Once i had presented my idea for Efa i had the chance to have some initial critique from Kathleen and Rosie, and then the following week, a tutorial with Nigel. Here is a summary of general review and how i could move forward and things to consider.
Consider the sensitivity of the subject. Get first hand experience.
The main point raised was that i needed to take into account the sensitivity of this subject as there will be audience members with mothers, grandmothers and loved ones in nursing homes so i cannot approach it lightly, also there will be those with experience of a family member or friend with memory problems. If i do not research this properly i could end up upsetting viewers not portraying accurately the reality of these subjects
For this reason it was discussed that in order to take this idea and story further i would need to get first hand experience, i.e. volunteer at a care/nursing home for a period of time to understand what it really is like as at the moment i have no real idea, only what i have seen and heard from people and films. To make this a true and real film i cannot recycle what is shown on other films. Getting this first hand experience also helps with really developing what i have, i may find an actual person to base the story on, looking at their personality and physical traits.
Consider the complexity and of the film
Another point that was made that for this type of film and story it is something more that 3rd Year film students would make for their grad film and this may not really be achievable for DFSA. I did realise that it was quite ambitious for that reason and so there could be adjustments from locations to the actually story that could be simplified to create a more achievable film.
Films to watch for inspiration and development:
Armour - The retired piano players and teachers Georges and Anne live in a comfortable apartment in Paris. Their daughter Eva is a musician in tour through Europe. One day, Anne has a stroke that paralyses her right side, and Georges nurses his wife and promises that he will send her neither to a hospital nor to a nursing home. Soon Anne's life deteriorates and her mental and physical capabilities decline very fast leading Georges to take a tragic decision.
The Befuddled Box of Betty Buttifint - A touching examination of a fractured memory. Janis Pugh's experimental film, made in collaboration with the Central School of Speech and Drama, portrays an elderly woman living within her own confused mind. Using the vivid landscape of her memories, Pugh's film blurs the line between reality and fantasy, and between real memories and symbols of Betty's past. Featuring a lead performance from Illona Linthwaite as a woman struggling to make sense of her life, it is a moving, poetic take on the life, loves and losses of a person whose world is fading away.
Shirin - A short film about a daughter and her father. Both have secrets. Starring Hussina Raja and Bhasker Patel. Written and directed by Stephen Fingleton. Produced by Loreta Zajarskyte.
SHIRIN (full movie) from Stephen Fingleton on Vimeo.
Book to read:
David Mamet – On directing film
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