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and how much I would learn would be and was priceless. So many things I didn’t think about or understand before about filmmaking came to light for me by working on
the short film and changed the way I see filmmaking
and what roles I could see myself playing in the grand scheme of the full production process. The knowledge I gained from working on Sofia has been a catalyst in my levels of creative push and output. It tested me. I shot, cut, audio mixed, and color corrected the project. Most importantly, it taught me about seeing what’s important in a story.
What’s the best advice you can give to up and comers in the same field of study?
Whatever camera you have, learn everything about it, and learn how to light and record audio properly. Be careful looking at gear all the time because it will trap you and make you think that your problems will be solved with a purchase. Don’t max your credit card for gear purchases and only by things that you know you need due to a true lack of access. Get other people’s opinions on your work and take the criticism, don’t lash back for something you asked for. Ask for help,
people are surprisingly more willing than you might think. If you’re not getting jobs, shoot stuff for free and offer help to other video professionals (this helped
me a lot) and learn from those free jobs. Once you’re more comfortable, start hitting the phones. Lastly, get obsessed, but healthily. I got obsessed and now have serious trouble sleeping because I’ve put my body into a regular state of being awake longer than it should, and although this industry requires quickness and adaptability, always remember to make your health a priority. I’m kinda paying for it right now.
Do you have any projects you’re currently working on?
I’m currently working on a documentary about elections and voting in Florida.
Lastly, if someone wanted to hire your company as a film crew, how can they reach out to you?
For anything you can reach me at my company’s website: https://www.birnbook.com/ or you can hit my email: douglassm@birnbook.com or our main director/ producer’s email: phoebes@birnbook.com
“The Magazine for the Emerging by the Emerging”
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