Mastery Journal: Business of Film

“I would think, as an artist, it’s inescapable that you’ll be affected by the world around you.”

-Dave Filoni

            I came into Business of Film with multiple intentions. Firstly, my main goal was to begin my networking and exit process from school into the real world. I have achieved much in this regard with my updated resume and recrafting how I present myself to future employers. Beginning this class I was unsure of where to go to find jobs while also being in a situation where I felt my resume was to structured for an office job to be effective.

            By the end of this course I have discovered how to best market myself while also holding a better grasp of negotiating contracts. Further, I have become more aware of the minutiae of wading through contracts both on a large or small scale professionally.

            Meanwhile outside of the regular understanding of freelance work I have begun to pick up on the journey of exploring current day trends in movies. To understand the modern day trends is to hold a more secure financial grasp on the wild stallion that is the film industry. Understanding how to pitch a project not only to the right people but also at the right time as well as the right budget is key.

            Furthermore, my journey into the side of business is further sustained by holding a better understanding of laws pertaining to film including copyright. Being able to not just understand the black and white but also the pros and cons of settling or fighting in court is a huge benefit to future endeavors. Being able to understand how to argue about the creative rights of a project without seeming like a child I’m sure will prove vital in any case that may or may not come my way in the future.

            I came into this class with high hopes and am relieved to understand that they have been met. Now, my main goal is to fulfil the next year or two in promoting our thesis film before publishing it publicly. From there I intend to go forward in my path as a storyteller wherever it may lead. To pull another quote seems appropriate for the end of my reflections with Full Sail. Stan Lee’s “Excelsior!” comes to mind. He has mentioned when coming up with a catchphrase a lot of people were confused as to why he was using a word that simply meant sawdust. However, Stan had always wanted to find deeper meaning in things. He had found that the secondary definition was “to go above and beyond to greater glory.” I can think of no better explanation of my aspirations. To find things in the future to tell as stories that may confuse at first, only to bring greater emotional depth and maturity to the audience when given more than a. passing glance.