Thursday, September 4, 2014

Goals for the rest of 2014


Now that I have graduated and have no professional job lined up, I will do my best and work on personal projects that demonstrate my video and editing abilities. I'm allowing myself to stress and worry about getting an internship in my chosen field or grad school sometime in 2015. I'm still working on writing my short film and possible finishing a documentary that should have been done possible a year ago but...yeah. Freelancing is something I would like to do, if I was mobile, but I guess I have to do what I can on foot even if it means making up my own projects so that I don't lose the skills I have obtain from years of schooling.

So here is my reality. The goals I must accomplish for the rest of the year.

  • Work a job to save funds (burger flippin?)
  • Network with those I know for pro bono work or that free hustle:)
  • Write! Write! Write!
  • And work to becoming Mobile or Bum for rides.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Update

After a year without posting on here, I now feel the urge to expressed what I'm up to or not up to.

The last thing I have post about school was a project I wrote and directed for my capstone/thesis semester. I finished the film and received an A in the class. The film had potential but turned out shit. I was pretty depressed. Correction, really fucking depressed about how it turned out because I had some high expectations and really wanted to make something film festival worthy. It wasn't. Anything and everything that went wrong, did. From big crew disagreements/heated arguments...not by me by the way, shitty audio, a lot of post work that didn't improve the flaws by much, camera issues, crew and actor drop outs etcs. So I'm speaking to the choir...to anyone who has worked on a film, short film, amateur or experience knows that the whole process is exciting yet very challenging, stressful, and perhaps daunting at times. But if you love it you love it, and no one outside of that can understand ones need to create something from nothing. To be an alchemist, a storyteller and have a need to express oneself through such an awesome and gut-wrenching medium.

School was a good distraction from such depression during the following school year. I focused on completing most of my required classes and allowing myself to step a little more out of my comfort zone. I went to a concert by myself. A bit lonerish, but didn't care especially since I got to see one of my new favorite bands, The Internet. I did invite someone but he stood me up. :/. I volunteered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. It was nice. Met or more likely saw some filmmakers as they enter the theatres and talked to panels. Saw some indie films. I helped a classmate with her horror films. Back in October I participated in Cleveland's 1st 48 hour horror film competition as a sound recorder. It was a nice experience being in a competition. What I take from that is that I rather not be a sound recorder.  I don't think I care for film competition that emphasizes speed filmmaking. I rather make something really good and not feel rush in the process. Then my classmate made her 30 min short for her independent study project and I just did some grip, pa stuff for that. It turned out pretty good. I am really proud how my classmate that she was able to accomplish her goal and to have a strong passion for filmmaking.

I fear losing passion for this because it can be a bit disheartening to want to say something, but you don't have the means, the support to create art. The industry is not for the faint of heart, I've been told in different words by professors, guest speakers etc. I doubt and question myself often if I can do this. Even try to steer myself to other avenues that still involve creativity, but lack the demands of filmmaking. I don't know.

I desire many things, to own my own production company and work with like minded individuals who are just as creative and passionate as I am. I might have ran into some but I was or am unable to see their intentions. They presented their ideas very passionately, but my caution, my fear, my lack of trust, and my lack of resources has made me not want to entertain their ambitions. I think I lack some of that ambitious, driven nature. I get it the moment something hits me, an idea, or when I have the confidence. Once I doubt, it's gone. I go back to my world where I try to focus on one thing at a time. My education at this moment. Stay safe.

I was able to attend my graduation ceremony in the spring even though I graduate this summer. I have one non film class to take, no job and ideas and unfinished project on the back burner. So this summer I need a direction, to make decisions, and not give up on a dream or I'll lose it by giving into life's mundane cycle of born, work, die. I want to travel, I want to experience , I want to feel free. The stereotypical 20 something year I guess. I want to create and leave some type of impact on the world. I don't really desire to be famous, idk if that is just fear, but I want to make something original and receive recognition for it and then go back into myself with no other eyes on me. I am a true introvert.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Seven Psychopaths

This film was disturbing, dark, and freaking nonsense. Real funny. Christopher Walkins was my favorite character. A screenwriter, having trouble finishing is screenplay about serial killing psychopaths, life is endangered when his dog napping friend pisses off a real psychopath when he steals his dog.

Also, this film only reminded me that I need to be working on my screenplay that I am putting off.  It's about a serial killer, but I am not trying to be around psychopaths like Colin's character. Hell no. Lol!

The Session update and New Horror Project

I have finished shooting my film "The Session." Pre-production was rough, Production was rougher. I had camera operators drop out, an actor drop out, an on set argument with some crew  and lack of resources. But I got it done. Now I must go through the love/hate of the editing process. When I checked out my dailies, I was both joyous and deeply...fraustrated. Dumb freaking mistakes were made in the few shots we took. I did not have much time to get the amount of coverage I desired, nor the resources to do a ton of takes. However, looking back. I wished I could have paid more attention to some things that I could have avoided. But hey, I wasn't the only person on set, no one else caught these dumb things. But I was the Director. Everything falls on me for the overall. Oh well, I can't do anything about it now. Hopefully, in Post, I can fix these mistakes or atleast cover them up.

I do have someone to create my score. I think I may also want an actual recored track for the end of credits.

Also, now I am preparing to be the Director of Photography on a classmate's horror film. I am excited for that but still nervous. I know how I feel about my project and wanting it to be perfect. I don't want to be the reason for my classmate's project for not turning out good. Things should be fine, I just need more confidence. I am trying to study her script and do the best I can. Lighting I have yet to master, but I guess I just have to think of it as paint and the scene is my canvas. Think of the tone, the mood that the director wants to convey and paint the shit out of it.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Current Project


The Session: Pre-Production
I am currently working on a short film for my Film Production 2 course. This is my longest short I have done so far. I wrote up a dramatic script about a Therapist getting kidnaped by her dysfunctional clients. I am excited but a little nervous. I am broke. I hope I can get what I need with little to no budget and the film still comes out looking decent for a festival. I have locked down pretty much all my actors and I plan on having a table read this Saturday. We still need locations. I asked my cousin about using her house via text. Haven't heard anything yet. That is probably not going down, so I need another option. I am still working out how I want the overall film to look. It is a drama, so I want certain scenes to be dark and uneasing. We are shooting with a dslr hopefully. I still need crew. I hope I'll know who is on my crew this week. My shooting script is done so I need work with my dp about the visual and for me to work the shot list. My Producer can now breakdown the script and hopefully not break my penniless bank. I'm thinking pizza during productions and donuts in the morning, bump caterers.

New 2012 Reels

 
Briana La Trise
Writer and Director Reel 2012
 
Briana La Trise
Videography & Editing Reel 2012