Scene from David Mamet's "SPARTAN"

I just completed a class in film directing in Chicago, and for our final project each of us had to search the internet for scripts, read a few, pick one we liked, choose a scene from that script that we would film, break it down and put a twist on the material that wasn't previously there, cast actors, film it, edit it and present it in class.

For my project I chose an interrogation scene from David Mamet's 2004 film "Spartan", which starred Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy, Kristen Bell and Tia Texada. I cast local stage actors Kelly Kiorpes and Don Markus in the roles. It was shot in 90 minutes at Chicago Filmmakers. I'm pretty proud of it.

So check it out, feel free to leave comments and thanks for watching!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Spartan
• David
• Mamet
• Christopher
• Pico
• Kelly
• Kiorpes
• Don
• Markus
• film
• scene
• directing
• filmmaker
• Chicago

[shwanzi]

To be honest, the point of this "exercise" was to take an existing scene and put a new spin on it. Instead of making it about intimidation I was attempting to make it look like the person being interrogated was actually trying to turn the tide on the interrogator, and when she gets him to show his weakness by losing his temper moves in for the kill.

I'm not going to say that I pulled it off completely, but the intention was never to replicate the scene from the film.

[bigtimepeace]

Kudos to the uploader for putting this on YouTube, and to the actors for participating. Also great choice for a scene. But it's a bad "twist." The girl "turning the tide" on the interrogator could really never be interesting (even given that it's a girl and not a man). More interesting twists, film school wise, would have been for someone to complain about how weird and arty the dialog was, or for it to quickly devolve into slasher-film-language. There are many other examples along those lines.

[zenmachinefilms]

The acting is pretty weak. It's obviously obvious and lacking subtleties that come through in Mamet works. Still, for a class, not bad.

[craigsglasspants]

There should be more shots and more cuts. Maybe try doing the scene about the TV being on. I love that scene.

[09Zephon]

the chick is terrible

[UnderseaCaveman]

hmmm......not enough INTENSITY....

Indicate you heard me!!!!

I am giving this advice, cuz I heard you call on Jesus.

Alright serious, all the actors need to think more "altruism" to pull this off right... it's thinking like special forces... "there's nothing I won't do to get the Girl"... like that!

Good luck, UC, over n' out

[txmoney]

yeah...the actress' motivation seemed all wrong. a lack of understanding as to the enormity of the situation.

[SkinheadCharlie]

I hate to be a critic, but how else do you learn, right... I thought the attitude of the agent being interviewed was wrong, it seemed like she didn't understand the stakes (she lost the PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER). The camera stays away in a medium the entire time, we never get to feel any tension, nor do we see the interrogator's face until he flips out (which seemed unmotivated considering how he was speaking earlier). Seems we should see him before since he's driving the action...

[lotor666]

not bad not bad... don't understand the end though, she looks like shes about to say something and even opens her mouth.. but you CUT there... why? Editing 101 don't cut in the middle of someone talking. Your angles could be improved too.. pity you didn't use lenses... could use some nice DOF.

Did you actually storyboard this beforehand and work out the edit before you shot it..?

Keep up the practice that's the only way you will get better!!

[m5allen32]

The Chic played it wrong.