Settling in
We are finally settling into the rhythm of BDFI and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s great to actually look forward to each and every class, something that had eluded me during my undergrad tenure. I did enjoy my undergrad experience, but I feel so much more focused here at Berkeley Digital Film Institute. Before, I had two maybe three classes that were interesting and beneficial for my major, but at BDFI, all of my classes pertain to my passion for filmmaking. This keeps me focused throughout the week, which creates a great learning experience.
I’ve pitched my idea three times already and it is amazing how quickly it is evolving. Each professor has a different viewpoint, which allows me to internalize all of the different perspectives that the audience members will have. This is enormously valuable, because it gets us thinking outside the box.
I’ve also found that I have become much better at pitching in only a week. This is really valuable since we will be relying on our pitching skills once we enter the business. I have become better at communicating my idea by being clear and concise. My first pitch was quite wordy and went through the plot points without describing the characters and how they change. The second pitch explained my idea in fewer words and with better description. Then my third pitch had evolved to a point where I was much more confident in conveying my idea.
We are already in the planning stages for our first projects and the pressure is starting to apply itself. We got together and went over the schedule for Danielle’s shoot and realized we have a lot of work to do. She is shooting at her house, which allows her to get started with pre-production first. It’s really exciting helping plan the shoot and makes me anxious to get started with mine.
I went location scouting this weekend, which was a great experience. I got to see a few possible locations, which will really bring my scene alive. I can’t wait to get started with the location agreements, which will be a huge relief to get signed. Once that is taken car of, I will be able to have a shooting date. Patrick has told us multiple times that the location is your most important cast member and I can now see that it is incredibly essential to get it wrapped up soon.
I can’t believe how well everyone gets along already. It’s exciting to know that the friendships we are making now and slowly becoming working relationships. I believe we will all work hard for each other and make sure that each project gets as much attention as the one before.
I’m also glad I got to learn Ballistics, which is a fantastic editing technique that Patrick showed us on Thursday. Once we had the Ballistics lecture, we started watching a magnificent example from a Kanye West video (which one of Patrick’s students directed). Ever since the lecture I’ve not been able to watch a movie or show without relating it to the ballistics technique. It’s amazing how much your perspective and be changed in a week at BDFI. It’s the weekend and I already can’t wait for class on Monday morning, which is definitely the first time I have every said that.
