Their World: Inspirations

I finally released my film "Their World" to the internet a few days ago. 

For those who haven't seen it yet, you can find it on my website at www.zuzanavolny.com

I just wanted to talk a little bit about what inspired me to make this film. 

I don't really watch TV, in fact, I don't like it. My quality of life has drastically improved since I solidly stopped watching it two years ago. If I ever do watch TV it's at a friend's house and I'm always appalled by the things I see. 

Sex and violence are the dominant features in films and television and frankly, it's a little degrading. I don't need sex and/or violence to be in a film for me to watch it to begin with. Just give me a good story. Actually, when it comes to sex in films and television, I just think there is a time and place for that. I don't mind it being implied in TV/Film, especially if it contributes to the plot, but most of the time it's just eye-candy, and a lot of the time it objectifies women. 

If you've seen my film, you'll see that there is a clip on the TV of a show from HBO. Yes, I'm making fun of HBO in general, our modern, publicly acceptable soft porn channel. When people talk about how good "Game of Thrones" is, I never know what they're actually thinking. Things like that should be left to the internet and not to TV, please. 

Then there is violence. It seems like that's all we see on TV too. Some level of violence is acceptable, like some needed sex scenes in film, to help move the story forward and help establish relationships between characters. However, there is a point where the violence is just too much and is really about getting the stereotypical young male audience into the theater. I'm not saying I don't like any violence in media, because that's not true. I do like a good, exciting fight, but I just feel like there are limits that should be respected. 

I also touch a little on gossip media, tabloids and magazines. In the beginning, James is holding a Cosmo magazine which is his research for the year 2012. I have magazines as the representative for these times and the ideals people have in today's society. That includes the babe-magazine Megan picks up from the coffee table. 

In all, I honestly cannot articulate my emotions towards the media so I made this film to help send my message across clearly. I have been increasingly frustrated lately with what I do see in stores, on TV, in films and on the internet that I decided to share my opinion with others and hopefully have it attract those who can relate to my idea as well. 

I Can See the Finish Line

The awesomest thing happened last week... I found a gallery!! 

For those who don't know, I've been looking for an art gallery to shoot in so I could finally finish my short-dark comedy "It's a Joke." 

It's a cool little place in North Beach here in San Francisco and it's called The Emerald Tablet. Great name and really great owners. The gallery is what they call a "creativity salon" where they hold art classes, exhibits, performances and much more. Hence, they are letting us shoot my film there! You can check out their website here: wwww.emtab.org

Here is a preview of Piers' painting that will be featured in the film.

Painted by Jeremy Beliveau

I'm so excited to finally get the show on the road again. Stay tuned, because this project may end up on Kickstarter to help us raise funds to make it the best possible shoot we can get!

And I will also keep you all updated because there will be a chance for some of you to come by the day we're shooting to act as extras for the gallery. No acting experience necessary! 

It's a Joke: On the Road Again!

I don't know how many of you know anymore since it's been taking forever to finish this one project, but I've been looking for an art gallery to shoot in. 

The film is called "It's a Joke" and is about a struggling artist named Piers who lives in a world that only appreciates modern-abstract art as opposed to the classical art he likes. 

Half of the film was shot last year for my Directing 1 class, but was never finished due to some unfortunate series of events with gallery rentals. Ever since then I've been on a mission to finish this film. 

What keeps me going?

For one thing, I'm very passionate about this idea and this film and definitely this cast/crew! 

Also, there is a bottle of wine waiting for me that I promised to open only after I've finished filming. Waste not what not.

Well, I'm not getting my hopes up quite yet, but things are looking good. I'm hoping to inform you all soon that I finally have a gallery I can shoot in, and will be able to call wrap very soon. 

Opportunities

So just a couple of weeks ago I was placed to help out on a set of a feature film. Out of courtesy and respect, I will not go into details regarding the name of the film nor the people involved. 


That is all beside the point anyway. I was very excited to help out on this set, especially since it was going to be a month-long commitment. Long story short, things didn't go exactly as planned and the film was scratched. 


I don't care that the filming didn't continue, I was just simply thrilled to meet new people and to be given the opportunity (no matter how short the time I had) to show off my skills as a hard-working, dedicated filmmaker. 


There is nothing more rewarding when someone recognizes you for your hard work and remembers you as a potential crew member for a future film.


The opposite can be said, of course, and people will keep you in their personal black-list of people to never work with again.


How much you care about a project and the people working on it is displayed through how hard you work (or how intelligently you work).