Locations, Locations, Locations...

Never underestimate the importance of casting....so "they" say. I quite agree, totally, absolutely. I think one of the factors contributing to the (what I'm optimistically calling) success of "Three Cigarettes", my last film, is the casting. "They" also say that the single most important function of a Director is to elicit the strongest performances from the actors, possible. And indeed, good casting is winning half the battle.

Nonetheless, I somewhat impulsively entitles this post "Locations...etc", and hold on to the hope that there was a reason for my doing so. Ah, yes! My preface on casting served a point. Well, the thing is, I was putting together a rough script breakdown for the new film, tentatively entitled "Commando", and it sunk home how important the locations will be in this film.

Locations are always important, don't get me wrong, but one of the sub-themes in Commando is (will be) the old Western motif of "Man vs Nature". What's interesting here (I hope) is that I'm also wanting to explore the tension within the protagonist's relationship with nature. In many ways, I'm drawing on the notions of the Romantic Sublime, wherein the character feels a calling to, and finds solace in, all things Natural. Yet, the landscape and Nature, function in the film as antagonistic elements.

Anyway, this is still all not "the Point". In dissecting the script today, breaking down the scenes, looking at all the "ingredients" needed to actualise cinematically, this 15 page, digital Word document, it struck home how crucial finding the right location is going to be. Not only from a thematic and/or character POV, but more simply, from a practical one. The script (as it is now - perhaps things will have to change) calls for a river, a railway line, great open plains, sublime valleys, forests and of course, herds of antelope. Hey! I can dream can't I. So, yes, getting all of this in one location (i.e. one farm or park) will be ideal. Correction, will be a MIRACLE! Getting all of this full-stop will be ideal. So, in terms of the casting analogy, dealing with the Location as a character in the film, scouting for the "right" location, is in many ways analogous to casting for the "right" actor.

So, with time severely limited! In fact, I'm mad even sitting here blogging! With time SEVERELY LIMITED, 45 days till I want to, need to, start shooting, I'm off location scouting tomorrow. Weather permitting that is. It rained somewhat today, and where we're off to; that magical place of rivers, canyons, forests and of course, antelope, access may be tricky with wet and slippery roads.

I shall however update on the outcome of events!