This Savage Art » 2008 » September

Bresson Deciphered

Posted in Craft, Directing, Theory & Criticism on September 28th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

If the news of a Rashomon remake is making you sick and uninspired take a lesson from Paul Schrader. I found this film theory lesson of him decoding the Robert Bresson film Pickpocket. It’s worth checking out if not just for a jolt to the system and to see the way Schrader “reads” the film. [Parts 1 and 2]

Popularity: 13% [?]

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Paul Newman 1925 – 2008

Posted in RIP on September 27th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

I was just speaking with an old NYU friend while I was at Independent Film Week last Sunday and we were discussing The Hustler and The Color of Money and how they both held up. Even though my friend and I disagreed on the films, I saw The Color of Money recently and I still think it’s a great character piece — The Hustler is iconic, but one thing that we agreed on was Paul Newman. He was my first memory of what a movie star was in the first film I ever saw, The Towering Inferno. Maybe not the best display of his talents but at seven years old Paul Newman was the coolest guy in the room. Ironically, I have The Verdict and The Hustler in my stack of films to watch. I think today is a good day to remember him by screening a couple of his best performances.Take a look on IMDb and see how many films he’s been in that you have fond memories of.

The true test of a man will be how he is perceived once he is gone and this man will always be looked at as a class act. Rest in peace.

Popularity: 10% [?]

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Synecdoche, New York Trailer

Posted in Coming Soon, Trailers, WTF on September 18th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

I uhhhhhhhhhhhh, don’t know what to say other than I’m preparing my mind to be blown as we speak.

[Hat tip: BSLS]

See below for meta thoughts on the film, career and being percieved as a recluse from Kaufman.

Popularity: 14% [?]

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Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind

Posted in Directing, Filmmaking, Interview, Podcasting, Screenwriting on September 12th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

Wired Magazine tries to interview Charlie Kaufman.

Updated: Here is the complete interview in five parts [mp3 files.]

Popularity: 19% [?]

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Independent Film Week 2008

Posted in Events, Independent, NYC, Networking on September 12th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

September 14th-19th kicks off the meeting of the minds in independent film. I will only be attending this Sunday of the Conference which in my opinion looks like the better day to go.  Panels. Networking. You know the deal. A good week to get reenergized and bump into some old friends and hopefully make some new ones. The schedule can be viewed here. Anyone going? Drop me an e-mail.

Popularity: 14% [?]

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Year Seven

Posted in NYC on September 11th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

Popularity: 11% [?]

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The Films of Jerry Schatzberg

Posted in Short Ends on September 9th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

The Anthology Film Archives is screening the films of one of the more underappreciated directors to come out of the Golden Age of American filmmaking. [Hat tip: Michael Tully]

Popularity: 5% [?]

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Scrippets Available

Posted in Blogging, Geek, Screenwriting, WordPress on September 9th, 2008 by William Speruzzi

This is a test of John August’s newly designed screenplay format plug-in for WordPress, Scrippets. It converts your post text into a industry standard screenplay format. If you have a WordPress blog you should try it out and do some testing yourself.

FADE IN:

INT. APARTMENT – DAY

A MAN sits at his computer overlooking the Hudson River.

MAN

When will I get around to writing today?

A CAT meows. The meows suddenly transform into words.

CAT

Really man. Let’s finish the script already.

The man just stares at the cat.

MAN

Why don’t you write it?

CAT

I will.

MAN

Well...go ahead.

CAT

I will.

MAN

What’s stopping you?

CAT

I don’t have hands you fucking idiot!

The man drops his head in defeat and starts typing.

CAT

(to self)

Works every time.

FADE TO BLACK.

Popularity: 15% [?]

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