Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Putting the WORK in Networking

Whew!

I’ve spent the past three days networking my butt off. Though, I really wish it were that easy to slim down the junk-in-my-trunk (as my aunt so lovingly refers to my rear).

But, anyways...


My panicked confidence is sending me on a journey I didn’t know I had in me.

Monday I spent most of the day talking with a former classmate from NYU, who passed on a crap-load of information - and I mean elephant crap. Based on her advice, I sent out some feelers for a DP. I’m also in the process of trying to locate an animator. Again, based on discussing my project with her, and the artistic and visual feel I’m aiming for, she gave a great suggestion of mixing in animation to some of the key visual scenes.

Tuesday I spent the day finishing up another draft of the script - trimming it down some two pages. I know it’s crucial that I get an animator on board during this pre-production phase so that I can storyboard and plan production and post-production as accurately as possible.

Tuesday night I went into the city to meet with an artist. I’m stuck out in the burbs, and times like this, I’m hatin’ it. This woman is amazing, and her work is so visual and strong. However, it is not the right fit for the project. I’m beginning to learn that there are never wasted moments in life. So, while we won’t be working on this project together, there is an interest, on both sides, to do a documentary in the future.

After having way-too-many glasses of wine and getting home late last night, I stumbled out of bed this morning and contacted yet another former NYU classmate. More great advice, as well as resources.

I also e-mailed a few people that I feel might be able to point me in the right direction. This is something I would never have done in the past. I came from the old school of thought, if you can’t do it yourself, then don’t do it. While this has worked for some things, it absolutely doesn’t apply to filmmaking. It’s completely collaborative, and until recently, I was totally unaware of just how many, many, many, many hands go into making even a small project.

Oh, and Annabel and Julie, thanks for the words of encouragement. I don’t think we realize how truly important and powerful encouragement can be - but I’m beginning to open my eyes to this.

Oh, well, back to netWORKing.

3 comments:

annabel said...

I am excited for you! I am also very impressed! You are doing what you set out to do and that is not easy.

Thanks for all of the information. I am paying attention and trying to learn what I can from your experiences. Perhaps a short will eventually pan out for me, too.

Tracy said...

Thanks, Annabel. I'm learning as I go - but, nonetheless, I'm learning.

In terms of your short, I'll be cheering in your corner. And, there's no time like the present. :-)

annabel said...

Thanks, Tracy! The timing isn't right for me to do a short, so I will just have to live vicariously through your stories! ;)