Time for another infrequent 'catch-up' post
First things first! Watch my short documentary:
http://www.vimeo.com/18973678
There are several thousand flaws in it, but overall I'm chuffed to bits with how it turned out! It's my film baby #1.
I've yet to properly update about my Masters course & how it's going, other than to rant about essay stress so here goes...
Essay wise, it turns out I'm not actually that bad at knocking 'em out. In fact, I got the highest marks in the group for both essays we did. And the results for my film were pleasing too. I'm averaging enough to get a distinction so far. I'm not retarded, hurrah! I just hope I can keep it up.
The making of 'Save Me', aka my film baby #1 was a lot of hard work, but also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I actually had a mini bout of depression when it was all over. The film & the making of it had taken over my thoughts to such an extent that I was completely unable to have lie ins (something I normally excel at) and genuinely didn't know what to think about for a little while after the hand in date. I clearly recall lying in bed one morning wondering what I was going to think about now the film was finished. Nothing has ever taken over my thoughts quite like that documentary did.
For the documentary, I co-directed, co-produced and filmed it. I was only working with one other person, so it was a challenge taking on so many roles, and not being wholly confident about any of them, but I feel so, so better about doing it all. Now it's time to make film baby #2, and I'm going to be producing & directing it ON MY OWN. I'm working with two other people who are responsible for filming, editing & sound, but the responsibility of the entire film & the production rests on my little shoulders. This is terrifying. As far as I'm aware, only 1 student has taken on both these roles alone in the past. My tutor has offered me her contact details so I can get advice from her. It's a great feeling knowing that my lecturers think I'm capable of taking on such a huge responsibility, but it's also utterly frightening if I stop and think about it for too long. I've got to direct and produce a half hour documentary! And the idea behind the film was mine to begin with, so basically, if it turns out to be utter shite, it's my fault. I also have to manage all the paper work & budget, something I'm not naturally good at. I'm quite scatterbrained. Yikes.
It's all good though. This MA is the best thing I've ever done with my life, no question. I feel confident in my skills, and on top of that I've discovered I'm actually quite bright. It's nice. But I don't want to get complacent, I still have a fuck-load of work to do before I pass this thing. And then I have to get a job, which is the truly scary part.
Though I do have a little part time job now, at Holland & Barret in Chorlton. It's good, and it's nice to not break my heart over my finances all the time. Even though I'm not earning a lot as I can't commit to working many hours, the pressure is off a little bit.
So yeah, every thing is going well, I'm in love with my course, even though I feel stressed and barely have any free time! Most of my free time is spent watching documentaries, and although that doesn't really feel like work, my brain sometimes feels a little over loaded. I should start posting some little reviews of the documentaries I've watched actually, to keep track of them.
Well, that's where my life is up to at the moment. I'm much, much happier than this time last year, and for that I am grateful.
http://www.vimeo.com/18973678
There are several thousand flaws in it, but overall I'm chuffed to bits with how it turned out! It's my film baby #1.
I've yet to properly update about my Masters course & how it's going, other than to rant about essay stress so here goes...
Essay wise, it turns out I'm not actually that bad at knocking 'em out. In fact, I got the highest marks in the group for both essays we did. And the results for my film were pleasing too. I'm averaging enough to get a distinction so far. I'm not retarded, hurrah! I just hope I can keep it up.
The making of 'Save Me', aka my film baby #1 was a lot of hard work, but also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I actually had a mini bout of depression when it was all over. The film & the making of it had taken over my thoughts to such an extent that I was completely unable to have lie ins (something I normally excel at) and genuinely didn't know what to think about for a little while after the hand in date. I clearly recall lying in bed one morning wondering what I was going to think about now the film was finished. Nothing has ever taken over my thoughts quite like that documentary did.
For the documentary, I co-directed, co-produced and filmed it. I was only working with one other person, so it was a challenge taking on so many roles, and not being wholly confident about any of them, but I feel so, so better about doing it all. Now it's time to make film baby #2, and I'm going to be producing & directing it ON MY OWN. I'm working with two other people who are responsible for filming, editing & sound, but the responsibility of the entire film & the production rests on my little shoulders. This is terrifying. As far as I'm aware, only 1 student has taken on both these roles alone in the past. My tutor has offered me her contact details so I can get advice from her. It's a great feeling knowing that my lecturers think I'm capable of taking on such a huge responsibility, but it's also utterly frightening if I stop and think about it for too long. I've got to direct and produce a half hour documentary! And the idea behind the film was mine to begin with, so basically, if it turns out to be utter shite, it's my fault. I also have to manage all the paper work & budget, something I'm not naturally good at. I'm quite scatterbrained. Yikes.
It's all good though. This MA is the best thing I've ever done with my life, no question. I feel confident in my skills, and on top of that I've discovered I'm actually quite bright. It's nice. But I don't want to get complacent, I still have a fuck-load of work to do before I pass this thing. And then I have to get a job, which is the truly scary part.
Though I do have a little part time job now, at Holland & Barret in Chorlton. It's good, and it's nice to not break my heart over my finances all the time. Even though I'm not earning a lot as I can't commit to working many hours, the pressure is off a little bit.
So yeah, every thing is going well, I'm in love with my course, even though I feel stressed and barely have any free time! Most of my free time is spent watching documentaries, and although that doesn't really feel like work, my brain sometimes feels a little over loaded. I should start posting some little reviews of the documentaries I've watched actually, to keep track of them.
Well, that's where my life is up to at the moment. I'm much, much happier than this time last year, and for that I am grateful.