Definitions

Turn: 

- To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve.

- To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening.

- To alter or control the functioning of (a mechanical device, for example) by the use of a rotating or similar movement.

- To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder.

- To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence

- To change the order or disposition of; unsettle.

- To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. 

- To make sour; ferment.

(thefreedictionary.com)

A Study in Visual Harmony

Turn: a study in visual harmony.

As a musician who largely works by ear, I'm always happy to find a particular harmony for a particular melody. Give me a melody and I can harmonize it. I've discovered over the years, with the help of music theory, that harmony can be straightforward and intuitive BUT it can also be dissonant, tangled, and downright disturbing.

So what if we translated harmony to visuals? Obviously artists accomplish visual harmony every day; but I want to figure it out for myself, specifically using my understanding of audible harmony, trying to find a way to translate the "creative muscle" if you will, from my ear to my eye.

This may sound pretty gooby right now,(see my roommate for a definition of the word "gooby"), but I'm pretty excited about this exploration.

My plan is as follows:
1. film one actor at a time incorporating character, pre-determined situations, shooting pre-planned stock shots, and finally allowing for some pure improvisation.
2. after filming each actor individually, I will analyze the footage and determine patterns and/or complementary moments that I would like to explore further. At this point I'll take two or maybe three actors at a time to film.
3. have an afternoon of filming all the actors together.

Besides some last-minute re-shoots, I will then have all my material in front of me.
At that point editing will take over to create from all the film I will have. Then the music stage will take over which is a whole blog post in itself, but won't take as much time as filming.

Sounds fun right?? I'm pretty excited about this. I'll have some help with costuming, makeup, and music, which is wonderful.

Have a lovely day...hopefully the sky isn't falling in freezing rain like it is here. (Jackson!! Who knew??)
Ginny

(January 15ths entry)

Whirlwind

I'm in a whirlwind of music, writing, and pinterest! I don't stay too long in any one area for fear of getting stuck...and whenever I START to get stuck, I say "okay! time to get inspired by the pinterest board!" or "Right then, let's brainstorm some music."

I've been looking particularly at greek myths, modeling the characters largely after such mythical figures...or at least giving them certain attributes. In fact, in some instances, I'm doing some mixing and matching. Fun!

(this was written on the 13th and didn't publish for some reason)
Ginny

Best Supporting

I went and saw Silver Linings Playbook with one of my roommates, mostly in order to help her towards her quest of viewing all the films nominated for "Best Motion Picture".

Also, I went because I honestly was surprised by how many nominations this thing received. When the film was over my first thought was, yes, Bradley Cooper did a stunning job, revealing a side of him as an actor that I haven't seen before. TOTALLY deserves an oscar for his work.

My second thought was, Jennifer Lawrence did a lovely job as well, but I won't be heartbroken at all if she doesn't win Best Actress.

BUT it was my roommate that made the most excellent observation (in my opinion) as we were driving home: the supporting cast was simply perfection in this movie!

Without that kind of excellence filling every nook and cranny of the film, who's to say how many people would have watched it and lost interest at points? Instead, De Niro's small moments with his son became monumental and my personal favorites!

Being in a supporting role, in any capacity, is not stepping OUT of the limelight. It isn't a conscious decision to be less recognized. It is a choice to take MORE responsibility. It means, you're not only looking out for yourself, but you are REQUIRED to push others around you to look better.

I love supporting my fellow artists. I love being responsible. I like directing, advising, supervising. I have no pretentious beliefs that it makes me look good. Instead it makes me completely culpable WHEN things go wrong, it makes me tired and cranky. But at the end of the day, I know I've done something outside of myself, which means I've done something worthwhile.

The supporting role is not to be looked down on or simply treated as dirty work. On the contrary, earning recognition in that position shows true dedication, determination, and selfless application to the craft.

So here's to dedicating myself wholly to the various crafts and projects ahead of me this year!
I hope it encourages you as well.
Ginny

Les Reves de la Musique...

One of the things that draws me most to create a piece like "Turn" is the opportunity to work with people I've been dying to collaborate with. It's sort of like getting to pick your own dream team because you know people, you know what they're capable of, and you're pretty sure that, together, you can make something beautiful.

In this instance, I've chosen actors I particularly admire for their different acting strengths, musical styles, and who overall have a passion for storytelling. 

Music is what I really want to talk about today. I absolutely LOVE trying to find original ways of incorporating music and theatre. I also have a strong visual arts background so it's important that THAT comes out in the work as well. The visual part has been tossing and turning in my head for a while so I've never had much doubt on that end. The music, on the other hand, has taken an incredibly long time to settle in my mind. I looked over past songs I've written. I listened to some piano improv I've performed over the years. I looked at poetry. I tried writing new songs and poetry. Nothing felt quite right. 

Eventually I decided I wouldn't feel happy with music until I had a true story to put it to. Well I guess that was true, because now that the story is coming along, I've been re-inspired musically! 

I've ended up taking two half-finished projects, and plan on integrating both. There are lots of harmonies (my favorite thing EVER) and the songs are a cross between choral and folk music. 

I have special ideas cooked up for the songs, some of which will come to fruition soon, and others will have to wait until we start recording to see how much we can accomplish. I will, of course, keep you posted on all progress.

Filming has not started yet, but hopefully we won't have to wait much longer (if this script would only perfect itself!)

lovely dreams,

Ginny

Propp 31

I've been researching Vladimir Propp and his 31 functions of a fairy tale. It's fascinating and I decided to try and fit my story to the functions to see what is missing and perhaps whether it would help straighten things out. It's nice to look at it in such an organized perspective.
Here they are:

1. Absentation
2. Interdiction
3. Violation of Interdiction
4. Reconnaissance
5. Delivery
6. Trickery
7. Complicity
8. Villainy or Lack
9. Mediation
10. Beginning counter-action
11. Departure
12. First Function of the Donor
13. Hero's Reaction
14. Receipt of a Magical Agent
15. Guidance
16. Struggle
17. Branding
18. Victory
19. Liquidation
20. Return
21. Pursuit
22. Rescue
23. Unrecognized Arrival
24. Unfounded Claims
25. Difficult Task
26. Solution
27. Recognition
28. Exposure
29. Transfiguration
30. Punishment
31. Wedding

(I technically DID write this on the 10th, but didn't get around to posting it till past midnight...but it still counts as my post for the day!)
Ginny

Destructo-Meter!

Amazing isn't it, how one conversation with a friend can bring completely fresh ideas and inspirations that you never could have come up with on your own? That's what happened to me today!

After a satisfying day of classes, (learning how to handle a sword, conjugating French verbs, and a theatre company called Ridiculusmus), I fell into a heated discussion with my friend who now holds a heavy bit of credit for the film script. She's been a wonderful creative brain to pick and prod.

I've learned a lot about how film scripts are revised often to the point of having nothing to do with the original script. It used to sound like such a sad story to me. It IS a sad story to many writers out there who get there material ripped to pieces without having any ability to stop it.

In my situation, thankfully, I'm completely in charge of the destruction...and honestly, the only sad story would be the one getting filmed if I left the original script alone.

So how much is too much? Is it possible to go to far in the editing? Shouldn't I not get caught up in searching for perfection?

On the contrary, when it comes to writing, I find that there really is a perfect, or more aptly a RIGHT product to be found under the layers of artistic nuances, character development, words, words, and more words! When you strip something away you find a basic structure. This is essential in good story telling. Are there different kinds of structures? Sure. Is it wrong to flesh that structure out? NO! It's what makes your creativity unique! But when you have a structure, that is when you are able to say, "I don't need this character" or "I've described the scenery adequately, I can stop now."

Structure, by definition, holds the story together. So in my opinion, that's the first thing you have to look to. After that, follow your instincts, get an outside opinion and a fresh eye to take a look at things, and you'll end up with something quite extraordinary.

I'm hoping to finish my Script-Destruction in the next couple of days, and also go have a look at potential locations for filming!

Have a great end of your week,
Gin

Little Time

Today I got up early and read my Kindle! It was the loveliest way to start the day because I'm currently reading Little Women. I've heard many, many times that I should have read it years ago like a good female human being...so my apologies to any I have offended and know that I'm finally remedying the situation.

I LOVE IT! I immediately connected with the writing style; it sent my mind reeling into the nostalgia of long-lost childhood; it also greatly inspired me with its depiction of siblings.

As the youngest of four, this story wrings at my heartstrings, and of course I am also portraying four siblings in the film.

Let me say, quickly, that the siblings themselves are NOT based on my own family. The characters are meant to be entirely different. The connections found between siblings, however, I have taken directly from experience. A sister-to-sister tie is something that cannot be faked, therefore I am freely taking from my memories and experiences to better supply the story.

One of the hardest parts of starting the semester is knowing how little time I will have to read what I want. BUT I'm exchanging that for time spent on projects I love and learning more about the craft out of which I want to create a career! So it's a relatively fair trade...but I miss reading when it comes right down to it.

THAT is why I made a New Year's resolution to read twelve books this year. I know, it's not a lot, but I also want to read twelve plays in addition to that, and with the schedule I'll have, it will be quite a miracle if I get through them all.

So PLEASE read something. Read two somethings. Or three. Just read something that YOU want to read, and not because someone told you to. And think of me as you do :P

Have a lovely afternoon/evening.
Gin

(This post is dedicated to my beautiful Mum!)

TV-Say-Whaaa?

TV shows are so accessible now that I've completely taken them for granted! Let me explain....

...often I see a trend of there being a negative light shined on TV shows; yes we all love them, but when we sit back and try to explain our lifestyle we mumble for a bit under our breath about free time and relaxation before we admit that they DO suck us in, only to make us into immobile, stupid, and otherwise unhealthy human beings....but that's only for people who watch them ALL the time! (like meee!)

I say all this because I've remembered something that I don't want to forget; and that is what is at the heart of a television series; the same thing that is at the heart of film, theatre, and every performance art: a story.

A single television episode has the unique ability to tell a story in 40 minutes or less, and still achieve an emotional connection with its audience. I take great inspiration from this concept.

How wonderful to find such deep connections with a fictional character that the end of their story makes us want to cry out and say "come back!"

So with that in mind I plunge into the next phase of production. Setting the scene so that each and every moment is poignant, necessary, and supports the story.

As a director this is one of the more terrifying and exhilarating moments of creativity. That moment where you realize that you have the ability to make or break an entire piece, simply by having a flawed vision, or starting it badly, or from then-on-out making every inefficient choice possible.

On the other hand you're playing with something that is practically alive in itself. You're working with real live human beings, in real life places, and you have a story in your head that feels right and important and needs to be shared in the way you see it in your head.

I'm getting on a plane now, and I'll be traveling all day, but I wanted to post something to try and keep up with writing every day.

Make something creative today. It can be small. It can be simple. It can be huge and elaborate. I promise it will be exciting one way or another! And if you need inspiration, go have coffee with a friend, or take a long walk, or browse Pinterest boards, or hey! Watch an episode of your favorite television show. There's a reason they exist and it's my belief that good art speaks for itself.

Ginny

Pre-Production Progress

During this pre-production phase, it is important that I have as much planned out as possible, as well as having backup options in case those plans fall through. So while I'm straightening out the script, I have to keep in mind that locations may become unavailable, student/actors may have extremely conflicting schedules, and extras may be hard to come by.

Overall it's my kind of challenge. I believe the best products of creativity are born of having to think in terms of boundaries and limited resources. And boy will this project have plenty of both!

I'm really excited to say that another actor is on board! I've also requisitioned the use of a camera for filming which is WONDERFUL. Finally, I've honed the script to a lovely first draft. Now it gets sent to two people who have helped me with the story, and they will give me their critiques and general feedback.

I've also determined some more costume and hair concepts for individual characters. I've decided to share some of these ideas with you, just regarding the siblings. (there are two other key characters that I'm keeping a secret for now.)

Claudine:
colors- red/black
half military/half adventurer,
but still very feminine/sleek style.

Dominic:
colors- brown/black
half military/half struggling artist.
softer textures.













Elise:
colors- pastels/mint green
wispy and whimsical clothing.
She has a wild and delicate style.

Fiona:
colors- gray/some green
oversized sweater/jacket over leggings.
Style hints at insecurity but remains feminine
and attractive.

All costuming/hair/makeup will be very asymmetric.

Keep checking in for more updates!
-Ginny

Up Next....!

Hello and Happy New Year :)

I didn't actually expect to come back to this blog. It was purely for my trip to New York; to help me overcome my fears and not forget what was an incredible experience.

But here I am! I looked at the title I chose for this blog, (taken from this beautiful play by Lee Blessing), and I read my little subtitle, and I realized I left it wide open! I'm still an artist on an adventure, and I want to share with any who will follow, about my next big project.

First of all, in case you were wondering, I HAVE kept busy with school all semester.

I directed my first full-length play...

Two of my beautiful actors!
(photo copyright MerianneDietrich)

Final Scene
(photo copyright MerianneDietrich)

...stage-managed my first one-act...

My fellow SM, and our leading man in the background :)

The entire cast and crew!

...and have been cast in our next mainstage show for the spring semester, so woohoo!

Now, onto the REALLY exciting things :)

My next project is a short film. I'm skating right over the obvious arguments I would have with myself,("Gin, you've never made a film before..."), and I'm moving on to the planning stage.

So here's where I'm at:

        -I have a story. It's all written except for one scene. 

        -I have two actors on board, and am waiting to hear from two more. 

        -I have a gorgeous Pinterest board that has been marinating and developing all semester, full of        

         concept images, costume inspirations, color palettes, etc...

        -OH RIGHT! I have a title. It's called Turn. 

        -and I have a deadline for the screening. The week of April 8-13th.

What I DO NOT HAVE:

        -scouted locations.

        -a camera. (bahahahahah)

        -actual costumes.

        -a schedule for filming.

I would appreciate your support and continual following of this blog! 

I only have three days left of Winter Break, so I'll be using them to hammer down the script, welcome actors on board, and put together a tentative schedule.

Bon Vacance! 

Ginny