I'd realised a great deal of my time last year was spent in development, and too little in production. For a person who was about to graduate from film school, there really wasn't alot under my belt. All you film school grads can probably attest to this - you'd be lucky if you came out of film school with 2 -3 films shot on 16mm.
Maybe it's just me, but if I dedicate myself to just one project, I'd spend more time neurotising over it than actually developing it. I realise that the longer I spend on one project, the more over-developed it gets, and the more passion I lose for it.
My journal at that point was full of scrambled little ideas that were more 'moments' than 'stories' - but there were five that could thematically be wrapped around the five senses. It seemed to fit nicely and I was in a mood where I wanted to get films out quickly and practice my directing chops, than to spend too much time in development.
At the end of three weeks, I walked away with 2 x 2min films. ('Taste', and 'Smell', both tentatively named.) They were both successful in varying degrees, but it proved to be a much more enjoyable experience than directing one large short-film. And it brought confidence back in my work and convinced me that the exercise was worthwhile.
I'd realised that the less precious I were about my ideas, the less I obsessed over them, and the more fun I have on set and in post. Sure, most of these films might not win awards at festivals, but I know that I will have walked away from this, at the very least, a well-practised storyteller.
That was last year.
I've taken a break in Jan and Feb, given myself a sabbatical where I did nothing but watch films and be inspired. (one of my resolutions for this year is to watch 200 films. I'm up to 50 now.)
It's now March, and the third film is almost wrapped. So far so good.
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