Showing posts with label mindy kaling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mindy kaling. Show all posts
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Opinions on Film
Posted at: 9:29 PM
ellen page,
film,
indie film,
Lena Dunham,
Liz Meriwether,
MFA,
mindy kaling,
women
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So last weekend I spent it trying to figure out Lena Dunham, Liz Meriwether, and Mindy Kaling. Conclusion: I have work to do.
By figure out I mean I watched their work to get a sense of what the industry is looking for and how I can add to it. I tried to look at things objectively to see what I can learn from them, also, see what works. I am of course taking this with a grain of salt but it will be helpful for my MFA.
Tiny Furniture: Written by and Directed by Lena Dunham. The movie felt long and repetitive. Like Girls, there were some moments where I felt like I had to look away (i.e. awkward sex in metal tube in an empty lot). Aura- the main character-came across as way to needy and in need of approval while navigating in a post-college era. That said, the emotions were real. The situations were relatable. Sometimes too relatable.
No Strings Attached: If I am not mistaken its Liz's first industry screenplay. Who doesn't love a good romantic comedy? I was actually very surprised by this movie. I thought it would be sort of cookie cutter B type movie. But, no! I loved Natalie Portman's character. She is driven, focused, and is a doctor. Right off the bat I think that that should be point for women in film. However, the character's arc does center around her relationship with Ashton Kutcher's character. Still, the movie was entertaining, and well shot.
New Girl: LOVE! I'm very happy with the show. The lead is a woman with a job and an independent mind. It's super funny and I am always impresed with the ability to write and perform comedy. Mainly because its something that I can never get right. I feel like you just have to have a knack for it. Can't really learn int. This leads me to...
The Mindy Project: LOVE! Yes, Mindy Lahiri is girly. Yes, Mindy is a cliché. Yes, Mindy's world revolves around her need to have a boyfriend. Ok, ok, I get it. I know. Yet...She's the second woman who is a minority who is the lead of a show, plus she created it. Also, it's super funny and based on her instagram feed and twitter Mindy Kaling works hard for what we see on TV. I am personally inspired by her work ethic.
What I learned:
1. Don't overthink.
2. Tweak.
3. Be authentic and true to yourself and your experiences.
Sometimes I feel like I want to portray too many things and situations in a 5 minute film. Instead, I should own who I am and realize that my life experiences are unique but that they all stem from universal values. That as a TCK I have a lot of stories and points of view to offer. That not because the people around me don't relate, that as long as I am true and work hard to put the pieces together, my work will shine.
Also, at a more personal level, I should stop making excuses for the moment I am in right now and stop trying to define myself as the person I want to be and not the person I am. These women, though not perfect role models or humans, work hard and don't apologize for themselves or their work. I will definitely take this to heart and work from there.
Feel free to comment and keep this discussion about Women in Film going!
p.s. Ellen Page is awesome! I have always admired her work and the projects she chooses. Now, I adore her even more. Her speech at the Time to Thrive Conference was incredibly eloquent and inspiring.
By figure out I mean I watched their work to get a sense of what the industry is looking for and how I can add to it. I tried to look at things objectively to see what I can learn from them, also, see what works. I am of course taking this with a grain of salt but it will be helpful for my MFA.
Tiny Furniture: Written by and Directed by Lena Dunham. The movie felt long and repetitive. Like Girls, there were some moments where I felt like I had to look away (i.e. awkward sex in metal tube in an empty lot). Aura- the main character-came across as way to needy and in need of approval while navigating in a post-college era. That said, the emotions were real. The situations were relatable. Sometimes too relatable.
No Strings Attached: If I am not mistaken its Liz's first industry screenplay. Who doesn't love a good romantic comedy? I was actually very surprised by this movie. I thought it would be sort of cookie cutter B type movie. But, no! I loved Natalie Portman's character. She is driven, focused, and is a doctor. Right off the bat I think that that should be point for women in film. However, the character's arc does center around her relationship with Ashton Kutcher's character. Still, the movie was entertaining, and well shot.
New Girl: LOVE! I'm very happy with the show. The lead is a woman with a job and an independent mind. It's super funny and I am always impresed with the ability to write and perform comedy. Mainly because its something that I can never get right. I feel like you just have to have a knack for it. Can't really learn int. This leads me to...
The Mindy Project: LOVE! Yes, Mindy Lahiri is girly. Yes, Mindy is a cliché. Yes, Mindy's world revolves around her need to have a boyfriend. Ok, ok, I get it. I know. Yet...She's the second woman who is a minority who is the lead of a show, plus she created it. Also, it's super funny and based on her instagram feed and twitter Mindy Kaling works hard for what we see on TV. I am personally inspired by her work ethic.
What I learned:
1. Don't overthink.
2. Tweak.
3. Be authentic and true to yourself and your experiences.
Sometimes I feel like I want to portray too many things and situations in a 5 minute film. Instead, I should own who I am and realize that my life experiences are unique but that they all stem from universal values. That as a TCK I have a lot of stories and points of view to offer. That not because the people around me don't relate, that as long as I am true and work hard to put the pieces together, my work will shine.
Also, at a more personal level, I should stop making excuses for the moment I am in right now and stop trying to define myself as the person I want to be and not the person I am. These women, though not perfect role models or humans, work hard and don't apologize for themselves or their work. I will definitely take this to heart and work from there.
Feel free to comment and keep this discussion about Women in Film going!
p.s. Ellen Page is awesome! I have always admired her work and the projects she chooses. Now, I adore her even more. Her speech at the Time to Thrive Conference was incredibly eloquent and inspiring.
