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Konstantin Rulev, «Den», ¹ 72 (2294), May, 5, 2006 |
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In connection with claims of Ukraine to proceed on its film production by some large-scale plans about the creation of the studios of Hollywood type there was an idea to invite «foreign specialists». In times of young Soviet state these were engineers, and in time of youth of independent Ukraine they are scenario writers, producers and actors made in USA.
In Kiev the extension courses for specialists (again, by analogy with good soviet times) under the pretentious name «School of Hollywood in Ukraine» (the sponsor of project is “Olymp”) were organized. On that case, if serious production capacities appeared here, that it would be people to work there with.
On the eve of May holidays the Hollywood scriptwriter and professor Richard Krevolin conducted the week set of lectures. Most his Ukrainian students were TV- people, because in this area things are going better, than in cinema industry.
I torpedoed a transoceanic teacher in the Kiev Mohila Academy (on the territory, where master-classes are conducted) during dinner.
This was a man about 40 in white trousers with lateral pockets, in a leather coat, white-red running shoes and with a gold chain on the neck. In general, a californian fashion doesn’t differ too much from Kiev. Richard sometimes reminded David Copperfield (Kotkyn), his parents, as generally known, are from Odessa. Possibly, Krevolin has some Ukrainian roots.
From a talk with him I understood that he is good artisan, strong professional. Probably, on this stage of development of the independent Ukrainian cinema the acquaintance with certain technological skills is not superfluous. Although the attitude of Richard towards creation is completely deprived from romantic veil and it is concentrated on the analysis of successful films, demonstration of «charts» lying in their basis (in that point, as I understood, his colleague on the «factory of dreams» at «Hollywood School» the producer Mark Travis has conducted lessons before).
Interpreters had an interval between shifts, and, interrupting Richard from the rolls with juice, I could not carry the questions to his consciousness. But with practicality incident to Americans, he called up the listener of cinemaschool, who knew English. The second listener then materialized, who knew English better than the first one. And the mutual understanding (partly) between the American and Ukrainian sides was set.
— Do you have some mission, purpose that you have arrived with? To help in the creation of masterpieces, to discover a new Shakespeare in the rows of Ukrainian listeners? Is there something else?
— I arrived here to eat up borsch.
— And how is borsch?
— I had a stomach ache after it.
— Was it worth going?
— It was, because I like to meet with new people and teach them my profession.
— In how many countries was “Hollywood School” organized?
— The first one in Kiev. And the first group of scriptwriters. Everything at first time.
— And going back to the question, what is your main task — to carry Hollywood school of film in the world?
— I arrived not to teach how to do the Hollywood cinema, but to inspire on the creation of unique one — Ukrainian. And one of the methods how to do it — to show the structure of Hollywood film, to make a base for creation of own cinemahistories.
— But the American films (and their outline) are known by everybody, because Hollywood PR-technologies are most massed and expensive?
— You need to learn from me, then you will understand the new I inform about the as thought well-known films.
— What American films do you consider ideal?
— «Marmot’s day» and «Business woman». On their example we study the scenario chart of a film.
— For cinema production the branchy infrastructure is needed, which we don’t have. Film scripts in a great deal are the applied art conditioned by technologies. And even if you teach the Ukrainian students to write durable scenarios, they can be settled nowhere.
— Skills which I give, in principle, are applicable not only in a cinema, they are applicable for creation of theatrical plays, short films. If they have some success, it is possible to attract investments, eventually to engage in high-budgetary films... It seems to me, you are attacking me? And I do not want someone to attack me during the dinner.
— At first, a certain assertiveness is incident to journalism, and secondly, I am simply sharing with you some real Ukrainian problems. And, accordingly, your variants of the decision are interesting to me. In particular, many creative people bind to your arrival hopes on the professional future. Are you a guide between Hollywood possibilities and Ukrainian potential?
— No, I do not put such purpose before myself. I want to inspire the students to write original Ukrainian stories. There are enough quite good American plots in Hollywood, it is Ukrainian turn. Before me Mark Travis has taught directing at “School of Hollywood in Ukraine”. Soon there will be lessons on acting, cameramaking and producing. We believe that our students will shoot a big cinema.
— By Ukrainian or American forces?
— Local ones.
— Why have you chosen Ukraine, instead of, for example, Russia?
— There is no democracy in Russia and Byelorussia.
— Is your arrival some cultural continuation of «orange» events?
— It is partially so.
— How do you consider, how long (one, two, three years) can the results of local capital investments in a cinema and your intellectual efforts appear?
— It is very desirable to believe, that it will happen somewhat sooner. But because all of us are realists, more time will be required, than one – two years. However, without special preparation this time will come later. What I like in scriptwriting, that for work in this sphere there is no need in expensive equipment.
— The question to you as to the scenario writer: what was your most interesting story? Have you lived it or have you make up it?
— Usually scriptwriters answer that the most favourite story is the one that they are working with today. And I join this opinion. And the scenario, that I now work with, is based on authentic events: it is the history of advocate and policeman, which are catching the band of drug dealers in Chicago.
— In order to work with such scripts, did you study the work of police, criminal lawyers? Or you are based on the own speculative conclusions?
— This history happened with one lawyer. He has sold the rights on it. My task is to write a good script on the basis of this plot. I constantly have contacts with this lawyer, send him fragments in order to avoid nonsense. So everyhting was exact.
— How do you consider, in the basis of any work does there lie somebody's lived story, bright fate?
— Yes, all Hollywood successful films are based either on the real events or on best sellers. From point of production, it is much safer to shoot Harry Potter, coming out by the millionth drawings, than unknown history. I personally might like science fiction, but Hollywood is business. A money are earned there. And, not all personal predilection and tastes can have demand.
Further Richard left to look and investigate a new domestic film «Orange Love” with students. The film is about how during Orange Revolution American fell in love with Ukrainian girl. I do not know, whether this cinemaopus succeeded, but all previous films on this theme as «Orange sky» and “We will break through” — can serve as excellent illustration (judging on numerous reviews) of how it is not necessary to shoot. Possibly, Richard will teach our script writers how to write professionally, that, in his understanding,is quickly and durably.
The top of American technological approach in meal is McDonal'ds. There are enough of them in Kiev. I do not love them, but do justice their professionalism. However, it is desirable something more heartfelt and refined. Probably, we again need to begin with «other sandwiches»,in order to learn how to cook delicious «Ukrainian borsch». At the same level (if from a meal to get back to the cinema), how Soviet masterpieces were — «After two hares», «In fight only old men go» or «Shades of the forgotten ancestors». I would give on a path to Richard with itself exactly these pictures, instead of «Orange Love». Although they are ideologicaly not actual. But what «stories»!
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