Yesterday started out with a crash-course lecture in DCP (Digital Cinema Package) and it was all things i had never heard of before, like... coding and how to encrypt files and [digital] public keys and private keys, gamma, color space, etc etc etc. Basically 3 hours of me sitting and feeling like a complete moron, and being talked to about these things I didn't know existed, and these words I didn't understand. I felt so out of place that I started feeling like i really don't belong here, I am completely and totally unqualified for this job, and "What am I doing here, I should just get a plane home before I embarrass myself".
I proceeded from there feeling out of place and incapable, so i had to remind myself that we had to sit through the lecture for a reason, everyone else was learning too (though I was learning what they already knew)
After that it got easier, I did a bunch of work and got more comfortable/confident.
Then I was exhausted.
Then I got to see some old friends.
Then I got drunk and played Fluxx.
Then ZzZzzZzzzz...
To a new day.
-Kevin
Friday, March 1, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
True/False
This post is not about my documentary, it is about my trip to Missouri as a projectionist for the True/False Film Festival.
For once my flights were all on time, none of them had issues, the employees I encountered were all exceedingly nice, and one stewardess even gave me a whole can of orange juice instead of just the cup (probably because I complimented her watch). The projectionists I was meeting in STL had a delayed flight, and one even had a canceled flight, both of those things happened to me last year, so it looks like I dodged the bad luck by [.] that much. When they finally arrived, the car we rented was a dodge charger.. now I don't know much about cars, but this one was comfortable and seemed to drive well (I'm not allowed to drive) and the other guys were totally stoked.
We're staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Columbia Mo, and the only complaints I have are sustainability oriented. there are so many easy things they could do here to help A LOT. Examples being recycle bins, having stairs you don't have to go out of your way to use, when you turn the thermostat down in your room, your heater/air conditioner won't just stop throwing hot air at you, it'll pump out cold air, whereas it could just take a break and let the temperature fall then maintain it. Easy stuff like that would make a huge difference. Otherwise it's a very friendly and clean and comfortable establishment. (Can I get paid for that?)
Today we set up screens and projectors in a few venues and had a few meetings.. when you say it that way it sounds like I basically did nothing. I learned some stuff, so that's cool. The tech dinner was VERY fancy food, the kind that makes you feel guilty because the staff is more like 'help' and they are so attentive and the food is nicer than I could afford etc. But it was nice to meet everybody.
Tomorrow morning we have a three hour lesson on DCP (whatever that is) I think it's Digital cinema Package or something like that. the term has been flying around the whole time I've been here, so I'm excited to learn about it.
Time for bed. Night 2 in the Hampton!
-Kevin
Ps. I want to know if there's a hot-tub here, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in the hotel enough to use it anyway.
For once my flights were all on time, none of them had issues, the employees I encountered were all exceedingly nice, and one stewardess even gave me a whole can of orange juice instead of just the cup (probably because I complimented her watch). The projectionists I was meeting in STL had a delayed flight, and one even had a canceled flight, both of those things happened to me last year, so it looks like I dodged the bad luck by [.] that much. When they finally arrived, the car we rented was a dodge charger.. now I don't know much about cars, but this one was comfortable and seemed to drive well (I'm not allowed to drive) and the other guys were totally stoked.
We're staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Columbia Mo, and the only complaints I have are sustainability oriented. there are so many easy things they could do here to help A LOT. Examples being recycle bins, having stairs you don't have to go out of your way to use, when you turn the thermostat down in your room, your heater/air conditioner won't just stop throwing hot air at you, it'll pump out cold air, whereas it could just take a break and let the temperature fall then maintain it. Easy stuff like that would make a huge difference. Otherwise it's a very friendly and clean and comfortable establishment. (Can I get paid for that?)
Today we set up screens and projectors in a few venues and had a few meetings.. when you say it that way it sounds like I basically did nothing. I learned some stuff, so that's cool. The tech dinner was VERY fancy food, the kind that makes you feel guilty because the staff is more like 'help' and they are so attentive and the food is nicer than I could afford etc. But it was nice to meet everybody.
Tomorrow morning we have a three hour lesson on DCP (whatever that is) I think it's Digital cinema Package or something like that. the term has been flying around the whole time I've been here, so I'm excited to learn about it.
Time for bed. Night 2 in the Hampton!
-Kevin
Ps. I want to know if there's a hot-tub here, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in the hotel enough to use it anyway.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Motivational Thinking
As y'all know:
My proposed deadline is next fall/winter to be done editing and starting to take this documentary to some festivals (or at least submitting to some). Well that has always been an "if it gets done by then it gets done by then" deadline. I got some news last night that's changing my plans to really needing to get done by next fall (2013).The Twist:
I got a tentative offer late last night to be a PA for an indie film. It's supposed to begin production next fall (hopefully it'll at east get pushed back to next winter). While I'm really excited about this offer, and knowing the world after this doc to not be a complete void of self-employment, I'm a little nervous about agreeing to stray from my projected career path so early. Hopefully [if I take this job] my career won't be derailed, because from what I understand, being a PA is a physically and emotionally draining job with extreme hours and a lot of stress/frustration... so why do I want to do something like that? well I have no idea, but something in me is saying YES [while something smaller is saying NO].We will see in time.
-Kevin
Friday, February 8, 2013
Things to Think About
I met with my Senior Thesis adviser yesterday
(I haven't actually signed up for the credit yet) and he told me he doesn't think i should do this as a Senior thesis. He thinks I should either do it as another independent study or just do it as a personal project and ask for advice and help whenever I want it from whatever faculty I want. What am I supposed to do about that? How am I supposed to take that? I know some of the professors will tear me apart and they are not fans of traditional styles, and my doc. is very traditionally styled, but really, what am I supposed to do about this? Talked to my father about it and he thinks I should do the senior thesis anyway, because what's the point in only asking for criticism from people I think will agree with me (and i agree [haha]) but what's the point in putting myself through all the extra stress and emotional turmoil of bringing it in front of a disagreeable panel? It's like asking a surrealist painter for criticism on your charcoal still-life.I'm torn, I really am. Am I afraid of not being good enough for them? (In which case I need their advice more than ever) Or am I resigned to the idea that they can't help me?
I know I'm not an amazing filmmaker, there are a lot of things my education lacked, like how to get good audio. A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT of filmmaking. I was taught how to get interesting sounds, how to use a contact mike, how to use other mics, but dialogue was discouraged. Honestly, WHAT THE FUCK. I feel like I've wasted four years.
Frustrated, clearly.
In other news, I have started actually editing scenes together, and it's going alright... so far. we'll see when I step back and look at them from a detached standpoint.
Pardon my rant.
-Kevin
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