Part 1

Reflecting on my first blog, I stated that I wanted to join this studio with the intention of learning more about directing and acting. Nevertheless, while studying at this studio, I have gained a great deal of knowledge, both materially and practically. This studio exceeded my expectations in all aspects, especially in terms of learning a lot about directing; we are constantly given different ideas on how to be a film director who doesn’t only ask the actors to perform according to their own wishes. Have the opportunity to work in monologue with wonderful actors, learn a new procedure as an amateur director, and complete the entire process from beginning to end. In addition, this studio is capable of delivering all of my expectations in terms of learning to direct. Starting in this studio, I am learning about fact lists so that I can understand various perspectives on a character, analyze each character to find out what they want, why they do something, and their motivations for talking about a topic, learn more about subtext, improvising, and even meet and have a lesson from different experts in the field of directing and acting, such as Genie and Rebecca. Lastly, I could say that this studio even surpassed all of my expectations in regards to directing. This opportunity to meet amazing lecturers and friends will always be a great advantage for me in directing my future.

Part 2

Ever since I had an opportunity to do the shot and have a work with my friends who also quite familiar with the world of acting makes this assignments feels a little more manageable. I am confident with the way I am directing as well as truly believe in their skills when they played the character. Although I am the director on this project, the ability to listen to the actors expectation and goals towards this project was super significant. I highly respect every new ideas even sometimes I request them to give me an instruction in specific scene. I believe this little contribution from all of my actors also effecting the final piece of my project.

I’ve always believed that directors who constantly demand actors to follow their directions and don’t give them the opportunity to freely explore their talents will result in unnatural performances. And it is my responsibility to produce an excellent work, so I give them a chance to be unpressured, enjoy the whole process, and act as natural as possible. On the other hand, even though that both of them are experienced in this field, it is still my job to give them some insight, opinion, and direction so they can notice what I want to do with the story and they can deliver it as best as possible.

I realized that the script was packed with words of conversation and just to make it easier for them to comprehend with the story and character, I gave them freedom to change the dialogue so the flow of the chat seems more genuine and to make it more natural. I understand that it will alter the discourse slightly, but I urge them to keep to the present plotline so that the story does not deviate. I am sure that this whole process would also support me to increase my knowledge in directing, communicating, and delivering ideas to people.

Moreover, I am always open to a discussion including newly direction from my actors about their gesture, act, until the camera angle during the shooting process. Because they are not doing so many movements with their body, I have to make sure that their expression, body language and their words are clearly conveyed. This also my authority to present a direction that include an explanation from the emotional side, to visioned what is like to dealing with an experience that they never had before or with people they really hated.

With this project, I got an expectation to successfully make the audience engage with my story. Like when this project is officially done, it is no longer about how I greatly direct my actors or how good my actors do their job but the most important thing above all is when the viewer can be entertained by my piece of work or be pleased by the way my actors perform.

I feel like I want to make the audience feel ‘related’ with my story about finding someone who we really love but there’s no way to get to that points because too many problems involved in it. It is not like I want to leave a negative impact onto the people that watched it but more likely to add a value about compassion, strength and determination.

Finally, If I could bring this media piece into the next level of screening, I would like to rely the most on the way I edit it and learn more about camera work. For me that two things are the most challenging things for me in this stage. Hence, to achieve more proper works, it needs times to develop my skills on editing and improve my cinematography.

Part 3

While studying at this studio, the word “collaboration” must have played a big part in the process. Starting from collaborating with friends between classes, meeting various actors, to collaborating with other people in producing a work. Good collaboration certainly demands good cooperation from the participants.

The first collaboration I remember in this studio happened when I directed Cem and Carly with the script “What’s Done is Done.” My first experience as director of a session was certainly full of challenges. At that time, I experienced many obstacles ranging from language barriers, being confused about what to direct, and not being able to find my confidence when I had to lead other new people, but on this occasion too, I finally got my myriads of new lessons about directing. I will begin to understand the stages in the directing process, investigate more deeply the things that must be achieved in order to become a good director, and certainly to connect with new friends and have confidence in my own skills.

My second collaboration was when I was paired with an Australian actor named Serkan Tokgoz. We each have to present a monologue. For more than an hour and a half, we did a rehearsal. But another challenge is sure to come, this time coming from the internet. I was unlucky that day because my internet connection wasn’t as good as usual and several times my voice or his voice disconnected, but I don’t want to give up on it. Instead, I get a lot of advantages from being paired with him. Serkan, who has a lot of experience in acting, is able to do his best, and during the rehearsal session, I also got a lot of interesting constructive input related to the story or monologue in general.

In my collaboration in this studio, I learned that other people certainly have very different characteristics, ways of solving problems, opinions, and sometimes we may not have the same goal or purpose as others, but here I am also required to always evaluate myself and be able to listen. Accepting good input for the realization of a perfect collaboration is simple.