I've grown a new organism..

Yep. That's right. It's literally become attached to my body. I've been doing so much reading from it the past couple of days that my mind is running a bit on overload. I've always known that I possessed the creative side of film making.. now to just master the technical.

Two great quotes from this book:

"Certainly there are technical people who are not creative, but there are also creative people who are not productive because they do not understand the technical fundamentals." -Bruce Mamer.

"People who are successful (within film making) are, with few exceptions, what I like to call 'technical/creative' and those who want to be successful (at film making) are best off proving themselves at both domains." -Bruce Mamer.

It's a lot to absorb.. film making is not nearly as easy as it seems. It is just as much technical as it is creative. That being said, the fact that I am almost completely right-brained and that I really don't fancy the technical.. YET.. I still manage to become completely immersed in this book to the point that I can barely put it down is saying something. I've always been a free thinker-- an artist. My brain is almost wired to think artistically and poetically. I'm sure of it. My best subjects in school are English, History, Art, Creative Writing, etc.. BUT.. when it comes to Math or Science or anything remotely technical at all.. yeah.. that's a whole other story. -___-' I excel without having to try much when it comes to the aforementioned subjects, but it seriously takes a lot of hard work to get the grades that I manage to get in Math, Science, etc. This book that I am currently reading places little emphasis on anything creative.. It's all about technique (as the title implies) and flipping through the pages, I was sure I wasn't in for a thrilling experience.

HOWEVER.

I am glad I am being proved wrong. I am really enjoying learning the technical aspect of film making, just as much as I enjoy the creative side of it as well. I am actually managing to grasp much of this material quite quickly.. I just can't wait to put it to practice on my next film project (which I hope will be within the next 2 months or so). As previously stated-- it's a lot to absorb-- but I think that it is what makes it so fulfilling. I am glad it isn't something that comes easy. It is something I have to work at.. something I have to perfect.. something that I am 110% committed to doing.. and can I just say..?

I love every second of it.

Life has thrown me a few curve balls the past few months, but things are beginning to balance out, and starting my career in something that I have a passion for is beyond fulfilling. I'm so glad and so blessed to be able to have help in this area as well. My boyfriend and his production partner, Chris, have volunteered to teach me everything that they can about film making (they both graduated with film production degrees) and that alone has been so valuable to me. If I didn't already mention this before, I changed my major from Film Production to Computer Animation. Now, this may puzzle some of you.. since it's very obvious that film making is what I want to do, but hold tight. I'll explain. I decided to go for my degree in Computer Animation FOR my film making. I will need to have CG/3D animation/ VFX for most of my films and would need to hire someone to do the work for me.. In this way.. I can do it on my own without having to rely on someone else. It will also help me bring about the specific vision that I have in mind for any film that I may be in pre-production for. Since Larry (my boyfriend) has volunteered to teach me what he knows about film making, I will have two areas of expertise in one (film making and computer animation) and if I ever come to a point where I need any help with animating my boyfriend's brother (who is also a computer animation major and has many years of experience) can help me out by explaining things to me, etc. All in all, it seemed like the better choice and I am excited about it. I will still have my basic film making courses, they will just be enhanced by animation courses as well. So! Don't let the fact that I am now a computer animation major fool you-- film making is in my bones, honey buns. :)

Well, lovelies, I will wrap this one up and call it a night. How has your week been? What exciting things have you been up to? If you guys happen to have any interesting blogs that you think I should be following, don't hesitate to let me know. :)

Love and love,

Karla Von Guerra.

Dote-Worthy Directors Part III: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

"When you are in love with a story, you have to take your time to follow it and to fall in love again one time. You need some time. And I need to be in love with a story because I am going to spend four years of my life inside without pleasure, without seeing anybody, you work 16 hours per day and at the weekend and I need to be in love with each detail." -- Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Wow. What is there to say about Jean-Pierre Jeunet? He is a fantastic, brilliant, French film maker and his films literally give me goosebumps every single time I watch them. My "love-affair" with Jeunet began a few years back, when I was first introduced to Amelie.. and I know it sounds silly.. but my life really has been changed by this man's films ever since. I quickly endeavored to watch any of his films that I could get my hands on shortly afterwards.

So, I suppose may be asking yourself exactly why I love his films so much. The answer is very simple, but somehow very difficult to convey. Oxymoron, I know, but bear with me. I love the feel of his films. There is such an ethereal, dream-like quality about his films that's very trademark for him. He has this very rare ability-- which has only happened to me a handful of times in my life-- to almost take you out of yourself and into a crazy, beautiful world full of evocative imagery that makes you stand breathless for a moment out of sheer admiration. He conveys BEAUTY unlike any other director I have ever come across. I'm going to admit something that you may poke fun at me later for, but it's nonetheless true. I have yet to sit through one of Jeunet's films without crying. I don't cry out of sadness.. but out of beauty, if that makes any sense.

Ever since I decided to make the move to film, Jeunet has been one of the directors that I draw very real inspiration from. I want my films to convey beauty and stand uniquely on their own, just as his films do. If you have not seen any of his films, I strongly encourage you to do so. My very favorites are of course:

Amelie

City of Lost Children

A Very Long Engagement

Delicatessen

These are top 4 favorite films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. There are others, of course, but it must be noted that these 4 films have been his personal brain-children. Delicatessen was a joint production with his production partner Marc Caro, but the rest have been projects specifically belonging to him (with the help of his team to bring them about.. of course).

I should also say that thanks to Amelie, I have also found my favorite composer: Yann Tiersen, and I have been a dedicated fan ever since. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the Amelie soundtrack, or any of this other music, please do so. His most recent album was produced by Ken Thomas who is probably most noticed for his extensive work with the incredible Icelandic band, Sigur Ros. Take a listen-- you will not regret it. :)

That is all I have time for now, lovelies. I can rant for hours about Jeunet.. but alas, time will not permit me to do so. What are some of your favorite directors? Tell me, I'd love to hear them. :)

Be on the lookout for Dote-Worthy Directors Part IV.. I plan to have it out by next week by mid-week! Thanks for the read, and follow me if you aren't already! I will follow you as well. :)

Love and love,

Karla Von Guerra.

Ni hao

Ok, ok.

I get it.

I've been a horrid blogger. I admit it. Life has taken some pretty interesting turns, therefore rendering me useless at blogging for quite a while. I now, however, have a lot more time on my hands so I will be attempting to keep up with this little blog of mine at least once a week, if not more. I have decided that I will keep this blog up as my film production blog, updating on things pertaining to film. I do plan on continuing my Dote-Worthy Directors endeavor that I started a few months ago.. I am already working on the next one and that should be headed your way Wednesday at the very latest, but quite possibly by tomorrow.. soo.. stay tuned! Also, I will be updating with film projects that I am undergoing, etc. My day to day personal blog will be on tumblr. Feel free to follow me there:

http://endlesslythinkingkarla.tumblr.com/

I love all of you beautiful ones and thank you for reading my blog regardless of the crazy intervals of silence! Ah!

Until next time,

Ma Chere Etrange.