I think only people who were involved with this film's production would find it funny.  Of course, it was never supposed to be made at all, but I had to put out something for a grade, and this is what I came up with.  It lowered my grade from an A to a B-.  Perhaps indicative of the result is that the participants want to see the film maybe once, but aren't interested in their own copies.  They are however, interested in shooting the script we had intended to shoot.

First of all, the attempt to edit in-camera was an utter failure, even though it worked (with the same model camera) on _The Quest for _____.  The VHS transfer also sucked royally.  (IT had been shot in S-VHS).  Joe Cannon commented that the film looked like filler for a porno or a snuff film. What we did was make one take of portions of an unrehearsed script and try to film it, or wander around trying to figure out how to film it in faux cinéma-verité style.  You see Nikki suggesting the idea for the film (although I had it the night before, when I expected the worst--not getting anyone for the part of Draec after AK had to back out at the last minute). You also see music running through snow-distortion (the instructor really hated that, even though it was supposed to be funny, at least once I got to the editing room it was supposed to be funny).  This is what happens when you are the only person whose grade it affects and don't have many friends, at least who are actors that are available on a Saturday morning.  The whole production is a self-deprecating disaster which suggests that I have no skill for cinematography whatsoever, because so much of it is bad.  Often it's because the camera was taping when it shouldn't have been (it wasn't my camera, anyway, and there was obviously something wrong the tape (since it made noises and wouldn't play back) and the camera (since it wouldn't switch off).

Nikki and Zandra were amazed at how calmly I seemed to handle the situation, while it ate me up inside.  This is easily the worst work I have committed to film to date, but I believe it had more to do with the situation than any declining skill.  It is, unfortunately, the only one I have access to in finished form, giving me little with which to demo.  I tried to get some witty commentary on my part and theirs, but that's sporadic at best.  I also need to find a better location from which to shoot it in, and a dry spell where there won't be any mud so I don't fall with the camera, which I repeat was not mine (it was Michael Maitzen's).

By the way, my Dhyrak voice sucked royally on the early attempts that appear here, though there is a funny scene in which I try to get Nikki to crack some sort of nut (substituting for in-shell walnuts, which I still can't find and will surely have to wait until the Christmas season to obtain) on her head, as was in the bizarre, Beckettish script, only to discover I couldn't even crack it with a nutcracker, which I then proceeded to lose.

This was the most unpleasant filmmaking experience I ever had, but I laughed a lot in the editing room.  It does mean I won't be sending my résumé to Telematrix, since Mike Smith has got to be convinced that I suck at this.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

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The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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How to Make Dhyrak: A Dramatic Work for Three Players and Camera, Truncated with Only Two Players

Attempting to shoot a script with a leading actor missing.

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How to Make Dhyrak: A Dramatic Work for Three Players and Camera, Truncated with Only Two Players

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