IMPASTO behind the screenwriting process
•BREAKING DOWN IMPASTO
Impasto is one of the projects assigned by the BA Film course from Middlesex University in year one. The assignment it's called 'SPACE'. They gave us that word and led us be as creative as we wanted to. It had to be a five minutes short.
It was at that point at university that I was really inspired by classical music and so I decided to focus my attention on that. As an artist I have had many moments of creativity blocks. Wanting to do something but being inspired by nothing. Here is when Sebastian was created.
Sebastian represents the darkest moments on an artist trajectory. After being a huge success people expect more of you and that pressure can evoke on a creativity block. I decided the use one of the biggest classics of classical music: Vivaldi's Concerto in G Minor. Such a powerful song can perfectly recreate the feeling of chaos and frustration that artists can have during a situation like this.
The concept of 'space' in Impasto is the inner space of an artist mind and the lack of inspiration on a world full of references. The room is completely empty, same as his mind and the field represents your consciousness telling you to breath, calm down and look at things with perspective.
PRE PRODUCTION PROCESS
Impasto's pre production process lasted between 3 and 4 weeks. My producer Miguel Jesus was in charge of most of the office / technical aspects of the projects such as finding locations that would fit with the aesthetics I was looking for, getting in touch with all the cast and crew and supervising the props we might have needed.
In the mean I had meetings with my cinematographer (Samson Arnett-Roughley) to discuss the shot list.
My art director (James Roberts) to agree on a final prop list.
My gaffer (Randy Fioti) to give him a general idea of the lighting I was looking for and to discuss with him the lighting plans.
My editor (Adam Elliott) who also did sound on set. Impasto has a quite complicated montage sequence so having my editor on set was a decision that both my producer and me agreed on. Being present on the shoot would give him a more clear idea of the rhythm I was looking for and the footage he would find afterwards on the editing room.
Last but not least, many meetings with my producer to agree on any decisions we might have made separately and for us to have a full control over the project.
