign to utilize a different kind of structure for this project. Learning from the episodic nature of “Infest Wisely” (and the countless anthology features our there), I propose to move the genre forward into new territory.

Much like a big feature film has a director, second unit director, director of visual effects, etc. I think it could be interesting to split up the four or so directors into similar roles, and “interlace” or “blend” together elements from all the directors into a single cohesive film, instead of sandboxing everyone into their own episodes.

A few ways this might be achieved:

 

  • Have a different person take on the plot, sub-plot A, sub plot B, visual storytelling sequences, animation or CGI elements…
  • If we go with the ‘alternate universes’ concept, it could be broken down to: real world, alleyway, alt world A, alt world B…

 

I believe the benefits of doing it this way could be… beneficial? It’s a new and fresh way to tackle the anthology genre (people like new things), creatively it would be a challenge, not only to write, but to delegate who does what and what the overlap would be (but that’s part of the fun). Serializing it online wouldn’t be a problem, and I think it might give the people involved more ownership and involvement. 

Potential problems could include:

 

  • “I’m not getting equal screen time with my part” (but that could be with countered with the ol’ “it’s not the length of your part, but how you use it”)
  • “My best scenes are on the editing floor” (this could be handled with a main vision, like Jim or a third-party editor, or screening feedback, as well as acting like adults)

 

Anyhoo, I’d thought I’d get the seeds planted on an idea like this so we have many nights to mull it over.

It’s time to think outside the bun, people.

5 Comments on Mixing It Up

  1. jim says:

    Interesting!

    And suddenly, I want a hamburger.

  2. Jonathan says:

    I’ve had a suggestion on my mind ever since I heard the non-episodic idea…

    Hi by the way. I’m Jonathan. I just got invited here :)

    Anyway I think working around the episodic effect is a good idea.

    What about a one-camera-per-lead-character approach?

    A director and small crew is assigned to a select number of ‘lead’ characters. So that character carries their director’s style around with them.

    When lead characters meet, the directors negotiate…or something.

    Just the start of an idea, but it might work, depending on the script.

  3. Sean says:

    I like the idea… especially with the alternate universes, with each director doing one universe. I think it would make the movie easier to follow and the physical areas more contained.

  4. Flick says:

    As for collaborative writing / logistics tools – check THIS baby out:

    http://www.celtx.com

    The project is centralized online, with a firefox / blog-like structure for story breakdown, scheduling, writing. You can organize the script with index cards, save versions etc.

    I’ve just gotten addicted to it!!

  5. Jim says:

    ha ha ha — that’s funny Flick — Celtx sponsored the premiere of INFEST WISELY. It’s awesome.

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