Off in Kraków – Off Camera Film Festival.

The festival has started pretty smoothly for me. The guest I was assigned to turned out to be a really nice and a kind woman, who turned up at the festival purely because of her own curiosity and for her friend’s invitation (the festival artistic director, not a big deal). As a nanny, I had not much to do, just occasionally checking if she’s all right, she has her tickets for the chosen screenings, she knows where to go for the reception etc. I spent around 80% of her time in Kraków in the cinema watching films for my own pleasure.

Therefore, I will try to summarize my first part of Off Camera Festival in a specific way. I will list all the films I have seen and try to describe them in one, maximum two sentences (including the logline and my personal thoughts on the story). A little challenge for my little brain!

BRIDES – dir. Tinatin Kajrishvili (Georgia/France).

A dark drama criticizing Georgian prison system and all its ridiculous restrictions. It’s a complex exploration of what the love is and what can it turn into when the beloved one is taken from us and the only things we have is our patience, imagination and the strangers trying to offer you everything that you are missing.

THE DISOBEDIENT – dir. Mina Djukic (Serbia)

Childhood friends, a boy and a girl, meet during the summer after years of not seeing each other trying to rebuild the connection they used to have. It’s a visually stunning story of how the fear can take the most precious things (or people) away from us. (The best I have seen so far!)

EASTERN BOYS – dir. Robin Campillo (France)

On the surface it’s a twisted romantic story of two people who have nothing in common, though it also explores the important issues of modern world: tolerance, immigration and isolation. I was not convinced with the relationship plot, but the parts of the film touching upon an immigration matter are the real emotional feast.

SHE’S LOST CONTROL – dir. Anja Marquardt (USA)

Ronah works as a sex-surrogate, who is completely involved in trying to help her clients/patients to overcome their problems with the intimacy. It’s a good story of how we usually lose control over the situation the minute we are too confident and too sure of the direction it is going to develop.

AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS – dir. David Lowery (USA)

Original western-ish drama showing what would have happened to Bonnie and Clyde if he would have gone to prison and she would have had to wait for him at home, with their child. It’s a subtle love story set in a dark reality, beautifully shot.

THIS IS MARTIN BONNER – dir. Chad Hartigan (USA)

A story of two men who at the age of fifty years (approximately) need to start their life all over again and it ain’t easy. This film is not really my cup of tea – there are characters, true, but not really an engaging story.

FLYING BLIND – dir. Katarzyna Klimkiewicz (UK)

A very difficult love story with the obstacles and challenges on nearly every level – age, race, background, expectations. It truly shows that we usually think we know it all, but mostly we know nothing.

 

I also had a pleasure of watching four episodes of season 4 of famous “Game of Thrones” on the big screen – that took a big chunk of one festival day!

Though yesterday I had a “nanny” emergency and I got a new guest – a proper VIP this time as he is a member of Jury of Polish Films Competition.

I guess that the time in the cinema for pleasure is going to be pretty limited now!

 

 

Follow your (Basic) Instinct. Script Fiesta 2014.

As I have mentioned before I was honoured to assist during the screenwriting festival that took place in Warsaw in April. Apart from just helping out in general I got a job of a “nanny” of the two festival VIPs guests  – Jeff Schechter and his wife as well as Joe Eszterhas and his family.

No pressure here.

Obviously it’s not a big deal to pick someone up from the railway station or the airport, especially if you just have to walk them to their car and the driver is taking care of the rest. Then, you just help them out whenever they need you – doing some research, calling the places they want to visit etc. Seriously, not a big deal at all. But at first you have some silly thoughts that maybe because they’ve got the huge careers (I mean, Mr Eszterhas mostly) they’re not like any other human beings. But hell, they are. There are very funny ones as well.

The festival itself was a great fun despite not being able to fully attend all the workshops and lectures. Last year I was just an ordinary attendee, but I think that this year, even though I was running around everywhere, the festival was more fruitful for me.

A simple dinner with Mr and Mrs Eszterhas turned out to be a great, great experience.  They’re both absolutely amazing people. Both in the different ways. It’s pretty surprising when you sort of start bonding a bit with the people who you actually consider your mentors or the walking legends. Joe asked me if I would be ready to leave to LA any minute (for the career purposes). He was also able to guess my answer. There is a part of me that packs the suitcase and is ready to leave and there is no sense of fear that can stop me. There is also the other part, which keeps me here, close to the people I care about. “You’re too dedicated to your family”. I mean, yes, I am not gonna argue with him. Mostly, because it’s probably true. However, he gave me a beautiful advice. I am not going to say what was it, because it’s one of those personal things that I like to keep to myself. But he finished it with the phrase: “Follow your instinct. Your basic instinct”. Then I said “Well, better not”. We laughed. A lot.

I started coming to the conclusion ( and maybe it’s not very revealing) that in this case not even what I am currently doing but who I am doing it with is more important for my future. I feel like my industry is people, but in this case “who you know” means something a little bit different. Something more like “what can they teach you”.

Now, my brain and my heart are enjoying the Off Camera Film Festival. I am spending about 6 hours in the cinema = I am having a blast.

Uni Application. Task 129043295023.

It’s been like million years…

Yeah, I know.

It’s been far too long without updating this blog with even one dot. But I have to say that things have been happening and those things have been from the beginning the main goal of this blog. So maybe there is some progress/development actually in my so-called “career”. At least I am getting busy.

I decided to not stay even a day longer in a company I was doing my internship at. It was one of these sort of jobs that (for me) can be rewarding only because of the money. However, financial side wasn’t that rewarding either so I just left. Leaving without having any other option usually means two things: your depression and your parents’ depression.

In April I had a pleasure to help out as a volunteer during Script Fiesta Screenwriting Festival in Warsaw. This time, I did receive a very rewarding duty of being a “Tinkerbell” (how I was amazingly described by our supervisor) of VIP guests, which includes, the legend, Joe Eszterhas. In the meantime I also got successfully to the group of “nannies” at Off Camera Festival (here nanny means also a volunteer looking after the festival guest). I do adore festivals’ atmosphere – a lot of random people, who at the end of the event become your buddies and who are linked with the same goal – MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Off Camera Film Festival ends on 11th of May AND thankfully I am starting a new thing on 12th. I am going to be an intern in the production development department at big TV Polish Channel… And it’s not the only thing I might be doing.

Silence means work!

(I actually started writing this post way before Christmas. This is how bad it’s got).

I haven’t been writing here for more than a month now. It’s not because I can’t be bothered. On the contrary – I achieved a first goal of that blog. I am doing stuff and I simply do not have time to write here! It also looks like this blog helped me to push, push and eventually get somewhere (it’s still a beginning of the whole journey though).

I am working as an editor and assistant manager now for online magazine publishing mostly for American and British market. That means I work in English and I am very happy that even back home I can still have a live contact with the language I actually love! (true story bro). Obviously I am doing stuff I did not plan for myself, but it looks like I can handle my duties pretty ok. Also, I can use those freshly acquired marketing and bussines skills in my film career. It’s been already several years when I realize that film is a first of all a big business and to be able to work and create we need to bear it in mind. Promotion and sales have the same rules in all the industries and what I have learnt and I will learn, I can easily use while putting my first feature budget together. If there will be no producer wanting to work with me (one day, one day). I also discovered, again, pretty old truth that the key is to get to the right people. Scouting/hunting  skills are extremely necessary when you’re starting up in the media industry.

Simultaneously to my new job I am putting a new film project together. I want to apply for a budget for a short film through one of our national Institution supporting beginners. First of all I had to create a proposal of my crew, which would of course contain only professionals. Now, good luck with that you can say. Thankfully I know how to make a good use out of social media and thankfully the “big names” are usually kind enough to answer your fb or linkedin message – mostly positively! So now, I am re-writing a script with “a big name” trying to get her to eventually find a slot in her tight schedule for our promised meeting. It is not easy, she just got back from India.

There are obviously three more things going, like the projects that were born as a result of a writing course I attended. And some copywriting freelance work (slowly, but I am getting some!).

The summer is coming though – time to look for some summer internship. Can’t help it, just like to be busy!

Results Revealed.

So. I’m starting something new tomorrow. As a result of the interview I had the last week. No secrets now, time to share the news!

Well, last week I got in the room with nine other candidates and a sharp-looking boss to fight for something I didn’t really know what exactly was. I mean, sending hundreds of CVs, you sometimes get confused. Before getting there I did a little research and I found out that I surely sent one CV responding to an offer “Editor Assistant in the English Department”. Then I figured out that the magazine is an online IT Security Magazine, publishing mostly in US, UK, Australia and other English-speaking countries full of Bills Gates etc.

So I got into the final three. Even though it’s not really my cup of tea, I really liked my boss-to-be: smart, straightforward and talking business. So we knew what we can get, how much we are going to get paid, what sort of agreement we’re going to sign. My job wouldn’t be about the IT security at all. It would be about something I am good at: creative haunting, organising and planning.

In the past three days I was completing the special recruitment task, which I can’t talk about as I’ve signed the special form. I can just compare it to the thing similar to collecting Pokemons. I was Ash Ketchum. Even though I was successful in 70% (time, time, time. Pokemons are lazy and it takes the ages to reply) I was offered an internship. So yeah. I’m starting tomorrow.

Apart from that I’m still putting together something very exciting, but I can’t share more details. I’m not sure I will ever be able to, especially if the project doesn’t get successful budget-wise. But. This is a sort of script I am getting passionate and crazy about!

I am also attending TV writing course and it’s a good fun. New ideas are coming. Watch this space.

Longing for a Pillow…

Shame on me.

I should be getting mentally ready and preparing for the interview tomorrow. I would rather sleep though (I know! It’s soo early!). I received two phone calls today inviting me for the interviews. Well, they both weren’t about the job of my dreams or even about the area I’m interested in, BUT they put me in a very positive mood! I mean, I really want to focus on my writing projects now and as I need a job that could possibly help me feel more secure and help me develop a bit… Why not?

Especially the first one seems intriguing. It’s an internship (paid one, hallelujah!) in the English department of the company publishing IT magazine. I mean, it doesn’t necessarily sounds like my cup of tea, but there is English language involved, some writing and loads of talking. I hope. I was “warned” that apart from the standard conversation I am going to be asked to complete a special task. Sounds even more intriguing. It’s tomorrow so fingers crossed folks!

In the meantime I am putting together something very exciting (film wise) for me. But no details yet!

Ok. I finish some research and I should probably watch something or read something before going to bed.

But. I. Want. My. Pillow. Now.

Storytellers in London.

I had a bit of a break from writing here about my progress. I’m not sure if what’s been happening I could possibly call the progress, but there were things happening. Well, mostly I have found my motivation and once is back I have been working a bit and the new projects will be attacking.

I promised myself I will write down several things I consider as the most valuable of the London Screenwriting Festival experience. The festival itself was a magnificent place to be for a passionate writer. I don’t know what I was looking for when I was going there, but sure I have found it.

I picked my three favourite speakers of the festival, each of them special for the same, but sort of different reason. They all share the same feature – they have an amazing charisma that excites the audience. They know how to entertain you and it doesn’t matter if they are teaching you or just telling you about their life.

The first one, hands up, is Joe Eszterhas, a legendary Hollywood screenwriter, who I didn’t know much about before except that he wrote “Basic Instinct” and “Flashdance” (<dancing>). He told his story beautifully, but without soppy moments. An honest, hard-working, modest guy.

“Keep writing even if you’re throwing up”. God, it helped me.  For some reason, sometimes you have to hear such things  so they push you. If you thing this quote is silly – you have no idea what you’re talking about, people. Go away.  Joe was also referring to writing as a storytelling, because at the end of the day – that is what we want to do or why we wanted to do that when we were little (then the reality came and we realized that we need to make a living). BUT. We are supposed to tell stories that someone else really wants to listen/watch. That is when the moneys come. He also said an extremely important thing, very personal to me – “Don’t apologise for who you are”. I mean, you hear those things from everyone, but there is this moment when you actually understand what does this sentence mean. I hope that was my moment of fully understatement at least that is how I still feel about it.

The second speaker was Pilar Alessandra, who I have already seen during the screenwriting festival in Warsaw. She is a truly charming  speaker, she puts knowledge  in your head and you don’t even know it! She throws some jokes at you, she hides some tips between them, then she makes you write thinking of them a little “Just write whatever, what is on your mind” and then suddenly, a week later you still catch yourself doing that. You’ve improved your craft and you didn’t even notice! I mean, it’s the simplest and the most silly way of explaining her phenomenon. So if you have a chance I would recommend to go and listen to her.

The third one was Luke Ryan, a Hollywood executive who gave a few lectures and all of them were funny and super entertaining. He is the guy who makes those sort of comedies, which we consider to be silly but we always laugh while watching them. I am mentioning him, because he is a walking example of being passionate and enjoying what he is doing. He likes to laugh he makes comedies (well, not only). So let’s do what we enjoy, other people will follow.

I spent some quality time in London, I have met a few people and I hope to stay in touch with them.

I will finish this post with what BBC producer, Kate Harwood said about writing. As it doesn’t matter if it’s TV or film or whatever “The drama is drama is drama is drama”. We’re story-tellers, we need to learn to tell good stories.

(Oh. BTW THE STORM WAS REAL. THERE WERE TREES FLYING and stuff).

 

Creatively Hectic Weekend Finished.

Epic Scheduling.

IT  IS SO HARD TO PICK THE ‘RIGHT’ SESSIONS TO ATTEND AT THIS YEAR LONDON SRCEENWRITING FESTIVAL.

I am a festival fresher so it’s even harder to choose out of the rich offer. I tried to put together a first draft of my schedule for the upcoming weekend, but I usually ended up with two things at the same time. <saddness>

It’s a bit of “a heart and a reason” dilemma as there are things that could useful for my career and there are things I am simply interested in. I just can’t choose between “Storylining for Continuing Drama” and “The 5 Laws of successful Commercial Screenwriting”. Both topics strongly refer to what I am trying to focus on professionally. I mean I am trying to break to the industry trough television and I am trying to write good commercial stuff. Another problem I will have with Saturday’s morning sessions: “Breaking The Rules: Alternative Screenplay” or “How To Get An Agent”.

The only sure thing is that I will have a lot of FUN. I hope it will be a great, inspiring KICK of motivation.

I have also moved into the new flat in Warsaw and the job hunting is on. Fingers crossed for some good news soon!

Peace.