Easy Like Sunday Morning

This picture is Daley Plaza on a cold sunday morning. I find it amazing that a city so busy with life on a weekday can look like this on a Sunday. Granted, it was rather early in the morning but nonetheless, downtown was empty and cold for much of the morning.

Sunday was the day I officially started working as Director of Photography on another short film. This film was much different than my own, since it was indoors and in only one location. This made filming a lot easier.

Don't get me wrong, it was still a lot of hard work, but it was very refreshing not having to rush from one location to another, only to be halted by authorities who don't want you to film there. I have two more films to work on, both of which I am producing. Although I am excited by all of these films, I am eager to sit down and edit my own film.

On a side note, I loved being the cinematographer. I feel like it is where I belong.

DM

The Midnight Circus

In 6 weeks I will be shooting my first film. This is a short film, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier. A first draft has been written, but there will be some revisions this weekend. Then I must pitch to fellow students and assemble a team to work with during shooting and post production. There is much to do.

For those of you living in Chicago, may I suggest a trip to Daley Plaza this weekend. "Midnight Circus" will be performing over the next few weeks leading up to Halloween. I caught a glimpse of the acrobats and performers as I was leaving school, and it was quite an excellent show. You can see on the left that the show is performing at numorous times everyday, so perhaps you'll be able to catch a show...

Click over to http://www.midnightcircus.net/ for more information.

Not very good quality, but I did manage to capture a few videos with my phone. Enjoy.



Until next time,

DM

Blogger Beginnings

Hello to all. I suppose I should give you a little history of myself, since some of you may be new readers. My name is Dan, and I am looking at a future in filmmaking. I graduated from Illinois State University last year, and I loved every minute of it. It is, however, time to start a new chapter in life.

The particulars on my future career are still being worked out, but fortunately for the next two years I will be working with some of the industry's best at the new Flashpoint Academy. I have a little time until the unveiling of the new classroom center in Daley Plaza, so I'll be saving up some money and looking for an apartment in Chicago. Easier said than done.

Anyway, with this being the inaugural season for Flashpoint, there is a level of excitement that I (and I'm sure other students) feel. This is not just another school that I will attend for a degree, and it is not something that will involve sitting through boring math classes every morning. This is the real deal. Hands on. These people will immerse you in the film environment, as well as three other programs that they offer - digital media, recording arts, and video games. What's not to like?

Although the hardworking staff at Flashpoint will do quite a bit to help students into these four markets, it is ultimately up to us. If we don't have the passion and commitment to be a part of it, then we're in trouble. We must be prepared to take on the challenges that the school will present us with. Not to worry, since right now I feel like I could take on the world. Only 400 students are allowed during this first year, so it is much smaller than my last educational experience.

I'm sure it will turn out to be something big. Really big.

DM