studio visit

true to form: filmmaking that is true to form and content

Visiting the second year studio was, to say the least, an interesting experience. This studio looked promising for my endeavours to become a filmmaker, however I did notice some lack of enthusiasm from the second years during the workshop activity. From the little bits and pieces of information I gathered from listening in, the task was to experiment on a particular filmmaking aspect such as sound, cinematography, editing etc., and I would have to agree with the second years that it was quite a mundane task. Although feeling a little unfulfilled when leaving the class, I was brought back to Cal Newport’s ‘The Clarity of the Craftsman’ and how he discusses the little steps you have to take to get to that end goal. In my eyes, despite the studio activity’s simplicity, it was another flight of stairs that will take those second years closer to their final goal for this media course (whatever that may be). Instead of trying to fly yourself up to the final floor, it is quintessential to push yourself through each step otherwise it’s near damn impossible to get up there. So after thinking about my time at this studio, instead of whinging about how boring and simplistic this one task is, I think it’s quite an anxiety-relieving mindset to think about it as a small challenge before the ‘final boss’. Plus, you’re only gaining more knowledge and experience so it’s definitely a win-win situation.

On another note, when the second years pulled out the film cameras that was what really sparked my interest. Having only filmed content with a DSLR and shotgun microphone, the Sony film camera was alien technology to me that I was itching to get my hands on. Apparently this studio was the only studio that taught the functions and practice with a film camera, however I am still curious about what the other studios offer and wish I could’ve had the opportunity to attend the other studios.