the point2¢ents podcast - #06 - Our Summer with Inner-City Filmmakers
In the final semester of my senior year, for that summer (and until the end of the year), Cat and I joined a summer film program.
It was ran by a husband and wife, a tall German man who’s name I forget, and a small Jewish woman named Stephania. She was the one we dealt with 90% of the time.
The program brought together young adults from all over L.A. to get together to learn how to make our own projects. They covered everything from writing a screenplay, to raising the money, to post production and even where to submit your work. It was a learning experience for sure and something I appreciate doing.
There was a lot of politics involved between some of the staff and their click of particular students. Some favoritism was shown to certain individuals not necessarily adjusting to the overall environment. It was definitely a taste of how it was to be in the real world, but if I’m being honest with myself, ICF seemed much worse.
The overall style of the program was extremely hands on and kind of just being thrown into it. By no means was this a bad thing, frankly I prefer my education this way. It was either sink or swim.
Since there were established clicks and partnerships (hell, even friendships) it seemed as if everyone had a place to occupy, including me. While everyone seemed to be enjoying their new teams, I was on the fence about some of the members in my team. Mainly myself.
I had no real idea of what I could realistically shoot with the resources given to me at the time. It was a long struggle between ideas, first and second drafts, mentor conversations, etc.
Thinking back on it now, given the benefit of hindsight, I could have possibly done something more akin to my likes at the time. The final product by no means speaks to what I like in cinema, but it does reflect on the deep emotions I’ve always wanted to tell stories about. Granted, it’s a student film, but it was carefully thought out and in the end… IT IS WHAT IT IS.
-Fredy