Create Every Day
I recently watched an interview with Victoria Fratz (producer/writer/actor) on Film Courage who gave the advice to “create every damn day”. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be part of some larger plan. Just open your notebook and make something for 5 min. This resonated with me and I immediately started a free-flowing google doc where I would write just a page or two, consistently. As someone who is both finishing their first film, and already planning their second (more expensive) film, my perfectionistic tendencies often turn all my small jolts of creativity into fully fledged projects. (Wow Emma so you get things done, thanks, that was so helpful). But this is a problem. It’s a problem for me because when I think of a sketch that’s pretty funny in my head, within the next five minutes I’ve realized I can’t even begin to write it down because somewhere down the line in my imaginary production studio, we can’t rent a pet chicken to sit on an actor’s head and PETA got my cell phone number and now I have to face the court of law and I don’t have a nice suit jacket.
So the creative flow stops.
Victoria Fratz reminded me that writing is fun. I used to know this, somewhere after getting a diploma and becoming a tax payer I forgot.
About that film of mine:
It’s been longer than expected in post production. I’m frustrated and I’m learning not to be. Since it really is my first time directing a short with any kind of budget, I’m letting myself have beginner’s grace. My mantra has been, better to be good and late, than to be mediocre and on-time. I am happy to report that as of this November:
picture locked!
sound designed!
color graded!
We’re in the homestretch of post, then it’s on to….film festival submissions. I’ve been part of a few film festivals as PR assistant, many as audience member, actor, and one screening committee, but this would be my first as a director. My brain is telling me it’s gonna be a little like college applications? Write the best artist statement you can, send in your common app fees, and hope for the best?
Saying my deepest desires outloud has always scared me a bit. I think I’m afraid if they escape my head, people will think I’m ridiculous. But I gotta try at least once right? For my therapist’s sake. (here you go Talia)
I have this little fantasy of myself, walking the step and repeat, answering questions during a flimmaker Q+A, and wearing this badass black suit with my hair slicked back and high heels looking like Gigi Hadid. My filmmaker’s badge dangles from my neck and people can’t wait to shake my hand and ask about my inspirations.
Is it ridiculous? Is it too lofty for a first-time short filmmaker? Impossible things happen everyday. If it’s not this short, then this short is the first step towards making the film that gets me that dream.
What happened to the October Blog?
Let me just sum up the last couple months for ya:
ren faire - I’m in my bubble at ren faire. I’m a maiden of the rennaisance and those girls didn’t have cell phones so neither do I. hazahh!
a walk in the woods - and then losing cell phone service on the mountain and having to hike down with an hour until sunset, no flashlights, no water or snacks, one miraculous mountain spring to cool my neck, and one excellent taco stand.
family - the solitude, the silence, the love and understanding of grief; always sad, but not always unfortunate, sometimes a relief and an outpouring of love, nevertheless exhausting.
money - remember that unpaid internship from the last blog? remember how it was unpaid? remember how I still need to pay rent and therefore need to take on multiple other random part time things?
gigs - yup still modeling and doing those commercials! hazahh!!