I spent the weekend bouncing from one element of the project to another (footage to writing to storyboarding to footage to writing...) with little success. I had been feeling incredibly defeated about letting myself get sucked back into the responsibilities of home and family over the summer, which led to a lack of clarity with my footage and goals. Additionally, my lack of experience with this process was overwhelming me and I felt like failure was lurking around every corner. However, I know that this is not an experience unique to myself and has been felt by grad students long before I ever agreed to go on this journey. I met with John yesterday and was put back on track. I think my fear had been guiding my approach to this project, and since our meeting I am feeling incredibly rejuvenated. I realized that there is a great difficulty in explaining the process of revitalizing/decolonizing indigenous food systems if people do not understand what it means to have a colonized food system. And my goal, overall with this entire project, since its inception, was to present WHY it is important reinvent the system that is in place. John suggested I start compiling a script for my animation work to create a prehistory for the audience (similar to what my classmates saw with last year's animation work). However, this go around I will have two quarters to work on my animation and will have the creative writing project for LTCR 270 to use as a source of support to evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of my script. Furthermore, I do not want the film to have an overly serious tone. I think, no, I KNOW, humor is essential to the survival of trauma, and besides, Native people are funny as hell. Well...we think we are. Anyway, my point is that it would be unsatisfying to do a piece that doesn't reflect that is someway.
My footage will come into play as the uplifting response to the animation's "history lesson" showing all the work that is being done on the Plains to combat colonization and heal ourselves, our way. I have contacted Sean Sherman (The Sioux Chef, haha) who has agreed to participate. I am also organizing another trip home, and creating a plan for what it is I would like to film. After gaining some perspective, I have a clearer vision of what the structure of the film will be, and what I can do to achieve my vision. And, when all else fails, change your expectations to meet your reality, and make it work.
My schedule is as follows:
Week 4
- Complete Transcriptions
- Organize Pick up Shot schedule
- Begin Character Profiles
- Begin creating script for animation
Week 5
- Finish cutting selects from main interviews
- Finish selects from medicine walk
- Begin working on connecting themes with potential animation sequences
- Finalize script for animation (workshop with LTCR 270 and submit to John)
- Begin gathering assets for animation
Week 6
- Fly to Minneapolis, interview Chef Sean. Drive to various places in SoDak to do pick up shots
- Log new footage, transcribe new material. Begin cutting new material into selects and scenes
- Keep a detailed log of my film shoots, logging process, and feedback from advisors
Week 7
- Create first assembly
- Work on any suggestions presented from my peers and my advisors
- Refine my scenes
Week 8
- Continue revising my work
- Evaluate how to make animation and footage interact comfortably, specifically through a clear script.
Week 9
- Screen Rough Cut for class
- Outline of revised rough cut structure on blog
Week 10
- Finalized Rough Cut
- Individual meetings
- Meeting with Creative and Substantive Advisors to screen, discuss (hopefully)
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