Panic!

I’m starting to feel really nervous about the big move. I haven’t found anywhere to live yet and I’m supposed to watch 50 films before the course begins. I’ve been so busy with all my fundraising that I’ve only managed to watch about ten. Isn’t it amazing to HAVE to watch terrific films, though? It’s easily one of the best perks of being a filmmaker.

One of our first assignments is to shoot a 16mm black and white, silent film. It has to be set outside and it can’t have any dialogue. What a challenge! When Todd Solondz did the course he made an amazing piece, which set the tone for the rest of his career. In it, he depicted a geeky young man in his late teens committing suicide and becoming an angel. The soundtrack was the boy singing softly to himself in a distorted mumble. Oh Todd Solondz, how do you do it? Every time I watch one of your films I feel as if someone close to me has died and I’ve just laughed and laughed.