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Fine Arts In Schenectady
November 10, 2009
Sayles reads
from novel and talks to SHS students about working as author,
film-maker
 Film-maker
and author John Sayles spent some time with about 160
Schenectady High School students in the Sayles School of Fine
Arts Black Box Theatre last Friday. He read from his novel
“Some Time in the Sun,” and answered the students’ questions.
Sayles is slated to begin production for his next movie, “Baryo,”
(which is set during the same period and place as the book)
later this month and begin filming in the Philippines in
February. The film-maker and his production team will be
sharing updates and dailies of the film with the students who
have already received the movie script, pre-production
materials, shoot schedules, scene and design information,
character biographies and more.
 Before
he began the staged reading of the book, Sayles spoke briefly
about a few of the characters, reminded the students that the
book is set in the Philippines in 1898 and
explores the war between the
U.S. and Spain over the Philippines.
“Keep in mind, the U.S. is segregated at this time,” he said.
Sayles
answered many questions ranging from how he is inspired to write
to how he comes up with characters’ names and finding the right
actors for his movies.
He
explained that some movies are inspired by short stories. "Short
stories make better movies than novels do," he told the group.
“Life experiences give ideas for stories too. I get ideas
from places I've been and people I talk to," he said.
He also referenced his first
movie "Return of the Secaucus 7," which he called a reunion
movie. "I made a movie about people turning 30."
 Sayles
spoke a little about how he selects a cast for his movies and
explained that it depends on the movie and factors such as age,
type and size. He said that he sometimes casts local people and
sometimes he uses the people on film telling their story. He
spoke about the coal miners of "Matewan." “The people there
were waiting for their story to be told,” said Sayles.
“I also
remember good actors from working in theater,” Sayles told the
students.
“They read
while I'm looking them in the eyes,” said Sayles about
auditioning actors. “I look for emotion and to see if they are
listening.” Sayles explained that a scene can be done many
different ways. “You want an actor who is going to do something
different if that is called for.”
 He
spoke about picking names for his characters. “Naming
characters is very important,” said Sayles. “Choosing names is
tricky. You want it to be something that sounds good, that
sounds right in that period and place in which it is set.” He
added, “You don’t want characters’ names resembling each other
because it is difficult for the audience to keep them
straight.”
The
students were curious about Sayles' life before he earned a
living as a writer and movie producer. Sayles told the
students he worked as a meat packer, orderly, laborer, editor in
his early years. “I took these jobs to make a living,” he
said. “I wrote at night while working other jobs during the
day.” He also mentioned that he is a member of four different
craft guilds.
The
students asked Sayles if he will make a movie in Schenectady.
He referenced his 1991 movie “City of Hope.” “The New Jersey
city is similar to Schenectady,” he said.
“There is
a lot going on here,” said Sayles about Schenectady. “I don’t
know where I’m going to make my next movie but who knows, it
could be here.”
Sayles’ has made more than 15 feature
films. He and his creative partner Maggie Renzi were at
Schenectady High School last January when they were in town for
the upstate premiere of his movie Honeydripper.
His first film, Return of the Secausus
7, was released in 1980. Since then Sayles’ has produced
more than 15 films including Lianna, Baby, It’s You, The
Brother from Another Planet, Matewan, Eight Men Out, City of
Hope, Passion Fish, The Secret of Roan Irish, Lone Star, Men
with Guns (Hombres Armados), Limbo, Sunshine State, Casa de los
Babys, Silver City and Honeydripper (2007).
Sayles has worked with directors such as John Frankenheimer,
Steven Spielberg, Jonathan Demme, Sidney Pollack, Billie August,
Allison McClean, Ron Howard, Sam Raimi, Joe Dante, Rob Reiner
and James Cameron.
The 4,200 square foot fine arts
wing at Schenectady High School was built in 2001 and named
after Sayles who was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and
is a member of the district’s Hall of Fame.
Last year, The John Sayles School
of Fine Arts was awarded the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts
Education.
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