New Starts

I was shocked to discover, on reading the Programme Handbook we were given at the start of last year (yes, I got round to reading it eventually… it is now my constant study!), that I have been deluded for an entire year. RPJ is not, as I had thought, an acrostic for Reflective Personal Journal but for Reflective Performance Journal… and I blame Creative Beginnings. Therefore where last year I kept a personal journal this year I will try and make it more of a performance journal and instead of recording my reflections in weekly entries I will write a separate post for each significant reflection.

As is to be expected there was a lot of talking to sit through during our welcome to first the School of Drama and then the DFTV Programme most of which was very encouraging. By far the most exciting piece of information was the news that our second year will be focussed on performance (as if to spite my personal journal...) and what happens in front of the camera, working with actors and bringing characters alive. Also the introduction of a Directing module sounds intriguing and all in all it seems to be shaping up to be an adventurous and challenging year. I can’t wait.

No gentle transition for us busy second years. We kicked off on our first afternoon back with an introductory class on Factual Filmmaking. I’m finding I have an unexpected interest in non-fiction storytelling, research and the gathering and organising of information. I am really keen to try my hand at some serious documentary-making. I have a few ideas in the pipeline which was hugely helpful as I could apply them as Andy went through the process of research and practically walk it through in my mind. I also really enjoyed our blitzed research project on the enigma that is ‘Andy Dougan’ which was perhaps more fun than it was informative but I’m sure I won’t forget the things I learned in that class anyway!

Principles of Directing, in theory, sounds amazing and I know it’s early days yet but I couldn’t help feeling that what we were doing with Zam Salim on Wednesday – showing our favourite films and discussing them – we had already covered in either Andy’s first Cinema module or in Screenwriting class. However I can appreciate that this is probably more for Zam’s benefit than ours at present. He needs to get to know the class. I must say I’m rather impressed with him so far… but maybe I’m just star-struck by someone who is actually living the dream; and not just any dream… my dream!