How Young Filmmakers Are Changing The Movie Business By Becoming One-Person Production Studios (JUNKEE)

 

By Sean Sebastian (http://junkee.com/how-young-filmmakers-are-changing-the-movie-business-by-becoming-one-person-production-studios/56828)


Millennials often catch a bad rap in the media. From the totally condescending to the explicitly anxious to whatever this is, it seems older generations aren’t particularly hopeful for the future. But with ever-evolving technology and flailing economies cutting down on job opportunities, younger generations have had to look outside the well-worn channels to make headway in the workforce. It may have earned them the tag “entitled,” but in this brave new world, it’s basic necessity — especially in the filmmaking industry. With the increasing availability of cameras, equipment and platforms for exhibiting their creations, young filmmakers have been working outside the big studio system and becoming experts in all aspects of their craft. Actor, director of photography and director Mitch Kennedy is the perfect example of this fierce new breed of filmmaker: the jack of all trades.

To help all you budding Steven Spielbergs out there, we had a chat to Kennedy about his Swiss Army Knife approach to filmmaking.

 

Triple-Threat Guy

Shooting a film is an insanely intricate process involving dozens of moving parts. So where the hell do you start? For Kennedy, the key is embracing new techniques and skills. An award-winning cinematographer, filmmaker and seasoned pro on the television commercial circuit, Kennedy’s found that a multi-skilled approach to business has been an essential part of his success. “I’ve just been able to come into a pretty cutthroat section of the industry in a way that I can compete with a director that has maybe a lot more experience,” he told us. And compete he has. At only 25 years old, he’s crafted ads for King Gee, ISUZU, Jeep and even the Department of Mental Health.

As Kennedy can attest, honing skills in multiple areas essentially makes you the cost-effective choice, a two-for-one deal the industry just can’t pass up. Brushing up on your camera operation or Final Cut Pro skills is definitely a good idea. “I’m all about cutting your own path. Particularly in filmmaking, there’s no right or wrong way of doing things,” he says.

 

You Don’t (Necessarily) Need No Education

As all the young ‘uns out there who have graduated with an arts degree will know, education doesn’t necessarily guarantee a job. “I went to film school and I’ve got a bachelor in film and screen media, but that’s never really become an aspect of me being signed by production companies or being able to win jobs,” says Kennedy, because in filmmaking, “Nothing really matters besides what you can put on screen.”

This emphasis on strong visual storytelling comes through in the film he did for HP as part of their Future Filmmakers competition, Talk The Walk, which puts a comical spin on the shifting paradigms of doing business, both in and out of the filmmaking industry. Instead of sitting back and waiting for job advertisements to pop up on Seek, technology has made it much easier for younger generations to develop broader skillsets and approach businesses of their own accord. It’s a climate completely unique to millennials, Kennedy says, one driven by the constant stream of innovations in technology and how it’s being utilized.

It’s this shift towards proactivity that Kennedy sees as positive, rather than the symptom of a lazy generation. “This generation as a whole has a different way of doing things that shouldn’t be seen in a negative way, the whole thing is evolve or die,” he says. “Technology is going to constantly evolve no matter what we do or what we think about it. It should be embraced for the way it’s changing how people do business and the way that people make art.”

Getting Your Work Out There

The evolution of technology also means an ever-increasing amount of video platforms online. Even after completing your film as director, cinematographer, composer, editor and craft service, you still have another gargantuan obstacle to overcome: how do you get your movie out there? Even for the experienced Kennedy, giving your film over to the masses can be a harrowing experience: “It’s always such a nerve-wracking part of filmmaking or the artistic process: to put your work out there in front of people.” Despite the pressure, this is something the younger generations are totally getting right, says Kennedy. “The best thing that Aussie filmmakers are doing is being proactive and utilising technology as a way to broadcast it to the world.”

Although becoming the Swiss Army Knife of filmmaking is essential in his business, for Kennedy, it’s always been about the creative process. “Ultimately, it’s about having strength in really good ideas and creative thinking,” he says, “Not being harnessed in one way or another in how you can explore those or how you can broadcast those to the world. It’s getting back to being more creative with your craft, because now anyone can go and grab a camera.”

And to set yourself apart, that’s exactly what you have to do. You simply have to start filmmaking and build up those skills. Just ask indie director and mumblecore hero, Mark Duplass: “The cavalry is not coming. There’s no excuse for you not to be making short films with your friends on the weekends.”