An image of me acting in one of my short films.
I am a filmmaker in the sense that I have indeed made films. They are, however, short films and I am still studying the art. I am currently studying film and media studies at the University of Oklahoma as a senior. My goal as a film making student is to bridge the gap between theory and practice that is created by school systems.
Let me explain.
The University of Oklahoma has two different degrees that are "film making," Film and Media Studies and Creative Media Productions. The former is in the Arts and Sciences college while the latter is housed in Gaylord. FMS is a degree that at it's core teaches you about how to intelligently discuss film theory and how it applies to different steps in the process. this degree is however lacking a production element, in fact only a handful of students in my capstone course have ever attempted to make a serious short film at all. CMP is where all the production classes are. You can learn every aspect of technical production in that college. They however do not have even a rudimentary understanding of the theory behind framing, story writing, etc.
I have always been the kind of person who takes elements from one topic and applies them to another. This rift in film learning has allowed me the chance to apply this to my career.
You may notice that I haven't really touched on many other aspects of my life yet... That's really because they often seem overshadowed by my film making. It is my life and my passion. I am constantly thinking about what I will make next, what stories I will tell.
I have very supportive friends both inside and outside of film. My roommates all study engineering while me and my girlfriend both study film. They are from an entirely different world than us, but I am able to connect to them because I actually studied biochemistry for a few years here at OU before switching to film.
Film is my work and my dream and I hope one day to be able to make something others will enjoy.
Oooooh, Josh, that still from one of your films is very intriguing: I see a LIBRARY. Do you have a video you can share? One of my favorite things about blogging is how easy it is to include video in a blog post. If you have something like that to share, that would be fun to include in the class announcements too; you'll see that I have a video in there every day, and sharing a video made by someone in class would be even better!
ReplyDeleteAnd that same tension between studying stories and storytelling is what motivates me with this class: instead of analyzing stories (which people have done in literature classes in college and high school and even back in junior high), I thought it would be good for people to MAKE stories, carrying on the old storytelling traditions in new ways. And if you want to take that in a cinematic direction, writing short scripts, that would be so great... and there are some film-viewing options for this class also. For the Ramayana, there is an animated film by the amazing Nina Paley:
Sita Sings the Blues. She is a real hero of mine; if you are interested in copyleft and fair use, etc., she is a great person to know; here's her blog: Nina Paley ... she's working on a new film and sharing animation snippets as she goes; that new film, Seder Masochism, started as a Kickstarter a few years ago, and it is so cool how she shares her work in production. I will be curious what you think if you decide to watch her film for class.
Hey Josh!
ReplyDeleteFilm has always been an interesting subject to me. I think that it is a powerful tool for expression. I also was unaware of the gap between the film theory and practice, that does strike me as very odd since both of them seem so interconnected. I could understand if they were separate classes, but having them in different colleges is strange. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors and have a great senior year!
Hi Josh,
ReplyDeleteI took media classes, when I was in High school and we got to make short films. It was really cool and I enjoyed it. There is so many things that you have to learn with the camera such as angles and balances. I remember we had projects for certain topic every week. One cool thing about doing it in High School was that they also broadcasted your videos on the school TV channel. I wish you good luck for your future endeavors and hope to see your films in future (:
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ReplyDeleteHey Josh! That's a very awesome major considering one of my hobbies is watching films. I hope that you do bridge the gap between theory and practice and one day I hope to watch something that you helped to make. Also I couldn't help but laugh at the image from your short film because I've got to say I think that part of the library has got to be one of the creepiest places I've ever been in on campus
ReplyDeleteHey Josh! Your major is SO cool. I love that you are super passionate about what you do. My dad tells me every day that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I really hope you can bridge the gap between FMS and CMP, because it really does sound like a problem that needs to be fixed. I'm sure you're not the only one thats realized it, but you may be the only one that feels called to do something about it!
ReplyDeleteJosh,
ReplyDeleteI loved your introduction! Your image also caught my eye: that was taken in the "stacks." I am an OU Tour Guide, so I have lots of cool ghost stories about the library stacks and the glass floor. As for your filmmaking degree, that is AMAZING! I feel like you will go far due to your creative ability. At OU, there are so many opportunities to practice and get in the real world of film, so you are certainly miles beyond your peers as far as experience. I certainly wish you the very best, and I hope you have a great semester!
Hey Josh! Wow, I don't meet filmmakers often, so I always think it's cool when I do! I think it's super interesting to hear about what you do because there is so much that goes into filmmaking that is difficult to manage sometimes. It takes real dedication and patience with actors or scenery or whatever it may be. I also think it's super cute that you and your girlfriend both study film! Good luck with this semester and your films!
ReplyDeleteHey Josh!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed, you can just tell how passionate you are about film through your introduction! Not to mention how super cool having that as a major is. There are so many incredible opportunities in the industry, and I'm sure you will definitely be a part of many of them. Good luck to you this semester and in your future!
Hey Josh! I love that you are passionate about your major, you can tell you chose the right major. My first roommate at OU is a film major! I sometimes sat in her viewings and it was so fun getting to see what y'all learn. I also got to star in some of her film projects she had to do which was even more fun than the viewings. Good luck with your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi, Josh!
ReplyDeleteI think you are the first film major that I have met in my time at OU. It is amazing that I have not until now... It seems strange to me that they do not include the theory and the technical components of film into one major, but then I am no expert in film making of any kind.
But with that, I bet that means you have a great amount of creativity, and that probably shines through in your work! I look forward to reading your stories!
Hey Josh! I haven't come across a filmmaker here at OU just yet! I actually know a couple of guys I used to work with that are filmmakers and have both directed their own movies! I still have yet to see the final product, but I love film as well, just never thought to explore it in further depth. The entertainment industry is fascinating when it comes to film. I love that you're bridging the gap between theory and practice! I never knew that there was a gap that didn't allow filmmakers or people who love film to really practice or just not understand the theory. You would think they would connect it somehow. I would definitely love to see one of your films one day! Whether it's short story or a full length production; either way, they are both films and a work of art! I, too, have friends and family, even my fiancé, who are engineers and I'm usually the odd one out as a Psych major, but somehow I fit their dynamic. It's interesting how that works out! Well, it was great to meet you and can't wait to see your work! Good luck the rest of this semester!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, does that happen to be Dennis Smith in the background there?? I know a girl named Taylor who is also into film at OU and she did one with Dennis and his birds! I went to his house and met his owls! Is that the same film? Anyway, it is cool that you are so passionate about film. Film seems to be one of the things in life that you have to be passionate about, or you won't leave an impression on your audience. Looking forward to reading your stories!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely Dennis haha
DeleteHi Josh!
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading your introduction. Filmmaking is so cool. It's awesome that you recognized areas that two majors were lacking in and just combined them to ensure that your got the best education possible. I'm sure that your comprehensive knowledge with serve you really well in your future career! Best of luck on the filmmaking and I look forward to reading more of your posts!
-Elizabeth
Hi Josh! I liked that you used a picture of yourself in a film, how cool is that?! I've always loved movies and thought it would be interesting to act in one or learn how everything behind the scenes works. I also think it's cool that you combined both degrees to get exactly what you wanted out of your eduction. Good luck with film-making and the rest of the class!
ReplyDeleteHi Joshua!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you. I think it is so great that you are able to study something that you are so passionate about. While I love my major, I do not really find myself thinking constantly about it. It is so cool that you have already made some films. Maybe one day I will even see your name on the big screen!
Hi Joshua! I think it makes total sense that you want to bridge the gap between theory and practice. There are times when, as an English major, I feel like my classes can get bogged down by theory, but then we're constantly writing essays, so I suppose that's kind of our practice. Not quite as tangible as making a film, unless you're writing a book. Either way, even the snapshot from your film looks fantastic cinematically. I'd say you're headed in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteHey Joshua! I hope your seamster is going well. I think you major choice really awesome. You seem really knowledgable about he topic. Also, I think that your improvisation skills and eclectic attitude could make you a contribution to the field. I'll bet that you use a lot of your knowledge about the arts in this class. The course really allows one to bring in information from previous experiences, especially in the arts. So, you seem like you would really enjoy this course, as do I.
ReplyDeleteHello Joshua!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have read your introduction closer to the beginning of the semester ! I say this because I would have been more inclined to read your stories! I am sure your stories are pretty nice considering you are a filmmaker. I think this course will help you sharpen your skills as well! I admire you for finding and embracing your passion so much!
Joshua,
ReplyDeleteI have a close friend in Gaylord, so I know a little bit about the work that goes on in that department. But I know nothing about film and media studies. You seems like you think you have an interest in it- and know what your'e doing. So, good for you. Good luck working in that field. But more importantly, good luck with the rest of the semester.
Hi Joshua!
ReplyDeleteI really like the design and layout of your blog. I also thought it was really cool of you too add a personal photo to your introduction. I think it makes your blog more personal. I think its neat that you are a filmmaker and that you are pursing something that you really love to do! I hope you are having a great semester so far!
Hey Josh! It's nice to finally get to "meet" you so close to the end of the semester! I'm really excited about your major because I'm actually minoring in FMS! I'm in intro this semester and I feel as if it's really affected the way I watch movies. I would love to see some of your finished products and try to apply what I've learned to what you've created!
ReplyDeleteHi Josh. Thats super interesting that you are in filmmaking. I don't know much about film and media studies but it sounds like something you really like. I also like that you added a personal photo of you in a film, thats pretty cool. I like that you are so passionate about the art of film making. Hopefully I'll be watching some of your work on the big screen someday. Good luck!
ReplyDelete