Well, I wasn’t physically assaulted on the last day of the semester at Film School. But I sure felt like a punching bag, pitching my story to a teacher who was shaking his head and saying “No. No. No”. At the National Film School of Denmark they teach the three act structure, as a rule. There […]
Film School Confidential
Film School Confidential: HOW THE DIRECTOR WORKS
Another intense week at film school almost over. Hopefully I won’t get punched in the nuts today! For the past three days we have been in sessions with director Kaspar Munk, who is educated at the alternative Danish film school Super16. We watched two of his shorter works, both coming-of-age films with more sensory images and […]
Film School Confidential: ALL GREEK TO ME
This week has been a hotch-potch of different tutors and input. Tuesday we talked about loss and watched the first half of the Belgian thriller Calvaire: The Ordeal. Loss can be a powerful motivation for characters, as we tend to yearn for what we used to have or something we at least have had a […]
Film School Confidential: MAN AND MYTH
It’s film school week again, and I’m here early so I can get some work done. Yesterday was an all-day seminar with Ingolf Gabold, former head of national tv channel DR’s drama department, where he was responsible for developing series such as Borgen, Sommer and Forbrydelsen (aka. The Killing, remade in the US). Gabold took […]
Film School Confidential: ANGER THERAPY
“What makes you angry?” the teacher asked. My immediate response: “How much time do I have” Of course all of us have things we’re angry about. I never thought it would make it into film studies, but I understand the notion of writing from emotion, dragging something you feel strongly about into your storytelling. Each […]
Film School Confidential: ACTING FOR WRITERS
Back at the Danish Film School this week and eager to share my experiences. Monday we watched the documentary Testamentet/The Will , a fascinating story of a pair of loser brothers about to inherit a ton of money. I can highly recommend this movie if you get a chance to see it. After the film there […]