Schedule
Here is The Film Improvisation Project's schedule for spring and summer of 2009:
First Stage: Improvising individual scenes
February - mid March
Throughout February and early March, we are working on individual scenes, without forcing them to fit into an overall film concept. The actors form pairs and prepare a short scene, given different elements each time.
These scenes, although they seem random and don't get to reach completion at this stage, are the ideal way to start working in the project, because:
- by paying attention only to making each scene work without feeling restricted by story structure, we let ourselves free to work creatively on the present moment.
- by throwing ourselves into various scenes (as opposed to sticking with one scene and one character from the very start) we get to test ourselves and try different characters in different situations without censoring ourselves. Which of them is the most interesting is for later to decide.
- by changing partners in every different scene, everybody gets to work with almost everybody. We get to know each other and we get to see possible character combinations.
- by coming up with as many scenes as possible, we are actually brainstorming for later, forming a "pool" of scenes some of which we can choose to develop at the second stage of the project.
First Stage Sessions:
Second Stage: Working on a story outline
mid March
In mid March we start working on the story. The next meetings revolve around discussing ideas, looking back at older footage, choosing scenes and characters and shaping the story:
Story session 1: Wed 18 March
Each of us brings their story ideas on paper. By the end of the session, we have a shortlist of ideas, which have to be shaped more for the next meeting.
Story session 2: Monday 23 March
The shortlisted ideas are presented. At the end of the meeting everyone has to speak about which idea they think is the most appropriate for the group to develop and eventually film.
The improvisation sessions continue as usual.
Third Stage: Developing the script
April - May
The story progresses. It is a process of going back and forth between acting and writing. We improvise an idea, write something, then try it in improvisations again, then go back and rewrite it, then try it again and so on, until it feels right.
Meanwhile, preproduction has started. Getting hold of appropriate locations, costumes, props, etc...
Impro sessions:
| Friday 17 April: | INT. OFFICE, DAY Working on office scene - backstory of Anna, Beth, Clare and Giovanni. |
| Friday 24 April: | INT. OFFICE, DAY Working on office scene - backstory of Anna, Beth, Clare and Giovanni. |
| Sunday 26 April: | EXT. CAMDEN, DAY Working on family scene - backstory of Gareth, Jordan and Kathy. |
| Tuesday 28 April: | INT. HOUSE, DAY Working on family scene - backstory of Gareth, Jordan and Kathy. |
| Friday 1 May: | INT. OFFICE, DAY Working on office scene |
| Sunday 3 May: | INT. HOUSE, DAY Working on the family scene |
| Friday 8 May | INT. OFFICE, DAY |
| Sunday 10 May | INT. HOUSE, DAY |
| Tuesday 12 May | INT. OFFICE, NIGHT Overnight rehearsal: simulating office enclosure. |
| Friday 15 May | INT. OFFICE, MORNING |
| Sunday 17 May | INT. HOUSE, MORNING |
Fourth Stage: Shooting the film
May
Here's the shooting schedule, still being updated according to cast & crew's availabilities.
SHOOTING DATES: between 25 May - 1 June |
|
| Mon 25 May | |
| Tue 26 May | |
| Wed 27 May | Shoot scene 'A': office scene |
| Thu 28 May | |
| Fri 29 May | |
| Sat 30 May | |
| Sun 31 May | Shoot scene 'B': family scene |
| Mon 1 June | Shoot scene 'C': cleaners' scene |