So You Want to Find Out About The...

 Film Industry

This week, we found out that Mr. Heerdegen, Mrs. Dorsey's team teacher, had majored in the Film Industry. So, we decided to talk to him about how you can get into the Film Industry. Here’s what he told us.

For the first two years in college, he didn’t get to use a camera. Considering it was a film class, it was a really surprising fact. The only way you could use a camera was to prove that you knew how to use the camera, and the history of film. For the second two years at college, you get to use a camera and work with groups to make short films and small movies.

After he finished college, he decided not to go into the film industry because of a few things.

1.       You have to put yourself out there and hope you get a job.

2.       You have to work for 18 hours a day.

3.       Most people who even get to touch a camera and film a movie, are over 30 years old.

4.       You really have to work yourself up the ladder to fame.

5.       You’re not your own boss, you have a boss.

6.       A lot of movies are made, and not very many make the cut and are released.

He also told us that being in film really is a good thing. It helps you to express yourself, and find yourself. Even accept who you are and where you come from.

Mr. Heerdegen said that his favorite type of film is Experimental Film. What’s fun about it is that it doesn’t follow Hollywood Standards, and is looked at as more of a piece of art, because it really doesn’t have a plot. One of his favorite experimental films was when he played 6 different films at the same time, on different projectors set up around the room. He even had his friend who was a dj play at the same time as the films. He said he thought that this experimental film was one of his favorites because it required the audience to participate and notice one screen and then the other.

He made this film by placing Found Footage from about 100 years ago. He also shared with us that film manipulation is often sped up, or slowed down.  This made us think that maybe his film may have been manipulated.  So, here is his demo reel that he has happily shared with us. Just click on the link, and it will take you directly to his demo. Enjoy!

Mr. Heerdegen's Demo Reel!