After finishing my film about Hooper, I didn’t really know what to do next. I had just finished this project that took a lot of my time and energy and now it’s done. It’s a bit of a letdown to be honest. I’m sure I’m not the only who feels that way after they finish something they put a lot of energy into. So the question is, what now?
What’s next for Becoming Parents?
When I thought about what I wanted after finishing this project, I thought back to film school when one of my favorite professors introduced us to withoutabox.com (which isn’t around anymore) and encouraged us to create an account so we could submit our films to festivals. I did some searching and came across www.filmfreeway.com.com. I created a page for Becoming Parents and decided to shoot my shot with it. What do I have to lose?
I remember going back and forth on this project and feeling creatively stuck and my husband says to me, “just make the thing. It doesn’t even have to be good.” And that really has stuck with me. It takes a lot of the pressure off and I really needed to hear that in order to keep going. I think part of this creative process too besides making the thing, is sharing the thing.
So far, I’ve submitted to 14 festivals - I don’t have all the money in the world to submit this to everything so I really searched for free or low cost entrees. And look almost every day to see if any new ones pop up. I will keep you posted on how things progress. I hope to continue to put this film out there and market it as much as I am able all while figuring out the next thing. Note to anyone submitting through there - I highly recommend becoming a gold member! It’ll save you on the entry fees.
Now, what’s the next film project?
I want to switch gears here with the next thing and just flip the script. I am working on a very short stop motion video for Halloween. It’s a method that I’ve always been interested in and it’s a different mindset from the doc style video. Can’t wait to share it!
Second place jam at the Manheim Farm Show
Also! I just entered my strawberry-raspberry jam into our local farm show (Manheim Farm Show) for the first time ever and I got second place! My mom has been canning fruits, jams, jellies, you name it ever since I can remember. She used to do that with my grandmother and now it’s something we do together. She encouraged me to enter and I thank her for that. You just never know what’s going to happen so give yourself the opportunity to win. Don’t be the one to say no to yourself. That’s what I’m learning here. And I hope I can spread a little bit of that to other people and encourage them as well.
Until next time, keep creating and keep SHARING!
Dana
P.S. Currently watching/current favorite: Fear