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Deborah S. Patz – Author

Author of film books for industry pros and youth

Jul172009

3 Things I Learned About Filmmaking from… Horseback Riding

Life can teach you about filmmaking even when you’re not making films… here are 3 things I learned from horseback riding:

1. Get back on when you fall
It’s not “if” you fall, but rather “when”. As with horseriding, a career in the film industry is full of ups and downs. Keep trying. Especially try to learn from your mistakes – though this is a harder concept than it sounds. Your persistence will pay off in the long run as you become a seasoned professional.

2. Relax; your stress is being communicated
Horses KNOW when you are stressed as you sit on their back, and they will echo back your frame of mind. Horseriding then becomes harder and harder you fight their reaction and your rising stress level. Once relaxed, the job is easier, more pleasant, magical. Film crews can feel your stress level too. Find a way to relax (but stay focussed) and see the production atmosphere around you echo back a more pleasant, more functional environment. 

3. The shovelling and the cleaning is all part of it
The image of riding off into the sunset on a perfect, warm summer evening may attract you to horseriding as the glamour may attract you to working in the film industry. You still have the clean and feed the horse, shovel and sweep the barn… small payment for the reward of a perfect day of horseriding. In film, there is payment for the glamour too… all those small, seemingly insignificant jobs that contribute the bigger picture – right down to cleaning garbage cans on set. Be prepared for these jobs, they are the payment.

Happy trails and a good shoot to you!

Cheers,
Deb

Jul102009

Inspiration at the Movies: Harold and Maude

“You see, Harold, I feel that much of the world’s sorrow comes from people who are this, [holding up a single, unique daisy], yet allow themselves be treated as that. [indicating a field full of daisies]”
    – Maude (Harold and Maude – 1971)

I love those bright little-daisies-in-the-grass and think of this movie moment nearly everytime I happen across such a field. May we all find the wonderful uniqueness in each other and in ourselves, then and nurture it, treasure it.

Cheers,
Deb

Jun272009

Treasure Box of Free Management Resources

If you love a good treasure hunt, the Free Management Library for non-profits is a fabulous place on the Internet. Yes, the collection is designed primarily for non-profits, but not everything we learn is from sources written specifically for the fim and TV industry. It’s worth learning from more traditional sources too… they share some of the same management issues we deal with, just from a different point of view. And sometimes it’s the other point of view helps solve the problem.

Some of my favourite finds (in no particular order) are articles on: guiding skills (delegation, boosting morale, motivation, mentoring); the PR kit; conflict management; project management. What treasures do you find there?

Some of their links are internal to the Library, whereas others are agregated from all over the world. Good stuff! Enjoy!

Cheers,
Deb

Jun192009

Keychain Clapboard

The shot had to start really close on the food buffet, and then pull out for the action of scene.

Sure we could start with the camera on wide angle, use the clapboard, and then reset the camera for that extreme close-up beginning… but all that takes precious film-rolling-thru-the-camera time.

Sure we could tail-slate – using the clapboard upsidedown at the end of the scene; however, if not well-practised, tail slates can be forgotten, providing an editing nightmare… or the camera can be in just as an inaccessible position at the end of the scene as it was at the beginning.

I like what our camera department did… using one of those touristy clapboard keychains, and very small writing – the keychain clapboard was just the right size to fill the frame of the extreme closeup. We saved precious film stock, we got a good “clap” (proportionally that is!), we got the shot.

Who’dve thought those touristy things you buy (like keychains) could actually be used on real film set!

Cheers,
Deb

Jun122009

3 Things I Learned About Filmmaking from… Racing Sailboats

Life can teach you about filmmaking even when you’re not making films… here are 3 things I learned from racing sailboats:

1. Hire the right team & rely on them
The right team on a racing sailboat is made up of people with differing skills and specialities. With the right folk on the bow, mast, jib trim, main & traveller, winches, helm, navigating, and so on, the boat races efficiently… creating magic as it harnesses the power of the wind. The crew rely on each other – maybe taking input from each other – but each specialist has a responsibility to their job in order to support the entire crew. Sounds familar to a set and film crew?

2. Food is essential
Long distance sailboat racing reveals how critical good food is to the crew and therefore to the boat. With 4-hour watches, a racing member’s waking hours revolves around sailing the boat, taking care of nature and eating. That’s a lot of focus on very few topics for a very long time. After 3 days sailing the Mackinaw race, you’ll hear the various crews in the bar minutes after the race one-upping each other about what they ate during the race, just as much as you’ll hear them brag about winning tactics and manoeuvres. Set crews need good food and craft service just as much to keep their focus.

3. If you always follow the leader… you will never be the leader
If you can see the back end of the boat in front of you, you’ll never pass it; the other boat has the clean air. You have to try different wind, different tactics. Not just to be different – you still have to put thought into your “different” strategy. But only then may you have the chance to pass the leader and win the race. In film you can copy what’s already been done, or you can try something new… not for the sake of being new, but with thought, forge a new path that is uniquely you. That’s has to be a winning strategy no matter what happens – you’ll be true to yourself.

Fair winds and a good shoot to you!

Cheers,
Deb