I learned a lot.
It hasn’t sunk in yet that this class is over. We made six
films in twenty (class)days! That’s insane. I figured out that if your
motivation during the making of a film is to shoot something that’s not terribly
embarrassing or something will look “right” to an audience, you’re going to
make a shitty film. Instead, try to have fun and let your imagination run wild –
you might make something you’re proud of. I had fun with all of these projects
and I really only “phoned-in” one of them. (It was the sound project,
obviously. I wish had listened to some of the other projects before I exported,
because I would have known I needed to step my game up. Plus I was worried
about being late for my stupid job, so there’s that excuse.)
I’m getting better as a director, I think. My plan originally
was to find something to do other than directing (I guess because it’s cliché?
Or I didn’t want to compete for the role?) and try different things until I really
felt comfortable, but I now I think I’m set (haha pun Ihateymself) on
directing. Sure, I’m not awesome at it yet, and I faced some of the same problems
on film 6 that I did in FST 201 (losing focus, letting things go instead of being
assertive about what the project needs, not being knowledgeable enough about lenses
and lighting to fix problems quickly) but I’m gaining in confidence the more I
do it. I still want to direct someone else’s script because, while the
screenplay for Bropacalypse was the best material a director could ask for, I
really want to interpret another student’s work. I kind of did that in 201 but
first of all, we had to build the short around two pages of dialogue that none of us
liked, and second of all, I didn’t “direct” that project so much as I ate pizza and said
“action” “cut” and “that was great, but let’s do one more.”
The next challenge for me, I think, is to direct something with
a cast and crew that doesn’t have
their shit together. So far, I’ve only worked with awesome people who make me
look good.
I loved this class. I wish I had gone more in depth with my
blogs because I actually love writing, but I suppose most of the time I was
still reeling and trying to recuperate on blog day, so I didn’t have as much to
say. Summer semester is crazy. Making movies never feels like work. Hope I get
to work with some of these guys again soon. Bye for now.
Having the right team is the best thing you can ask for as a director. You're right...it makes it never seem like work, but instead like fun! Every film you make you'll get better at it...and that's the point of taking a class. Learning and growing. Have a great summer and congratulations on a great 2nd film as a director!
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