Questions I answered for a study on women and film production

1) What year were you born?
1988

2) At what age did you begin making your own films? What got you interested in making films?
I started making films with my childhood friend when we were about 10. We would run around the neighborhood and film things with no real plot. As we got older, we started making more coherent films, many of them parodies of horror movies we watched.

In my sophomore year of high school, I made a film for a class project based on the original Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp series. The first film was so successful amongst my friends, that I made two more during my high school career and turned it into a trilogy.

When I was younger I made films simply because my friends and I were bored. At that age it was really satisfying to make something we could re-watch.

3) Did either of your parents make films while you were growing up? If so, what kind of films did they make? Did they help you with your filmmaking practices?
My dad studied filmmaking at UT, eventually receiving his Master’s. He worked at a video production company until recently, and now does freelance work. He made a film called Attack of the Batmonsters, a sci-fi movie based off of the career of famous director Roger Corman. Whenever I needed help with anything related to filmmaking, he always helped me out.

4) What kind of filmmaking equipment did you first use to make your own films? Who owned that equipment?
When I was younger, I used my family’s home movie camera to make my own films. In college, I used the school’s equipment, and sometimes my dad’s company’s equipment.

5) Did you have formal training in film production prior to entering a college-level program? If so, how old were you when you were enrolled in that program?
Despite growing up with a dad so well-versed in filmmaking, I never had any formal training. Sometimes I watched him edit at work, or went to film sets with him, but I was never formally trained. However, my dad’s filmmaking was always in the background around me growing up, so I was exposed to it at an early age.

6) If you were enrolled in a film production program before entering college, was gender been discussed in that program? If so, how was gender discussed?
N/A

7) If you were enrolled in a film production program before entering college, what was the best thing you learned? (this can be about filmmaking, yourself, working with others, etc.)
N/A

8) What factors (e.g., parents, siblings, teachers, role models) have most encouraged you to seek out a college-level program in film production?
My parents have always supported my decisions. Originally when I applied to UT I studied engineering and they were really proud. After transferring to RTF my sophomore year they still supported me, but were worried.

When I was deciding to switch to film during my freshman year, I took a beginning photography class. I had never shot with a SLR camera before, but really enjoyed the assignments in the class. My TA was really supportive and suggested I tryout for the Daily Texan. Although he did not push me into film, or even photojournalism, just knowing someone liked my work was encouraging.

9) Has anyone discouraged you from studying film production or from working in the media industries? Who, and what were their reasons for discouraging you?
Although my parents are supportive, they are also realistic and understand this is a tough field. I got to see all the other sides of movie making from my dad’s experience – the joys of acceptance into film festivals, and the disappointment that comes when it is not distributed. It has made me a smarter filmmaker, and whenever I do make advancements in this industry, it is that much sweeter.

10) Have you had any doubts about studying film production or working in the media industries? If so, describe your feelings about this.
Yes! Hah. Even now as a post-graduate, with all my science and engineering friends getting jobs right away, I still sometimes doubt the decision. But my career path is a lot slower than theirs, and as long as I keep myself busy with projects, I know I have made the right choice.

11) How did you decide on your college film production program?
I chose UT for engineering, but it was lucky for me that UT also has a decent film program.

12) What courses in film production have you taken in college? (please identify by title, course number, and instructor’s name, if possible)
RTF 318 – Intro to Image and Sound, Steinbauer
RTF 333 – Intro to Screenwriting, Lewis
RTF 351C – Digital Animation and Graphics, Marslett
RTF 366D – Directing Workshop, Smith
RTF 366K – Narrative Production, Hartstein
RTF 344M – Digital Media/Digital Art, Pennycook
RTF 343 – Advanced Narrative, Candler
RTF 366K – East Austin Doc Project, Garrison
RTF 351D – 2d Motion Graphics, Marslett

13) Has gender been discussed in any of your college film production classes? If so, how has gender been discussed? If not, why do you think it hasn’t been discussed?
For the most part gender was never discussed in my classes. Part of the reason for this is the classes were about production, not analyzation of film. In film studies, things like gender are discussed, but gender in production classes is designated to characters or actors – to the narrative and not real life. Also, gender can be a sensitive subject and in a class that is already male-dominated, it was hard to speak up. In production classes you work on crews, so for the most part I avoided anything that would bring conflict. Your crew can make or break a project, so I always designated that as a first priority.

14) Do you feel you are adequately prepared for handling film technology in your college production classes? Why or why not?
I feel prepared. When I first entered the program I did not feel I had enough experience, and was hesitant. Now that I have been on several crews and see how they operate, I feel secure. Familiarity is key to feeling prepared around technology for me.

15) Do you own a film or video camera now? If so, please identify the brand and model. If not, whose equipment do you use?
Now that I graduated, I have to rent equipment. I have been renting from Rock N’ Roll Rentals because they had decent prices on cameras. Once I save up more money, I am going to buy the Canon T2i. Technology has really democratized film. I am not dependent on the thousand dollar cameras or programs I would have needed to make films a few years ago.

16) Have you faced any difficulties in your college filmmaking classes that are specifically related to gender? If so, please elaborate on who was involved and what the issue was.
The biggest issue I face is the trash talking or crudeness of guys on set. They might make a sexist or sexual comment, not advanced toward me, but as though I am not present. It is a very odd situation, and I usually don’t do anything about it except ignore it and proceed to work on the film production. A lot of it is the guys sizing each other up, and when you are working in a field dominated by guys, they seem to forget girls are there.

17) Do you feel supported by you female peers in your filmmaking classes? Why or why not?
I do feel supported by my female peers in my classes, but because there are so few of us, we don’t always have contact with each other. For example, in my Advanced Narrative class I befriended a girl and we sat next to each other and everything for the first weeks in the class. Then, we got separated into different production groups and I hardly ever saw her! Not because we were not supporting each other, but we were just too busy.

18) Do you feel supported by your male peers in your filmmaking classes? Why or why not?
It can be really hard to connect with male peers in filmmaking, mainly because women are so outnumbered. However, I am supported by some male peers and knowing they are genuine friendships, makes it all the more worth it.

19) Do you feel supported by your instructors and teaching assistants in your filmmaking classes? Why or why not?
My favorite instructors and TAs are the ones who push me. Kat Candler, for example, was always telling me to take the hard route with my film Broken Heart Boy. She pushed me to find locations that were harder to secure, but aesthetically right for the project. Some instructors have not been as supportive, but are generally receptive to you if you put in the work. They can tell who takes assignments seriously and who doesn’t, and I feel like I have always been supported by my teachers when they see I am working.

20) Is there a big difference between the number of women in your initial UT film production classes (e.g., 318) and the number in your upper-division production classes? If so, what do you think accounts for this difference?
I do feel there was a drop off around my junior to senior year when I took more and more narrative, fiction production classes. A lot of women are in production, but they take non-fiction classes like documentary. I think it is easier for guys to take production classes because they have a bigger support group, more buddies who share their same vision for films. The Tarantino, fast talking, fast shooting prototype was common, and not that girls don’t like these movies, but guys really like making these movies. And considering most production classes involve having a crew or group, women might feel isolated when they can’t make the movies they want to make in their class. And so they don’t.

22) If you were enrolled in a high school film production program, discuss how that program compares to your college program, especially with regard to gender issues (e.g., teachers, classmates, equipment, subjects learned).
N/A

23) Do you plan to pursue a career in filmmaking? Why or why not?
I am going to pursue filmmaking. Although I may take detours to get there, like taking on other jobs or teaching in Japan, I will never stop creating film or storytelling. I may never get a job in a major studio, but this does not mean I am not pursuing film. A lot of people, especially my science-major friends, think that success in this industry is immediate. It rarely is. Like never. But as long as I stick with it I will get somewhere.

24) If you desire a career in filmmaking, what specific job do you most hope to find?
I want to tell stories. This may sound broad, but I want to creatively make narratives, even in new formats like web videos or video games. Essentially I want to be a writer, but at this stage I am also a cinematographer, editor, and director. This allows me to tell stories how I want to tell them. Therefore, the job I land is one that gives me the originality and freedom to tell stories.

25) What specific aspects of film training do you think could be improved to help young women be successful in college production programs as well as the film industry?
I think more attention about the lack of females in the film industry is a start. I never realized how few of us there were until my senior year of film school. Going into engineering, I knew what I was up against and was prepared. Also in engineering there were numerous women’s societies and scholarships that made things easier. I found very little of that at first in film, but now that I’m finding more resources, I wish I had known about them earlier.

26) Which particular role in filmmaking do you like the best, and why? Which do you like the least, and why?
A good story is essential to a good film, and so I like writing and directing. Writing gives you the ultimate freedom to make a new world. And directing gives you the much needed power to make it happen.

I like producing the least, mainly because it is not creative and is all about money which I don’t really like, hah. But, it is very useful and so I do not disregard it. The more I know about producing, the stronger I will be.

27) Have you made any videos by using a cell phone? If so, discuss their general content. Who helped you to make these films?
N/A

28) Have you made any videos by using a webcam? If so, discuss their general content. Who helped you to make these films?
N/A

29) Have you posted any of your films or videos to the Internet? If so, describe those films’ content, your reasons for doing posting the to the Internet, the site on which you posted them, and the feedback you received (if any).
Most of the videos I post to the web are for the comedy newspaper I used to work for called the Texas Travesty. The internet is a wonderful, free tool that when used correctly can get you a lot of publicity. I made films, keeping in mind they would go straight to the web, which was perfect because the material was time sensitive. Arranging a screening or film festival would take too long. I mainly use youtube, although recently I have been incorporating things like Digg, Reddit, and AtomTv to help further promote the videos outside of UT.

30) Feel free to share anything else you think is pertinent to young women’s training in film production.
I will let you know if I think of anything else.

Thanks so much for your help with this study!

Frogs in the Driveway

A couple weeks ago a close friend of mine celebrated her 22nd birthday at The Highball. After a long karaoke session and a screwdriver or two I received a call from my house. Now keep in mind this is at 10:30pm on a Saturday night. I answer the phone and I hear my mom, somewhat panic stricken and fearful. All I can hear her saying is my name.

I leave the club and head outside, dodging the few or so drunks who try to yell into the phone as I talk with my mom. She asks where I am and I reply,
"I was singing karaoke. I am about to go dancing. I can't hear you well."

To this she replies, "Matty, you must be careful when you come tonight. There are frogs in the driveway."

It is loud outside the club and I think I am mishearing things. I ask her to repeat what she said.

"There are frogs in the driveway. You need to be careful."

At this point several things are going through my mind.

One - Is this phone call just some elaborate excuse to find out why I am out so late?
Two - Will she get mad if she figures out I had a screwdriver or two and not let me go out again?
Three - Why are there frogs in the driveway?

Noting my hesitation on the phone, my mom clarifies things.

"I watered the grass and frogs came out of a hole next to the tree in the front yard. There are frogs in the driveway. I don't want you to run over the frogs."

She needed to tell me at 10:30pm that there were frogs in the driveway. I explained to her that when I returned home I would be very careful and not hit any of the frogs when I got home.

Later that night when I went home I carefully parked my scooter, looking out for frogs as I did so. However, the yard was completely dry, the water had evaporated.

There were no frogs in the driveway.

Trip to Barton Springs

In order to escape my monotonous video editing routine, I went to Barton Springs today. By car this trip takes 20 minutes. By scooter this trip takes about 30 minutes because I don't go on the highway. By bus this trip is 45 minutes, plus the amount of time it takes to get to the bus stop and wait for the bus to show up. I chose to ride the bus for this particular outing because I wanted to ride my bike around Barton Springs too.

Riding the bus in Austin is always an adventure. Public transportation is by all means very efficient and safe here (especially after I spent a few months with LA public transportation) but every time seems to have its fair share of experiences.

The ride to Barton Springs was a fairly pleasant ride except for the fact that I wore my bathing suit onto the bus. Not that I was fully exposed or anything, but I have this tank top I wear over the top part of my bathing that is very loose fitting. It reveals more skin than I usually show (like, none). There were more than a few unwelcome stares and of course a comment from a twitchy man that went something like,

"you're wearing a bathing suit. You're going to the pool."

I neither confirmed or denied his comment.

Barton Springs was extremely relaxing as always, and extremely cold as always. I took the bus back to eat dinner with a friend. At the bus stop a hefty woman, wearing a second-hand army shirt and black cycling gloves, pulled up to me on a custom-made mountain bike, screeching to a stop. She looks at my deteriorating road bike and nods, approvingly. She begins to describe how she bought the frame for her bike off of craigslist and everything else was a custom modification. She talked about it like a firstborn child.

On the bus, I sat across the aisle from her in the front. She begins telling me about how when she was younger she would jump off tall bridges with her friends in Florida, and the police would think they were committing suicide. She explained they never caught her because she rode the currents away from the cops, and also because,

"the cops were pussies."

I make a timid comment, something like, "oh yeah, I guess they were" to which she responds,

"yeah, they were big pussies."

I did not quite understand her affinity for the word pussy but she used it a lot, especially when describing authority figures. We chatted for a little while longer.

When she got to her stop she made sure to gave me an impromptu hand shake before leaving the bus.

Living at home (or how to continue on with life after college)

I have become what I feared the most - a living at home college graduate.

This phase of life is not uncommon anymore. The New York Times wrote about it, and when the New York Times goes out of its way to comment on today's youth, then you know they are on to something. So far the experience has not been too bad. No imposed curfews, not too many chores. But it's the little things that have changed, or how my parents think I have.

For example, the other day a beer commercial for Bud Light played while I was watching television with my mom. At the end of the commercial she turns to me and asks,

"Look Matty. Beer, it's a beer commercial. Do you ever drink beer with your friends?" Embarrassed and like a teenager I reply, "mooom."

In hindsight what I would have liked to have said would have gone something like,

"Yes, sometimes I drink beer with my friends. Sometimes I drink margaritas with my friends. Sometimes I drink hard liquor on its own with my friends. For the most part I drink moderate portions and if I don't, I always find a safe ride home. However, I can assure you I never drink Bud Light."

I will have to have this conversation with her another time.