The Cruise and Gleaning

First off, 

A hearty thanks to Kim for getting this thing to work.

On to a couple of brief reviews.

The Cruise - This movie is fascinating.  Listening to Timothy "Speed" Levitch talk about the subjects he loves is somewhat akin to an intellectual hurricane:  dizzying, surreal, terrifying, yet beautiful unto itself.  I do not wish to give much away, as the whole movie is Speed's commentary, particularly regarding the Titular Cruise, which is best understood by watching the movie.  Speed takes a lot of viewpoints that will upset people.   Especially because of how valid they are.

A sidenote:  At the time of filming, Speed commented on how his family was disappointed in his perceived "failure."  Since this film was made, he's appeared in a number of works.  Goes to show you how unpredictable life can be, ay?

Check out Speed's blog at www.speedlevitchonline.com/

The Gleaners and I - This was very interesting also.  This film almost seemed like a stream of consciousness work, as Varda leaps about from place to place both geographically and in her head.  What I found most fascinating is that there are actually laws and cultural expectations for gleaning in France.  It makes me wonder such legal terms and definitions exist here in the U.S., but I'll leave that to a later poster.  It is amusing to ponder the possibility of legal rules for how, when, and why you could dumpster dive.  

Rant over.  Jonathan out.

Here is the completed version!

Thanks to YOU !

Hello Class,

I want to thank you for a great semester. I was very impressed with your work. You often made me forget that you were intro and not advanced students!

I hope to stay in touch and look forward to seeing some of you again next semester.

Thanks for the great blogging and all the insightful comments.

Happy Holidays,

Ellen Spiro

Graduate Students Screening

Last night I stayed for the graduate student documentary screening. It was great seeing their finalized products and comparing them to our films. Many of the films were very impressive, with my favorites being "Locomotion" and "Western Brothers' Adventure Story." Both of these were just beautiful to watch and "Western Brothers" was probably the sweetest short I have ever seen in my entire life. I actually wanted a copy of it, but I felt really creepy asking!

I loved having some of the subjects in the audience. It created a very special environment with a lot of unspoken excitement. It was just great to sit back and watch other people docs without having to stress about mine anymore!

Lesson #1: Problems Make Progress

No matter what, each film you make will always present to you a new plethora of problems you must overcome. I have come to realize this. And although these problems may get smoother the more experienced are, they are always there to haunt you...or to teach you, depending on how you look at it (are you a half full cup person or half empty?) For me, I like to look at each and every problem as a step to becoming a better filmmaker, and although I get stressed out at times (I am have been known at times to curse at my computer) I know that I will not make the same mistake twice.

One of the most important things I learned this semester were on the grounds of accessibility: how to confront and get somebody to partake in a project, getting permission to shoot more in depth in your subject's life etc. It terms of confronting, I spent an entire month trying to obtain consent to do a documentary about boxing. It ended up not coming to fruition. Looking back I believe the best way to present an idea is to physically meet the person on the first contact--no email, no phone call. Had I just went to the gym from the get-go it may have worked out. As for accessibility, my second project idea turned out well because I had full accessibility. I could shoot/do whatever I pleased. This left the creative door wide open. Having a solid relationship with your subject is critical.

Lastly, I came to realize that with some docs, especially with event docs like mine, it is extremely important to know exactly the way everything works before you actually shoot. Having a complete understanding of an event, per se, will help you make a cohesive and logical documentary. It was my first time ever at a speech tournament when I went to A&M, and I was flying by the seat of my pants the whole time. I was learning about the event at the same pace the audience was; whatever he said to the camera was new information to me. This should not have been the case, I should have known most everything that was going to happen before it happened.

Overall, there is a huge number of things this class taught me. Too much to name. What is important, however, is that I DID learn a lot, and I know as a result I am coming out of this class a more experienced, and, hopefully, a better filmmaker. I think we all are. Anyway, I had a great semester with y'all and anyone who is taking Advanced Doc. next semester I'll see you in January!

What I Learned

With film being a very recent and new point of focus I have felt very behind in most aspects. RTF 318 was the first time that I've ever really had a camera in my hand, with that being said RTF 366k is actually the first time i've ever really used a camera to tell a story. So for me it was extremely beneficial just to get out there and make a film. This film is the first one I've ever made and really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about cameras and lighting and sound as well. I learned the basics of final cut, through a lot of trial and error, and I got the chance to experience many different styles of documentaries throughout the semester. I learned how important it is to build relatiionships with your subject not, only to learn more about them but to enhance their comfortability on screen. I've also learned how important good sound is since I had so much trouble with wind on my shoot. I recently discovered during the course of this class that I love cinematography. Its something I'd really like to explore further through documentaries like Visions of Light etc. Most importantly I've learned that there is no limit to what a documentary can be. All it takes is a simple idea.

Furthermore, I've not only learned from Ellen and Kim this semester, but also from the many talented people who I shared the class with. I've really enjoyed seeing all of your work and can't wait for advanced doc next semester!

Lifes a Doc...You Learn as You Go...

I have been confused as a potential filmmaker as to which route I want to take. This semester was an amazing eye-opener and ultimately made me realize that documentary and non-fiction is the highway I should be on.

I have learned that it takes patience, knowledge, hard work, teamwork, lack of sleep, creativity, and most importantly PEOPLE to succesfully complete a film. This semester really allowed me to get a hands on lesson with pre-production, production, and post-production that was provided me with important skills that I will elaborate on.

Pre-Production: When I picked my topic, I instantly found out how important researching your subject until the point you almost lose interest in it is. Building the connection with everything directly and indirectly involved with your doc and gaining a great relationship with your subjects makes the experience and the final product better. If I wouldn't have spent evenings out on Harley's Ranch working on the farm, listening to his stories, and just hanging out, I stronlgy believe I would have been pulling my hair out when it came to actually filming and trying to get what I wanted on tape so that my post-production wouldn't be forcing me to go rent the camera again spend all day getting info I could have got before. I also learned that you should be concstantly thinking about every possible scenario you could film that involves your doc's subject matter because you will be even more relieved when you sit down in post and realize what all you have to work with. I most importantly learned that you can never prepare enough in pre-production....because the more you have thought about...the more likely you are to be able to handle any situation that might be thrown at you.

Production: I learned that you need to become intimate with the equipment you will be using. Also know enough about your equipment so that when complications come about, you know different options to take in order to make your day of filming not a waste of time. SOUND IS IMPORTANT. IT IS A BITCH IF YOU DONT GET GOOD SOUND! I learned to be aware of your surroundings, weather,natural and artificial lighting, and your subjects level of feeling comfortable around the camera. Good Idea to get a good creative amount of B roll as well. I learned that we should all know the little details like 9v batteries, camera chargers, blacking tapes, marking tapes, and making sure your crew is comfortable and treated with well respect because you couldn't do it without them. Treat Production like a football game: Leave nothing on the field.... give it your all. You pumped your self up in practice and in the locker room (pre-production) and you should leave the game going home satisfied and ready to positively reflect on your efforts (Post Production).

Post-Production: I learned that if Final Cut Pro skills = ninja skills, Kim Hall would be able to kill us all without any of the world knowing. She is a straight gangsta at that program and has taught me a lot this semester with my first time using it. I transcribed all of my interviews which is as much fun as nailing your arm to a table, BUT it helped me in the end and can see exactly why professionals go through the process....I just hope one day I have a little slave doing it for me! I learned that it is important to take a break for a while before you edit your work and take some time in between editing sessions because as a filmmaker you can become so engulfed in some of your footage that you sacrifice a clear story because you are so fixed on putting that one shot in the film when really the best thing is for it to be cut out. I think it is important to have different people watch your cuts of your work as you go because outside feedback is important because sooner or later there are going to be different people watching your work. So take all of the different feedback, look for similarites and differences between those opinions and use that information to mold your work to create a great piece that will satisfy as many as possible.

Ultimately I learned that you never finish making your documentary. There are endless routes you can go and you shouldn't let it bother you when you get upset at times with the direction you are going. Choose one and be happy with it. Be happy you have the coolest job in the world....telling stories. It is a human activity that has been going on since the creation of humans. Everyone has human expereinces....but few get the privelege to produce and recreate it in the manner we do. Be kind to your subjects. Be Kind to your equipment. Be kind to peoples feelings and experiences and know when not to cross the line and make sure you know when you intentially cross the line..it is for the right thing in the end.

One Love,

Fitch