EVERYTHING KEPT
Capstone Development - Reflection
“Its messier than she bargained for”
Everything Kept is an 8-minute psychological drama set inside a cluttered motel room. The story follows Rachel, a woman in her mid-20s, who responds to an online listing for a rare pair of antique earrings, identical to the ones her mother once cherished. When she arrives at the seller’s address - a rundown motel on the outskirts of town - she is drawn into a disorienting, emotionally charged encounter with the seller, Marlene, a reclusive older woman whose home is a maze of hoarded objects, memories, and unspoken grief.
We started strong, bouncing ideas off each other rapidly, and I could tell instantly that the group was incredibly motivated and passionate. We cycled between many different ideas and genres, ultimately merging them into what we have now. However, we reached a slight plateau during the middle of the semester, as progress on creative details was delayed and parts of the group felt disconnected from the production due to a lack of involvement. During this time, I did my best to maintain communication, ensuring everyone knew the progress of the script, but it was challenging. One thing I noticed was that our group is more optimised for in-person communication, despite having a group chat, texting proved to be a difficult way to get ideas and information across.
KICKING IT OFF
I was incredibly happy with our presentation, approaching it as an opportunity to pitch to real investors. I had learnt during a professional shoot with the University the importance of confidence while pitching, and some advice industry professionals gave out in that space was that only a few people should talk. Myself, Sevan and Levi spent considerable time crafting the design and coming up with our talking points and felt that we could encapsulate the project succinctly as Co-Producers and Director. I also chose for us to go first to set the tone, and I feel as though a successful presentation puts us in the best position moving forward into the production stage.
At the very beginning of the semester, the only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to be the cinematographer, a request that was happily granted by my fellow group members. Through previous screen media subjects, I have gained considerable experience in this role, in addition to being a writer and editor. I initially planned on being a writer for this project as well, but I felt that my contribution would suit the group better as a producer. Not only did this allow me to keep everyone on track, scheduling meetings and shoots, but it also allowed Levi and Ruu to explore their creative vision, whilst I stayed very close to this process, considering how it would be implemented on screen.
Learning from previous semesters, I can say I’ve had considerable experience in many of the ups and downs of the filmmaking process. From strenuous shoots and creative hurdles, to managing egos and people's different levels of commitment, I approached this semester aiming to utilise the skills I had gained from those prior. This was particularly important as I joined a new group, though I had worked with several people in the crew on independent productions, working on a year-long university project, I knew would be a different beast. This is where I found it necessary to step up as a leader and ensure everyone stayed on track and maintained strong levels of communication.
PROCESS
As the end of the semester loomed, we realised we needed to kick it into the next gear. Focusing on the importance of in-person meetings, I organised a day of shooting in which we filmed a table read as well as a sequence of demo videos and photos. This was my favourite part of the whole semester, as everyone came alive in this setting, both improving our group chemistry and uniting us in a clearer understanding of our group vision. The table read provided everyone with clarification on the creative details, whilst giving Stacey and me the chance to capture great footage of the team collaborating. Our TV Studio shoot was even more beneficial, as everyone brought in numerous props to establish the atmosphere, and we filmed some great content for our presentation and future promotional material.
REFLECTING ON THE PROCESS
Looking back, I reflect on this semester as a success, but one with room for improvement. Our team is fantastic, and I have a good amount of confidence in everyone's capabilities on set. The main issue I can note would be the lack of communication, which had an impact on our progress. The top-heavy leadership style we acquired meant that there was a slight disconnect between the writers and the rest of the crew, leading to delays in many aspects of pre-production. Everyone’s busy schedules meant that deadlines were consistently pushed back, and a lack of a full script limited the development of a shotlist or proper storyboards.
I could have been better organised to ensure my tasks were accomplished, whether it be locking down a location or moving the production along quicker. However, I also feel as though I put in a lot of effort to keep everyone going, communicating Levi’s vision to the group, organising and directing the table read and studio shoots, and taking the lead on the design, development and presentation of our pitch.
Moving forward, I know that communication will be crucial in ensuring the best possible outcome. Over the semester, I have gathered an understanding of my crew members as people and professionals, and I plan to use this information to effectively strategise an efficient, organised and motivated crew. I can’t wait to start production.