Gillian Fritzsche » Directing

Minimalist Filmmaking!

gilliebean — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:11:10 +0000

So I just wrapped production as a writer-producer-director on another short film! It’s a 7-page comedy about a guitar lesson gone wrong. It’s called “Jerry & Diane”. I’m really about the performances from my actors and excited about how it looks!

We had the stupendous and fearless Chris Domig playing Jerry.

Chris Domig, JERRY

And the delightful dry and quirky Margaret Rossi Copeland playing Diane.

: Margaret Rossi Copeland, DIANE

And our lovely DP, Danielle Campbell, was a wiz with the Canon 5D Mark II.

Danielle Campbell with Canon 5D and Zacuto Rig

One of the things I enjoyed about this process (other than directing comedy) was that it was a 2-day shoot, with two actors (plus one brief cameo) and a crew of four (including me). We had the DP, a grip/AC, and my husband (who is also my co-producer, editor and colourist) recorded production audio. All of us were experienced professionals who’ve each worn many hats so the short hand was effective. We worked quickly and communicated well. My actors were marvellous. They dove right into the material fearlessly and gave me lots of choices and options to cut with. It’s going to be a delightful little film.

My first short film as a writer-director, called “Sonny“, is still in post-production; but I’m pregnant (due in April 2012!), and my hubby and I wanted to get another project in before the baby consumes our time. We’re hoping to have both projects out of post and heading to the festival circuit by the time the baby arrives in mid-April.

On Directing Actors

gilliebean — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:56:41 +0000

The Hollywood Reporter has a delightfully short little piece on Tom Hooper and his recent accolades called “The 5 Secrets of Tom Hooper’s ‘King’s Speech’ Success.” In it Hooper says,

“I was at the roundtable with Ethan Coen and he said to me, ‘I’ve never directed an actor in my life,’ and I thought, well — I wonder if that’s true. Because I’m sure if you walk into a Coen brothers setup, a good actor will immediately read so much from the locations, the art direction, where the camera’s placed, from the casting of the other person — that is all directing as well, just because it’s not saying, ‘Now do it this way, now do it that!’”

I think Tom’s on to something. While I do think that “True Grit” was better written than directed and would totally believe that the Coen Bros did not say a word to their actors on that set, I do think that perhaps the writing, costumes, set dec, and camera placement did have an effect on the performance of the actors. It’s probably why, my favourite scene, is also my favourite performance – the courtroom scene.

I find it hard to process this idea from the Coen Bros; because one of the reasons I love directing so much is that I love directing actors. The second reason is that I love directing the camera; but that’s a story for a different day. Directing was initially birthed in me when I would tell my childhood friends, after a rousing round of make-believe, “That was great! Let’s do it again but this time, let’s change a few things.”

True story.

I always found it strange that I was the only one who wanted to play the same story over again. But I digress.

I love directing actors and I can’t imagine being a director and avoiding that joyful experience! I’m not saying that all actors require direction all the time. That’s certainly not true. But the experience of working out the truth of a moment or the truth of a character with a friend is too delicious! Let me play!

You might think that perhaps I am just a frustrated actor, but I promise that I love directing more than I love acting. I’ve done both enough to know which I love more.

I love directing actors.

Post-production!!

gilliebean — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:41:06 +0000

On the set, talking with Alexander Wright (SONNY).

I’m currently working with Jack Maatman on Sonny, the short film I wrote and directed. Principal photography was in July and because my husband and I were moving across the country (from LA to NYC), we had to put the post-production process on hold until we could get settled enough to work.

Well, recently Jack and I dove back into the editing process and it’s been wonderful! I mean this in the best way possible: I love fighting with him! He definitely keeps me honest as a director. It’s a pleasure.

It’s fascinating to learn while creating. Even while I’m fighting forward for a scene to work, I’m present in two moments. I’m present in the moment where I’m editing with Jack and I’m present in the moment when I shot the scene and I’m learning what I did well and what I did poorly. I’m learning where I should have made an alternate decision. Where I got what I wanted and where I should have done just one more take.

So I’m absorbing all this pentimento-like experience, all while I’m trying to assemble the story, staying true to my original intent, but creating a compelling forward motion. Dizzying, but delightful!!

Principal Photography!

gilliebean — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:52:11 +0000

So I’ve been busy at work directing the short film I wrote called SONNY. Principal photograph was last week – July 18 thru 23. It was an amazing experience. Quite nearly the best week of my life. I love love loved it!

I’ve directed theatre before and I love directing theatre. I love directing actors! But this was my first time directing a narrative film! And I thought I’d love it… I had a feeling that I’d love it… and I’m happy to say that… I WAS RIGHT! I totally love it!!

I’m going to try to post some thoughts that highlight each day of the week in more detail. In the meantime, here’s a few of my favourite set photography photos!

The Slate

Pondering a shot...

Scripty Jen Hall and Associate Producer Erin Channing discuss the correct info for the slate on Day 1 at the Impound Lot!

Tammie Isbister waits outside the RV for Alexander Wright (SONNY) to emerge...

DP, Graham Fisher, and I discuss how to shoot the insert of the mug...

My awesome First AD, Thom Deason, holds a safety meeting at our only night shoot...

My DP Graham Fisher and I discuss the lighting situation...

The whole crew... Plus cast! Thank you everyone!!

To see all the photos, click here to check out the Facebook album!

Sonny on IndieGoGo

gilliebean — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:11:18 +0000

Most of you know that I’m a filmmaker! Now I’m getting ready to be a film director! I’ve been a first AD and producer for a while now and it’s time for me to be what I’ve always been meant to be… A director.

My project is called “Sonny” and it’s about a homeless man that loses his only connection to his past but finds a future and identity he could not have imagined.

We’re shooting in mid-July but we need a bit more moolah for set design, catering, and locations. I’m hoping to raise $2100 in 21 days. July 1st is my deadline.

Can you help?

If you can’t help, but if you know someone who can, then please forward this link! Thanks!

Writing As A Director

gilliebean — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:00:53 +0000

I’ve been working on a short film script, as a writer. But the objective for this short film has been for me to direct it. Ryan has been gunning to produce again and it’s time for me to direct. So instead of attacking this most recent rewriting period like a writer, I attacked it like a director. I went in with the intention of making this script a script I’d want to direct. And, strangely enough, that helped make this rewriting process even better than usual.

In general, I love the rewriting process. It’s like painting. A little tweak here. Another detail there. Oh! Look how those two scenes tie together better now! And now this detail has meaning! Awesome! But, attacking this pass as a director and not a writer has been interesting. In many ways, it has been even more rewarding! I have begun to visualize things better. I have begun to see meaning where I hadn’t seen meaning before. I even began to see the fluff!

I wonder if I should approach each script I work on as a director (as opposed to a writer). Would that make me a better writer? Or just a really frustrated director…?