I've compiled a small lists of my final reflections for this semester, as I inch closer and closer to gradumacation.
1. I love film in all aspects. Storytelling, documentary, experimental, motion, animation, cameras, writing. Every part of the process.
2. I love this area and the community that stands behind it whether it's for small business, local foods, film or art, this is a very special place to me.
3. The creatively cooperative process of 495 is one of the best aspects about it. The fact that we are all working together on each others projects and are invited into the story world of each director is an amazing process and something I thoroughly enjoyed this semester. Our film would not be where it is now without the support and feedback from our class. I hope mine was just as effective.
4. I have met some amazing people working on this film. Real industry workers who bust their ass to do what they love and work in the industry. I enjoyed meeting those workers very much, and I look forward to hearing more of their stories as I continue to work in this industry.
5. I don't want to go on for too long, but I think a great summarizing statement for our film, and my time at UNCW is this:
"If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." I could not have said it any better.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Connor H. Buss
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
2nd to last post
The coolest thing about this project so far is how many people have gotten involved to support our film. It's easy to see that this is an important topic for our area and that the people of this area care about the film incentive. From donating money on IndieGOGO to donating time to help with the production, I am amazed at the overwhelming support for this documentary. As we near into the official premiere at Satellite tomorrow, I'm reminded of how amazing this film community really is. It doesn't matter if it's a student film or a feature blockbuster, the community is behind it. Always.
I love this area and have never thought more seriously about settling here than after this semester. Not only do I think I can make a name for myself and at some point a career, but I'm happy here. I've settled in and don't have any reason to leave!
As we begin to wrap production of Keep It Rolling, I continue my hope that this will be an advocacy piece, that it will positively effect legislation and make the Film Incentive a permanent element of our state's legislature. I am very happy with my work and the role I played in creating this piece of art, but I would be nowhere without the community of support that surrounds me. Thank You NC Film, thank you very much.
I love this area and have never thought more seriously about settling here than after this semester. Not only do I think I can make a name for myself and at some point a career, but I'm happy here. I've settled in and don't have any reason to leave!
As we begin to wrap production of Keep It Rolling, I continue my hope that this will be an advocacy piece, that it will positively effect legislation and make the Film Incentive a permanent element of our state's legislature. I am very happy with my work and the role I played in creating this piece of art, but I would be nowhere without the community of support that surrounds me. Thank You NC Film, thank you very much.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Deadline Approaching
As our deadline approaches and we gear up for our last round of feedback at the EOY screenings, I have just one fear that seems to grow every day...
JUST KIDDING! We'll be polishing up this weekend and ready to turn in on Monday! PUMPED! Happy Friday!
Other projects in the class updates
A Brewing Community-Zach's doc has really started to take shape and it gets more fun everytime I watch it. I love how Zach uses music in his films to create a mood, usually positive, and really bring you into the story. I can't wait to see MORE BEER!
People Like You-Whitney's style and humor definitely comes out in her animation and I love the balance of absurdity and parody that Whitney paints in her story. Her simplistic animation style is super fun too. An awesome short that I can't wait to see the final!
The List-What a talented animator James is! His thirst for life shines through his mini animation about crossing things off your bucket list. I love it and I love his animations style. His color palette is welcoming and inspiring and his use of sound and motion creates an awesome atmosphere for the entire sequence. James took this project head on even though he knew it would require A LOT of work! But he killed it and I know the final will be even better!
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman-This film, similarly to ours, has definitely come a long way since our original pitches. Kateland has definitely dug deep into the soul's of these young artists and really has engaged herself in their passion. It's really awesome because Kateland uses her skills or portraying a subject to portray a subject that portrays another subject! I know! Crazy! But their film has improved so much since the preliminary cuts we watched, I can't wait to see the final! Docs rule!
Estranged-Jessica's project was the project I was most tentative about understanding when we first had class but after seeing multiple cuts, I know this project has meant a lot to Jess and that her final showing will be very powerful. From Jess' color blending flashbacks to her heartfelt, gripping interview footage, I think everybody at The Black Sheep is in for a surprise. I know I'll be able to feel every ounce of Jess' passion for this project during the installation.
Killing a Southern Belle-I love Mars' writing and the humor that comes through it, and I've been a supporter of his installation from the beginning. His writing cracks me up for a lot of reasons, but I think Mars' take on natural conversation really brings a lot of humor to his characters. I know I'll be pretty engaged in his installation but I also can't wait to laugh my ass off!!!
People Like You-Whitney's style and humor definitely comes out in her animation and I love the balance of absurdity and parody that Whitney paints in her story. Her simplistic animation style is super fun too. An awesome short that I can't wait to see the final!
The List-What a talented animator James is! His thirst for life shines through his mini animation about crossing things off your bucket list. I love it and I love his animations style. His color palette is welcoming and inspiring and his use of sound and motion creates an awesome atmosphere for the entire sequence. James took this project head on even though he knew it would require A LOT of work! But he killed it and I know the final will be even better!
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman-This film, similarly to ours, has definitely come a long way since our original pitches. Kateland has definitely dug deep into the soul's of these young artists and really has engaged herself in their passion. It's really awesome because Kateland uses her skills or portraying a subject to portray a subject that portrays another subject! I know! Crazy! But their film has improved so much since the preliminary cuts we watched, I can't wait to see the final! Docs rule!
Estranged-Jessica's project was the project I was most tentative about understanding when we first had class but after seeing multiple cuts, I know this project has meant a lot to Jess and that her final showing will be very powerful. From Jess' color blending flashbacks to her heartfelt, gripping interview footage, I think everybody at The Black Sheep is in for a surprise. I know I'll be able to feel every ounce of Jess' passion for this project during the installation.
Killing a Southern Belle-I love Mars' writing and the humor that comes through it, and I've been a supporter of his installation from the beginning. His writing cracks me up for a lot of reasons, but I think Mars' take on natural conversation really brings a lot of humor to his characters. I know I'll be pretty engaged in his installation but I also can't wait to laugh my ass off!!!
HICCUPS cont...
7. Be proactive in your documentary production. Never expect support. As a matter of fact, you should accept the fact that at first, nobody will support you! That will push you harder to create a better film and generate support for it
8. Actors are awesome people to work for, most of the time. I've learned from three different actors and a acting teacher/actor that they are some really genuine people, if they are in the industry for the right reasons. I think Wilmington actors are different from Hollywood actors. They definitely are.
9. Sometimes you have to negotiate with your team. As somebody who's had a lot of creative control in past projects, this was the first time I really had to sit back and let somebody else's visions take the wheel for a little. It was refreshing perspective. Good to learn for the real world.
10. Never, ever say you will "fix it in post." Fix it now. RIGHT NOW!
With a few more posts to go this semester, I'm sure there will be other hiccups along the way. Not a bad thing, probably one of the most important things!
Until next time...
8. Actors are awesome people to work for, most of the time. I've learned from three different actors and a acting teacher/actor that they are some really genuine people, if they are in the industry for the right reasons. I think Wilmington actors are different from Hollywood actors. They definitely are.
9. Sometimes you have to negotiate with your team. As somebody who's had a lot of creative control in past projects, this was the first time I really had to sit back and let somebody else's visions take the wheel for a little. It was refreshing perspective. Good to learn for the real world.
10. Never, ever say you will "fix it in post." Fix it now. RIGHT NOW!
With a few more posts to go this semester, I'm sure there will be other hiccups along the way. Not a bad thing, probably one of the most important things!
Until next time...
Hiccups...
All productions come almost undoubtedly with some hiccups along the way. After all the successes we've had with our film so far, it's important to note that we have had a couple new learning experiences to take away from the film. I will highlight a few here now.
1. Kinos light almost any interview exceptionally well. Less is more when it comes to interviews, unless you're going for an extremely dramatic lighting set up. Kinos provide an awesome soft light on a subject. Perfect.
2. Always check your monitor mix in your headphones. We almost blew two interviews because the monitor mix was off, and that fucked up our levels pretty bad. Luckily, our boom channel was in range and saved our lives and we were able to rehoot the other interview. But always have a back up channel for safety and triple check your monitor mix.
3. If you are ever reframing the camera during an interview, do it when the subject is not talking. It's very hard to cut away or hide the camera movement when a subject is mid sentence. I learned this the hard way and got some pretty appropriate criticism from it.
4. Always be succinct when cutting. Communicate with everybody involved and let them know you're cutting before you do so everybody can be in sync. This will help immensely with post-production.
5. Piano music
6. Closer is always better, unless you have kick ass mise-en-scene. This project has helped me realize the power of close-ups. They are awesome. Fucking awesome.
7. To be continued...
1. Kinos light almost any interview exceptionally well. Less is more when it comes to interviews, unless you're going for an extremely dramatic lighting set up. Kinos provide an awesome soft light on a subject. Perfect.
2. Always check your monitor mix in your headphones. We almost blew two interviews because the monitor mix was off, and that fucked up our levels pretty bad. Luckily, our boom channel was in range and saved our lives and we were able to rehoot the other interview. But always have a back up channel for safety and triple check your monitor mix.
3. If you are ever reframing the camera during an interview, do it when the subject is not talking. It's very hard to cut away or hide the camera movement when a subject is mid sentence. I learned this the hard way and got some pretty appropriate criticism from it.
4. Always be succinct when cutting. Communicate with everybody involved and let them know you're cutting before you do so everybody can be in sync. This will help immensely with post-production.
5. Piano music
6. Closer is always better, unless you have kick ass mise-en-scene. This project has helped me realize the power of close-ups. They are awesome. Fucking awesome.
Trailer Cut!
Never got around to posting the cut of our trailer. Sarah showed this as part of her project pitch at the River Run Film Festival in Winston-Salem and it got some awesome feedback from the panel, including actor Bill Pullman! Check it oooutt!
Production Update For April
Slowly but surely, our film has finally come together. What started as a simple idea has taken many different directions and transformed a couple of different times, but we are finally putting something together that we're really proud of. This month consisted of lots of shooting, editing, a proposal from Sarah at River Run Film Festival, visiting student productions to get onset b-roll, and speaking with some of the most passionate film industry professionals that I have ever spoke to. As the anticipation grows for the end of the semester screenings, I'm eager to collect feedback about the film and find ways we can improve it for festival and web release. The support behind us so far has just been simply amazing and it seems like there are plenty of other people who want this film to be made. That's extremely refreshing for me but also makes me a little nervous. I hope I can live up to their expectations but at the same time, I know this film will speak volumes about the importance of the NC Film Tax Incentive.
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