Guest Speakers

VIC PERILLO -

This was a very influential man to listen to, I'm glad he came and talked to us today. So much of what he said, I feel, applies to life. You can tell the ones that have learned from their mistakes and really knows how to be in this business...he is one of them. 

Notes:

• I shot a couple of scenes from the script, so when I submit the script.... the get to see people working. That way they can understand it and have different ways of looking at it.
• You have a concept and you have to show them. 
• As a cinematographer you set the tone and the pace.
• So many people are demanding... "this is my project, my way and forget that they have to work together". 
• In the chain of command you are setting the leadership, so you are being watched. This reminds me from our first speaker when he said "Don't blow someone off, it always comes around." That's so true in life but it seems like it happens a lot in the film industry. 
• When you are sitting in the audience watching your film you directed, that will be the first time that you are really seeing your film. You will see mistakes you made and things you like or want to change. 
• With this generation people feel that they have power over everyone else. So don't demand things from them. Get their respect by giving them an opportunity to bring what they can to the table. If you don't you will miss what they really have to give to the film. You have to have relationship with the people you are working with. 
• Director has to be involved in almost everything.
• You have to be a master craftsmen in this business.
• It's not my way or the highway, nobody owns anyone in this business. In the film industry you all have to work together. 
• Good directors don't impose on the actors the direction he wants to going. They include them in the thoughts and design on set.

DAN WHALEN -

This guest speaker was very informative. It was good having someone who is in the business for locations to have come and talked to us. There was a lot he said that I didn't know about, the responsibilities that department has.

Notes:

• Remember when you are scouting locations, bring a camera to take picture of the area. 
• Get a variety of shots (photography), to show. Include people or cars to show perspective
• What people tend to forget when scouting for locations, is you need to also find spots not just for what will be in the movie. There are about 50-100 people on set, so think about where they are all going to park. If they have to park further away, will you have a shuttle back and forth. Also you need to remember a space for ALL the trailers; actors trailers, equipment trailers, etc.
• Don't forget about the roads/trails in the area. If there are some, don't forget to get a permit for those. That way you can stop people from getting into your shot, by stopping traffic while you are shooting and they letting them through when you are done. You defiantly want to be able to control that.
• You have to submit an application to use BLM land. Don't wait until the last minute! It can take up to 90 days to get approved.
• When submitting an application to the BLM, already have the paperwork ready to give them. That will save a lot of time and will show that you are prepared.

ARTHUR LENNIG - 

It was awesome to talk to the person who wrote the book on Erich Von Stroheim. He was very funny and is someone that I could see myself sitting down and talking to. Maybe it's this industry but people are very honest in what they say, which I love. It also was nice to hear the option of Erich Von Stroheim from someone who wasn't family, it gives a different perspective. Below are the notes I took from the FaceTime conversation we had.

Notes:

• Writer and Director of his own film, which never happened. To me that is extremely impressive. I can't help but think of the work that went into each film and how much he did.
• Said he was interested in feet. In foolish wives later on in the film he has the emperor doing the holy washing of peoples feet. He also had a whole collection of shoes. People didn't understand the foot fetish but that was one thing that seemed to stand out to most people.
• Criticized Griffith for dressing "loudly" and not in a dignified image that Von Stroheim felt someone who present themselves.
• Now it makes sense on how and why he designed his own costumes. 
• Didn't want to be known as a has been.
• "He had suffered enough as a person and was able to see humanity in a cynical fashion." Which we all end up getting there eventually he said. 
• Sent his son a letter during the WW2 , telling him how he should make a bomb shelter. He was anticipating all the problem that might come up and was "directing all the conduct of his wife and son" like a film. 
• Universal was going to remake one of his movies (Blind Husbands), but when they started they realized that Von Stroheim was still who he was, attention to detail in everything and everything had to be genuine, they decided not to do the film after all. The story that he told was in the movie there were suppose to be bells ringing across the water and nothing less then that was going to work. He wasn't going to budge on anything. 
• "He was not reasonable, he was Stroheim".
• His print of the wedding march has the original sound in it.
• "He wasn't so broke that he would teach film" (He thought that was a funny joke).
• One thing that I didn't know was up until about the 50's they couldn't use real money in films. They were worried about people stopping the film and copying the money. It was same with having married people on screen sleep in separate beds.
• People would say Stroheim you are 10 years ahead of your time and he would response and say  no 20 years.

VICKI VON STROHEIM -

For class we called the granddaughter of the famous Erich Von Stroheim. I walked in a little late, so it took me a minute to figure out who we were talking to. She seemed like a fun lady and very honest, which I loved. Talking to her helped make our group project more real. It may sound funny but it gave a current face to this project. Talking to someone who knew Erich Von Stroheim and was his family gave life to him. It helped me see him differently hearing her stories about her Grandfather, especially that part when she became emotional talking about a memory of how he pulled out pictures of his grandchildren (her). Below are my notes from the phone call with her.

Notes:

• How she learned about her Grandfathers history was by living with her grandmother. She also learned a lot from her father and authors she met. In Italy they had a film festival showing Erich Von Stroheim films and she learned a lot from these also.
• A side that other didn't see is that he was extremely funny. 
• Her Father was a combat Photographer and couldn't wear his dog tags because they could have blackmailed him. 
• Letters Erich Von Stroheim sent to his wife and her father are in an archive, but they do have them.
• One of the things she wants us to find out, is who is the person that decided where his star would go on the sidewalk. It was put somewhere, where people drive over it and it's not in the best of shape. (This was one of her very honest side coming out, super funny)
• Said that he really did have a foot fetish. Has a picture of him sucking on her toes.
• She has a helmet that used to be her grandfathers, but a lot of his wardrobes you seen him famous for, she doesn't have.
• Had white gloves, his shoes were always polished, she thinks it was because of his military background. Her father was the same way... Hands clean, figure nails done.
• She has pictures of her grandfather framed, in scrapbooks, and in electronic form. She said she found them in the attic and they had been up there for 20 years and no one knew. Also up there was old 8mm film reels. She has no idea what is on them, but she took them so they wouldn't be lost.
• She doesn't have any original film, but anything they did have she gave to motion picture archive and the academy. 

DENNY TEDESCO - 

© Copyright The Wreaking Crew 2015

On Thursday of last week, we went down to the Gardeners Center and listened to a Guest Speaker, his name was Denny Tedesco. To be honest when I first walked in I didn't recognize the speaker and had never heard of him, but I really enjoyed it! He was very fun to listen too and seemed very personable. As he was talking I wrote down notes of what stood out to me. Below are some things Denny Tedesco said and advice he gave. 

Quotes by Denny Tedesco:

• "Just like musician have to play everyday...writers have to write everyday."

• "Even if I didn't like it at that moment, you still are learning something."

Notes:

• When getting sponsors, don't forget to get corp. sponsors and local as well and don't forget to cater to your demographic (age group).
• Be careful about what you are using. Make sure to give credit where credit is due and make sure you ask and pay the proper person or company. 
• If you are wanting to get into film, make sure you know about editing. It will help you be a better film maker.

A list of things to know, to be the best at what you do:

• Common Sense.
• Be smart!
• Ask the right questions.
• Don't blow someone off, it always comes around.
• You might be right, but who cares! Don't blow a opportunity just because you know you're right.
• Don't be "that" person.
• Go out and meet people, networking is everything in film!
• You could have the greatest film (script) but if you don't go out and show people, nothing will happen.
• Constantly market yourself.
• If you put the time in it, you'll be good at it.