Fade up to reveal:
Lisa B. sitting in a huge auditorium, surrounded by a bunch of jaded, know-it-all college freshmen her peers.
In my very first film class on my very first day, the professor said, “if you ever want to watch a movie for pure enjoyment again, LEAVE NOW.”
We laughed but boy was he was right. I analyze films to death….. how did the assistant director deal with those humongous crowds of extras? Who did the cheesy special effects? What was the aging former 70’s hearthrob the hairdresser THINKING with that toupe? I wonder if UNNAMED MOVIE STAR is still as big a yutz as he was when I worked with him? Was there actually a script in the making of that movie? How much time did it actually take to light “I didn’t know they were shooting me THERE” Sharon Stone’s privates in Basic Instinct?
Did you know the knife never once touched Janet Leigh in the shower scene in Psycho? if you watch it frame by frame, (which we did, numerous times,) you will see that Anthony Perkins aka Norman Bates never touched her. Hitchcock was such a master of editing it only APPEARED that way. That scene still scares the bejesus out of me all the same.
The Graduate was one of the most creative and original movies ever made. WAY ahead of it’s time. Mike Nichols is a genius. Nuff said.
Shooting a stupid student film vampire movie with a 5 to 1 film ratio was probably not the world’s best idea. Unless of course you had an unlimited budget or extremely wealthy parents.
The majority of my professors desperately wanted to be famous. Few achieved that goal.
Most of my graduating class never did no longer work in the business.
There was, (and probably still is,) an unspoken war between the theater and film departments. They were the pretentious English spelling on purpose THEATRE actors who studied Shakespeare and Ibsen, who thought we were a bunch of ignorant, sell-out hacks. We secretly laughed, knowing one day payback is a bitch they would come begging us for jobs when their Off-Broadway paychecks wouldn’t keep them in franks and beans in the style in which they wished to become accustomed.
EVERYBODY wants to be in show business.
Cut to: Lisa B on a film set, (modern day):
And when a film gets it right, despite all the behind the scenes bullshit turmoil, it’s just MAGIC. I was excited the first day I realized I wanted to be a part of this amazing world, and that has never changed. I work in Showbiz, how cool is that?!
As much as I bitch complain about it, it’s still a GREAT gig.
Fade to Black.
I’d love to watch a movie with you, with running Lisa B commentary. Now that would be entertaining! Kudos to you for not only making it in the biz, but not becoming jaded by it.
The excitement of that life! Can you get me in a movie? I can be very versatile!
I’m with oob; it’d be a blast to watch a flick with you and get the running commentary! But, hey, I really don’t need to know how long it took to light Sharon Stone’s hootchie. PLEASE!!!
And, if you have any power whatsoever, I implore you to prevent any further filming of Michael Douglas’ naked ass. Please. Please….
Oooh! What a fun post, Lisa! You know, it’s the same for people who are producing music. It’s REALLY hard to listen to a CD and not pick apart the production. It’s something I’m working with in myself. I’d really like to be able to just ENJOY the music! Hey, let’s catch a movie next week!
Being a nurse, my mother was the same way with medical shows. I almost always cringed whenever I would watch ER with her; until one day I realized that I’m the same way with movies and tv shows having to do with sports, lol.
Fear not, there never was a John Ford western that suffered from overanalysis.
“When you pull a gun, kill a man.” Walter Brennan, My Darling Clementine
How wonderful that you do something you LOVE and get paid for it, too!! Do you mind me asking what exactly it IS that you do, though?
Oob – Thanks Hon! Come on over, we’ll rent a dvd
Denny – I’ll keep that in mind lol.
Nat – We’ll make it a party! Whose bringing the popcorn?
I’m with ya on Sharon’s um parts. And haven’t seen Michael Douglas’s tush of late but I’ll take your word for it
Last Girl – You’re on for the movie! And I know YOU know that occupational hazard thing!
Bruce – LOL, I hear ya!
Wade – Actually we did analyze a few John Ford movies. He’s one of my fav’s. Walter Brennan ROCKED.
Cootera – Thanks! I AM lucky.
But I prefer to stay somewhat private about my work…
Sorry
Doing what you love is always priceless, no matter the cost.
“EVERYBODY wants to be in show business.”
Yep! Guilty as charged. My fantasy film job would be working either with animatronics or animation.
I was a master editor in Communications Class, and yes, it ruined tv and movies for me because I can spot a jump cut or minor errors in scenes (like hair styled different in the same scene; a chair is out of place between camera angles; or in beginning of story someone has an upcoming wedding in 4 weeks, then 2 weeks into the story, they still mention their wedding 4 weeks away, etc. etc.) I don’t work in the biz though, but I have been on TV and did professionally sing and I became my own worst critic at that point. Maybe I should get a production job and pick on someone else for a change, lol!
Being on the other side of the camera definitely kills the magic. It sucks, but I much prefer being in the know.
Good one – “Eternal Sunshine…”; Worst one – “Hitch”
Don’t ever watch Red Zone Cuba…your head will explode!
Took a number of film classes in college and they did indeed change the way I watched movies from that point on. I am in awe of the chaotic process that yields a wonderful film…it’s so easy, and much more common for them to veer off course and end up a shell of the original vision.
I took one film class in college and while I enjoyed knowing all the ’secrets’ etc., it still takes some of the fun out of the movie. Or maybe I’m the only one who thinks this…
The artiste vs. the art. I guess each medium has some of this. It’s really cool that you are doing what you love. Whatever that may be, I believe it’s one of life’s most important secrets. You deserve to be congratulated.
One of Middle Son’s best high school friends is studing theatre at Michigan. The Oldest lives in Wilmington, NC where they make LOTS of movies. We’re hoping The Youngest will get into college there so he can go to every casting call ’cause, for the life of me, I can’t imagine what he’s gonna do when he grows up if he doesn’t end up bein’ a movie star.
Theatre is the art that I practice, theater is the building I practice it in.
I’m with Oob, I’d love to get your commentary.
I was in high school theatRE (hehe) and loved it. I have never been around a real movie set or Broadway backstage, but I find myself always wondering what was going on behind the scenes, or how did they make something look like that. Let’s get together and analyze!!!
I’m so happy you love your job, that’s SO COOL. I’m jealous!
Funny post! Loved the Sharon Stone bit the best… LOL
Hey, Lisa! This is a post that ROCKS! Every word rings true. I never tire of “The Graduate”!! One of my dreams is to rent one of those Tour Buses in NYC and we could fill it with our Blog Buddies and see a flick. You would be our Guide. I’m game! lol!!!
* envy *
Serra – Yes indeed!
Annie – I picture you more as on-camera talent
Carolyn – Ah editing, (continuity.) I hear ya gf! It sounds like you were really good at it!
Allison – It does and it doesn’t. It’s still fun for me to see something I worked on, even knowing all the stories
Zen – I’ll keep that in mind!
Joel – Too many cooks in the kitchen sometimes methinks
Well said!
Heather B. – You are NOT the only one who feels that way!
Soph Mom – Thanks!
Best of luck to your son too
Julie – LMAO! And touche
MappyB – Come on over, the more, the merrier!
Ah, the THEATRE folks are emerging lol!
Thanks dear.
Se7en – I’m evil that way, hehe
Michael – Thanks! The Graduate does indeed rock.
And I can add Blogger Tour Bus Guide to my resume, woo hoo!
DutchBitch – Thanks!
Doing what you love and getting paid for it. Priceless.
I notice that when I’m watching tv or movies, I’m paying way too much attention to the photography.
It’s a terrible habit, which I’m hoping to break myself of soon.
I took some film classes in college, but I was not a film major. I found a lot of them lacked a love for the craft though. I think many of them were just there because they liked the idea of watching and analyzing movies rather than doing book work.
Obviously I didnt go to the best school for Radio/TV and Film graduates:(
You know I took a film class my junior year in high school and I hated it. I mean the whole making movies was a blast because that’s always fun to film your friends acting horribly bad, but analyzing movies frame by frame? Totally took all the fun out. I mean, dont get me wrong I like spotting mistakes just as much as the next person, but I think I enjoy being entertained more. Do you think that’s bad?
Having a career you like makes life that much better in general.
I found many of the same things to be true in the racing biz. I am now the world’s worst fan and now I won’t pay unless I can play…sigh!
I feel the same way when I watch bank robbers on those cop shows.
Ah, I can remember when I tried to transfer to NYU from a catholic liberal arts college and they laughed at me. I often look at movies the way you do but with not as much insight. You do have a fun gig. I’ll be away for a while, see you in a few weeks.
I’m slow… WHEN did we lose Wade?!?
And I love how enthusiastic this post is. It makes me want to scrap law school and go to fllm school instead.
I’m an equal opportunity critic. I criticize everything whether I have a background in it or not. Why am I still single?
That first film class would be like a dream to me. I do that over-anaylzying anyway! I swear I need to get together with you on IM or something because I would love love love to work in the industry. I really don’t care about being famous though, just as long as I get a paycheck and I get to see it on any screen at all and know that I was a part of it.
(not me acting by the way..I might have a BFA in theatRE but I’m no actor.)
I used to drive people crazy when I worked at the video store and they asked how a movie was and I’d say “The cinamatography was excellent, but the sound design lacked originality.”
Can you get my husband another gig? Mr. Movie Star is bored over here.
He said the same thing, he can’t look at movies the same, knowing what is going on behind the scenes.