PLAy.
PLAY.
PLAY.
Everything worth building was created through play. If there was no child making puzzles when they were a child, no one would be able to put bones together to know what a dinosaur looked like. If we didn’t play with Legos growing up, there would be no architects. If we didn’t role play as children, there would be no dancers or actors. You get it. It’s the same with directing moving pictures: you have the tools and resources, and you put the pieces together to create a compelling picture.
Flip it around.
The first method we use in this area is to play. Play is a fundamental method of work and the basis of all creative work. And one of the first ways that a child plays is by holding their bowl and throwing it so it turns upside down. This is exactly where I begin with my work: turn it upside down and see where it takes me.
Exploring the Creative Process in Filmmaking
The filmmaking process resembles building with LEGO bricks, involving collaboration, iteration, and a design thinking approach. It incorporates experimenting with various elements to construct a visually captivating and emotionally resonant narrative. As filmmakers, we must trust our instincts and embrace the journey while making confident creative choices.
Go, Steady, Ready.
In dealing with everyone on and off set, I like cutting the crap. Let’s get to the beef of what we’re working on. We start by starting. Then we iterate, reiterate, then stabilize until things just “feel” right. In my work with you, I will always ask you how you feel about what we’ve reached so far. Intuition is super super important. I will do to the work (and lots of studying), but our collective intuition must come into play.
After that, we will be what we call “ready”. No one is ever truly ready, but we reach a point when we feel it’s time to jump in the cold sea. We’ll do it together, don’t worry. I always want to lead sets that make magic happen. This comes by bringing all minds together towards a common goal - removing all egos and serving our film.
No right, or wrong.
Staying the same is risky. Doing something new is risky, too. Which risks are worth taking for us and our film? I will guide my crew through and will take lots of calculated risks. The best ideas were always risky, but too much risk would be reckless.
There are no “should” and “shouldn’ts”. It’s all about combining the right tools, people, and all elements together to create something that feels balanced to the viewer’s eyes. Being realistic to the world we are creating and true to it is paramount.
no space for ego
In my world, the film set is no place for ego. We are all coming together to serve the project we are working on. No department and no person should stand out among the team over others.
We are like a bee hive; working hard together and serving the common goal. My job as the director is always one of the crew: to hold all strings and bring all things together towards achieving my vision, which is the common goal.