(Michael Learns To Rock – The Actor)
When people here ask me why on earth I want to move to London, I say (apart from the whole new and fresh start thing) : film, theatre, museums. And in the look in their eyes I can see that they don’t get it. Why is the cinema in Århus no longer good enough. Well it is, really, but it wasn’t only the cinema I was thinking about when I say film. I also somehow, want to get a little bit closer to the whole filmmaking process, to find out if it is something I like. Well that sounded like mission-are-you-completely-out-of-your-mind-impossible some months ago, but not anymore. (and I warn you this is a very long post !)
I just signed up for a course at the London Film Academy, in August. And how smart that this course is held on saturdays, that means I can do it alongside my job (which I have to find first too, but hey) . 6 saturdays in film heaven, an introduction to film making, coverering scriptwriting, directing, camera, sound, lighting, production and post production. We shoot on Super 16mm as well as 35mm stills and digital.
It’s a very acknowledged course, and Terry Jones (Writer, Director, Actor and member of the Monty Python team) said the following about exactly this course:
“Panico courses are designed to paint a real picture of the film industry. Panico de-mystifies the production process, and gives you the technical knowledge needed to make your own films … the rest is up to you!”
From the course description:
“This course is a must for new entrants into the film industry and for those of you who want to make your own films. It is also suitable for film enthusiasts and actors who want to know more about working behind the camera.” And tutors on the last course were professional people who have worked on films like: Star Wars Episode II, Bridget Jones, Harry Potter, and last but so absolutely not least, yes, The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy film.
Now why am I going to do this course ? (yes it is expensive)
1. Because I might meet people who have worked on the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy film, and I am going to have a long discussion with them about all the Slartibartfast scenes. YAY !
Ok, you want a real reason. Well I give you 7.
2. I think it will be incredible fun and interesting and cool and funky to learn all those things, and it is, without a doubt, going to be a life time experience for me. I can’t think of anything more exiting than this course.
3. I am going to meet another bunch of nice people with the same interests as me. And there is a very active network connected to the film academy, with possibilities for (unpaid) filmwork. Very cool indeed.
4. Here is a good one : We-are-going-to-make-a-movie ! A short one probably, but still, I am going to make a movie. I can’t believe it. How-cool-is-that.
5. And while I secretely might be dreaming about moving towards work in film, I have no idea what that work should be (it’s not acting though). And apart from that I have no idea if I have any talent at all in any area, and if I will like it.
After this course : “You’ll know if you’ve got what it takes to make a career in this competitive industry.” See, that’s smart. And I am not counting on “having what it takes”, so I am just going to have fun and will see where this ends. If I am going to be a total disaster, I can always get coffee for the others.
6. I don’t think it will hurt to have this course listed on my CV, especially not when one of my other secret dreams (don’t tell anyone) is working for the BBC.
7. I have a filmscript in my head, and it has been there for a while now. What ? No. Not in a million years am I going to say more about that right now.
8. The theatregroup is such an excellent preparation for this course. I didn’t know that when I joined the group, but suddenly it all makes sense.
Suddenly life makes sense again too. And looking back – I should have made this move years ago.
Terry Jones. Is he going to be there aswell? I might sign up for the course if he would!
You’re not going to be famous, are you? And if you are, do you promise to continue writing on this log? :-)
That sounds like one fecking great course and I can’t imagine anyone who does not understand why you would enter such a course. My envy glands are a bit underdeveloped but they’re working overtime ;-)
@Novio – I don’t think that Terry Jones shows up no. Normally they have different tutors for every course, but he has somehow been attached to the London Film Academy and is one of the people recommending this course.
Famous ? Me ? Absolutely not. :-)
Aahh.. right. The move makes even more sense now. Enjoy!
Pas maar op met je deense cartoons :-)
Uhm what do you mean ??
I mean that with cartoons it can end that the Danish embassy will not be there or burned down. That is the reality today :-(
I know, but first of all I am not danish, and secondly my cartoons pray Love + Rock, for everybody, no matter what religion or colour.
I am not in a risc group :-)
YOU are going to burn in hell, my friend. Dont expect any fame or big bag of goodies and seed funding for your brilliant new script idea to come from that sort of school. Rather, expect a month of paranoid stress and unappreciative tutelage, under the nevrotic guidance of our mistress of Hell, Daisy Gili. Enjoy!
And all this wisdom is based upon .. what?