A couple of days ago there was an animation meeting in our school, where the final term’s student had to share their thoughts about the graduation production for the first year students. I was actually in Poland, so I missed that, but I started to think about what would be my tips. So here are some quick thoughts, they might sound simple and obvious, but they helped me a lot ;)
1. It is your choice whether you make your graduation term fun or hell.
You decide at the beginning.
2. Never forget it is just a(nother) film
many people stress themselves from the beginning as if their life would depending on the graduation film. Well, it is surely one of the opportunity where you can make your debut, and as for every project you have to respect it. But your life is not your film. The best if you can keep a good balance, be completely inside, but be able to look on it as the if you d see it for the frst time.
3. Respect your energy
Probably most of the students work on the film during a one year period, you have to be honest with yourself, your body, your brain, your energy. Especially when you are thinking about the schedule of your production. In almost all of the cases people tend to believe they can make things pretty quickly and straight forward. Averagely – it turns out- it is usually the double of the time it is actually needed. Don t forget to leave blank time, for breaks, other jobs, regeneration or for possible delays. (the same apply for your people in the team eg. respect you team ;)
4. Make your decisions
This sounds very stereotypic, but actually helped me a lot. It was Jimmy Murakami who told me: ‘when you are making a decisions in your film there is always a right way, a bad way and there is also your way. And this is what you should choose. ‘ Also it is your input what s going to make the film individual and different from the others.
5. Keep the motivation
It is hard to motivate yourself alone, so the best if you have one or two people, preferably from the production team, who understands and likes the film, so you can talk with them, and remember what are the things people like and appreciate in your film.
good luck!
