Final Lesson Reflection

1) Positive Statement - I was ecstatic that my activity worked out so well and my people enjoyed it so much. I was glad that every group was invested in the activity even though the second part of the activity was more difficult, breaking down the script. I was very pleased that I went for 45 minutes on the answer content alone when only 30 minutes was required.

2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation (self-assessment)?  Pb.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?   P

3) What worked for you in your senior project?
In my senior presentation I though constantly tying in my sources, experiences with mentorship and interviews really helped me expand on my answers and help answer my essential question. What helped in my senior project topic of independent film in general was approaching the topic from different angles. For example I researched what separated indies from studios, how filmmakers can shoot with limited resources and money, making indies look expensive and distribution of independent films. I think approaching my topic from as many angles as possible helped me accumulate quality content.

4) (What didn't work?) If you had a time machine what would you have done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?
Well, after I use my time machine to become an original member of the AC/DC, tour with them and kill Hitler I would go back to my senior presentation. I would tell myself to rearrange my slides so my activity came before my best answer and remind myself to refer back to my EQ every once in a while incorporate it into my information.

5. How has this senior project been to you in your future endeavors? Be specific and use examples.
Are we still using the time machine here? Because I obviously haven't seen my future. However, if I were to make an educated guess about my future the largest impact my senior project would have is the connection building that came along with it. I have made connections with Mr. Kam (my mentor) that may prove to be of use in the future if I need someone to help me with my film or to get it edited professionally. I've also made a connection with Luis Aldana whom I'm going to ask if I can intern with him this summer in his production company. The research involved with senior project I feel has also given me an edge over other filmmakers. I feel like I know more than some independent filmmakers themselves do. The research as given me insight as to how to make a successful film from start to finish and how to find an audience to watch it. I hope to put my knowledge to use in the future not necessary pursuing filmmaking as a full-time career but hopefully in my career in marketing and advertising with film on the side.

Blog 22: Mentorship

Literal: My mentors name is Tom Kam. He runs a independent Film editing business that he started from home in Fontana called Cinemagix. His cell phone number is (951) 265-2463. His email is tom@cinemagix.com.

Interpretive: The most interesting thing that I've gained from observing Mr. Kam work would be his level of comfort with effects. When we were filming his Doritos commercial Mr. Kam could already visualize what he could do in post-production and editing to get the look and effects that he wanted. I personally like doing as much as I can in front of the camera so seeing him work like that really opened up my eyes to a different style of directing. The experience really helped me understand the capabilities with effects under a low budget and how a director can look forward into a production through post-production.

Applied: Working with Mr. Kam has helped me understand what an independent filmmaker can truly be capable of even with limited resources. Mr. Kam often works on small productions but because of his savvy with a camera and organization in a production he can really make a film look professional under the constraint of almost no budget. He's shown mw just how important it is organize a production in pre-production with a script, a show break down and talking to the crew to keep them on the same page.

Blog 21: Exit Interview

1. My essential question is "How can a director best maximize the potential for a low budget independent film?" My best answer to the EQ is "A director must find a balance between good acting and quality production value."

2. I arrived at this answer after I was watching multiple films on Netflix and watching the films that my mentor was brought to edit. I often found that in the subpar independent films directors would focus more on either working with their actors or creating production value. The indie films that really stood out for the better, however, really found a balance between the two. Through   my research I found that well known directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Gareth Edwards made an emphasis on these points so I realized I was onto something.

3. A problem I found it was difficult to find regular articles that talked about balancing acting and production value. What I did find were multiple interviews with directors who talked about the balance and articles that mentioned separating time to work with actors and creating production value individually.

4. One of the sources that I found helped answer my essential question was an interview with director Gareth Edwards that was done by the BBC after the release of his independent film entitled 'Monsters'. Another source that I felt was really helpful was the book "Rebel Without a Crew" written Robert Rodriguez. The book is a journal of when he was directing his first feature film 'El Mariachi'. The book contains useful advice and tips that he learned from making his film from start to finish.