Jun 26, 2007

Film 200: Character Study

Back in my first year of film school we were given an assignment to do a character study on a real or fictional person. I had lots of ideas, but I think every filmmaker decides to make a homeless person video at some point . . . mine is fake, but still. 

Looking back at this now (shot in spring 2003, I was 18) I'm most impressed with how it looks. I had minimal experience, but I storyboarded the whole thing and shot it exactly as planned. Important to note, the project also had to be an in-camera edit meaning that the filming process would be limited to the functions on the camera. We were, however, allowed to add music and credits. 

I have a great amount of nostalgia thinking about where I was then and how this came to be, but take away from the project what you will. Mr. Debussac, feel free to elaborate on the experience of what it was like to be homeless for an afternoon if you happen to come across this. Otherwise, here's a look at some of my early student work.


Homeless (2003)

Directed by Luke Fandrich
Starring Ward DeBussac

3 comments :

Anonymous said...

I remember mine, we made fun of my one buddy, then in 400 we had another character study so my plan was to make fun of myself and how shit I am at film making by comparing the past project with a moc version of a new project. Then when my buddy and I brainstormed it we just made more jokes at his expense. It was the largest inside joke I have ever done. No one laughed in class but anyone who knew my buddy laughed their asses off. The mustard thing also reminded me of a run on peanutbutter eating joke I put into 3 projects in third year. Good times.

Ward said...

Wow that actor is amazing, i think that the oscar on Luke's desk should be handed off for such a wonderful performance. Just kidding obviously- it was really good to see that project again, brings me back to the old days of getting this career started.
P.S. there is next to no nutritional value in slamming an entire squeeze bottle of mustard. If you find yourself homeless one day there are other options- McDonalds burgers are ridiculously cheap these days, plus you can stumble into any hotel and usually grab a sandwich from a convention before getting kicked out.

Emily Suess said...

I guess you could have had him do worse things with the mustard.

Nice soundtrack.