(sigh)
My shrink once told me that I have issues with people who aren’t as smart as I am. I thought she may have gotten into the Blueberry Yum Yum but now I know she is right. I do not suffer fools.
Four weeks ago my teacher told us that we were going to start shooting our first films soon. Nothing big just a short film, no longer than three minutes and it can’t have any dialogue. The only thing we are required to do is tell a good story. Have a beginning, a middle and an end. “Think simple story, but put some thought into it.” So of course after that class,FOUR weeks ago, I have been thinking about my film. But here’s the kickier…It’s not just me. I have to work with a team.
I used to be a team player. My last job kind of sucked that out of me. No, I take that back. My last job showed me that in teams there must be clearly defined roles and for the team to succeed you must know your role.
The week we got our assignment I sent out an email to my teammates saying, “Hey, let’s get organized so that when we come to set we can hit the ground running. If you are directing, send us the script and let us know our roles so we can prep…” The response was minimal and on the day of our first shoot our talent didn’t show up, the director was late and when the director did finally show up they were so flustered that they couldn’t communicate their story idea (which they wouldn’t have had to do had they just sent the script like I suggested). We shot our film and our teacher was underwhelmed. After class I told my team, “Next week, lets come to class with a clear vision. Let me know what you need, send me your idea and I will flush it out. This way we are not wasting a lot of time running around like maniacs.” Again, I got nothing which pissed me off because their incompetence will be reflected in MY grade.
I show up to class and again my director doesn’t have, doesn’t know how to communicate their vision. I am livid but what can I do? The song loop he needed? Could have had it if he had just told us what he intended. Wouldn’t have had to use crew members as actors had he told us he needed two females. And the teacher may not have yelled at us to lower our music because we were disturbing the lecture they were given had he scouted the location!
I am creative but I hate chaos. Two weeks in a row we ran around willie nillie and there was nothing I could do. I wasn’t directing. I had no control. This wasn’t a control freak thing. I wasn’t pissy because I wasn’t calling the shots. I was pissy because no one had control. In the past I would have jumped in and saved the day but it’s wasn’t my job to do so. It’s not my job to save the world, or in this case the film. And as much as I would have loved to have stepped in and filled in the gaps I am very proud of myself for fighting the urge.
Next week it’s my turn to direct. I have secured my talent, I have outline my story, I have edited 3/4 of my music and am waiting to hear if I have permission to shoot at my first choice for location. If not, I have a Plan B already in place and have emailed my cast and crew everything I think they need to know at this time. Now, even with all of that my film can be a bigger flop than Glitter and that’s ok! I’m a student, no one is expecting Hurt Locker. I will say this, my set will run as efficent as a German sports car! My crew may bitch and moan about my directing style but at least I will have one.
