2021 is flying by, and its starting to show in the work I've been apart of. Just in February I got a chance to direct my first short film. Admittedly it was nerve racking and I wasn't 100% prepared. However, it was a necessary learning curve to get through.
We're On TV | Checkout The Film
"a little push" is about a grieving woman who finds the power within her circle of friends to get herself back on track. It was submitted to @blackfilmfestivalatlanta on IG for their 2 Min Motivational competition. Our motivational message being; lean on the ones that love you. With even just a teeny bit of help, things do get better. We'd didn't win the money, but I won in the knowledge I gained. If you tap on the image you can watch the film.
Creating For Others Vs. Self
I've actually been producing my own content for 7 years but didn't quite feel the same kind of pressure as doing so for someone else. Since I was 16 years old I directed, starred, edited, wrote and produced all of my own creations. It wasn't until the last few months where I actually first started creating for others in the capacity of video, let alone film. When it comes to creating for one's self, the pressure is all off; only you know when its finished, there's not that much of an expectation - aside from what's in your head, and you tend to care more because its your idea.
What I Took From This
Here are just a few gems I'd like to leave you with, in part to my experience directing this set.
Don't be afraid to fail, in fact fail faster so you can get over it and learn how to fix it.
I was so nervous, being in charge of people much older than me and having to guide the vision of the film while simultaneously leading the cast and crew.
Know your script inside and out.
A shot list does indeed help but it can all change during the actual shoot.
This film was my first time making a shot list and it helped tremendously organize where the camera should be and why it should be there. But we didn't get all the shots in...and thats ok.
When it's all said and done, you've made a ACTUAL product, a whole film. Don't be too hard on yourself from mistakes and things that didn't go in your favor.
I nearly vowed to never direct again after the day was over, but that's simply unrealistic and not fair to myself. I actually have something else in the works I directed...its coming very soon so stay tuned.
Shouts to the team: Clive Salmon (Producer), David Nixon Jr. (DP), Corey Boyd (Writer), Okema Moore.