Little activity

Not too much has been happening relating to any kind of movie-making. I have been tentatively working on a new feature-length script but for the most part I have just been working.

Last month I started an internship with a local company that does, among many other things, video production. So far there I have not been party to any video work but the people who run the company are very interested in making shorts, features and interestingly enough their own television programming. It's a good place for me at the moment because my knowledge of many film/video basics is pretty limited or non-existent and they do have quite a bit of equipment for lighting and sound. I do not mean to be crass and promote them here, but the company is really looking to work with all kinds of artists, and since the do web development and design, as well as print and digital advertising, putting a link for them may be of some help to people looking to get some media attention. If not please forgive me for being a shallow, corporate sellout.

The website for the company is: www.trivision.tv

The only other news I can report is that I came across a blog that I have really enjoyed, which is a rarity for me. The person who writes the blog is an aspiring filmmaker (movie-maker? Talking about this should be easier) who is learning as he goes along, and much of the blog contains his lessons learned in great detail. It's a fun read and the information is presented in a very helpful way which is so very refreshing.

The URL for the blog is: Diary of a Short Film

I also read Oliver Stapleton's guide for how the film industry works. If you haven't read it already take a look here. He himself admits that it is incomplete and at times a bit cheeky (the man is British after all) but it strikes me as a very earnest attempt to shed a little insight on the various jobs and what they entail. Reading this article led me to read his weekly column at IMDB which is titled, Ask A Cinematographer. I have greatly enjoyed reading these as well, although for the most part I think it is because I agree (or come to agree) with what he says.

In truth I find both cinematography and sound a bit intimidating and daunting at this point, which is part of the reason why I don't just take my camera and make the first thing I can. I see so many low-budget films, even the ones that go one to win film festivals and get distribution, and I am often unable to watch them past the ten minute mark.

Why?

Terrible cinematography and sound. Since I know that I must know less than the people who made these films it serves as a handy deterrent for making my own. Oh, to be a bit more courageous and accepting of failure...