Practice Safe Sets (Indie films)

clean your gear

Sorry to anyone who has been waiting on this blog. I know there’s just a whole lot of you out there who stay up late nights hoping I post. Have no fear, I’m right here.

Anyways, I’ve been on set shooting a great project with really great people this last week and a half. Everyone’s been so great, lots of creatives and just genuine people. It brought to mind a lot of thoughts on indie film, and what I used to perceive it as, compared to what I think of it now. I used to think, like most people, that film was mainly focused on big productions with stars and big money, and flashing lights. Upon entering film school I quickly shifted that perspective in a good way. I was able to see more of the hard work, skilled crew work, and artistry that gets put into it. It had also changed my mindset on what kind of films I want to work on.

I don’t think I’d turn down any studio projects because it would be fun to see the stage and experience that. I think obviously there needs to be some money put into it to help with the ease of production, because nothing’s free. With that said though I would love to have mid to lower budgets (enough to happily compensate a crew and talent) and work with great people that I get to interact with more closely.

I think my experience on this film will keep me pursuing more collaboration on set in positive ways. It’s been great to get this experience and I’m loving the days working here thinking that some people would love to be here but are stuck in an office elsewhere. I’m very appreciative of this and would push for people interested in film to really find people you like working with that you can gel with and try to make future projects with these great people in mind.

Also a call to the non film-making community. If you haven’t tried to get out of the studio system audience, try and pick up a couple indie films and see what more creatives are doing besides just the ones funded and controlled by studios. Hard work, real hard work and thought goes into these films and it’s a contribution to the story people can tell as creatives and it’s worth checking out.

Sorry also that most of my other projects have been on hold. Wood burning’s will not be in Artemisia Floral and Design this month, as well as my photo book and solo projects are being put on pause for a second, I’ll keep you posted on future deadlines I’ll make for myself after this film. The only thing I’ll add is to look out for some more van-conversion inspired art in the mid-distant future.