I've written the review, but now it's time to get beyond the words. In my tutorial, Teal and Anna were interested in the fact that the process towards a final visual outcome began with words. The review was text-based. And well, so is this. But it's definitely a step in a more uncomfortable direction for me. I mean, I rarely make webs...unless I'm being forced to make a web for class. But! I thought it would be helpful to start thinking beyond how Romeo & Juliet looks on paper and explore how I might convey the experience and my opinion on film. I'm pretty lost. I was hoping that I would have enough original footage, but I don't feel like I do. It seems like a good opportunity to use content to build new content. I've been reading that, with dance, everything generated comes from something that exists already. Expanding that content-from-content idea in the form of a review might lead to some interesting juxtapositions with other elements of popular culture. In my written review, I say something like...."It's as if the Royal Ballet is too embarrassed to bring their girlfriend (the audience) home to meet their mother (the Royal Opera House), so they bring them to the O2." I've been wondering about a moment from a RomCom that might work to convey that within the film, which is kind of fun.
I've also been reviewing some of the coverage that I filmed before the event. Two of the dancers were on This Morning, and there were a few gems I could use within that. The trailers released by the Royal Ballet before the performance weekend really stand out too: "World's Greatest Ballet Company. World's Greatest Love Story. World's Greatest Arena." I think this will be a repeated element that I'd like to manipulate to show convey this idea of: If you tell us, we'll come. Tell us you're awesome, and we'll come! *
In the first image (with 'Set Up The Scene' at the top), I was trying to think about what visuals I could use at the beginning of the film, but I think I can do only so much setting up the scene. Normally written reviews spend a good paragraph setting things up. I feel like I can convey the scene throughout the film, especially if I repeat a few certain images (the main trailer itself, the lone hotdog stand underneath the Romeo & Juliet trailer advert and this awesome footage of zillions of sheep being herded come to mind). Maybe it's better — and clearer — to just get straight to the point.
I've found that thinking about what the film might sound like is helping me craft a story arc. I've been listening to my footage, and thinking about music and sound effects. For some reason, that comes across strongly to me. It feels more natural to put together a story from sounds first. We'll see what happens.
* Which reminds me! An aside about Love Da Pop: They chose popcorn because it was cheap and they could afford to take a risk with that. And then to build up a client base, they told everyone (and by everyone I mean every adorable cinema and also BAFTA) that they had this fantastic popcorn in beautifully designed packaging. They didn't have any of that. By the time they had gotten their first popcorn-making gig, they hadn't developed a flavor and they didn't have packaging at all. Quickly, they popped like 3,000 servings of popcorn and salt-and-peppered it (their first "gourmet" flavor). They they bought a bunch of toothpicks, a stamp and some striped bags and sold the popcorn in those. They handed over the packages at the event. They knew it looked kinda shitty and not "beautifully designed," but they didn't apologize for it and they were as confident as can be about it. People ate it up. In a way, I guess you could see this as being a little sleazy, but I guess I see it as using the ingredients you have and know to make something you've never tried before. Just do it. And don't apologize for it. If you have confidence that this is an awesome thing people need to know, then they'll believe you. They just need to be told.
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