Manipulating media... by kids

Kids that manipulate digital media are less likely to be manipulated by it!

Interview with Clay Nichols and Troy Lanier,
authors of "Filmmaking for Teens: Pulling Off Your Shorts".

Why did you decide to write this book? Was it another, a wider way to present your lectures from high school?

CN: As teachers, we were frustrated that there was no book that would be accessible and useful to our students, so we felt there was a niche to fill. In addition, we saw the excitement that our students felt when involved in filmmaking and we wanted to encourage more kids to experience that thrill.

What's your experience with filmmaking, what were your beginnings in this industry? And how do you feel about teaching others?

TL: When I was nine years old and "Star Wars" came out, a bunch of friends and I would role play on the playground the different scenes in the movie. My big start happened when I made a documentary about pedestrian corridors in the United States. It was picked up by some of the Public Television stations in the US. These days I love to teach others.

CN: Before I began teaching film, I had taken a graduate degree in dramatic writing, and my partner Troy Lanier had produced a documentary film, but digital filmmaking, especially with teens, felt like something entirely new when we first started. It felt like a very new experiment was was therefore very exciting. After the book came out, and we began speaking to groups about making films with teens, we were often questioned about our own filmmaking projects. This actually inspired us to start working more on our own projects. Writing the book actually inspired us to make more films ourselves.

What is so unique about your book for teenagers? Can it be useful for professionals and adults?

CN: The primary goal of the book was to empower teens, not just to participate in filmmaking, but to finish films. We feel it is important to teach teens to express themselves and for adults and other teens to hear what young filmmakers have to say. We also feel that it is essential for teens to create digital media -- kids that manipulate digital media are less likely to be manipulated by it. While teens are the primary audience, we have heard from many adult filmmakers that have found the book useful as a guidebook for the beginner. And we love that.

TL: Our book is easy to read. We tried to either not use terms that were very technical, and when we do use technical terms we explain them. Many of our readers are actually adults. If you are a video professional you probably know most of the material in it, however, it could be useful when trying to explain things to those who work with you and for you.

What are the most important things to do in order to make a very first film? What would you advise young people?

TL: Do it your way. Come up with your own style. Don't become part of the movie making machine. Have a real life. Take trips. Read books outside what you know. I have seen so many kids' movies where they are just imitating a movie they have already seen or what pop culture tells them to think about. Be original.

CN: We often say the very most important thing when it comes to the first film is finishing. Undertake as a first project something that you are sure to finish. If a young filmmaker does not complete that first project, to get the positive reinforcement of sharing the film with an audience, he or she is unlikely to make another.

Do we need film schools to learn filmmaking? Can't we learn from books like this only? And how important are the aspects of promotion and distribution, which you mentioned in the book?

CN: Books are great, but community is equally important. It's essential for any artist to find a trusted community where he or she can present early or developmental work, and get constructive feedback. Film schools are a great place to find such a community, but certainly not the only place.

TL: Filmmaking is a difficult business. There are those who control it in a way such that good distribution can make a bad film popular. Luckily we are now in a time where you can promote yourself online. This takes a lot of work. I am a big believer in making short films that are amazing. Make a lot of them. This builds your portfolio and buzz. That will open doors.

What was the reception in the US? Are you happy with it? Do you think that this knowledge could be easily transformed for European or even Polish teens?

CN: The book has been very successful here in the US, used by kids on their own, kids in classes, adults -all kinds of people. We're still waiting for the moment when a director accepts his Oscar and says, "It all started with a book, I think it was called 'Pulling Down Your Pants' or something like that." We certainly believe that most of what is here is universal (the book has also been translated into Arabic), and hope that many, many Polish teens find this book useful. If it is, we hope we hear from them and get the opportunity to see their films some day.