Production Week 1

Photography by Kayla Johns

Juggling is really difficult. I cannot explain to you how much work was done to get to production week one. I cannot tell you because it was so enormous that we would be here all day and I probably couldn't remember it all. I don't think I could have ever felt prepared walking onto the set the first day. I was so nervous. I wasn't at all nervous to direct. Directing feels natural to me because I am a leader, I know how to talk to people to get what I want from them, and I know how to level with people based on their emotions and outlook on a situation. The skills required to manage any group of people in any setting are essentially the same. Plus, I was a born leader and I like to be the boss.

I was nervous because there are so many things that can and will go wrong on a film set and if you are prepared, then you cannot predict them. That's right. IF YOU ARE PREPARED, you cannot predict them. If you've done a bad job in preproduction, then you can probably predict some bad things that may happen. Because I am so overloaded between working multiple jobs and going to school full time, getting ready to make this film has been a whirlwind and the first day of production felt like it just snuck right up on me!

It's a learning experience every time you walk onto set, whether you are the Director or working any role on set. I have been on a few sets during this program, and we are usually suffering from lack of time to plan, which leads to lack of planning, and complete disorganization. Generally speaking, it's usually a terrible time if everyone doesn't know exactly what their job is. On Day 1 of production, we had a lot of people we had never met and we didn't know everyone's skill set, so it took us some time to get everything nailed down, which wasted some time. We realized quickly that this couldn't be the case for Day 2, so we neutralized the situation and it went much smoother for Day 2. You should always expect that somebody will not show up. We had a couple of call-outs in the wee hours before set time, but we filled those roles quickly(including a vital acting scene).

We also compiled a list of a few items of gear that we wished we had ordered for the production for next weekend. I would say the biggest take away from this weekend is that we need to be more specific with everyone in communications. We had a great call sheet and we had all the permission we needed, but a few things still fell through the cracks. Luckily, we were able to secure everything and everyone we needed. I have one more takeaway: if you change the name of somebody in the script, let the actors know! I forgot to tell one of our actors that a character's name had changed and he had memorized his lines with her name as somebody else's. Luckily, he's a pro, so it was no big deal for him, but that made me feel slightly unorganized. Overall, we had two great set days.

I'd like to recognize the amazing crew and cast that we worked with over the weekend. The scenes for this part of the film relied heavily on extras showing up and they did! None of these people knew us, but they came out, with whatever their personal motivations were, from SMCC and just from the world and we couldn't have had a successful weekend without them. I know I'm the luckiest Director in Mayhem this year because my producer is Dominic Brescia, who is one of the most gifted students in the program and one hell of a guy. As Assistant Director on set, I'll never worry about anything, because I know Dom will always have my back. I am equally as lucky to have our Cinematographer, Joel Congleton. Joel's work is jaw dropping and he exudes so much passion for the medium; that truly inspires me.

Fellow students came on board to help. Maine Mayhem couldn't happen if it wasn't for the community of students in the Communications & New Media Dept. at SMCC. We had a few students who are new to the program come out and donate their time to long hours on set, for which we are so grateful.

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the faculty at SMCC in Hildreth. The CNMS department shares a building with the Science department and all of the faculty has been so helpful in this process of securing rooms in the building. You know, it's really bitter sweet thinking about the fact that I will be graduating in the spring and moving on from SMCC. I have had the best time in my life over the last two years at this school. Last fall I was dreading the thought of leaving SMCC because it has given me something to look forward to every week. I love learning.

I love being in the classroom and I feel like I am accomplishing a goal every day, which keeps me from thinking thoughts like: What is the point of life? Coming into this semester, I finally started to feel the toll on my body and my mental state after almost two years of non-stop full time working and being a full time student. It was the first time I said to myself, I am ready for this to be over. I am so tired. I am mentally squashed, and I think my next adventure is awaiting. And, so. It's bittersweet to think about graduation. See you all next week in Production Week 2!

Also...

Last week was crazy, so I didn't get to my casting blog, as promised. That is currently in a draft stage, and because I missed it last week, it will be a second blog for this week!