Well readers, here we are at the end of this Australiablog. It's been such a huge year for me. I have to say, I believe I have made the most of my time here. Not only have I managed to travel around and see different parts of the country, but I have made goals for each semester and were able to accomplish them. Last semester my goal was to learn to direct and become completely competent in it. By the end of my first semester, I can honestly say that I accomplished that. My goal for second semester, was to get my film showcased (College TV hand chooses the best films to display from all the 2nd semester's films they hand in. Mine was chosen, but the night before the showcase it was pulled out. I was told that it was deemed to realistic and intense for the general family audience they were planning on catering to. I was devastated at first, but I understand now their reasons. The film has some intense images that I never intended children to watch, and there was going to be quite a few kids in the audience that night.
Now time to answer some popular questions: -Coming home plans: When I come home I will be living at my parents house and looking for a part time job. I want to put a giant chunk of my focus on looking for a healthy, growing church and help kick start their media ministry.
-The girlfriend: Lauren will be coming to the states for awhile in February. She plans on studying by correspondence while with the family and I. The southern American lifestyle will be an interesting adaption for her methinks. It's an adventure we are both very excited about.
-Future projects: I have a heaps of ideas floating around my head, but none of them are ready to be put down on paper yet.My aim is to make mostly short films and documentaries. I feel like short films (as far as media goes) is one of the most effect ways to reach out to the secular and Christian world alike. Which is more likely to draw people: The man on the street corner with a fist full of tracks ranting threats of fire and brimstone? OR a five minute, well put together video that artistically and creatively gets its point across?
In other news, I FINISHED MY SHORT FILM! I can honestly say, it will go on my list of hardest things I have ever done. It's ultimately a story about spiritual warfare, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that that's exactly what I was to encounter during the process of shooting. I had to replace most of my cast a quarter of the way through shooting, we had to do countless re-shoots, we were rained out several times, and footage would just vanish into thin air (causing MORE re-shoots).There were times when I would feel myself slip into despair, and honestly, if it were not for those close to me encouraging me, the project would have never taken off or turned out the way it did. However, I am immensely proud of the finished product we were able to bring to the table.
