Wednesday, April 9, 2008

One of my Favorite things

I am a film freak. i LOVE LOVE LOVE to make films. I still remember clearly the day I found out I was accepted into the film program at BYU. Thank goodness they let me in! I lived for my production classes. I really absolutely loved every minute of all the assignments because there is something about starting with nothing but some paper, a pen, computer, and a camera and making something wonderful out of it that people can enjoy over and over again. The whole process is so interesting to me.
When I was younger, I used to make music videos with my sister Julie and cousin Alaine. They would lipsync to Britney Spears, and we would do it all... hair and make-up (with the help of my sis Michelle who is awesome at doing hair), choreography, shots from different angles and multiple costumes. Some of the best home videos we have are of my little sis at five years old seductively taking her sweater off while singing "I must confess, that my loneliness...give me a sign, hit me baby, one more time" because I sat her on a desk, hair flipped out and lipstick on, and told her to "Act like Britney Spears". During one video shoot with Julie and Alaine, I made them do one shot over and over so many times because it had to be just perfect, that when they started it was sunny out, and by the time they get the shot right, it's was dark out. Poor girls, how mean I was, but I was so into it.
During school I lived for shoots. I would work on anyone's film - I even Production managed a horror film, fake blood and all, where we shot all night long in the dark with a "bad guy" on the lose. But my favorite student film was "Showtime", a film by Tom Morrill which was part of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Film-maker competition. Coke payed Tom (and the crew of his choice) $10,000 to make a film for them, with the chance to win money (I can't remember how much...$20,000 or something? maybe I am way off) plus his film would play at the beginning of movies in the theaters. You know the films I'm talking about right? Where the student comes on and Says... "I am so and so from such and such University and this is my film". Well, anyway, I was UPM and 1st Assistant Director on that film, and I really, really loved the experience. It was truly one of the highlights of my life, and definitely of my college years. It was on that set that Andy fell in love with me. You see, the job of the 1st Assistant Director is to make sure things keep going, to yell out "quiet on set" and "rolling", deal with the cast, pretty much keep everything running smoothly so that the Director can keep his mind focused on the artistic aspect of the film. Basically they yell a lot and boss people around even more. Andy really fell for that side of me. Funny thing is, I think I am ONLY like that on set. Sorry Andy.
Wedding Videos have become one of my favorite things to do. I love everything about romance and weddings, so filming them is perfect for me. When I first started doing weddings, my sister and her friends would come over and watch the cuts I had finished, and they would cry... I love capturing someones most happy day, and putting together a video for them that they will be able to watch over and over again to remember how special it all was. Here I am shooting beautiful Ashley's wedding in San Diego while hugely pregnant... and of course, Julie, my trusty side-kick who is always so helpful stood close in case I needed her to carry my tripod again because I was off with the camera trying to capture it all...


So at Young Womens tonight, we were planning our short film on Sariah that will play at girls camp. HELLO...how exciting! I get to help the girls make a film for girls camp. I was all into it, and my only fear is that I was too into it. I am going to have to remember that this film is for them, not me...and I should help all that I can, but make sure not to help too much. This is going to be exciting though...

1 comment:

Joneel said...

Melissa, we should get some of your home video's that you directed
and put them on you tube!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha