If you've read my bio, you can probably guess the topic of choice for me this semester.
It's balloons.
Actually, it's indie filmmaking. I was going to choose working at a movie theater, but that could devolve into a semester-long gripe session about payroll cuts and corporate wondering why revenue is down and not blame the mediocre movies being released, but rather management for not flagging people in off the road to spend a fortune for Ice Age 9: It's Icier.
I've been inhabiting the world of independent filmmaking for almost 20 years. I've written full-length for producers who suddenly lose my phone number. I've dealt with the intricacies of casting, the banality of the submission process and every form of production. I've had scripts optioned and then forgotten. I'm painting a bleak picture of the industry here, but it's not all bad.
You get the chance to work with passionate people who love the craft. You stay up all night talking about moments in movies that you truly love and want to mimic. You connect with other like-minded filmmakers on a level not many can understand. You get to tell your story!
Indie filmmaking is tough, but extremely rewarding when you succeed.
I'd like to share that in this class.
Hi Faison –
ReplyDeleteI start the semester with avatars – resume, pseudonym, bio, beat – to bring up two important issues. Issue number one is word choice, which is really about how much attention you pay to the audience. Issue number two is you. Do you know what your goals are for the program and can you put them into words yet?
When we last talked, I mentioned it was difficult to find your website. You have a common name, but if you kept it consistent using your middle initial in your page titles, and bio, and blog, and made your blog posts must-reads about writing or production, it would be easier to find you.
Simple word and style choices make a difference. Before the Web, it was important to keep the audience in mind when writing. Now it is essential. It’s a different kind of writing than storytelling, but just as necessary. If I can’t find you, I can’t find your stories. That’s getting the audience from point A to point B too.
You can’t divide writing or storytelling from editing, just like you can’t divide filmmaking from editing.
The word Faison tells me nothing. It’s a good pseudonym, but so is IndyFilmmaker, which gives the audience a little help. Except IndyFilmmaker is already taken by hundreds of indie filmmakers. I’d like to help you come up with something more unique, not just a pseudonym or brand, but a voice.
Maybe you already have that voice, but I don't see it translated for the audience. Who is the audience for your site by the way? Fans? Agents? I read frustration in your bio and on your contact page. You said your topic this semester is filmmaking only because running a theater is more frustrating. I don’t know if either subject should be your beat, if that’s how you feel about them.
I saw your posts on that independent film site. You could develop those posts this semester. By the midterm, I have everyone write something to submit for publication—an article or a story.
I want you to use the semester well. Don’t just fulfill assignments. Maybe you should work on a longform research article about filmmaking, more than just a how-to. Pick some print film publications, read them, and imitate their writing.
Maybe you should work on more of your stories.
Where do you want to go from here? Do you want to continue on as a writer? Do you want to use the Web better to connect with an audience and share your work? Do you want to teach film? What are your goals, in words?
Good work. And good work on Twitter. Thanks for posting.
My initial website was my production company and with the new site, I've been trying rebrand myself with my name. It makes sense that my name is not easily discoverable to go along with my content because the production company name was always first.
DeleteI want to be a writer. I am a writer. Nonfiction or fiction or both. I enjoy it, even though it's a struggle like most writers deal with. Most of my writing experience has been with screenwriting. I've always written short stories, but the nonfiction side has always been with indie filmmaking, primarily because it's what I've dealt with for the last 20 years.
With those pieces on indie film, my voice wavers. I'm trying to be helpful, but it reads from a lecturer's point of view. But with those same pieces, my audience is people in the business or people who want to be in the business.
And on the fiction side, I've never considered my audience. I only through of telling the story. Trying to connect and tell the story, whatever that story may be.
About my pseudonym, I didn't really think about naming myself something that represented me. But the name, Faison, was the name of the main character in the first story I ever wrote. He was the detective in the short I wrote for my girlfriend in High School. That's probably more telling about my goal than anything else. I suppose. Being a writer, not the detective. Although I do love a good mystery.
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DeleteHey Alex,
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to read your work! I am so into learning about Indie film making and the process that goes into it. I would have to say that yes working for a movie theater may not be the most glamorous job. I also enjoy the style that you write in. Seems to be very direct and to the point.
A suggestion that I would make- maybe when your at the end and you are talking about your the successes of all of your hard work. So, maybe include some at the end here too.
I know I am late in responding to this post- so I will try to comment on the others you have posted as well.
-Lynnmrose
Hey Lynnmrose,
DeleteI think you're right. I should include some of the successes towards the end of the piece. I tend to not promote myself as much as I should. Something I've battled for quite some time. I shall include those thoughts in the rewrite when I combine the two posts for our assignments. Thanks for reading!
Also, I'm not sure why it wouldn't let you sign in. Everything is open on the blog as far as settings and comments. Boo Blogger. Boo!!
Alex