A word from a young filmmaker
January 17, 2010
http://www.openfilm.com/videos/important_things/
My name is Gall Friedman, and I am a filmmaker. Recently I completed a short film, “Important Things”.
I started out as a writer. This has been my goal since as far as I can remember, tracking all the way to first grade and probably earlier – to tell stories that are entertaining and uplifting and give the audience that moment of escape from life, as well as inspire them in their own lives. To create characters you can connect with as if they were your own friends and give you a journey you wouldn’t have otherwise travelled.
Eventually I decided that if I want a film to be true to the story I wrote, I need to direct it myself, and further, edit it as well.
Which brings me to the short film I just made, my thesis project at the NYC Digital Film Academy. It truly is my creation – every word, shot, and cut was my decision (although not without the advice of others). Sure, I’ve got a long way to go before I’m in league with theater-quality films, but I’ve got to start somewhere, and I’m quite proud of what I’ve created.
I think what’s key as an artist is to ignore the potential barriers of “I’m not good enough” and “I’ll never make it in the industry” and just do it, because the important thing is that you’re creating art which others can enjoy, whether it’s your friends and family, or the internet, or a live audience. Just keep at it and you will get good enough and even make it in your industry, and in this way, continue to uplift and entertain, and I believe this is something incredibly valuable in our society.
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Gall, what a great film! What inspired you to write this story? Do you remember the moment you had the idea, the basic concept?
Also, I have to say that I love the titles. I’ve always been a fan of titles. Usually they are just boring and sit on the screen, but yours are quite inventive.
comment by Friendlywriter — January 18, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
Thanks! I have to say with me the writing process doesn’t usually come from a specific moment, but more of a gradual process. It’ll be a sort of an inkling of a concept, and then it’ll sit there for a while until I remember it again and add to it and eventually gets expanded into an actual story. Sometimes I’ll be inspired by a mood of something, like with this film I think it was partly inspired by a music video by Death Cab for Cutie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbqtuFemMOE).
Also, I remember I had the basic idea but couldn’t really put my finger on how to make it into a story and explain the goings-on, so I added to it, making it more detailed and complex, and decided I didn’t really like this version and ended up going back to the original idea and keeping it vague and simple, which I liked much better than the detailed, complex and more explained and “sensical” version. So I would say sometimes it’s ok to go back several steps in the writing process
Regarding the titles, I think it’s really important to make the opening titles interesting and pop out. How else are you supposed to make the audience keep watching?? In my opinion they should set the mood and give you an idea of what you’re about to watch. Some of my favorite openers are Spider-Man, Sin City and Se7en.
comment by Gall Friedman — January 18, 2010 @ 8:07 pm
Gall, I love your film and especially its clear and important message.
I am wondering what was your most challenging experience in the making of “Important Things”. Was it the writing of the script, directing, filming, editing, or any other part?
comment by Ofra — January 18, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
Also what was your favorite in the filmmking?
comment by Ofra — January 19, 2010 @ 12:02 am
I would say the hardest part was the pre-production – I came up against all kinds of problems like my main actor canceling the morning of the first shoot, forcing me to delay the shoot and find a new main actor, and having 100% rain forecast on the day of my outside shoot.
My favorite parts would be the shooting days, it was extremely exciting to see it all come together in front of my eyes; and the editing, taking the hours of footage and turning it into a watchable product.
comment by Gall Friedman — January 19, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
Thanks for sharing.
comment by Jim Sutton — January 20, 2010 @ 10:48 am
Kudos to you! I think you are right. Some things are more important. I couldn’t agree more
comment by Don Rath — January 29, 2010 @ 12:34 am
“I think what’s key as an artist is to ignore the potential barriers of “I’m not good enough” and “I’ll never make it in the industry” and just do it, because the important thing is that you’re creating art which others can enjoy, whether it’s your friends and family, or the internet, or a live audience.”
I think this is true in all pursuits… but even more in the Arts. Thank you for a great blog and story.
comment by Mike Bayes — February 5, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
Thanks guys! I appreciate the comments!
comment by Gall Friedman — February 5, 2010 @ 8:22 pm