Less Talking, More Shooting

“I can’t really envision a time when I’m not shooting something.”
-Martin Scorsese

While applying to grad school, I wrote a personal essay about my habit of seeing life as a film.  I call interesting views “good shots”, I regard people as characters and search for the connections and meanings within their actions, and I insist on speaking in movie quotes.  It’s gotten to the point where if you haven’t memorized the script to Mean Streets, you probably won’t have any idea what I’m talking about in conversation.  This is what Marty means in that quote above.  But unlike Scorsese, I have spent way too much time figuratively “shooting” then actually doing what a filmmaker does-you know, make films.

Enter Less Talking, More Shooting. In order to remedy this lack of output, I have decided to force myself to make one film a month for the next year.  The subject matter, style and format can be anything, so long as I shoot something.  The only rule I have posed is that by the last day of each month, I have a new video posted online.  I have yet to figure out the consequences/punishments I should instill upon myself if I miss the deadline (feel free to leave suggestions in the comments).  I’m sure it won’t be easy, and the budget for each will likely hover somewhere around the $0-$50 range, but good things have come from less.

Along the way, I will be posting my ideas and notes on this page.  And yes, I realize the irony in publishing essays on a blog called “Less Talking.”  I hope for this to become a production diary of sorts, a place where I can work out ideas, get feedback and insight and be able to exhibit the filmmaking process as it develops.  Titles of posts will be prefaced with the month to which they relate.  I will also occasionally link to other videos and articles  that I find of interest.  These will be headed with the “Inspiration” title.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you continue to follow me over the next year.  Feel free to leave feedback, suggestions, hateful comments after each post.  I’m always open for collaboration and new ideas.  And don’t forget to become a “fan” on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

-Mark Hayes