Caitlin McEwan’s “Moving Pictures” is ready to charm your pants off! (If you’re wearing pants.) « 12 Films. 12 Weeks. There are worse ways to spend a summer.

Caitlin McEwan’s “Moving Pictures” is ready to charm your pants off! (If you’re wearing pants.)

August 7, 2009 at 5:29 am | In Caitlin McEwan, Keith Boynton | 7 Comments
Tags: Claudette Colbert, film premiere, Greta Garbo, new movie, Old Hollywood

For our ninth film, Mike and I are proud to present our very first guest auteur — Caitlin McEwan. Before I turn the rest of this post over to her, I just want to say that it was a pleasure acting under her direction, an honor editing by her side, a thrill growing up in the same household with her, and only mildly unpleasant when she used to make fun of me in front of my friends. Without further ado: “Moving Pictures”!

Also available on YouTube.

Hi, this is Caitlin. Keith is a moron. His breath is like garbage. Neener neener neener.

Okay, fine, this is still Keith. But the next part is really Caitlin. Really really I swear.

As I toted a bunch of props to the C train on my way to the “Moving Pictures” location, I was pleasantly terrified. I envisioned wonderful things, but feared that I didn’t know how to direct a movie, and that the script I’d written didn’t make sense outside my own head. Since that early-morning apprehensiveness, I’ve witnessed some fantastic talent and energy on set; been impressed at how DP Derek Van Gorder’s footage made a cloudy, chaotic riverfront look beautiful and serene; discovered lucky details and delightful acting moments as we edited; rejoiced when musical cues lined up as if by magic; and laughed with glee as we made our final tweaks and I realized we had created something. But I still can’t say for certain whether I know how to direct a movie, or whether this one will make enough sense to enough people. Your opinion on these matters is welcome! Though I must say, no matter what feedback I get, I might be addicted to making movies — and I might even be in love with this one, even while I’m not sure myself what it all means.

Thank you, 12in12, for the vote of confidence. I am also incredibly grateful for the effervescent performances of Caitlin and Keith, the lively individuality of our on-camera “crew”, and the skill and dedication of our real crew. The original music by Michael Ford and the songs by Villa-Lobos are what carry the story along, and it was a thrill to work with such talented musicians. Mike Lavoie discovered the Villa-Lobos brothers on a subway platform — an amazing fact which prompts me to offer a final thank you to New York City, for the beauty and serendipity.

Hope you enjoy the film!

Posted by Caitlin and Keith

7 Comments »

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Wonderfully done and a sweet story with great music to boot. I’ve watched it four times
already. Acting was great and the extras all were wonderful.
A few small issues: the sound and background noise were uneven in a few spots, and the music cues were a bit awkward sometimes. Camera work was top notch, only shots that
bothered me were the blown out white behind her monologue to the crew and the 2 champagne glasses.
It could have benefited from two cut away shots: a closeup of the guitarist with the beginning of the song just before the “no, no thank you” and an over-the-shoulder from her vantage looking back at the crew would have been nice. But just my 2 cents, this is one of your best along with “Spirits”.

Comment by frendzee — August 7, 2009 #

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Loved it! Very quirky – and I mean that in the best possible way!

Comment by Banjo — August 7, 2009 #

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[...] addiction, cruel mistress, drugs, film, filmmaking, highs When my sister Caitlin wrote, in her “Moving Pictures” blog announcement, that she “might be addicted” to making movies, I was mildly shocked. Caitlin’s [...]

Pingback by Filmmaking Is a Drug. « 12 Films. 12 Weeks. There are worse ways to spend a summer. — August 8, 2009 #

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[...] Film #9: "Moving Pictures" [...]

Pingback by It Appears We’ve Hitched Our Wagons to a Star! « 12 Films. 12 Weeks. There are worse ways to spend a summer. — August 11, 2009 #

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Ok – film 9 is now my favorite and not just because Nora and Bob are in it! Wonderful, wonderful Caitlin – bravo to you!

Comment by Kay — August 20, 2009 #

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[...] in as the title of last Friday’s film, I got an e-mail from my sister Caitlin (of “Moving Pictures” fame). In it, she reminded me of the fact that my great-great-uncle, Gene Ragsdale, directed [...]

Pingback by The Power of Genes « 12 Films. 12 Weeks. There are worse ways to spend a summer. — August 25, 2009 #

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[...] the case of this project, the perfect photographer is Derek Van Gorder, of “Spirits”/“Moving Pictures”/”Magic Marker” renown. My perfect children are Caitlin McEwan, Keith Boynton, Devin [...]

Pingback by “Be Like a Duck” Is Up, and the Project is Over — Again! « 12 Films. 12 Weeks. There are worse ways to spend a summer. — September 7, 2009 #

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