Editing, editing, editing….
When a creative project is on the horizon, it’s easy to get excited. But sometimes, when the projects are few and far between, it can feel like you’re just treading water, waiting for the next thing to come along. I know that feeling all too well. I remember a time when I was just itching to edit something, anything. I’d even go back through my old footage just to find something to work on, to keep my skills sharp. But the most important thing I’ve learned is that with every project, whether it’s paid or not, you should always try to learn something new and improve your skills. Getting faster and more efficient is a good goal to have, but so is finding the process that works best for you. For example, I’ve found that editing a narrative film is completely different from cutting an event or B-roll footage. I learned this the hard way, switching back and forth between an event I filmed and a narrative short. My initial thought was to just throw everything on the timeline and cut all at once. That worked great for the event, but when I went back to the narrative project, it just didn’t click. It was so much easier to keep the footage in the bin, pick the take I wanted, and then sync the audio. It keeps my timeline clean and simple. My ADHD is bad enough, and a cluttered timeline is just asking for trouble. This change has made a huge difference in my workflow and speed. I’ve also finally gotten my XP mini editing tool down to muscle memory, which has made scrubbing through footage so much quicker.
Taking on a New Challenge
I’m now starting my first short documentary, and honestly, it’s a little daunting. There’s a ton to plan, and a lot of that planning revolves around other people’s schedules. But it’s also incredibly exciting, and I’m definitely ready for the challenge. For inspiration, I recently watched some Canadian documentaries. One that really stuck with me was Keepers of the Land, by director Douglas Neasloss and director/cinematographer Deirdre Leowinata. The cinematography and the story completely blew me away. I decided to reach out to Deirdre Leowinata for some advice, not really expecting a reply. To my surprise, she got back to me pretty quickly with some amazing tips. I’m hoping to connect with her again soon to get a few more details about their process for making Keepers of the Land.
Back Home on a Film Set
This past Monday, I was on the set of a film, The Bryce Lee Story, directed by Arnold Lim. It was a blast! I got to work as a background actor for the first time. I was hoping to be a production assistant, but unfortunately, they were full up. But I was still so happy to be there for the day. While everyone was a bit drowsy waiting for their turn in front of the camera, I was busy absorbing everything from the brilliant director, Arnold Lim, and Assistant Director Mathew Blecha. I met some amazing people, and it was a powerful reminder that this is where I’m supposed to be. My passion for filmmaking hasn’t wavered in 20 years. I know for sure that moving back to Victoria was the right choice. It’s good to be home, and it’s even better to be surrounded by creative people making creative things.