Dear all,

My film production class requires that I recreate a film scene from a film in the last 15 years as part of the class. I have to recreate the set, the lighting, the blocking, everything. I've been on the lookout for a simple enough for the longest time and I can't seem to find that wouldn't require an exorbiant amount of props and a set built from scratch. I have access to several very typical apartments. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions. I have two weeks to shoot this so I would really appreciate any and all ideas. Thank you.

How about scenes that take place outdoors?  While I wouldn't recommend scenes from slasher films, they do tend to take place in the woods.

Blair Witch Project comes to mind.  THe scene with the girl crying in the tent could be pretty cool.



Phil

Hello.

What about Pulp Fiction? That movie has plenty of scenes with simple camera movements and locations not that gard to find. You might need a couple of props though.

Good luck with whetever you decide to do.



--Julio

These are all pretty easy.

Mike, I'm always amazed at your "film buffery".

I love Christopher Walken and he mesmerized me before I even knew who he was. I remember saying "Who is that guy?" He's got this uncanny kind of personna that infiltrates whatever role he's playing, but is so subtle that it's not a stereotype.

Thanks for your post because it causes me to do research and learn a little bit more.

He's definitely one of my favorite actors. Was a favorite for me before I even knew his name.

The one that really made me realize "who" he was - was, Nick of Time.

I always remembered his face, but hadn't identified who he was. As I've mentioned, I haven't as yet been a film buff. My work hasn't included a lot of sit down activity. It's only when I became ill that I was forced to "sit down".

The magnetism that exudes from Christopher Walken is exceptional. He is a marvelous man.

Thanks Mike.

Sandra

The set might be a bit much, but the scene itself is pretty straight forward:



or

Quoted from sniper The set might be a bit much, but the scene itself is pretty straight forward: or

Excellent first scene you posted. It's late and I'm not even supposed to be up right now. I need Daddy telling me to get to bed, but he's passed out LOl.

Seriously, I loved it. The subtle tension in these scenes is something I'd love to recreate in a real context. Not contrived, but real- that's the qualifier.

Thanks Rob for the post.

Nighty-night...

Seriously,

I think...

Yeah,

I reallyt should conform to bedtime standards...

But gosh darn...

It got me again...

I'm such a weakling.



Sandra

Sleep tight, Sandra.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Mike, I'm always amazed at your "film buffery".

It's a hard balance watching all the stuff I do and still finding time to write.

FYI, the Walken movie is "Things to do in Denver When You're Dead".  Pretty high on my list of faves, and a fairly quotable movie.  I should put it in the rare gem thread, because it's one of those movies that's a little under the radar.

Sniper's first scene was Glengarry Glen Ross.  Excellent film based on a David Mamet play.

The conversation by Francis Ford Coppola is a good one to recreate.

There is a scene between Harry and his prostitute girlfriend that takes place in her apartment which is subtle but very effective. Just two characters and no out of the ordinary props.

It's a great film as well. Probably the best he's ever made. The sound design and visual symbolism are outstanding.

These are all pretty fantastic suggestions but let me level with you guys: lets go even simpler, something pure and basic, even something out of a recent low-budget film. I really need something from the last 15 years and something that can be easily lit and staged with a minimal amount of props. It's not that I'd prefer not to put in the work but rather that I'm completely out of time. Please let me know what you think.

I'm going to throw Swingers at you again...

Two guys, 1 room, minimal lighting, and building your set would entail nothing more than moving furniture OUT of the room.  It seriously doesn't get any easier than this.  I couldn't find the entire scene online, but this is the bulk of it.

Quoted from skycaptainshell These are all pretty fantastic suggestions but let me level with you guys: lets go even simpler, something pure and basic, even something out of a recent low-budget film. I really need something from the last 15 years and something that can be easily lit and staged with a minimal amount of props. It's not that I'd prefer not to put in the work but rather that I'm completely out of time. Please let me know what you think.

Quoted from dogglebe Blair Witch Project comes to mind.  THe scene with the girl crying in the tent could be pretty cool.

It doesn't get more simpel and non-prop'ish than that.

Thinking about my BWP suggestion, I don't think the teacher would like it.  There's only one camera angle and nothing to really show your skills as a director.

Something to keep in mind, Cap. is that you most likely are not required to duplicate a set piece for piece.  Let's just say that you chose to do the final scene in Reserviour Dogs, your teacher won't get upset if you didn't shoot it in a large abandonned warehouse; you just have to give the illusion of that.  And you have to try; shooting it in a large unfinished basement would be okay.  Shooting it in a Chuck E Cheese....not so good.

Mike posted the link for Nailin Palin on another thread.  How about a scene from that?


Phil

dogglebe, you got it, that's exactly the problem but yes, the illusion would technically suffice. But if possible, I'd like to come as close as I can to the real thing. Swingers is pretty fantastic, but I'm having difficulty finding an apartment with that window layout.

Why not the scene of Christopher Walken on Pulp Fiction, telling the boy about the watch of his father. That's pretty easy.

Good Luck.

Do Pesci's 'funny how?' scene from Goodfellas, or his confrontation with DeNiro in the desert from Casino. lol another easy one would be DeNiro and Keitel's little argument in Mean Streets.  "I'll pay 'im!"