Dare to Dream: Unveiling the Magic of Independent Filmmaking
At Sundance 2020, Scott Turner Schofield posed a question that changed my life: if I was passionate about film, why wasn’t I pursuing it?
His straightforward advice was jarring yet motivational: stop waiting for the perfect opportunity; create your own. He suggested starting small instead of making the daunting move to LA without any prior foundation, reining in those romantic dreams of spending days in studio backlots into achievable action steps that could be accomplished where I lived.
I initially reached out to a local production company in San Francisco looking for volunteer opportunities. Though they weren’t currently taking on volunteers, they suggested I contact Ilena Ferrer and Michelle (Shelly) Prevost at Reel Freedom Films, known for their dedication to nurturing new talent. With my heart still pounding after several dozen tweaks to a simple query, I sent them an email.
To my surprise, I received a response almost immediately. Little did I know, this email would spark a journey filled with discovery, creativity, and meaningful connections. In a stroke of luck and perfect timing, I caught their attention just as they were starting a new project, “Roots in My Garden.” As I learned more about the film’s exploration of the fight for LGBTQ+ parental rights, I knew I had to be part of it.
The Birth of a Passion Project
When I first embarked on this project, I was engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions: the topic spoke to me as I fought my imposter syndrome and occasionally had to step back from the work to remember that this was really happening. I was finally involved in pursuing my dream. I threw myself into the work, taking on any task that came my way. I researched local donation and collaboration opportunities, brainstormed crowdfunding rewards, and created social media pages to ignite excitement for this project. Every moment of our crowdfunding campaign was a learning experience. The days were long, and the work was challenging, but my sense of purpose kept me going. Once we hit our goal, we pushed on to auditions.
During auditions, I found myself in the position of reading lines from the script to help the actors. It was my first time working on a film and here I was sitting across from the actors, script in hand, trying to do justice to the characters. As I stumbled through the lines, attempting to capture the essence of the characters, I gained a newfound appreciation for the actors’ training and talent. Watching them breathe life into the characters by infusing each line with depth and emotion was mesmerizing. I was witnessing magic: the script transformed into something tangible. This experience, more than any other, made me realize the true power of acting – its ability to evoke emotions, move, and inspire. The actors’ capacity to change tones and facial expressions with direction and to repeat lines with different emotional nuances was particularly striking. In those early days of auditions, I also recognized how crucial it was for directors to understand the characters and story. Shelly continually offered insights into the characters’ feelings and contextualized their experiences to inspire the actors’ performances. I remember looking and speaking with Jo Lauer, the author of “Roots in My Garden,” and asking her what it felt like to hear these words read aloud and have her vision brought to life. She was just as entranced and moved as I was.
Jo Lauer played a pivotal role throughout the project. Her presence was felt in every meeting and shoot, where she provided invaluable insights and opinions on various aspects of the film’s production. Interestingly, the journey from Jo’s written work to a full-fledged movie was unexpected. She hadn’t envisioned her story being turned into a film. However, a friend saw its potential cinematic value and suggested the concept.
This friend, Doug Kreitz, happened to know both Jo and the film’s producer-director duo, Michelle (Shelly) Prevost and Ilena Ferrer. Thanks to Doug’s connections, the initial collaboration was facilitated, leading to the birth of the project. This serendipitous connection highlights the organic and interconnected nature of creative endeavors within the independent filmmaking community.
Lights, Camera, Action!
My first time on set was both exhilarating and terrifying. Everything was new and overwhelming. It felt surreal, but also that it was precisely where I was meant to be.
As production progressed, I unexpectedly found myself stepping into another role—that of an extra. Being on set as an extra was intense, a total out-of-body sensation. Surrounded by the crew’s hustle and bustle, the cameras’ hum, and my fellow actors’ energy, I was transported to a different world. It felt like being at the center of a whirlwind, where every movement and action carried weight and expectation. The atmosphere was electric, with an unspoken pressure to seamlessly blend into the scene and contribute to the overall ambiance.
Overcoming Obstacles, Embracing Collaboration
The crew faced unexpected challenges, particularly navigating filmmaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to start and stop filming due to restrictions, which required us to maintain momentum even when we weren’t physically on set. Despite these interruptions, the dedication to the project never waned. I continued to promote the film online, while Ilena and Shelly worked diligently on the script and other aspects of production. From day one through to wrapping and even into post-production, our enthusiasm and commitment remained steadfast. We tackled every obstacle with the same drive and excitement, determined to bring the story to life despite the hurdles.
As a production assistant, I coordinated schedules, managed tasks, and prioritized health and safety. Every decision carried the weight of responsibility, from sourcing protective equipment to implementing testing and ensuring everyone had enough to eat. I also liaised with groups of extras, ensuring they were briefed and organized for their scenes. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, our team emerged with a profound sense of solidarity and resilience. We leaned on each other for support, united by our passion for storytelling and commitment to bringing our vision to life. As my journey on “Roots in My Garden” progressed, so did my role within the production team. What started as managing schedules and tasks evolved into a deeper level of responsibility. One significant milestone was when I was entrusted with assisting the crew in handling the equipment onto and out of the set. This marked a pivotal moment in my journey, signifying the team’s trust in my capabilities and commitment to the project. Handling the precious equipment required technical competence and a profound understanding of the importance of each piece in bringing our vision to life. It was a humbling experience to be entrusted with such a critical aspect of the production process, and it further solidified my dedication to the project and my passion for filmmaking.
Ingenuity and Collaboration: The Heart of Independent Filmmaking
Being a production assistant wasn’t just about ticking off tasks on a checklist. It was about wearing multiple hats and diving headfirst into the vibrant LGBTQ+ creative space that our film inhabited. It was about the power of dreams, of daring to put yourself out there and seize opportunities that seemed beyond reach. This experience taught me the true spirit of independent filmmaking. Despite operating on a shoestring budget, Shelly and Ilena never let that hold us back from unleashing our full creative potential to bring “Roots” to life. One memorable challenge we faced early in filming involved staging a traffic jam scene. With limited resources, we needed to create the illusion of a busy highway despite filming in a parking lot. We enlisted anyone who drove a car and meticulously staged the scene to ensure the camera captured a convincing portrayal of gridlock. It was a testament to our resourcefulness and determination to overcome obstacles in pursuing our artistic vision.
Unveiling the Magic
The beauty and ingenuity of the filmmakers left an indelible mark on me amidst the chaos that is part of the production process. One such instance was when we transformed a local student union into an airport using handmade sets. From arrival and departure signs to check-in counters and boarding gates, every detail was crafted to transform the ordinary into an imaginary airport. The craftsmanship was so remarkable that, at times, I forgot where we were while shooting, fully immersed in the world we had created.
Additionally, the collaborative spirit among our team members was evident in the creative solutions we devised. Our cinematographer, Steven Berke, spearheaded the development of a homemade crane that was needed for an overhead shot of the crowd. Drawing on input from various members, including our production designers and technical crew, Steven used different metal bars and a counterweight to create something that would allow the crew to seamlessly lifted the camera to where it was needed. This collaborative effort showcased our team’s resourcefulness and reinforced our commitment to realizing our creative vision.
On set, I learned the invaluable art of ensuring everyone knew what to do when orchestrating the symphony of filmmaking. But like any group, the bonds forged during the long production days didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling. There was the post-production phase, where we all turned from the macro-focus of the set to the micro-focus of the frame, before starting to navigate the world of film festivals and promotion.
This experience fundamentally transformed my perspective on filmmaking and deepened my understanding of the craft. I realized that creating a film is a genuinely collaborative endeavor in every sense of the word. It’s about bringing individual talents together and melding them into a cohesive vision. Every aspect, from the script to the cinematography, from the performances to the editing, requires meticulous attention to detail and a shared commitment to excellence.
Through this journey, I witnessed firsthand the immense effort and dedication needed to turn dreams into reality on the silver screen. There’s an incredible amount of thought and intentionality behind every decision, ensuring that the film not only looks right but feels right. These subtle nuances, often unnoticed by the audience, contribute to the final product’s overall impact and resonance. This realization has instilled in me a profound appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into filmmaking, and it’s a perspective I carry with me as I continue to pursue my passion for cinema.
Ultimately, “Roots in My Garden” is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-discovery. It reminds us that family comes in many forms and that home is where your heart is. As I look back on my journey with the film, I’m struck by how much it has shaped me and how the themes of identity, belonging, and growth resonate in my life. This journey has taught me that no dream is too big and no obstacle is insurmountable when fueled by passion and determination. It’s about taking that first step, even if it feels daunting, and trusting in the process. And amidst the challenges and uncertainties, there is beauty in the journey itself, the connections forged, and the growth experienced along the way.
The long-awaited “Roots in My Garden” premiere at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival marked the culmination of two years of passion and dedication. Seeing our labor of love come to life and embraced by an audience was an indescribable thrill. The journey continued as we traveled to the BAI Film Festival in San Francisco, where our film found a new audience and new accolades. Throughout it all, the power of following our dreams, pushing boundaries, and working within LGBTQ+ creative spaces resonated deeply.
As I continue to pursue my passion for filmmaking, I carry with me the lessons learned from “Roots in My Garden”—the importance of authenticity, collaboration, and staying true to oneself. I remain grateful for the opportunity to participate in something extraordinary, a project that entertained, touched hearts, and sparked meaningful conversations.