On Filmmaking: December 7, 2017

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“Instead of trying to invent a plot that moves, use the movement of wind, or water, children, people, elevators... don’t forget that no tripod has yet been built which is as miraculously versatile in movement as the complex system of supports, joints, muscles, and nerves which is the human body… improve your films not by adding more equipment and personnel but by using what you have to it’s fullest capacity.”                                                                                                                                                                -Maya Deren

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   I.  CONCEPTUALIZATION

 

Write down your ideas

Even the bad ones

Keep moving, keep leaving your house, keep watching

Ideas will come in random places.

 

Progress will come and go in waves

Moments of overwhelming confidence, followed by moments of overwhelming self-doubt

Don’t trust either.

 

Make a playlist.

It will have a collection of songs that will let you visualize the images

You will never use this music in the film, but it will be a starting point.

 

Go to art shows, screenings, artist talks, lectures, panels

Feel inspired and feel uninspired

Watch amazing art, and watch shitty art

Realize yours will be neither

 

Assemble your crew

Don’t trust numbers, trust passion

Work with people as opinionated as you

Let them challenge you

Fed them

Thank them

Respect them and their time

 

   II.   CONSTRUCTION

 

Abandon the inessential

Don't cover up a bad idea with good equipment

Embrace physical and artistic freedom

A crew is as slow as they are heavy.

 

People don’t take you seriously

Use this to your advantage

People don't feel threatened by you

Be where you don't belong.

 

The best idea was not written

The best idea remains within the wind, water, and soil of the location

Look for it.

 

   III.    CESSATION

 

The image has failed

No matter what, the image has failed

The narrative must be rebuilt, must be questioned

Everything is rewritten

 

Revisualize

Never let the image go stale, keep it alive

Once the words have become pictures, make them words again

Make the pictures graphs, then make the graphs paragraphs

 

When in doubt throw it away

 

Humor is a tool

It comes through sound

Don’t forget sound

Don’t forget sound

 

Edit in a coffeeshop, edit in the lunchroom, edit in public

Feel people's eyes

You may be alone in a dark room, but every time you hit play, imagine 10,000 people                                             

                                                                                                            -Ellie Hall Dec 7,2017