One of my best friends died nearly two weeks ago all of a sudden, he had been a great writer and somewhere down the line we pursued our dreams less. We both got let go from our work at a similar time for diffferent reasons but it was really hard on him. I feel like I need to do something and get back to creating writing and shooting.
Enjoyed listening to your thoughts, and BIG congrats on finishing the writing! The Synco Mic D2 sounds quite good to my ears for the price, also. I find that my creativity and drive ebbs and flows throughout the year, but I think my relatively more recent discovery is that there's a third axis that really impacts my creative progress, and it only goes one direction--control distraction or become unfocused. For me, at least, there's always this sort of quiet gravity that pulls me toward consuming more than I create, or learning for entertainment rather than to execute a new skill or technique on a specific project. That's an area where I have to do mental & lifestyle "clean up" periodically or I'll fall into a pattern--often without even realizing it--of doing things that don't produce any creative work. Ironically this is a problem I've successfully solved in various seasons of my life (college, early career, etc.) but as new layers get added on (the shake-up of the pandemic, becoming a parent, health issues, etc.) it resurfaces and I have to recalibrate or fall into a rut😅
Thanks for this, Spenser. 60 year old British person here. In my late twentires I wrote a screenplay that was made into a feature film, released on 350 or so screens in 1995 and absolutely bombed. But I got paid, right? But ever since then I've tried - and failed - to do another. What you say resonates with me and I think it may be one of the reasons why I've never been able to even finish another script. Yesterday I did the first day of shooting on my solo short film project, 'Someone Watching Over Me?' (and the fact that I've started shooting this is, in large part, due to the inspiration I've drawn from watching you and your exploits) and instead of agonising over an empty page I decided to embrace my lack of ability to fill those pages and literally wrote the dialogue for each scene a few seconds before shooting it - I wrote it down really only so I could remember what I'd said so I could repeat it shooting my extra coverage. I'm not the most perceptive of people, but I think part of what you're talking about is not letting process or expectations, or what's better for your impression on others getting in the way of creating stuff that satisfies your own artistic vision (although I really liked Flee - perhaps without entirely understanding it) and that's a tremendously positive thing for you to put out there for your audience, which I guess is mostly people like me - trying to express ourselves through this wonderful medium of moving pictures. So take it where you will - I'm certainly along for the ride! Back on topic, halfway through my shoot day (in which my best friend, who has never touched a cinema camera, got a perfect push-in/focus rack in 2 takes) the Comica wireless shotgun I had ordered arrived and like a dick, which I am, I did the second half using it and I've got to say I am very impressed with it. It's not a 416 for sure, but it sounds pretty good and it removes one more cable for me to trip over!
Glad to hear you didn’t overthink your short film! Sometimes just starting is all you need. I’m so happy I have inspired you and thank you for commenting. It’s these responses that make it all worth it.
Long time follower -checked back in, you’re in a better place it seems. The skills are there for you to capitalize upon. Or even go a totally different direction. Good luck 🍀
Coming from someone who's in a very similar position, its really nice to see someone talk more about this. I remember you made a video about the Panasonic S5 and the Ninja V, and it really inspired me to get more into filmmaking. Getting too focused on technical aspects can be a punch to creativity, and I did something similar. Its a really common saying, but "Failure is the best teacher" has really rung true with everything I've filmed. I'm excited to see what you make in the future!
Amazing videos, Spenser! You are helping me a lot! I’m always trying to find an answer to the question about our industry and work: do you work as a freelance DP or director with different film productions, or do you have your own?
That creative spark does come in waves! I've noticed over the years that certain music does influence me and does fire up the creative spark, like Movie soundtracks from Sicario, Heat, Bladerunner, inception, Tenet, 24, girl with the dragon tattoo ect. I've never written a feature script but have many synopsis and ideas jotted down, I loose interest very quickly. You are an inspiration Spencer, I realy enjoy your lighting recreation and your pocket 4k vs red vids🙏🏻. I worked full time in post production in soho London from 2002 to 2015 and around 2012 started buying Projection Anamorphics and vintage photography lenses... And that's a deep rabbit hole!!! I also bought a used Casio CTK-651 for £25 and for an 11 year old keyboard it sounds soooo cinematic the strings, violin, piano are great. To just loose yourself in long orchestral drone sounds for 2 hrs is quite refreshing, even if some people don't play piano just hold down a few keys and see what happens. Also older street photography (35mm film) is inspiring to me 🙏🏻 and everyone just keep experimenting and exploring, I do advise people to constantly go to film tech shows like nab (USA) and 'BSC expo' (UK) and the 'Media production show' (UK) it's a great ace to see new film and TV tech. Because I went to the BSC show I got an email about Cooke lenses having a small demo of some new lenses to go and play with in London Soho, I've never used Cooke lenses before so it's a first for me to play with these great lenses that are probably attached to some reds or Arri cameras... It's free too. And thank you for bringing that budget mic to our attention 🎥🕊️☕
One of my best friends died nearly two weeks ago all of a sudden, he had been a great writer and somewhere down the line we pursued our dreams less. We both got let go from our work at a similar time for diffferent reasons but it was really hard on him. I feel like I need to do something and get back to creating writing and shooting.
Enjoyed listening to your thoughts, and BIG congrats on finishing the writing! The Synco Mic D2 sounds quite good to my ears for the price, also.
I find that my creativity and drive ebbs and flows throughout the year, but I think my relatively more recent discovery is that there's a third axis that really impacts my creative progress, and it only goes one direction--control distraction or become unfocused.
For me, at least, there's always this sort of quiet gravity that pulls me toward consuming more than I create, or learning for entertainment rather than to execute a new skill or technique on a specific project. That's an area where I have to do mental & lifestyle "clean up" periodically or I'll fall into a pattern--often without even realizing it--of doing things that don't produce any creative work. Ironically this is a problem I've successfully solved in various seasons of my life (college, early career, etc.) but as new layers get added on (the shake-up of the pandemic, becoming a parent, health issues, etc.) it resurfaces and I have to recalibrate or fall into a rut😅
Thanks for this, Spenser. 60 year old British person here. In my late twentires I wrote a screenplay that was made into a feature film, released on 350 or so screens in 1995 and absolutely bombed. But I got paid, right? But ever since then I've tried - and failed - to do another. What you say resonates with me and I think it may be one of the reasons why I've never been able to even finish another script.
Yesterday I did the first day of shooting on my solo short film project, 'Someone Watching Over Me?' (and the fact that I've started shooting this is, in large part, due to the inspiration I've drawn from watching you and your exploits) and instead of agonising over an empty page I decided to embrace my lack of ability to fill those pages and literally wrote the dialogue for each scene a few seconds before shooting it - I wrote it down really only so I could remember what I'd said so I could repeat it shooting my extra coverage.
I'm not the most perceptive of people, but I think part of what you're talking about is not letting process or expectations, or what's better for your impression on others getting in the way of creating stuff that satisfies your own artistic vision (although I really liked Flee - perhaps without entirely understanding it) and that's a tremendously positive thing for you to put out there for your audience, which I guess is mostly people like me - trying to express ourselves through this wonderful medium of moving pictures. So take it where you will - I'm certainly along for the ride!
Back on topic, halfway through my shoot day (in which my best friend, who has never touched a cinema camera, got a perfect push-in/focus rack in 2 takes) the Comica wireless shotgun I had ordered arrived and like a dick, which I am, I did the second half using it and I've got to say I am very impressed with it. It's not a 416 for sure, but it sounds pretty good and it removes one more cable for me to trip over!
Glad to hear you didn’t overthink your short film! Sometimes just starting is all you need. I’m so happy I have inspired you and thank you for commenting. It’s these responses that make it all worth it.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm glad you are in a healthier, happier place! 😊
Thanks Shelia! and thank you for your contribution to Flea!
Long time follower -checked back in, you’re in a better place it seems. The skills are there for you to capitalize upon. Or even go a totally different direction. Good luck 🍀
Great message and congrats on writing your feature
thanks!
Coming from someone who's in a very similar position, its really nice to see someone talk more about this. I remember you made a video about the Panasonic S5 and the Ninja V, and it really inspired me to get more into filmmaking. Getting too focused on technical aspects can be a punch to creativity, and I did something similar. Its a really common saying, but "Failure is the best teacher" has really rung true with everything I've filmed. I'm excited to see what you make in the future!
Speaking of really cheap video mics with good quality (just FYI): TAKSTAR SGC-598
What lens did you use here? Really like this quality :)
Canon FD 24mm f1.4
Love this
Amazing videos, Spenser! You are helping me a lot! I’m always trying to find an answer to the question about our industry and work: do you work as a freelance DP or director with different film productions, or do you have your own?
All of the above
VERY cool video though.
Nails hahaha or hehehe
That creative spark does come in waves! I've noticed over the years that certain music does influence me and does fire up the creative spark, like Movie soundtracks from Sicario, Heat, Bladerunner, inception, Tenet, 24, girl with the dragon tattoo ect. I've never written a feature script but have many synopsis and ideas jotted down, I loose interest very quickly. You are an inspiration Spencer, I realy enjoy your lighting recreation and your pocket 4k vs red vids🙏🏻. I worked full time in post production in soho London from 2002 to 2015 and around 2012 started buying Projection Anamorphics and vintage photography lenses... And that's a deep rabbit hole!!! I also bought a used Casio CTK-651 for £25 and for an 11 year old keyboard it sounds soooo cinematic the strings, violin, piano are great. To just loose yourself in long orchestral drone sounds for 2 hrs is quite refreshing, even if some people don't play piano just hold down a few keys and see what happens. Also older street photography (35mm film) is inspiring to me 🙏🏻 and everyone just keep experimenting and exploring, I do advise people to constantly go to film tech shows like nab (USA) and 'BSC expo' (UK) and the 'Media production show' (UK) it's a great ace to see new film and TV tech. Because I went to the BSC show I got an email about Cooke lenses having a small demo of some new lenses to go and play with in London Soho, I've never used Cooke lenses before so it's a first for me to play with these great lenses that are probably attached to some reds or Arri cameras... It's free too. And thank you for bringing that budget mic to our attention 🎥🕊️☕
"You've taken your first step into a much larger world."
You are doing a great job man, love your work, keep it up, liked
I liked this a lot. I don't think I'd enjoy going pro
I liked this one ⚡️🪶
Absolutely relate to this.
Luv u