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            My personal interest in pursuing a career in motion picture production has been slowly spawned and moulded by every film that I have seen.  Beginning when I was younger with such films as Forrest Gump and The Shawshank Redemption, I have since broadened my view on film through the discovery of old and new filmmakers.  My appreciation for the artistic form of film began with the discovery of the films of Stanley Kubrick and the Mary Harron directed American Psycho.  Through these vivid and captivating films, I have found the art form expands beyond the entertainment borders I saw when I was younger, to a more personal level between myself as a viewer and the filmmaker.  As I threw myself deeper into the past of film, I have further discovered a lost art form of cinema.  While the yearly blockbuster Hollywood movies failed to fulfil my creative needs, I looked to independent films for further, more relevant subjects.  It was at this point when I began considering making a few short films to convey my own feelings and messages.  Although short and ill-planned, I found simply pointing a camera at a couple of friends liberating.


            It was only when I entered high school and enrolled in a Digital Media class that my aspirations for film took form.  During the first level (grade 10), I was introduced to various labs using Adobe Photoshop and Flash animation to create art.  In the second level (grade 11), I began writing my first screenplay and filming shorts with digital cameras while exploring stereotypes and technical skills.  This year when I reached level three (grade 12); I was able to create my own course goals with input from my teacher to accomplish them.  The first product was my filmmaking debut Entre to Exis.  This student film, shot over two weeks and inspired by films like Apocalypse Now and 8 ½ has become my single greatest accomplishment to date, as it allowed me to make a film that not only speaks to myself, but possibly to other filmmakers who have inspired me.  From the beginning, I found the experience of completing a film to be like nothing else I have ever achieved.  Writing the screenplay allowed me to put my vision on paper while attempting to convey a message for others to interpret freely.  The filming, although challenging and demanding, allowed me to examine many things about both my own film and others.  Working with actors brought an unprepared challenge to production.  Communication and cooperation became very important to me when working with my actors, who despite being my friends were talented and serious about helping me complete my vision.  After editing using Microsoft Movie Maker, I obtained some original music for my film from a local musician (who also acted in my film).  Throughout the process I have had a lot of support from my teachers, friends, and family.  This helped me to realize that despite being the writer, director, and editor, my film was significant to others who had an equal input to my films success.  It has been from this experience that I am entering a future in motion picture production.


            Upon completion of my film project, I continued to constantly work on more material to begin another student film.  With my high school days coming to a close soon, I am interested in continuing my journey in this field because I feel that I have a valuable message to convey visually through the use of films.  My skills and interests in film are equally distributed between writing and directing.  Through the internet I am able to communicate with other filmmakers and their films.  With the evolution of student films, generated from the digital age of film, my ability to reach out to others through the internet avoids high production costs and time delays.  I wish to make films that are free from unnecessary pressures of money and critical success, both as an individual, and as part of a group.  Films have become something more relevant and personal to me as a result.  Being able to share such an experience is my goal in film, while staying true to my aspirations and ambitions.  Throughout the years I have developed new tastes and views on film.  The continuation of my journey and evolution in film is my goal for the future.  I hope that this will be another step towards reaching my goals and challenging myself.