As always, I was shy and quiet (which others still see me as), and I was not a big fan of collaborative work for the first three weeks. When Robin mentioned that during the class exercise session, everyone in the class had to take on the various roles offered, including that of film director, I felt quite nervous and pressured, even though I wasn’t required to do anything at that moment. I just couldn’t imagine myself leading a group for a project. However, gradually, I learned people’s faces, names, and personalities, making it easier for me to communicate. Soon after that, I became more confident in myself.
It still took me a few more weeks to take on my first directorial role, and looking back, it wasn’t a successful one. I made many mistakes and let others in the group decide for themselves. Learning from this bitter experience, I understood the minimum requirements needed to steer the project effectively. For that reason, I am thankful for that mistake and the group work that gave me a chance to realize this.
In the last few weeks, I needed much more confidence to show my script to others in the class, allowing them to direct my scene and doing so myself. Thankfully, I had that confidence, as well as knowing the other people. During this last project, I felt much more comfortable presenting my work to others. I also became less afraid of making mistakes and more willing to learn from them and improve. It is undeniable that this growth wouldn’t have been possible without engaging in collaborative work during and outside the class.