So yesterday was like the mother of all casting calls for those of us in Semester 1. On Wednesday we were able to formulate a pretty solid process on handling the actors, so yesterday we had somewhat of a game plan. Once we took over the BDFI producer bullpen we were locked down for the day. We started at 2:00pm and went until 9:30pm. It felt great to get a chance to direct professional actors. After Joel gave me some pointers I was able to really get the response that I was looking for them. I really enjoyed working with my fellow classmates yesterday. By the end of the night we were all laughs. This casting experience has really quelled my fears of working with semi/pro actors. I know that I’ll be able to do my job on set with confidence. We still have more casting auditions this week and then our first shoot on Saturday!

My first day
For me the first day of school is usually extremely uncomfortable. There are new people to meet, impress, whatever. Today there was no anxiety. I had a great time meeting the classmates I would be spending the next 16 months with. Ten minutes into the first I felt like I had known everyone for a long time. On our lunch break, six of us ate at the cafe across the street from the school. Afterwards we had a mixer with the upperclassmen. The students treat on another like a big supporting family at BDFI. I am very impressed.

End of the week reflection
As I think about my first week at BDFI all I can say is wow. Time is not wasted. Every class is jam packed with information from teachers that have real industry experience. When I walk into BDFI in the morning I don’t feel like I am going to school, I feel like I am going to a job. There are no “classrooms” here. There are editing suites, stages, engineering rooms, a nice theater, etc. I feel the fact that we don’t have any classrooms helps us become more accustomed to the type of environment we will be working in after we graduate. On Friday Franco, Joel, Jodi (sorry if I spelled your name wrong!), Emanuel, and I stayed after class to watch “Man on Fire” while reading a draft of the script. It was very insightful to see what the filmmakers decided to leave and take out of the final movie. It’s nice to be around people who are as passionate (if not more) as I am about the art of filmmaking. I’ll be back after we turn in the rough draft of our first scripts.