New Rule: Stop Apologizing | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

Break-In

Here is a short about a guy down on his luck who mugs the wrong person and squats in his apartment for the winter.

Break-in from William La Rochelle on Vimeo.

We Shall Over Comb ?

Ask Questions First, Shoot Later

Ten Things Producers and Directors Must Know, an article read from an old LIFT Magazine, before it became Film Print - a newsletter about filmmaking and the independent film community of Toronto. This is mainly a director's perspective concerning how to vet each other and draw out any concerns as each participant might want a project to continue and might want to respect each other but would prefer to draw out any conflicts or cross purposes that might emerge when it is too late to change course.  I actually got an interesting hang-up call the day this issue arrived in the mail (likely from a fellow member of the organization whose clash had inspired much of the piece).  Just found this while sorting through old boxes and decided to read it.

Break-in

This is a short about breaking in, either to the world of movie-making or into somebody else's apartment on a cold New Years day, perhaps. Originally posted as "Occupant," the pivotal opening sequence padded with weather shots of lovely snow that happened to be there. It plays better now as a bare bones attack scene and without cut-aways. There were sound issues, but they seem to be somewhat improved in this version.

Why Playing Spider-Man Broke Andrew Garfield’s Heart

I wonder about this business about story serving the character, especially in the case of Lois Lane. In Superman II (1981 theatrical version) Margot Kidder's Lois drove the initial sequence because of her tenacious propensity for trespass in the name of journalism which put her in harm's way. Later, she put both herself and Clark and ultimately the world in harm's way by testing Clark and uncovering his identity for the abstract sake of truth and her pride as a journalist compulsively pushing. Today, these traits would be torn apart by the busybody internet bogging itself down with blogs on feminist behaviour versus "woman in trouble" or "woman as problem" narratives. In Man of Steel and Batman Versus Superman, Amy's Lois Lane has to be shown as tough and one step ahead of everybody and solving problems. By solving problems, she is by definition serving the story. If she is creating problems, them her character is driving the story. So the actress may be better off not getting what she wants. I don't know.

Some early shorts

A lot of my stuff, not just the shorts that can be looked at with the distance of time, are pretty cheesy. But they may as well still kick around. Posted as archive material. 16mm film 5 minutes writer-director 2nd Year of Humber Film and TV Production Actors: Frank A. Caruso and Denise Bitidis 3/4 inch tape 5 minutes writer-director for Rogers Cable Community Channel 3/ inch video and VHS writer-director parody of dating line PSAs.