Prep Sho‪w‬ Hollywood Camera Work

We try to fix the acting/directing in an interrogation scene from a film competition. It shows all the signs of being shot too quickly. The characters are unclear, and there’s some weird logic in the scene where the characters are having private conversations for all to hear. Joining us are actor Robert Riechel and director Rika Yasul Hammen.
Full Episode: https://youtu.be/M3qBFc5b6dY
 
SHOW LINKS
"Just Cops" Short Film: https://youtu.be/wkwJXaFZ-_0?t=156
"Just Cops" transcript of scene: https://www.dropbox.com/s/toj9jzvnq5obk41/Just%20Cops.pdf?dl=0
Robert Riechel IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5830123/
Rika Yasui Hammen IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4064380/
 
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/M3qBFc5b6dY
Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa
Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2h4hsz/Prep_Show_Fixing_Interrogation_Scene_Acting_-_Robert_Riechel_-_Rika_Hammen_19kca2.mp3
 
CONNECT:
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera
Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
 
EPISODE OUTLINE:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - Welcome Robert and Rika
2:07 - Watching the scene
3:16 - Robert's first thoughts
7:34 - Rika's first thoughts
9:12 - The suspect's choice
10:29 - Weird blocking
14:31 - Framing the cops
16:15 - Direction for the older cop
17:53 - Shooting quickly
18:17 - Summarizing so far
18:59 - Too open and available
20:18 - Relationship between the cops
24:23 - Conversation with suspect
28:24 - Letting it breathe
30:57 - Power on screen
34:17 - Criticizing without shame
37:57 - When it's not working
44:25 - Self-control as a director
48:13 - Production affecting the acting
54:27 - Doing the exercise
55:28 - Experimental attitude
57:30 - Pressure on a TV show
59:09 - Different location?
1:00:43 - This is difficult
1:01:18 - Bombing as a actor?
1:02:18 - Not trusting the director
1:04:28 - Wrapping up

NCIS Executive Producer/Director Mark Horowitz help us with the camera blocking on a dramatic scene by Nikhil Kamkolkar. Mark shows how to properly understand the characters before designing the camera work, resulting in deeper and more meaningful camera angles. Nikhil Kamkolkar is a New York-based Director behind films such as Leaving Priyanka and Indian Cowboy. Mark previously produced Doogie Howser, M.D. and JAG.
 
Full Episode: https://youtu.be/j96FsbvepmQ
 
EPISODE LINKS
 
Download Script PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mswgpyj9kjz9hab/Holden-SceneBlocking-Extract.pdf?dl=0
Download Initial Storyboards: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gjww6e5u62o6tw/HOLDEN%20-%20Blocking%20and%20Framing%20Ideas.pdf?dl=0
Mark Horowitz IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0395317/
Nikhil Kamkolkar IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004667/
 
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
 
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/j96FsbvepmQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa
Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ywe4u4/prep_show_camera_blocking_with_ncis_director_mark_horowitz_nikhil_kamkolkar9l08c.mp3
 
CONNECT:
 
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera
Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
 
EPISODE OUTLINE:
 
0:00 - Intro
2:11 - Hello Mark and Nikhil
3:06 - Mark's approach
4:46 - Explaining the scene
5:37 - Reveal the big reveal?
7:37 - Mark's process
11:29 - What character can be physically expressed?
13:17 - Character movement
17:40 - Jane's journey
20:01 - Framing the characters
22:24 - Jane's motivation/emotion
25:48 - Holden's motivation/emotion
27:33 - Something major happens
29:21 - High or low ambition?
35:44 - Quick geography
40:55 - Scene opening
51:05 - How do they face each other?
53:42 - Line crosses
56:00 - First cameras
1:00:12 - When do they face each other?
1:03:34 - Returning to the kitchen?
1:07:33 - New angles on the characters
1:11:42 - The confrontation
1:19:53 - Change the side of the line
1:23:39 - Cross-cutting monologue?
1:27:27 - Ending reveal
1:29:58 - Putting in all cameras
1:50:20 - NCIS question
1:54:22 - Wrapping up
1:58:38 - Final thoughts

Amazing directing exercise where we figure out what to say to the actors in a scene that isn’t quite working. The scariest feeling for a film director is dead air in a scene. Everyone can feel it isn’t working, and you don’t know what the problem is or even what to say to the actors. We’re joined by director Brendan Hughes and actor Brandon Galatz as we work through a scene that has promise, but that currently isn’t working. The scene is from a short “Just Cops” from a 168 hour film project.
Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/Z3RugS1IVpU
EPISODE LINKS
Original scene from Just Cops (starts at 1:42): https://youtu.be/wkwJXaFZ-_0?t=102Scene Transcript: https://www.dropbox.com/s/toj9jzvnq5obk41/Just%20Cops.pdf?dl=0Brendan Hughes Dad Jeans Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-jeans/id896300180Brandon Galatz IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3761258/Brandon Galatz Website: http://s.bl-1.com/h/cVlc3fjN?url=https://brandonkgalatz.wixsite.com/bgalatzOTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.comYouTube: https://youtu.be/Z3RugS1IVpUIndie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tvApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEaDownload MP3 Audio: https://prepshow.podbean.com/mf/play/oi5712/Prep_Show_Fixing_The_Acting_In_Cop_Drama_-_Brendan_Hughes_-_Brandon_Galatz_9l6yr.mp3
CONNECT:
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWorkTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCameraWeb: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
EPISODE OUTLINE:
0:00 - Intro2:09 - Hello Brandon / Brendan4:23 - Explaining the exercise6:30 - Watching the scene7:25 - First thoughts11:35 - Where are the beats?14:33 - Stressed production18:52 - Subtle acting21:03 - How to dial back acting21:48 - Holding back23:16 - Stronger back stories25:00 - Why now?29:04 - Better beats33:47 - Captain's motivation34:58 - Too many words, too fast38:36 - Handling interruptions40:01 - Better listening42:51 - Word images46:58 - Legitimate obstacles51:09 - Slowing the scene down55:53 - Captain's logic1:00:36 - Marking beats1:03:27 - Getting the scene to breathe1:16:34 - Balancing camera work and acting1:22:59 - Creating silence1:28:28 - Wrapping up

Story guru Tom Vaughan helps outline a story based on a prison dream. The short story (by Per Holmes) is a decent idea, but it has unclear motivations and very little character evolution. On this episode of Prep Show, we try to turn this into a well-rounded story. Tristan Ofield joins us to help pitch in ideas.
 
SHOW LINKS
Tom Vaughan IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1129343/
Tom Vaughan’s Website: http://www.storyandplot.com
Tristan Ofield IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3138635/
 
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/zSQeoikpnjU
Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa
Download MP3 Audio: https://prepshow.podbean.com/mf/play/5d0g3u/Prep_Show_Outlining_Prison_Dream_Story_-_Tom_Vaughan_-_Tristan_Ofield_67zp1.mp3
 
CONNECT:
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera
Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
 
EPISODE OUTLINE:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Introducing the story
7:26 - What is the story about?
9:12 - How long would the short film be?
11:03 - What is the dramatic question?
14:03 - Where are the stakes?
14:38 - A completely different take
18:55 - Is the beginning needed?
21:58 - The other characters
24:45 - Withhold that it's a dream?
31:09 - What defines the main character?
40:39 - Putting in some beats
43:45 - The big character change
51:31 - Are other character aspects of himself?
1:00:29 - Owning the character's sensitivity
1:07:55 - Does he know who he is?
1:12:22 - Picking an angle
1:23:37 - Story questions
1:24:58 - Antagonist
1:36:29 - Wrapping up
1:44:48 - Final thoughts

TV director Marcus Stokes helps us do the camera blocking on an episode of a web series developed by UK director Tristan Ofield. This is a 4 page scene, so we need to find a way to make the camera work interesting, or the scene could feel excruciatingly slow. We also discuss how shooting multiple cameras keeps the actors from burning out, and how to make the acting more interesting.
 
SHOW LINKS
Marcus Stokes IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1684548/
Tristan Ofield IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3138635/
 
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/DQsKDaVI1EY
Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa
Download MP3 Audio: https://prepshow.podbean.com/mf/play/sjv5qk/Prep_Show_Blocking_A_War_Comedy_Scene_Tristan_Ofield_Marcus_Stokes_1_b671c.mp3
 
CONNECT:
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera
Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
 
EPISODE OUTLINE:
0:00 - Intro
1:19 - About The Project
10:47 - The original blocking
23:59 - The new blocking
1:05:05 - Concluding the scene
1:07:31 - Making acting interesting
1:19:36 - Final thoughts

Legendary director John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, Wargames, Supernatural) talks with Per Holmes about directing movie stars. How are stars different from “normal” actors? Do they need more direction? Less? How do you handle disagreements? What are you allowed to say or don’t say? How do you handle the power imbalance between an up-and-coming director and a very experienced actor? This episode answers these questions and countless more in this amazing episode.
 
SHOW LINKS
John Badham IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000824/
John is also the author of one of the best and most brutally honest books on filmmaking ever written, “I’ll Be In My Trailer”, about the relationship between actors and directors. https://www.amazon.com/Ill-Be-My-Trailer-Directors/dp/1932907149
His new book “On Directing 2”, is dropping in the fall of 2020. Check it out on his website: https://www.johnbadham.com/
Directing Actors Course: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/directing-actors.html
 
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN:
Show Website: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
YouTube: https://youtu.be/mcY-ROX951c
Indie Film Hustle TV: https://www.indiefilmhustle.tv
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-show/id1516200606
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/421oliun8XF0NKJulo7UEa
Download MP3 Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/nc7dh4/Prep_Show_John_Badham_Directing_Stars_8ud2q.mp3
 
CONNECT:
Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodCameraWork
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HollywoodCamera
Web: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com
 
EPISODE OUTLINE:
0:00 - Intro
2:37 - Welcome to John
4:56 - Differences between "normal" actors and stars?
7:53 - How does conversation with a star sound differently?
10:47 - What does the first conversation with an actor sound like?
12:55 - Directors direct too much?
13:39 - Directing in actions
15:08 - Different actor results in different performance
15:49 - Directing a regular on a TV show
19:30 - Making the scenes work
20:46 - Making an actor not do something
23:27 - Criticizing actors
24:43 - Retakes for the heck of it
25:28 - Every take doesn't need direction
27:50 - Shaking up the scene
29:39 - Directing Jack Nicholson
34:17 - Marlon Brando testing his director
37:06 - What if actor won't discuss character?
40:38 - Gaining an actor's trust
44:32 - Calming an actor's nerves
47:38 - Super-confident actors
50:02 - How much to direct
52:51 - Taking bad direction back
53:33 - Giving actors attention after a take
56:02 - Being there for actors
57:01 - Directors should try a bit of acting
58:23 - Actors can see through a director
59:12 - Gaining the trust of actors
1:02:38 - How much freedom should actors have?
1:12:36 - Does a director need to be certain?
1:15:21 - Getting everybody invested in it
1:18:48 - How much or how little to direct?
1:25:51 - Imaginary directing situation: Joe Pesci
1:28:15 - Giving actors obstacles instead of directing them
1:35:48 - Working with strong-willed actors
1:40:25 - Strong-willed actors testing the director
1:46:49 - Summary of insights
1:53:07 - John's new book On Directing
1:56:07 - Wrap up