New Fanboy Cinema

Ever watched Lord of the Rings and thought, I could have done with more, and left the cinema unsatisfied? If so, then you're bum must have a high pain threshold, and you vowed to continue the series by yourself. A group of people did just that last year, and the sequel (to their own fanboy movie), 'Born of Hope' is released tonight (http://www.bornofhope.com). The production values are remarkable considering the budget, and its a real testament to what can be achieved with a dedicated group of people working at the weekend for nothing. 

With the cheapness of camera equipment today, fanboy films are sprouting up faster on youtube than even the cinnamon teaspoon challenge. The films typically take place in the 'universe' that the film has created. 'The Rage', a fanboy mini-series on youtube was made for a thousand pounds, shot on DV, and exists in the universe of '28 Days Later'. Despite its meagre budget, it still manages to have a helicopter flying in troops at the beginning. 

The makers of these films must have an agenda other than homage, and this is surely to fulfill their dream of making these genre films on a big, hollywood, stage. The most notable example of this happening is from another trend: fanboy films of video games. Two brothers made a film called 'Escape from City 17', based on the 'Half-Life 2' game. The makers, UbiSoft, flew the brothers to their studios prior to its release. One of the creators has said "(he) would have trusted the brothers to make a 'Half-Life' movie way before I would have trusted somebody down in LA to do it." Praise indeed. 

Despite their success, I can't help but feel fanboys energy and money could be better spent making an original film. I would cite the examples of Christopher Nolan, who spent £17,000 on his feature 'Following', which catapulted him into the Hollywood machine. His latest film was 'The Dark Night'. Darren Aronofsky spent even less on 'Pi', and has just knocked back directing a 'Robocop' remake. Sam Raimi made the 'Evil Dead' for very little, and he directed the Spiderman trilogy. Fanboys forget that their favourite genre pictures were, at the time, wholly original. Aronofsky and Nolan are given hundred million budgets because their capable of summoning something out of nothing. 

The closest i've got to a fanboy film was in primary 6, when I wrote a story heavily influenced  by my favourite films 'Aliens' and 'The Terminator'. It was relatively successful. The teacher read it out in class to rave reviews from classmates, apart from one prick who shouted out 'that's aliens!' That's something I remember when I see yet another fanboy homage to films and video games that have gave them so much joy. 

Encounters - Last Day

I have just moved seat to be near a table where Andrea Arnold and Eran Creevy are having a debate with a few other filmmakers, and the curator of the festival. Proper stalker stuff. 


The two directors were part of an excellent discussion under the title of Shorts 2 Features. Everyone had an energy and vitality about them, which was a real antidote to a lot of the doom and gloom stuff surrounding Encounters. I feel refreshed and enthusiastic: I want to start writing now for a new film. 


This is my first time at a festival and I have to say that with all these directors around, all these films, and all these voices, hopes and dreams, its daunting. Not every one of these filmmakers can do what they want, (invariably make a feature), and typically for me, I'm sensitive to the sense of loss of talent and aspirations that must happen to the majority of these people. I hope  it won't happen to me! But it would be arrogant of me to think that it won't, and that my films will be worthwhile. Then again, it won't and they are.  

Encounters - Networking

Friday is the peak of my networking at the festival. At the UK Film Council brunch this morning I met some really nice people with formidable titles. The highlight of which was showing my allotment film to someone from 4docs to a positive review, she reckons that it would be ideal for the program, which is very positive indeed. I also spoke to the Irish distributor Derry, (who I mentioned in an earlier entry) and he showed an interest in the blog. The Allotments and Oot Ma Tree was also shown to some people from Digicult and the Glasgow Film Festival, so i'm reaching the right people. I am, however, aware of over exposure with the Digicult staff so I'm taking a wee break from all the networking (despite it being Scottish Screen happy hour), and returning for a swish party on a boat. I don't want them to suffer from Dougie fatigue! My aim is to have a film here for next year, as I think i've gone as far as I can here with what I can offer the people I'm talking to. An entourage would also go a long way I think. 

How To Get It Out There

My list has gained some credibility, an Irish distributor (Derry O'Brien) has validated some of my claims, he says social realism is not what he wants from short film. In his own words - "razor blade stuff". Its not marketable, and not what people want to see in a worldwide recession. He also gave out a very useful Do's and Dont's of short film marketing. Some useful websites I wasn't aware of were also revealed so all in all, a very worthwhile and useful hour and a half. 


Next, another shot at Best of British, and i'm hoping for a more uplifting experience this time around. After that, its networking time at a 4docs happy hour. 

Encounters - Best of British 2

Sometimes you can learn more from watching the poorer short films out there. From this depressing selection there were two films with fresh ideas and a bit of vitality about them, and they were both animations. The live action ones were, at their worst, incomprehensible. They've inspired me to make a list of things not to do in my next film. 


- no more characters washing their face at the sink, then having a good look at themselves after a traumatic event. I've seen this happen in four films so far, its worked in some, but thats a repetitive trend I'm keen to avoid. I blame the Sopranos, Tony did that all the time, and it was cool. 


- Just don't bother with an opening premise that keeps you in suspense if you don't make it clear at the end or leave it open-ended. Alexander Mackendrick wrote a lot about suspense, and he would take offense at this. 


- Dreary films with no humour or heart have put me off any of my darker ideas. I want my films most of all to be striking and fresh. Out of all the dark shorts i've seen so far, very little leave me feeling exhilarated or positive about making films, or life for that matter. 


Next up - a lecture on 'how to get it out there'.

My Hostel Nights Sleep

With my macbook, wallet, mobile and passport held tight, I experienced a hostel night's sleep full of cliche. An obligatory snorer who can project his snorts and whoos expertly. Builders at 7 in the morning. People were coming in late on, but I can't complain as they were as quiet as they possible could have been. In the end, I slept alright. 


First off today is a Best of British screening in half an hour. 

Encounters - International Panorama 7

First screening of the day - an international panorama of short films from New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, America and the Ukraine. The most depressing and pointless of which is, predictably, from the former soviet block. It involves doctors nonchalantly telling a patient that she has aids, as well as her baby. I almost laughed. Until someone suffocates the baby with a pillow. Utterly grim and pointless. Still haven't seen an Ardennes brother film, and this actually, for the first time, made me want to watch one, to see how this kind of drama can be done well and made worthwhile. 

The selection of films were all in contention for an audience award. There was an excellent american animation called Pigeon: Impossible, about a troublesome pigeon that hassles a secret agent and his briefcase. World War 3 nearly erupts. The director, Lucas Martell must surely be on his way to Pixar studios as we speak. Despite how funny the film was, my vote went to a short I really loved, a New Zealand film called Mokopuna. It reminded me of a Raymond Carver short story played on children's worries. A girl is curious about an unpopular boy who's Maori, which she is on her dad's side. One of the women I was with who saw the film thought it could have been pushed further to make more of an impact, and the more I consider it, I think she's right. I would hate to see the films subtlety disrupted, but I think if the story was restructured there could be a more complex layering of emotions on both the characters. In saying that, I thought it was a lovely film, that i'd have loved to have made myself. 

A good encounter so far, but will my next encounter with short films be as stimulating? Its 4Mations Emerging Talent 2 next, at half 8.