I grew up during the 80's and for my time I'd like to think that I was a little eccentric back then. My mind was always racing and while I wouldn't say I was hyperactive, I did have quite the imagination. My mom loved books and she loved reading, so I grew up with a health appreciation for fine literature, romance, scandal rags and books of every different subject under the sun. This along with my obsessive personality developed into what I like to call Passion Project side.
The Passion Project side is when I suddenly decide to create something amazing. It may not be amazing, but it's more than a little bit interesting. It is during these phases (and I go through them often) that I develop a bit of functional expertise. By engaging in these projects of my own accord, I become well versed in how to complete the tasks required to complete the project. Even if the project isn't that good, at the very least, I've developed some interesting skills in the process. Don't believe me? You seem a little skeptical. Well I've got some of my own personal examples. In fact you can say my career as a creator is based on a lot of what was gained from completing these projects or even engaging in them.
Example 1: When I was making In Case of Hope animatic, I had to become familiar with various parts of making a film. Even if it wasn't going into full production, I had to learn how to complete a film project with my own resources and what I was able to accomplish with a virtually unpromised budget.
My tasks as outlined by the credits of the finished result.
Screenwriter
Producer
Location Scout
Talent Scout
Director
Cinematographer
Editor
FX
Starting with the screenwriter. Learning screenwriting was probably the most rewarding time I've spent learning how to do anything. I learned not only to look at movies from the eye of one who creates them but to also appreciate the development of a well written script. I spent hundreds of hours reading through all types of screenplays; from the most well known to the scripts of up and comers. Screenwriting gave me the ability to form a story from idea to written medium. That's very important because it shows that I have the ability to complete something as complicated as a screenplay.The Producer.
According to an Article in TIME Magazine:
"A producer may do any or all of these: find the literary property (a novel, play or original script), shape the idea into a viable film, raise the money, hire the director, choose the cast, oversee production and postproduction, mastermind the marketing, negotiate the worldwide rights — be a movie’s begetter and first, demanding viewer. Any or all, or next to none".
As the projects producer I had to play with the scale and shape the idea into something of a viable project. I would be the one hiring myself as the Director. I would be the one selecting the cast. I would be overseeing productions and post production. Being a director meant that I was the person responsible for every role and that I only answered to myself.
Now, in spite of good intentions, this was in effect a thankless, payless endeavor; but it was a great experience and reveals a quality in me that I'm rather proud of. I can do honest work for the sake of personal group even if it doesn't pay in terms of money.
That out the way; I knew what I had to do, but I didn't know how to go about it. I needed to do some honest research. Long hours of books, articles, Youtube Videos would be my only companions some nights, but I was determined to do this.
Location Scout
Finding the perfect place to shoot didn't require much. Being saavy on the internet gives you advantages. Knowing people who also know the web is very advantageous. At the suggestion of a friend I was able to find a location with very few issues and deep enough that any shot would not be ruined by people to curious or too nosy. It was during this time I learned about the legalities of shooting in public places. Unlike what some people think, that is not always easy or possible to capture in a public space without ample preparation. The legal issues of capturing people who do not consent could leave you in a legal hellscape that you don't want to be in. With that in mind, I made sure that the location would meet all of those needs. It was perfect for the scale and scope of the shots.
Talent Scout
Finding the right people requires an understanding of the roles they will fulfill. Your choice in casting could make or break the project in a big way. Think of all those who applied for the roles in major blockbusters but the role was given to someone else, like the Nicholas Cage as Superman, or Will Smith as Neo instead of Keanu Reeves. I placed an ad on Craigslist and held interviews online using Skype or accepting videos. I wrote a sample script for interviewers to read and I would judge their performance.
The interview process took several months, as I was determined to find a person to best represent the character they would be portraying. I couldn't put it all into words, but I'd know it when I saw it. I got some very
Ultimately I selected this guy: Tim Parrish. You might have seen him on Ballers recently. I could tell in his work that he was the right guy and I've continued to support his talent since. He did me a big favor by agreeing to work for nothing, but that's just the kind of guy he is, and is a credit to his talent and professionalism.
That being said, that is the quality of the talent I was able to draw in and that wasn't easy, but in order to do what needed doing I had to be willing to take it up a notch.
Here is where a major shift happens. I go from behind the scenes, gathering all the necessary pieces of the puzzle to collecting and directing the major piece. Capturing the footage. Up to this point I have largely worked on my own. For all the things I've done up until this point, from gathering mock weapons, to collecting pieces of wardrobe, down to getting the camera and lenses.
There's more to tell, and I'll be back with Part 2 Next week.
