Film Connection's Student Success Stories, Page 8

“I have noticed a difference lately in my confidence in completing tasks for my mentor. Up until recently, whenever my mentor asked me to do something involving any sort of video software, I felt like someone who had just jumped in the ocean without a life jacket and was trying to teach themselves to swim. This week, I started keeping my head above water. While I still have to look through my old notes on how to batch rename a collection of go pro images, I was able to do it on my own this week!”

“The second half of the day today, I was able to sit and observe my mentor working with two other MIHP employees to put together a pitch for a possible television show. I got a chance to watch how quickly a piece can be put together and how much frankenbiting and manipulating footage can change the context of what was actually going on in the footage. Watching this process makes me realize how much I have to learn.”

“So here we are at the end of the week and the last night in LA. It has been great! Very eye opening and I’m sad to leave. I want to thank you and everyone at the Film Connection for this AMAZING opportunity. I will be in touch with you as my script/story further develops. Since taking this trip I really feel like I belong in the art department. Like its where I’m supposed to go. And with this trip its becoming more realistic the possibility of me actually achieving becoming a production designer or art director. Thank you again!”

“My screenwriting mentor totally saved the day. He gave me one idea that totally captured my imagination. I’ve been working on the idea and plotting it out before I put it in my script. I have pretty much written the idea all down on my legal pad. I want to have it charted out first before I actually start “writing” it. I’m really grateful for my mentor! He really came through for me.”

“What a week! I finished my horror film teaser finally and uploaded it for the world to see. The teaser, in my humble opinion, is pretty bad ass. I think I’ve watched it like fifty times now. The only problem is that my teaser puts my script to shame and now I have to think of ways to make my script match the teaser!”

“I was with the indie crew from 5:30pm – 8:30 pm and was able to meet Reggie Hayes yesterday while on the set. I was nervous at first but that went away really fast when I learned all kinds of cool stuff from the editor. Going back today and I can’t wait!”

“Great experience! I really enjoyed my first day at the studio. The mentor was sharp and really hands on,. He made us all feel comfortable. My fellow apprentices were cool and all down to earth and friendly. I can’t wait for the next class session!”

“I finished my first unofficial editing project this weekend! I put together a short video of my Godson’s first birthday party. I created something similar for my nieces a few years ago and the difference in the speed of my work on the two projects is substantial. I have been trying out the different settings over the weekend so I can figure out what works the best for me. I am looking forward to starting week three.”

“I have to admit I was very nervous and excited to be in a production studio and learn from one of the best film directors in the industry. My first lesson was on the camera, which was very interesting and a little complicated. My mentor really broke it down to me little by little. I was able to work with the camera myself using both the techniques from the book and a few of my mentor’s techniques. I can honestly say I left our session understanding how to not only turn my camera on, but actually shoot footage!”

“This week my mentor asked me to go through some of the footage from a show MIHP produces and put together some footage to send to a news station that is doing a piece on the show. While the clips that I cut together are just going to be looked through and then taken from, this still felt like my first official assignment. I was pretty nervous about selecting the best clips from the footage and making sure to use the shortcut keys I have learned so far. I think this was a perfect first step for me to work on!”

“I’ve also been trained on budgeting a project! Woot woot! I have been looking forward to this for some time and plan to get more out of the budgeting and scheduling of the business too.”

“Today I met with my script writing mentor in addition to Eli from the film connection whom I’ve been working with. My screenwriting mentor was not only passionate and knowledgeable about movies but a wealth of knowledge (in general). I learned a lot just from a phone session with him. The business of screenwriting is not for the faint of heart believe me. I’m here and I’ve made the pledge to continue on.”

“One thing that I find crazy or weird is that I just recently made major changes in my life and whatever I was feeling on those days somehow corresponded to what I was reading in The Writer’s Journey. I am making the hero’s journey in real life.”

“I am in the part of the Writers Journey where it talks about Star Wars and it’s amazing. Not that I didn’t already love the series, but all the little sub text that is going on is crazy. As I wrap up the book I am getting excited to start my own screenplay!”

“One thing that really excited me recently was my showing a screenplay of mine to a person who has been successful in the script writing business. It was really exciting for me to be able to show a script of mine to some person already involved in Hollywood, and who also has some connections to people in this biz.”