+DIRECTOR'S DESK

Director's advice for young filmmakers

     I’ve seen a great number of student films over my ten year tenure as an art and film teacher and there are a few consistent words of advice I can offer all of you. One thing that I often tell my students is not to get involved in films that they don’t care about. Be passionate about the film you are working on! Do it for yourself foremost and other people will want to see it. You really need to dive in and immerse yourself in the story you are telling, and the underlying story in the key factor in film. In Hollywood everyone is always focused on finding the “great script” and it’s really no different in high school. Try to focus on a story that you can relate to in some way. Your story is the one you know the most and are most prepared to tell. I often have students that are so focused on technical elements that they forget to have a plot that affects anyone. Don’t let post-production elements cloud your work. George Lucas is a good example because in his best films he has a good balance between technical filmmaking and the passion for a great story. He also made his life in high school into his breakthrough film American Graffiti. Being a great technical filmmaker is wonderful but being a great filmmaker means having a story that people are interested in and can learn something from.

      
      
      Tim Needles,
      Strictly Students Festival Director