What Have I Learnt?
As part of our final assessment for my Masters Degree we were asked to answer what have we learnt undertaking the degree and what are our future ambitions?
Gosh, those are two of the most overwhelming loaded questions I have been asked in a very long time! Let me start by answering the easier of the two. What I have learnt during this course. I think often we are actually learning by doing, we are not aware of the learning that is taking place. I came into this course having worked in the entertainment industry, but not in the positions I would have liked. I felt I had an understanding of how things work but had not been given the right opportunity. I produced and directed a short bollywood style extravaganza musical. The first part of the process was creating the script and musical material. Working with a lyrics man and musical arranger I ended up with something I was excited about. The script underwent at least 15-20 re-writes. I was constantly changing it, and fixing it and re-writing. Some of the re-writing occurred due to location changes, or lack of finances. However, it continued to evolve on a regular basis. So, I learnt how to create a script, and tell a story. The feedback I received was very positive, and I gained confidence in an area where I had none.
Choosing the actors and singers proved to be a very difficult endeavor. Finding people who could sing, act, and dance! I had to actively pursue people to have them perform. My original choice for the lead role decided he would rather perform in a little play. Oh, well I have to believe it happened for a reason. During the rehearsal process I was very nervous to tell people who had so much more experience than me musically what to do…. so instead I encouraged them. I encouraged them to make the music their own, to play with different sounds and harmonies and rises and falls. Okay, so maybe I did a little directing!
It was an original score so everything had to be pre-recorded in a sound studio before the production began. Sound studios actually scared me. I had no idea what any of the buttons did or meant. Luckily I continued to surround myself with talented and patient people. Jesse Warnock was the music engineer and he pressed all the buttons and cleaned up everyone’s voices. However, I sat and watched, and watched and learnt and learnt. When Jesse could not come to two sessions I recorded the artists. In fact I recorded the very first song one hears in my film. I am no longer afraid of sound studios.
My next task was to assemble a crew. I was hoping to work with Gary Ravenscroft the DOP from “One Perfect Day” who had become a friend of mine however he received a much better paying offer in LA (I can not blame him). He suggested I call Jacob Simkin who was doing all the Pete Murray music videos. He turned out to be fabulous. I also asked my friend Dechantel Green to first AD. She was great because she kept me sane and happy when people were rude or bitchy. The rest of the crew kind of fell together. My next learning curve was learning what all the technical equipment was for and what the differences where. I did not have a clue about anything technical and now I can pretty much use anything and know what is required and why.
I also realized that although I enjoy directing I do not think it is my true calling. It seems like a small piece in my giant puzzle and I like to stay focused on every piece of the puzzle not just one. But, having said that I still think I did a good job. So I guess this fermented my desire to produce.
Next was postproduction. The editor I chose works on AVID so I had to learn something knew again!!! I have learnt how to multi-layer tracks and why. I have learnt how much color grading affects a piece and I have learnt what can be achieved and not in postproduction. I also have incorporated 3d animation, which I knew nothing about and special effects, which I also previously knew nothing about. Now I know what is possible, what factors affect these issues and how much work goes into simple special affects.
So the questions, which arises again is what have, I learnt? I have learnt how to produce a film from conceptualization to marketing. I have learnt how to involve the best people I have access to, and to encourage and harness their talents. Most importantly I have learnt how inspired I am by the industry and what it has to offer.
