So it's been a while, so much so I haven't posted since last year (too late?). I have had a lot on my mind, not like that sounds like a new excuse to anyone who knows me, but 2021 was especially tough outside of COVID, the pandemic and all the swirling stupidity surrounding it. For your sake, and mine, this is therefore a regurgitation of my key reflections, goals and aspirations WITHOUT those included.
2021: The year I graduate from academia, and hope to flourish
2021 was finally the year I completed an MA degree, about Screen Media and Culture in the UK. I studied journalism reporting in British Film Journalism, British filmmaking and ways of distribution in an attempt to make it relevant to the career I want to start taking this year. While proud of it and my effort towards it, by the end it had me questioning myself about whether this was wasted time that could have been better served on finding more jobs in the creative industries. I enjoyed the exercise, research and places I could go, but underestimated how much of a marathon it actually is to complete a degree like that; I always intended on finding freelance jobs while doing the thesis, but discovered how much headspace that level of dedication on both sides actually takes up.
My quest for doing so was helpful in a couple of other regards however. For my mental health, and my personal feeling of being in the industry, Dynamic Rentals has been a fantastic place to work for one or two days a week. It provided me with the ideal break away from academia, and allowed me to actually practically learn about the kind of world I want to be in one day. That too lead to opportunities, and advanced my knowledge about the rental sector to an extent where I now contemplate it as another sub-sector to go into that can both be an option for when I am out of filmmaking work or decide to be more involved in supply rather than production. As a route into filmmaking, it can be long and winding (much like university arguably) but is a good place to start if you want to get familiar with equipment and have the know how already on scripting and production. Even so, the true weakness in my skillset has always been to welcome new people into my circle of friends and professional collaborators. This mainly comes out of habit, because as a quietly confident, but timid, person I struggle to work up courage to reach out to others and grasp opportunities. New individuals in my life have been a massive help in that respect, mentors and other filmmakers alike, as they have given me more courage and confidence to chase after chances and create exciting things. But again, it felt like academia loomed large over everything. I don’t want to talk badly of academia, because it has given me great friendships and experiences which are hard to let go of. I enjoyed it every step of the way, with all of the practical gear we were provided, all the fantastic people I met and all the great projects we did. Nonetheless, I have felt more disenfranchised by it than ever throughout this year and last. It’s no secret that it’s not necessary to go through university to be a filmmaker, but nevertheless it was the path I took rightly or wrongly and learned a lot; eventually deciding that I want to be a cinematographer. It gave me a sense of filmmaking confidence and nouse, but my experience did not support me in finding jobs; my MA made me realise that I have to do that myself.
New Goals for 2022
While development and progress has been made, work needs to be done to improve skills and to put them into practice. Two work goals felt sensible for this year, as I essentially felt like I was starting again after a ‘two year break’.
Be a DP on 5 projects: Everything needs to start with a portfolio, and this year I want to be the year I start to build it up. I want to be a DP on 5 short form projects at least this year, whether that be short filmmaking, commercials or marketing because the experience is awfully needed. It’s important that at the end of the year, you have a portfolio and showreel to be proud of. I want this year to be the one where I feel proud of moments I put in a showreel, instead of just feeling like it has to be an obligation. If you have any projects you might need such a role for, please feel happy to get in touch.
Get first camera department credit: For long term growth, and networking, getting credits is absolutely essential. More so, it can be a goal that works into my knowledge on smaller projects, as well as my understanding of production and cinematography overall. While it seems closed off for many entrants, chances are out there. If UK-based for example, consider Screenskills’ trainee finder program for 2023-24, contacting your local county film office, apprenticeship schemes provided by a guild in your area of interest or even schemes created by big budget studios. A particular problem however is choosing the path of least resistance to the role you ultimately want to specialise in. If you’re willing to dig into the industry and work your way up, go this route. If you want to specialise in your department first and wait for openings, perhaps go the other way; even better, why not both?
Aspirations
A key thing I learnt this year is that my mind works in a more complicated way than I first thought. In my effort to suppress that and concentrate on one thing, negative thinking creeps into mind. The aim of these goals are to help my aspirations, as I want to have a more positive outlook on myself, and by proxy the work I am capable of doing. I’ve always said that my autism has always allowed me to see a different picture, and I want to believe that more than ever this year. In everything I want to do, I aspire to deliver something a bit different and I want to do that this year more than ever. I am happy to say though that I am already attached to a new project, and hope to find many other unique things to become involved in for the rest of the year.
Some of the photos of that project you might have already seen ;-). All the best, Happy new year.
Will
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