As we've begun our wild journey into the artistic arguments, headaches, and insecurities in our work, which some people call filmmaking, we've learned a lot about the process along the way.
The biggest lesson being that no matter how much or how little we've planned, the image we had in our head when we first wrote a story will ALWAYS change once the camera rolls. There is only so much you can control, and being the perfectionists that we are, this can sometimes be bothersome. Sometimes you've got to let go of any preconceived ideas and allow the story to create itself. Besides, what comes out of letting go is often much better than the original storyline would have allowed it to be.
The process usually starts out a little something like this: We have an awesome idea, then we trade thoughts with one another. Then we start to question this once "great idea." Next we begin working out the kinks in the story to make a movie that we would want to see, because after all if you don't believe in your work, how can you make someone else believe in it? Then we begin writing. The idea starts to grow and grow, as does our excitement.
The next step is filming, where all these images you have in your head when you're writing tend to not work. Now we have to adapt and overcome the many challenges of filming, whether it is weather, schedules, a tight window in which to film, amongst other setbacks. Usually by this point we begin to look at what we filmed and think "God, this shit sucks!" After going through this process several times now, this is where we have to trust our gut instincts about that "cool idea" we wrote however many weeks or months ago.
FINALLY! Filming is complete and we are ready to edit. This is the exciting part because we finally see these shots come together to make scenes that actually portray what we originally intended. Then we begin to tweak, adjust, and fill in all the holes to make a final product. By this point we've seen the same shots 1,000 times, or more, and want nothing to do with it EVER AGAIN!
Then, however, we have to show it to an audience - after all we didn't become filmmakers just for our own personal satisfaction. We do want to show others our "labors of love" in hopes that they will approve. This is the most terrifying step because we have to take this film that we've seen over and over and are now beyond tired of and show it to an audience, when all we see is the missed cues, continuity errors, and every minute detail we wish we could have changed. That being said, this is also the most rewarding step because you see the audience empathize with the main character; whether it is feeling scared, happy, lost, or triumphant when the good guy finally gets the girl! There is no feeling like it! This is why we do what we do.
This has only made me gain even more respect and appreciation for the filmmakers I have looked up to for years. I can fully understand their work. Everything I see as perfection they see as flawed, but in the end they have made an imperfectly perfect work of art and I can only hope that we have that impact on even one audience member out there, because that feeling is the most satisfying piece of the puzzle.
-Ryan
