A very very tired filmmaker: the first day of the cinematography workshop with Michal Chapman

Today was the first day of the cinematography workshop with Michael Chapman, aka Chappy. It's actually the only cinematography class the Tel Aviv University gives its students on their final year (another 1-week workshop is intended for April). So there are 25 eager students, all waiting to hear the master's voice and vision.

Luckily, this old master is a very laid back, easy going chap. he told us today: "don't think by any means of doing 'art'. Just solve difficulties, only this way you will bring fresh ideas to the screen'. Creativity comes from necessity, not by a decision. He said he "loaths storyboard", though he did mention Marti's as being very good, because he couldn't really draw, so he made them just to reflect the movement the shot had. Big strong arrows. Chapman said that nowdays the storyboards are so good, there isn't much sense in making the film anymore - they can make it an animation, which will save the money.

He's a very nice man, Michael Chapman. He said that now he's retired, and that Bridge to Terabithiya was the last film for him as a DOP. He also said he didn't want to be a director (though he had his trials). It's just a horrible job, everyone's mad at you, wanting things from you.

In this workshop every 2-3 students will work on one scene as DOP, with some other 5-6 as their crew. I chose to bring my own scene. I just must rewrite the location, cos instead of a cool city loft we will be shooting in an old ugly Kibbutz house. Yaaaiiichs.

Here's my scene:

INT. Queen's loft - night

A big open space furnished in a modern eclectic style: antique French sofa, 60s lamps, Ikea table. On the walls hang contemporary art works. On the side of the room a long table with 5-6 computer screens, on all a screensaver shows slowly-changing pictures from outer space. In the far through the open windows a truck is honking.

BAREKET (27) stands next to a horizontal metal chest of drawers, going through the prints that are stored there. She is searching for a particular print but cannot find it. The doorbell rings, its sound reminds an airport announcement tone. Bareket glimpses at the door and continues to rummage through the papers. Three knocks on the metal door. Bareket takes a deep breath and opens the door.
SAKKE (27) stands at the door. His hair, as well as Bareket's, is dyed grass green. Bareket's brown hair roots are few centimeters long.

Sakke
(smiles)
O-oh, what are you doing here, Bareket?

Sakke enters. They hug and kiss on the lips. Bareket returns to the drawers.

Bareket
I gotta find this something before I go.

Sakke looks around.

Sakke
Where's Queenie?

Bareket
Not clear.

Sakke
How'd you get in?

BAREKET
I had this key from when I watched his house.

SAKKE
Cool, leave it with me before you go, we fuck with Queen.

Sakke walks around in the house, looking for something to do. Bareket still searches the drawers. Sakke finds a magazine and leafs through it fast.

SAKKE
So. So I heard you had quite a night yesterday.

BAREKET
(smiling, without looking at him)
Oh you've heard.

SAKKE
Of course I've heard, what do you think? Queen tells me everything. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! So, what happened?

Sakke leaves the magazine. He grabs a cat's toy from the table and starts to play with it, like a fishing rod. A cat appears and starts to jump, trying to catch the toy. Sakke doesn't pay attention to the cat.

BAREKET
Some kid picked me in this club, Queen picked him, we ended up all here.

SAKKE
Cute kid?

BAREKET
Yep.

SAKKE
Big?

BAREKET
Yep.

SAKKE
And Queen?

BAREKET
What with him? He doesn't have big, you know.

Sakke throw the toy rod at the wall, aggressive.

SAKKE
You fucked?

BAREKET
Who, me and Queen?

SAKKE
(anxious)
No, me and Queen.

Sakke drops the toy on the floor, looks at Bareket.

BAREKET
(Smiles, still in the drawers)
Yeah, a bit.

On the wall hangs a photograph of a man in his mid 30s, his hair dyed green. Sakke looks at the picture, press on it with his finger. The finger gets red from the stress.

SAKKE
So. How is he? (beat) Good?

Bareket doesn't respond, still busy with the papers. Sakke slaps her on her bottom and she turns around at once. Sakke pushes her on the drawers.

SAKKE
You slut! Let's fuck we also!

Bareket laughs. Sakke moves his hand on her breast and ties, on the cloths. He rubs his body against hers with no gentleness. The metal drawers squeak and clank.

BAREKET
(Pushes him slightly)
Aou,it pains. What you doing, you're not even hard, you fag.

Sakke backs off completely.

SAKKE
What a cunt. I can't believe Queen actually fucked a cunt. Brr. Where is he anyway, probably forgot you were leaving today.

Sakke sits on the sofa and switches on the TV. Bareket closes the last drawer, looks at Sakke's back.