Random Ideas (2023)
It's finally here.
I'll be going into depth on the process behind creating this film in a future video, but I'll give a timeline here (spoilers ahead):
On June 5, 2022 I conceived the basic idea for this film. I wrote the idea down in the notes page on my phone that I had been using to store my random ideas. Here was the exact note:
Short film "Random Ideas" about an artist who's a perfectionist. The story follows a person who goes from "artist" to artist. The story starts with them deciding to make a list of random ideas in the notes of their phone. We then see them living their life. Many different scenes, to establish how they tell everyone they're an artist, yet we never see them actually creating art. They do, however collect a list of random ideas that pop into their head at different times. One at the dinner table where their parent tells them to put their phone away because it's rude. In one scene they get home after school or something and sit down to relax. They scroll through their random ideas list, now pretty lengthy, looking for one to complete to blow off some steam. But they can't find one they like enough to do. Later, in another scene, they pick an idea to complete, but once they get started they're unhappy with how it's going and give up on it. In the conclusion of the film, they finally push past their perfectionism and create a film. We watch them struggle, at one point wanting to give up and let it all go. But in the end they complete the film. The camera transitions into their computer screen and the film plays. The opening credits of what looks to be that film is the end credits of the full film. "I am (character's name), and this has been my film."
I planned to create the film over the summer when I had more time, and I waited until school ended. It wasn't until early July that I did any more work on it. I reached out to a bunch of my filmmaking friends to see if they wanted to take part, and those are the people that made this film come to fruition. I realized quickly that based on everyone's schedules, we had to begin shooting asap. We went from outline to final script in the following week, and then shot for eight days in mid-late July. In total, production time was 48.5 hours.
I took a break from the project for a month after production due to travel and other work, and then got to editing. Since then, it has been on-and-off editing for the past seven months, for a total of 60 hours of work. In all, the creation of Random Ideas took 127 hours (I tracked every minute. Except when I forgot.)
I was unmotivated through much of this process, which is why it has taken so long. A month and a half ago, I decided that I wanted to have a finished film regardless of whether I liked the final product or not, and since then I have put in many hours to finish it.
I am proud of Random Ideas. Its creation has taught me so much. I am so thankful to everyone who supported me along the way, in all forms.
A few thank-you's not included in the credits:
Cesar Lorca, who kindly provided his video, seen in scene 1.
Cesar's YouTube Channel: / @cesarlorca_
James Matthews, who has no idea who I am, but who has inspired me enough to have a place in this film as one Renae's inspirations.
James' YouTube Channel: / @jamesmatthews
And my parents, who support me endlessly.
YouTube compression did a number on this video, but oh well.
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I do freelance photo and video work! Send me an email - [email protected] - with inquiries.
My Gear
Music:
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Main Lens:
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Ultra-wide Lens:
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Mic:
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Editing Software:
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