Select a Genre Page
Narrative Page
Experiments Page
Travel Page
Promos Page
Jan 17, 2010
New Portfolio Pages
Here's a quick look at the recent updates I've made to the portfolio pages on my site @ www.editingluke.com. In contrast to the previous designs, I wanted something that was a bit more stylized and layouts with stronger punches of colour. The 'Select a Genre' page was also streamlined to reduce the load time. I'm clearly biased, but I think things are getting better and better as I work out exactly how I want things to look and function.
Experiments Page
Travel Page
Promos Page
Experiments Page
Travel Page
Promos Page
Jan 15, 2010
Film School Lesson: Questions to Ask
For years I have asked the question, was film school worth it? I've weighed the financial burden, considered the value in teaching art, and broken down the technical advantages that such a pursuit provides. However, this is a loaded question to begin with and it's only made more difficult by the fact that I really don't know the answer. There are resounding pros and cons, both of which I feel I've experienced the extremes of.
What I have come away with in any case, are a handful of film school lessons. From tips, general advice, actual projects and assignment descriptions, film theory, critical thinking exercises, and ideas on what to expect both personally and in a real world (job) context, not to mention just the general experience of going from a clueless aspiring filmmaker to a less clueless independent filmmaker.
In moving forward, I'd like to inform, inspire, and fill in a few of the blanks for others trying to make the most of their film experience. I hardly have all the answers, but with film school in my past and an ambitious record of personal/creative growth over the last few years, there are a lot of things that I've picked up on and a lot of things that I think would help any other filmmaker interested in creative challenges. I've found myself inspired just by going through old notes and lessons again.
You have to ask yourself, what is it that you want to achieve with your filmmaking? Do you want to direct, edit, write? Narrow these options down, because even though you'll likely have a hand in a lot of these things, refining a specific skill can be more valuable than just general knowledge in numerous fields. Fight the urge to simply say director, when someone asks you what you want to do. In film school, director is practically a given (and it's really a dodge to the question because it's just another way of saying you want to do everything). Even if that's true, challenge yourself to be specific.
Ultimately you want to have a grasp on what a cinematographer, skilled camera person, or editor can bring to your project and how those skill sets can be relied upon to improve your vision (if you're directing). In the same way, learn how to take direction. Understand that your involvement and support in the role you play can be incredibly instrumental in the success of a project. Often when you're in a position that requires you to focus on specific details you're actually the one who can influence creative direction. Plus, it's just good advice knowing when to step back and step in - nothing worse than a set where everyone wants to play director.
It's never too late to revisit questions of purpose and motivation. Working in a creative field requires you to be open minded, willing to adapt, and confident in the choices you make. There are literally so many options to choose from, that your ability to create your own (initial) boundaries and terms will help to define the type of filmmaker you are and want to become.
Naturally, your style and approach will evolve, but if you're indecisive about the choices you make you'll never really see more than the surface. It's like reading a good book. You can read the cliff notes to understand the basic plot, but without investing time in really getting to know the construction of the story (and the natural emotional response it gives you) you'll miss the subtleties and reasoning behind why things were done the way they were.
When creating a movie, no matter the size, you're constructing an experience, a series of frames that are meant to engage, question, entertain, and (hopefully) make sense. Unless you want someone else to decide what your work means, you need to appreciate the theory of why things are put together the way they are.
What I have come away with in any case, are a handful of film school lessons. From tips, general advice, actual projects and assignment descriptions, film theory, critical thinking exercises, and ideas on what to expect both personally and in a real world (job) context, not to mention just the general experience of going from a clueless aspiring filmmaker to a less clueless independent filmmaker.
In moving forward, I'd like to inform, inspire, and fill in a few of the blanks for others trying to make the most of their film experience. I hardly have all the answers, but with film school in my past and an ambitious record of personal/creative growth over the last few years, there are a lot of things that I've picked up on and a lot of things that I think would help any other filmmaker interested in creative challenges. I've found myself inspired just by going through old notes and lessons again.
You have to ask yourself, what is it that you want to achieve with your filmmaking? Do you want to direct, edit, write? Narrow these options down, because even though you'll likely have a hand in a lot of these things, refining a specific skill can be more valuable than just general knowledge in numerous fields. Fight the urge to simply say director, when someone asks you what you want to do. In film school, director is practically a given (and it's really a dodge to the question because it's just another way of saying you want to do everything). Even if that's true, challenge yourself to be specific.
Ultimately you want to have a grasp on what a cinematographer, skilled camera person, or editor can bring to your project and how those skill sets can be relied upon to improve your vision (if you're directing). In the same way, learn how to take direction. Understand that your involvement and support in the role you play can be incredibly instrumental in the success of a project. Often when you're in a position that requires you to focus on specific details you're actually the one who can influence creative direction. Plus, it's just good advice knowing when to step back and step in - nothing worse than a set where everyone wants to play director.
It's never too late to revisit questions of purpose and motivation. Working in a creative field requires you to be open minded, willing to adapt, and confident in the choices you make. There are literally so many options to choose from, that your ability to create your own (initial) boundaries and terms will help to define the type of filmmaker you are and want to become.
Naturally, your style and approach will evolve, but if you're indecisive about the choices you make you'll never really see more than the surface. It's like reading a good book. You can read the cliff notes to understand the basic plot, but without investing time in really getting to know the construction of the story (and the natural emotional response it gives you) you'll miss the subtleties and reasoning behind why things were done the way they were.
When creating a movie, no matter the size, you're constructing an experience, a series of frames that are meant to engage, question, entertain, and (hopefully) make sense. Unless you want someone else to decide what your work means, you need to appreciate the theory of why things are put together the way they are.
Jan 14, 2010
Revolving Content
Ever since launching Editing Luke: The Portfolio (www.editingluke.com) earlier this month I've still found myself investing a lot of time into how the site is put together. Call it working out the kinks or just my obsessive attention to every detail with this project, but the energy and money I've invested so far in building my own unique online space, feels incredibly rewarding because of the potential it brings.
In just the few weeks since the site has been up I've added a featured video element to each of the 4 genre pages of my portfolio section, have continued to compile edits, completed my interactive archive with a few more never before seen mementos, and most recently have updated my main page to feature revolving content (the 'evolution' banner above features the rotating links). My continued goal with all of this is to make accessing and exploring my work easier, more enjoyable, and expressly original.
The main page is the biggest change from just a few weeks ago. The slide show of banners allows me to highlight numerous posts, series, or videos that I feel are relevant, classic, or still in production. More than just a stylistic change, this format (much like my live blog feed on the main page also) allows people to see what I have going on and get a quick overview of things they may want to explore. As I continue to branch out it also allows me to pull everything together again, highlighting content from across the web in one convenient location. Like I've said so many times throughout this process, the portfolio site is meant to be a hub, and whether someone wants to view my YouTube channel, read my blog, or just get in touch with me, it can all be done from the main page on editingluke.com.
I'm sure there will continue to be some major changes that I'll share with you as I continue to refine the site. The lessons I'm learning from doing this - plus also from working in two uniquely different media jobs during the day - is really giving me the skill to fine tune things to my own tastes. It's exciting to feel in control of something that I've wanted to do for so long.
Be sure to stop by and check out the Archive section on the new site to see interactive materials from letters, notes, posters, and links to other online content - or just get lost in the pages I've created. To get a first hand experience of what I'm rambling on about, visit my portfolio site here.
In just the few weeks since the site has been up I've added a featured video element to each of the 4 genre pages of my portfolio section, have continued to compile edits, completed my interactive archive with a few more never before seen mementos, and most recently have updated my main page to feature revolving content (the 'evolution' banner above features the rotating links). My continued goal with all of this is to make accessing and exploring my work easier, more enjoyable, and expressly original.
The main page is the biggest change from just a few weeks ago. The slide show of banners allows me to highlight numerous posts, series, or videos that I feel are relevant, classic, or still in production. More than just a stylistic change, this format (much like my live blog feed on the main page also) allows people to see what I have going on and get a quick overview of things they may want to explore. As I continue to branch out it also allows me to pull everything together again, highlighting content from across the web in one convenient location. Like I've said so many times throughout this process, the portfolio site is meant to be a hub, and whether someone wants to view my YouTube channel, read my blog, or just get in touch with me, it can all be done from the main page on editingluke.com.
I'm sure there will continue to be some major changes that I'll share with you as I continue to refine the site. The lessons I'm learning from doing this - plus also from working in two uniquely different media jobs during the day - is really giving me the skill to fine tune things to my own tastes. It's exciting to feel in control of something that I've wanted to do for so long.
Be sure to stop by and check out the Archive section on the new site to see interactive materials from letters, notes, posters, and links to other online content - or just get lost in the pages I've created. To get a first hand experience of what I'm rambling on about, visit my portfolio site here.
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