Before I start, here is the link to my FCD blog posts page, I wrote quite a lot of posts (I went very much overboard...sorry) on all of the roles I did, so please check them out if it's not too much trouble!
The first blog post for the performance projects was for the film Fallout (dated OCT 27).
ROLES
1st (Specialism role): Old Friends, Editing.
2nd: Fallout, Producer.
3rd: Old Friends, Script Supervisor*
* Note, I reflect on my role of script supervisor in a different post so I won't discuss it here
OLD FRIENDS [ROLE 1, EDITOR]
Editing for Old Friends taught me a lot. As I have learned in the past, being on set, even when I'm on post-production, is really helpful - it was especially helpful in this case as I was collecting notes for the edit (via my third role).
But, to summarise, the main lessons I have learned from this are the following:
As an editor, you have to pick out the strengths/weaknesses of the footage you've been given - this doesn't mean I should completely go off task/storyboard, but it is also up to me to try and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the film and to be able to make creative decisions dependant on that, while also maintaining the director's creative vision.
Communication is good - I'm the type of editor who is constantly stressed out, but following the export incident I've realised that it's really important to communicate your concerns on the film to your group ASAP - it stops you from needlessly stressing and getting yourself upset, and, if possible/dependant on the situation, if it can be solved, it will be.
Don't be too harsh on yourself and also don't be afraid to make your own creative decisions If you're worried about not fulfilling the director's vision, that's okay, in an ideal world, you'll have enough time to test things out and to have different versions of the edit to show to the director, and who knows, maybe they'll like it - don't be afraid to put yourself out there!
And finally, please check AGAIN and AGAIN to make sure you've done the right export - In all honesty, the reason why this happened was that I had a doctor's appointment I had to rush off to on the day of doing the export (it was delayed to that day from the day before, and I had unfortunately received good feedback the morning of), and the reason why neither I nor the other crew members picked up on it was that the draft that was exported was the second to the final one - so the finalised draft/picture lock had very nit-picky adjustments, but those were enough that for me, as editor, made an impact.
I hope these posts aren't too brief, I've made some other in-depth posts on my role as editor on the page I linked at the top of this post! Overall, being the editor for Old Friends was a delight, and I look forward to working with members of this group again in the future. Well done to the entire group for making it out alive!
FALLOUT [ROLE 2, PRODUCER]
If I'm being honest, I've realised that I enjoy the role of producer more than I hoped for. It's fun being organised, but it can be super stressful, but I suppose where I need to improve in that will reduce that stress! Here are the things I learned being a producer for Fallout:
Get on it ASAP - It's not ideal joining a group late as such a crucial role, especially with it being heavy on the pre-production. If you join this position as soon as possible, you can get your group in order in the earlier stages, and that in itself reduces so much stress and worry!
Maintain communication with the AD, especially a couple of weeks before the dates of actual shooting - not sure what else to say on this one, it's just super helpful to have some help on the production documents and such! Also, if your AD wasn't on set for the test shoots, you may need to fill them in on certain things that they will be needing to consider before they make call sheets and schedules.
Maintain communication with ALL members of the group, check in, make sure everyone is okay and knows what they are doing and when they should be aiming to do it. Not only makes my life easier, but also everyone elses!
The sooner the casting call and location search is on, the better! It's all about time, the earlier this stuff is done the better, and keep in mind/plan future dates and such as soon as you possibly can, even if these dates are only penciled in. (Also, as someone who wants to specialise in editing but is also interested in producing, the sooner everything is out of the way/or at least organised at an earlier stage, the more time I am left to dedicate towards other modules/and preparation for the edit for the film(s) I will be editing for)
Like Old Friends, I absolutely had a blast working with my group for Fallout, and am excited to work with them again in the future. Film Craft Disciplines was a fun module, as stressful as it was, being able to watch the films in the crit today was very satisfying. That's a wrap, bye for now!
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