My First Project
At the fifth week mark of the first semester I am preparing to shoot my first project this weekend.
It has been an intense first five weeks, since day one the classes I have taken have been preparing me for this first project. The program in my opinion is incredible.
As an SF State student studying cinema I feel like I have learned more in my short time here than I have at the SF State program. I feel that the SF State program is too theory based as oppose to hands on production.
When the program started almost immediately we began the process of developing an idea and turning that idea into a three-minute script. After developing a solid idea, our task was to find a location to shoot. The process of finding a location and actually dealing with property owners is essential as a filmmaker, and its something that most college programs don’t teach.
Once I found my location the next step was to cast my project. We were taught how to hold auditions in a professional manner. The process to me was very surreal, all the stuff I dreamed of doing as a filmmaker, I’ve had the chance to do at this school. It’s amazing witnessing the creation of your idea turn into an actual reel. The experience is extremely valuable. It also helps having classmates who have the same amount of passion for film that I have.
Unlike other classes that I have taken in various other universities I actually want to show up everyday to class. I feel like each class I attend I learn so much about the business. I also enjoy working and communicating with my classmates. Everybody in my class is very anxious to learn and to help out in anyway possible. Everybody helps out everybody, each classmate has an understanding that these projects are difficult and take a lot of planning and effort.
This school does demand a lot of attention; it was wise for me to quit my job to pursue this program. But believe me I have been very busy.
Pre-production planning takes the longest and in my opinion it’s the most stressful, because you are in the midst of creating something, a narrative that represents an idea that’s personal to you. With my first production coming up I am a little nervous naturally. But for the most part I think my shoot will go well.
Today I just got done working on a shoot with some classmates. Today’s shoot went very well, and we had a lot of fun. It makes a difference when you work with people you actually enjoy being around. I’m hoping my shoot goes well this weekend; I’m working with many of the same people from today’s shoot. The difference being this Saturday I’ll be the one who is in charge. Wish me luck!
Kingsley Lara
