Sarah Smith on set during Viewfinders' Young Women Directors Workshop
It’s one thing to be told to follow your dreams, but perhaps a greater statement is to be told that your dreams are possible.
As a young woman looking to emerge into the film industry, I value the opportunities I have been granted to thrive in an encouraging learning environment, one of them being the Young Women Directors workshop.
I have attended this workshop since its beginning in 2009. Each year I learn something new, but I found this year’s workshop to be especially valuable. The theme was ‘documentary’, a genre for which I am passionate but know very little about.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about conducting effective interviews, while experimenting with the technology to turn fact into art. While interviews are often an essential part of the documentary-making process, they do not necessarily have to be conducted in the same traditional (and some may argue, boring) medium-shot style.
Interviews can be conducted anywhere and in any way, which is an aid to the creative mind. However, I learned that the comfort of your interviewee is the most important aspect of all and that documentary-making requires a fine balance between the crew and their subjects. Effective lighting also played a key part in the day, as all had a chance to learn that lighting and technique can help create a certain mood or feel. I also learned that lighting could be changed throughout the scene, in order to support the mood during the entirety of the shot.
Thinking back, I approached this year’s workshop rather passively, taking time to step back and learn vicariously through others who were experiencing film for the first time. Seeing the joy of the other participants and their enthusiasm with the cameras reminded me why I ever caught the film bug in the first place. The desire to create and share is a precious gift that, when put to good use, can create truly amazing and wonderful things.
Perhaps that’s my favourite part about the entire Young Women Directors experience. The opportunity to express myself in an environment where I am not afraid of being judged or criticized simply because of my thoughts, opinions, experience or even gender is absolutely liberating. The workshop environment was an incredibly open and nurturing one. All ideas were taken into consideration, and no one was afraid to speak their mind.
I myself tend to have my shy moments, but at this workshop, I never felt afraid to say what was on my mind, as I knew my opinions would be valued. The opportunity to work with female filmmakers yet again was extremely important to me, as it showed me that women in the industry really care about helping the next generation thrive in a female-oppressed world. I am forever grateful for the encouragement and knowledge they have given me, as I know I will cherish it for the rest of my life.
Sarah Smith
NB: WIFT-AT Board member Eva Madden headed up this workshop working with fellow WIFT-AT Members Ariella Palhke and Dominique Gusset.
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