'Make sure you are well rested!' Evey e mail and conversation with faculty staff at the AFI has started with this phrase! It's meant to be an intense first year. Oh and another recent e mail had the following line: 'You’re following in the footsteps of filmmakers like David Lynch, Ed Zwick, Patty Jenkins, Scott Frank, Marshall Herskowitz, Susannah Grant, Todd Field, Janusz Kaminski, Darren Aronofsky, Andrea Arnold, Gill Dennis, Amy Heckerling… the list goes on and on… but seriously, no pressure. :)'
We have been given some onerous pre-course homework consisting of a series of films to watch ranging from Red River, the Leopard, M and the Third Man etc. In addition a number of books to read including 'My life and my film - Jean Renoir' 'On film-making - ALexander MacKendrick' and 'New Cinematographers - Alexander Ballinger' to name but a few. So popped into the Louis B Mayer library today and watched 'La Grand Illusin - Jean Renoir' and 'Lola Montes - Max Ophuls' - I can certainly think of worse ways to spend a day. it great not worrying about being a swot with this subject. The library is a typical affair except for one key difference - a real Oscar staring down at you. It was awarded to Warren Newcombe in 1947 for outstanding special effects for the film 'Green Doplphin Street.'
Its amaxing to be surrounded by so many familiar names and faces. Steven Spielberg is on the board of trustees as is Roger Birnbaum and Jay Roach but to name a few. So tomorrow it will be 'A man escaped - Robet Bresson' & 'A woman under the influence - John Cassavetes' I also have lunch with a script writer called Jeff Forsyth. He has written a number of TV based projects and looks as though his latest pilot may be picked up.
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