Found image. (cropped) Photographer unknown.
‘I Always Wanted To Be … ‘
Work continues behind the scenes as the deadline for completing the short film (‘I Always Wanted To Be …’ ) grows ever closer. I’ve left things in the capable hands of film maker Henrietta (Thomas) this past week while I’ve been in the throes of yet another studio move. Famous last words, but I think I might have finally settled, having gone full circle, back to the studio building I first started making work in, some 7/8 years ago. I’m really excited by this move – improved natural daylight, more physical space and finally, back in Deptford, within walking distance from home. What’s not to like …
While shifting boxes around, I’ve had time to reflect on last week’s meet up with Henrietta and how working alongside someone else can feel infinitely easier than working alone, especially given my tendency to overthink ideas and make things a lot more complicated than they need be. Decision making is so much easier when there’s someone else around to share your thoughts and ideas with – what’s better? – this (or this) version? And Henri’s filming knowledge and skills means that I have immediate, to-hand answers to my queries about what’s possible/whats not in terms of editing.
Together, we compiled a comprehensive list of what we’d like to be included in the final film, acutely aware that within the time constraints, not everything can necessarily be included. Until the next time we meet, Henri has taken on the task of compiling the various parts selected for the try out ‘final’ version. None of this is set in stone and there will be another round of amendments (and certainly, cuts) to be made, I’m sure.
Brilliantly, the budget allows for this time and flexibility – for experimenting and playing around with different versions. (Once again, thanks are owed to the support in the shape of a Professional Development Bursary from a-n The Artist Information Company for making any of this possible). We won’t be able to go on forever, of course – decisions will have to be made and we’ll need to crack on with the process of creating and crucially, completing a short film within the required deadline.
It’s getting exciting! I felt really encouraged by last Friday’s meet up – namely because, however vague it might be at this point, there are signs of some sort of structure developing. This feels important to me, for two main reasons – firstly, because there’s a deadline to meet and secondly, because I’d started to feel slightly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of footage. Just one editing session with Henri has dissipated a lot of the anxiety and made me feel more reassured that we will complete the task in hand.
I can’t wait to get into the studio to start making work again, but yet another ear infection means that with the studio move now over, I need to take it a bit easy and give a new course of antibiotics more of a chance to work. And lovely as the new space is, artists’ studios have never been renowned for their warmth. I want to stay warm! And of course, I want to give the creation of this short film my absolute best shot. There is limited time now in which to do that and I can foresee needing to devote most of my time and energy to creating a final film version – ideally, by mid-December, but certainly, by the end of the year. My energies need to be reserved.
So, here’s to staying well and working hard in the next few weeks ahead … I’m already looking forward very much to meeting up with Henri again in the very near future.
