Image by Jason Rosencrantz
Where’s my f*#%ing Oscar?
Issue #41
Our DIY editor’s tragic journey to becoming a filmmaker
By Justina Blakeney
Published: August 1st, 2009 | 12:00am
As a full-time freelancer, I tackle all tasks, large and small, with a hawkish, “I’ll figure it out” kind of attitude. If I need a website, I learn Html. If I need postcards, I print ‘em. So when I discussed with EIC K. Tighe the idea of making my own short film for this issue, I wasn’t worried. I began to conceptualize the film with the same system that I use to make a dress, write an article, or decorate a new rental: 1) Think about content and concept; 2) Figure out how to make it pretty; and 3) Work on the logistics.
Conception
My idea was simple. The short film would be a “day-in-the-life-of” piece that highlights the high life of a full-time freelancer. I figured I could take my new camera with me to work one day and shoot all that goes on.
I’d film the morning classes I teach at the Children’s Art Institute, continue to my consulting job in the afternoons, and get footage from the many cafés I exploit for their free wireless and good coffee. Then I’d take all of the footage and put it together the next day — and be done with my movie. Easy, right?
Making it Pretty
The next step was to think about making the movie pretty. I thought about some of my favorite films and about devices that could be used to make a story visually compelling. Within a matter of minutes I had a running list of my top inspiring flicks: Amelie, Run Lola Run, and Science of Sleep — with a hint of Spike Lee flavor.
I wanted quirky cardboard props (ones that you might see in an Anthropologie display window), lots and lots of speed (no, not that kind of speed), magical realism, raw sensibility, and comedy. I wanted it to be funny.
Logistics
It was here that I realized that even a three-minute long “day-in-the-life-of” film was bound to take days, maybe weeks, to prepare, film, and finish — especially if I was planning on winning an Academy Award. And then there was the small detail of how I would find the time to write, star in, direct, produce, and edit a film about freelancing while I was freelancing.
So, after only a few short hours of thinking about the story line, the structure, my imminent trip to Cannes, and what the hell I was gonna wear to the Oscars, I decided that my little DIY production was more of a DIWH (Do It With Homies) production, so I got on the horn.
Making it Happen
My dude agreed to be behind the camera. He told me to make a shot list and send it his way. So that’s what I did. Before I knew it, we were shooting. We shot the wake-up scene with my cardboard alarm clock, the bathroom scene with my electric toothbrush, and a morning breakfast scene. That took until the sun set and there was no more light to shoot. We hadn’t even left the house. It was becoming clear that it could take me weeks to film just one day — let alone make an Oscar-worthy production.
As you read this it is fall, and theoretically my movie should be done by now. You can see how it all turns out on VenusZine.com. Check out my movie, nominate it for awards and send it to all of your friends, ‘cause it will be a miracle if this movie actually gets finished. Wish me luck!
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DIY Digital Checklist
My experience starring in, directing, and editing my own movie may have a tragic fate, but that doesn’t mean yours has to! Use these resources to help get your DIY production off the ground.
Pitch it
Every week, a director/band team is chosen by 99DollarMusicVideos.com and given 99 bucks to make a rad music video.
Score it
When you don’t have the budget to hire a sound designer, use SoundSnap.com’s library of over a 100,000 sound effects and loops.
Badass it
Backyard FX on IndyMogul.com offers easy tutorials on special effects — because explosions shouldn’t be lame.
Distro it
You don’t need to wait for the man to distribute your work, just introduce yourself to the uber-cool women behind Joanie4Jackie.com.
Work it
If you want to see more women behind the camera, show your support with the First Weekend Group and MoviesByWomen.com.
Make it
Win $2,500 for your original commercial — and get it shown on TV — with Current.com’s ongoing VCAM contest.
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