EPISODE 7 RECAP September 25, 2007
Minco continued his dominance this week on Hollywood Boot Camp. He won the acting and directing challenge with little contest from Miguel and Denise. Although Minco voiced serious concern over Randy's bringing Private Miguel back into competition, Miguel lost focus and attention to detail.
All three contestants completed the first two tasks which was shot selecting a scene from Midnight Movie with director Jack Messitt and engaging in method acting. They were to then take what they learned from these tasks and their overall experience on Hollywood Boot Camp and create a scene with two actors and be judged on shot list and ability to work with actors and direct them.
Meanwhile, as the competition heated up, so did feelings. At the center of the matter was whether Denise really could be Minco's weakest link. Despite large overtones of implications, the contestants were careful to keep their words mostly platonic.
Miguel lost the 7th challenge decidedly and is the only member of Hollywood Boot Camp to be dismissed twice. Perhaps he should take up painting or another art.
EPISODE 6 RECAP September 18, 2007
Randy had quietly snuck into 6 rounds of Hollywood Boot Camp. Seemingly always flying just under the radar, the focus was always on someone else resulting in a quiet and so far free ride into the late rounds of this filmmaking challenge. The constant shifting and laying low could not avoid the spotlight this time however as Randy took center stage in an exhibition of how not to defend yourself.
As Team Jeepney prevailed as the surprise winners of the cinematography challenge, Team Rizal gave equally weak arguments to stick around. In the end, Randy sent a strong message that was first rumored in the end of episode 5 that he no longer wanted to be a part of Hollywood Boot Camp. His defense made it easy for the judges to dismiss him and keep Miguel setting up arguably the three strongest competitors for the last two episodes.
Meanwhile, Team Jeepney (or more correctly Minco and Denise) continues to roll. Although there are low levels of self doubt, Minco and Denise have undeniable chemistry which is set to play out on perhaps many levels towards the conclusion of Hollywood Boot Camp.
EPISODE 5 RECAP September 11, 2007
Hollywood Boot Camp Episode 5 made short work of Apple even though she arguably put more effort into this round than any previous. The teams were first introduced to Hollywood Screenwriting through Marissa Engel. Marissa's guidance and instruction led to both teams scripting a love scene. While Team Jeepney's scene was creative, it did not have a very conclusive ending. Team Rizal on the other hand struggled with dialogue.
The next exercise was a hands-on, in-depth approach to editing. The contestants were given a brief introduction to Final Cut Pro and screened an example of what not to do during editing. Both of the film training exercises aimed at sharpening the contestants style and breadth of storytelling.
The final challenge was to write a script in 30 minutes using key props that were set up for inclusion into the scene. Both teams seem to struggle through how to craft their characters and dialogue. They also failed to use one special prop - an elusive goldfish! In the end, Team Jeepney won the challenge and Randy staved off elimination. Apple was the 5th Private voted off Hollywood Boot Camp.
Episode 5 also saw moments of interest between Privates Minco and Denise. The remaining contestants were also in for a bit of a surprise as they were notified that Randy was to select a former player to come back. This former player is to be selected on next week's episode.
EPISODE 4 RECAP September 04, 2007
The sound challenge proved to the Team Rizal's weakest link as they lost the challenge in week four of Hollywood Boot Camp. Shereen's exit marks the halfway point in the competition leaving four remaining contestants: Minco, Denise, Apple and Randy.
Thus far the series has rewarded those contestants who have managed to play the game safely. It seems that those who were in trouble from the beginning (Arvin, Chitoy and Shereen specifically) took their inevitable early exit in stride. Our of the first four episodes, only Miguel's dismissal from camp came as a surprise.
Episode four saw five contestants learning many aspects of stagecraft, set decoration and sound. Indeed, their experience was a whirlwind of activity from hard labor to keeping the boom microphone out of the shot. Certainly episode four mimicked the words of Midnight Movie's sound mixer Dennis Salcedo stating "Learn the whole of filmmaking. If you are sound, learn camera. If you are camera, learn sound".
The final challenge was what all the contestants feared. Sergeant Bec explained the objective: Contestants would have 30 minutes to shoot a scene with attention and detail to sound. They were to be mindful of shadows, boom location and hard effects. Shereen and her team barely got off the blocks before time had expired and her lack of communication and leadership cost her a spot on the last half of the show.
EPISODE 3 RECAP August 28, 2007
Hollywood Boot Camp episode 3 hit an early season high point Monday with intense competition and a compelling look inside the world of Hollywood special effects and makeup.
Unlike episode 2 which involved a closer look at contestant's life off set, episode 3 was squarely focused on the crafts of makeup, special effects prosthetics and the creative effects of wardrobe. All of these interesting filmmaking elements were utilized in the third challenge, which was to create a murder victim complete with accompanying scene and background story. The result was impressive and two seemingly equal works of "art" by both Team Jeepney and Team Rizal. Both teams displayed more aptitude than any challenge so far splattering fake blood and tearing into clothes to get the judges approval.
When each crime scene was thoroughly investigated by the judges it was announced that Team Rizal has narrowly beat out Team Jeepney to win the challenge. The announcement was delivered with an outburst of joy from Shereen and other members of Team Rizal. All three of Team Jeepney's members voiced their disagreement at the "trivial" nature by which they were judged and Private Miguel was the third contestant dismissed from Hollywood Boot Camp.
EPISODE 2 RECAP August 21, 2007
Private Chitoy was the latest victim of Sergeant Bec and Hollywood Boot Camp. Episode Two saw the remaining seven contestants split into teams - Team Rizal (Apple, Chitoy, Randy and Shereen) and Team Jeepney (Denise, Miguel and Minco). The second challenge proved to be daunting as contestants had to demonstrate proficiency in framing and assistant directing - two key elements in production coordination.
After fading into the background for most of the episode that was defined by conflict centered around Denise, Apple and Shereen, Chitoy proved to be the anchor that sank Team Rizal's hopes of winning the second challenge. He committed a major blunder being visible in every shot as Team Rizal attempted to complete the framing challenge.
Hollywood Boot Camp Episode 2 established Team Jeepney's cohesiveness while questions linger about Apple's ability to lead and Shereen's resolve to play her own game in an environment that ultimately awards team players.
EPISODE 1 RECAP August 14, 2007
Hollywood Boot Camp roared into QTV's Monday Night lineup with eight fresh faces competing for filmmaking glory. At stake is 10,000 USD cash or a 20,000 USD development deal from Bigfoot Entertainment. The contestants were immediately thrown into their first challenge, which was to create their own death scenes using minimal props, second-hand actors and a grueling time limit.
While the challenge clearly favored some, plagiarism was the determining offense that tripped up Private Arvin as the first to be unceremoniously "booted" from Hollywood Boot Camp. His decision to reenact Mel Gibson's death scene from "Braveheart" left a sour impression with judges Kacy Andrews and Liam Finn. His decision also left him defenseless against Privates Chitoy and Apple who also struggled in this first round.
Overall, Hollywood Boot Camp promises to be an informative and entertaining romp through the backdoor of Hollywood. Add in the humor of Chitoy, the color of Shereen and the irresistible Denise and you have a recipe for a new hit on Monday nights!
