I was looking up articles on depression in the film industry. In my findings I couldn’t come across a single page with any information on how to balance our thoughts. We are humans first and for most, film is not the only thing we have to manage and we often overlook our health. It’s therapeutic getting on set and working with friends, but you have to be able to manage time efficiently, client expectations, and have to stay cool even though sometimes it’s hard to control our inner thoughts. Take time away to travel, hang out with genuine friends who uplift you, and make sure you exercise your body so you can exercise your mind. Even a run in the park can make a worlds difference on your mood. Simple steps will elevate your mood which will elevate the people around you. Especially during these times it is necessary to show each other love. Be genuine and take care of yourself. Get this grind now rest later mentality out of your head! We have the whole day to make moves and there’s no excuse to not be able to rest or your doing to much. Relax your mind and prioritize what’s important in your life. Sometimes saying no is the best thing you can do. Also I recommend therapy at least one session, there’s nothing wrong with getting mental health help, which our brain is the biggest thing we should exercise. We shouldn’t allow our past thoughts to interfere with the present or you won’t be able to focus on the task at hand! Also therapy will give you an unbiased opinion and there’s nothing wrong with that! Last thing I want to touch on is eating healthy. Proper nutrition feeds your brain function, gives you energy, and keeps your body fit to handle any job at hand. Hope this article can help make a difference. It’s the small steps we often forget about, but even if you slip stay consistent and keep your course!
Making Decisions And Utilizing Your Time on Set!
When someone hires you on a job they trust you with having the knowledge to execute their needs in production. Prior to the shoot it is absolutely mandatory to prep! We all have the luxury to prep and even if it’s not paid you want to make sure there are no technical issues that hold up production. I went to an Abel Cine event in Burbank and someone asked the panel “What if you don’t have the luxury to prep?” the panelist looked at him so confused. We must show our work ethic in each project and give our all into the project no matter what the budget may be. I will always request a prep day to make sure I come ready for every shoot. Once you are on set, time is of the essence. You want to have a low stress environment to stay creative to get the desired result. Often there will be many cooks in the kitchen. Take suggestions, but don’t steer off from the vision. When I was first starting out, I listened to all suggestions and contradicted my own vision. You have to have the ability to make fast decisions to get the coverage you planned for and also to maintain quality without sacrificing it for time. Simple is often better, there are set ups that require major light and you have to plan for that, but the best DP’s and Directors where the ones who can make a decision and problem solve without losing their cool. Keep your cool, take suggestions with a desired result, and make sure to take care of your client’s needs!
Write it Down!
All of us has goals we’re trying to attain, write it down! No matter what is going on in life writing down your goals embeds a mindset that you will sustain. I am no where near where I want to be, but writing realistic goals for each year can help put things in perspective. It’s ok to not have everything figured out. To be honest my idols I’ve meet don’t even have their own lives together. Dream big and figure out how to attain what you’re searching for. Keep a positive attitude and create a foundation that will help get to where you need to be. Nothing is unattainable and with hard work and a positive mindset, that will out way skill or talent any day. Write it down and it make it happen.
Finding your voice?
I first started getting into shooting music videos in 2012. My friend Joe picked up a Canon T2i and I thought it was the coolest thing seeing his work flow and editing process. Instantly hooked,I started shooting music videos and over time started to establish an aesthetic for myself. Fast forward a couple years later, I decided to move to California. I packed up my belongings with no plan in mind except to move in with my brother Will at his spot with the intent to make it as a full time freelancer. I emailed and messaged a ton of people , went on craigslist anything I can do to get my foot in the door. Got hit with all these obstacles and challenges my perspective on freelancing shifted. I’ve meet plenty of people through the process, but I asked myself, What is your voice? I was working all these gigs now, but yet I wasn’t satisfied. Your voice cannot be compromised. It is not taught in school the only way to find it is by working hard and be confident in what story you want to tell. I often stressed that question, but I know my voice will always change as I grow and it’s ok to not be content, everything will come with time, just enjoy the journey.