I struggled with my choice of studio this semester, I wasn’t sure whether to do the writing studio with Stayci or the film based studio True to Form with Paul. Writing is something that I know I have the ability to do quite well, but it takes a lot of work for me to sit down and write something; to concentrate. Perhaps, I am a typical millennial in that way, nevertheless, I chose the filmmaking studio because it was the reason I chose this degree, to gain practical filmmaking skills.

I think quite a few people had preconceived notions on what we would be doing in this studio, myself included. Coming out of Good Form, where students were placed into groups with creative writing students to produce a comedy web series, to be faced with learning how to set up a tripod and white balance, things I learnt in a yearlong TAFE course in 2015, was a little disappointing. But like most things, I live by the philosophy to expect the unexpected. I may know a lot of the technical practices taught in the studio but that does not necessarily mean I know the conceptual or creative ones, and even if I do at least I will be able to excel at the tasks given and not blunder over technicalities.

My aim from this course is to keep an open mind, to observe the way that Paul’s view on filmmaking practice differs from past teachers and even my own; and finally to take this knowledge and allow it to shape my own practice and aspirations for the future.

I’m also contemplating at the moment what I should create/explore for the end of semester, and I’m trying to brainstorm some things that I’ve always struggled with, perhaps something lighting or sound related. They always seem to be my filmmaking demons.