Submitted by: Pickford Film Center, written by Elizabeth Prouty
You might have heard that the rules of physical distancing pose a threat to the entertainment industry. Not only are theaters closed, but there are headlines about Hollywood productions postponing their shooting schedules.
The current conditions aren’t good for big time filmmakers, but they do create an opportunity like none other for small independent creatives. In fact, quarantining at home may be the perfect formula for turning movie-goers into movie-makers.
Did you know that the Oscar-nominated writer-director of The Florida Project shot his first film using only an iPhone? There are entire festivals devoted to films made using nothing but a smartphone or a disposable 35mm point-and-shoot camera. The technology for anyone, including you, to make a film is there and waiting for you.
Many smartphones have a time-lapse effect built into their camera, which can make any at-home activity into a short film of its own. Setting up your phone to capture the view out of your window, the hidden ballet of cleaning the kitchen, or the nighttime mischief of your pets (and/or children) might surprise you.
With a bit of imagination, there could be a domestic drama or a funny music video hiding in your daily life, even if you are spending it all indoors. Now is a great time to take the time to explore and experiment with different technologies you have at hand.
Perhaps a smartphone is not available to you, or is simply too frustrating to use. If you don’t have a family member at home to cajole into being your AD, maybe now is a good time to start cooking up ideas for scripts.
Writing a script doesn’t take any fancy technology, and can be fun in its own right. Maybe you’ve recently seen a movie and didn’t like how it ended. Try writing an alternate ending for fun.
What sort of stories or characters would you like to see when quarantine is lifted? We can counter all the fearful and tragic news stories with some hopeful and encouraging ideas about how society might move forward.
Or you could look to the past for inspiration. Old photo albums probably hold a funny story or quirky person you haven’t thought about in a while. There’s nothing better than real life moments for inspiring a short script or an acted out recreation. Instead of listening to MP3s, there might be a neglected CD or record collection hiding the perfect song for the opening credits of a movie of your own.
We don’t have movie theaters to go to right now, but we don’t need to restrict ourselves to the movies on our TVs, either. Every great movie started as a small idea, an inside joke, an observation of daily life, or a dream.
Now is a great time to start thinking about what stories or situations or characters are already living inside us, and how we can share them with others. Hollywood’s schedule might be stalled, but the spirit of film-making doesn’t have to be.
Registration is now open, through July 11, for Pickford’s Youth Social Justice Film Challenge. Please register here.
Photos courtesy Magnolia Pictures
