Black/White

Mar 30, 2008 at 5:03 PM
4 comments

I'm going to take the opportunity now to throw my movie into the vault and move on - gracefully and without regrets. Joseph and I had been working in the computer lab during Spring Break for our respective classes and struck gold when we decided to collaborate: The complex - Stuy Town - where we live has witnessed a string of new construction developments. The upswing is that the grounds will now be handicap friendly. The downside is that every morning I've been harassed by the sound of drilling. In an act of subversion and petty relief, Joseph and I decided to make a film concerning the numerous signs warning of the construction. We wanted something funny - to rejoice in the entertainment of Hollywood cinema. We didn't release, at the time, that we'd ultimately be spoofing the French New Wave, including the black and white conversion and the French subtitles. There is also a bit of Jarmusch's "Coffee and Cigarettes."

In the film's defense, the first half is an ode to the mundane. The banality is finally criticized in the subversion of the signs in the latter half of the piece. It's two-sided, open to interpretation, and that's what I like most about it. I had a blast making it.

4 comments

Comments

Hi Jenn ~

I just posted comments on your project to Joseph's Blog, but here goes again. Hopefully you won't mind me being a little repetative!. I thought the way you shot your movie was spectacular from the angles to the black and white. My one main criticism if any, was that the breakfast scene was a bit too long (not only for the assignment, but for me as a viewer).

I do think that you could get the same affect if you cut it down a bit.

LOVED Le Sabotage.

Great:

the black/white effect

the hat

the french subtitles

I found it interesting how on it's surface it seemed like an era gone by but there were a few tell-tale signs of today - such as the content/language in your postings throughout the building complex.

I think the breakfast scene was a bit long in this context, but could really be a short film unto it's own if you played with it. I think you could keep it in and cut in to a fourth of it's length and it would work perfectly.

I too, thought Jenn's camera work was stellar! Filming at the low angle for your "caper" set the tone perfectly.

I already see the sequel - go to where your mock pizza party was to be held and set up a hidden camera.

Over all, I really enjoyed watching it and would look forward to seeing your next project.

Donna

Hi Jenn

Thanks for your comments. I really thought about using a classical music or even an aria…but still haven’t made up my mind. About cutting the airplane’s sound, I agree with you especially in the first scene, the one she is at the garden, but I kind of like the sound of the airplane while she is cutting her hair.

Le Sabotage

I think you and Joseph did a great work together. His personality (and witty) invades –in a good sense–everything he does. At the same time you also, from behind the camera, found your way of being present. The opening image of the film reminded the first day of class when we talked about Coffee and Cigarettes. It is nice to be able to recognize the process we’ve been through since that day and how it ended up in your work.
I also liked the decision you two made of filming just parts of Joseph, not his entire figure. Again, I can see the process.
The night scenes are beautiful, with cast shadows and lamps on the street. For me, the best decision was to transform Le Sabotage into a black and white film with French subtitles. As I was watching it again now (without sound, though) I was thinking about the Pink Panther…all that atmosphere of the French and the B&W combined with the silly act of subverting the info in the building (images of Joseph putting gloves on, and using a gum to glue the paper).
It is funny. Congrats to you too.
Marília

Hi Jen,

I thought Le Sabatoge was incredible. I would like to see more comedy like this. The shots were amazing Jen. The understated comic timing was genius Joseph. And I liked the ketchup introduction, basically anything shot well can add suspense and leads to the surprise of the le la sabatoge. Go Sabateurs. I laughed I cried.

[this is good]

I have been thinking about the fact that your keys work in all of the front doors all week! Really great concept. I love the french. I didn't really understand the opening scene, but I loved the fliers and the chewing gum and the conceptual work throughout. Really good job.

Black/White

Comments

Post a comment

About Me

Neighborhood

Archives