I just want to go home...

Having just finished reading Inkheart (Cornelia Funke), today, I decided to rewatch the film adaptation. My word cannot be taken for gospel on the subject, because I have only read Inkheart, and neither of the two books that follow it in the trilogy (Inkspell and Inkdeath). However, I feel inclined to burden the world with my opinion, so here goes.

To begin with, Inkheart is an engaging, fun, suspenseful book for teens and young adults. The plot carries the reader strongly and the characters are easy to relate to in many ways. The fascinating idea of being able to read characters, objects, and even locations out of a book is something that Funke took and ran with, much to the delight of my imagination. Vivid descriptions, fiery dialogue, and intense action combine to create one fantastic story.

Looking at the film Inkheart, the reader must be careful. I believe (not having read the rest of the trilogy), that this film is an excellent one-episode story that encapsulates the most important aspects of the book. The story in the movie is accessible to those who have not read the book, and would make an excellent family film.

However, if you are being a purist (which I can be, sometimes), and have read Inkheart, this movie is not for you. There are several pieces of the original story that is missing and/or have been put out of order. Characters get much less development than in the book (but when is that new for a movie adaptation?), specific costumes in the book are not given screen-time, and there are unnecessary or even, disrespectful, moments of humor that irritates the knowledgeable viewer.

In all this, however, there is Dustfinger. Without giving any spoilers, I must say that he is one of my all-time favorite book-to-screen characters. Paul Bettany plays his cowardice, hope, and trickery to a 't' in the film and I couldn't be happier than when he is on screen. I believe that Dustfinger is the most human character in the entire Inkheart story...his passions, hopes, failures, endeavors, and lies all resonate in the deepest part of the reader/viewers' soul. Suffice to say that Bettany's Dustfinger makes my purist heart do a jig of excitement.

...and while you ponder the above, enjoy Dustfinger's awesomeness here.

WANTED: Assistant Villain to take over the world!

Thinking over the last AGG rehearsal, I don't think it went horribly. I was, however, frustrated by my lack of confidence in my role. As someone who is used to taking instruction instead of giving it, especially to people who I have been acting with for several years now, it is very awkward. Also, I sorta got the feeling that a few different people were testing the waters to see how certain of myself I was; I don't have any evidence for this...I just sorta got that kind of vibe.

Anywho, I blocked "Diana gets drunk" and watched 3.6, 1.4, 1.5, and 3.3. Began to work a bit with the Diana's on being drunk which was great fun. For our group exercises, the kids had to come to me one by one and convince me to let them be my assistant villain. They had to prove that they were evil enough to be my sidekick. Suffice to say there were a few viable options. We also did exercises on how to walk properly (which felt really good, by the way; it is amazing how walking with good posture actually relaxes your whole body).

Overall, it was a good rehearsal. While I am still not comfortable in the role of assistant-director, I am at least getting used to it. Till next week!

Comfort zones? Who needs those?!

Well...here I am, falling behind already. I will endeavor to recall the past rehearsal of AGG (Anne of Green Gables) with all the accuracy possible.

Lots of awkward. Lots. Good awkward, though. The director had everyone do a proposal to get them out of their comfort zone. All the guys had to propose to her, and all the girls had to propose to Andrew (cast one) or Jeffrey (cast two). Being the amazing and fortunate person I am, I was privileged to propose to both men, and must admit that it wasn't bad.

The other awkward was directing. Officially. So, I love POTS people and all, and we have great fun together, but some people were having a hard time understanding that they had to listen to me; they just wanted to keep joking and messing around when it was really time to get work done. That and I was short-tempered that day. So, it made for a slightly frustrating day for me. But it was still fun.

That's pretty much all I remember. Sorry it isn't much. :P 

A new story begins

...and as all good stories, it has a rather tedious beginning. Just like Great Expectations or Emma, the first two days of Anne of Green Gables has been a dreadfully long 48 hours. Day one (September 5th), was the read-through and blocking of school-scenes. Day two (today), was blocking for most of the rest of the play. So as Assistant director, I haven't had much to do yet.

I did block the "Walking the Ridgepole" scene, which was fun, and next week I will be blocking the "Diana gets Drunk" scene. One difficulty I have encountered is blocking around someone else's set design; when you don't know exactly what they mean, and/or think it should be done differently, it is difficult to envision how the scene should work. Well. :)

On a side note, I gave the Director a heart-attack today; I went to lie on the floor because I was tired, and she thought I was fainting, or collapsing, or something, and almost freaked out. It was rather amusing (no offense, Mrs. G.). 

Brave New World (or, Brave New Me)

Today is the read-through for Anne of Green Gables, being performed by Players of the Stage. This is also my first experience helping to direct something more than a one-act. I plan on blogging as faithfully as possible about my experience assistant-directing this play, not for your edification, but for my own. :) Please feel free to read my random and crazy thoughts about directing. Until tomorrow, then.

"...all for Marie's Wedding!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JddRkt_FYDY

"Lover versus Father: Lover wins."

My mother and I just watched BBC's Wives and Daughters. I always ride an emotional roller-coaster during that movie...the emotional attachment that the viewer develops for Molly Gibson is so strong that it almost feels as if the viewer is going through the same difficulties.

The main character of a movie should have a strong emotional connection with the audience, but Molly manages to infiltrate a viewer's thoughts. Her sweetness of character, coupled with her reliability and blunt but kind speech make her loved by viewers as well as the other characters. Molly's innocence is also something that is quite refreshing. One wishes that life could be as simple as Molly believed it to be.

Very strongly contrasted with Molly is her step-sister, Cynthia. She is very much aware of what is going on around her, and enjoys holding a power over the men who flock to her. Cynthia not only is not willing to help others, but is so self-serving as to make every scene that she is in about her. Although the above are serious character flaws, the viewer cannot help at times feeling a sense of affection for her, especially when she is being a truly good sister to Molly.

From the very first moment the viewer meets Roger, it is instinctive that he and Molly belong together. While his infatuation with Cynthia causes the viewer to question his wisdom, it is difficult not to forgive him once he starts pursuing Molly for real. His character is one of honesty, courage, strength, and honor. (and he's good looking!)

And then there's Squire Hamely. Such a sweet gentleman played perfectly by Sir Michael Gambon. His loyalties and steadfastness are so charming to watch, as well as his little quirks. He will always remain one of my favorite characters.

Favorite line of the movie: "I didn't say your wife was silly, but one of us was very silly, and it wasn't me." ~Squire Hamely