When I was in high school, I had every intention of becoming a director "when I grew up."

When I started college, I intended to major in Film-Digital Media. My university's housing services placed me in the dorms with other potential film majors, and that is when I realized I wasn't cut out for it. It seemed like every other person knew so much more about film. They all had previous knowledge that I didn't. I felt so behind. Besides all of that, my parents weren't supportive of me being a filmmaker, so naturally I gave up on my dreams and became a Sociology major.

So fast forward to the present day. I'm still majoring in Sociology, but I got a job on campus checking out equipment to production students. I picked up on bits and pieces of information, like knowing the difference between shotgun and cardiod mics. One of the production students offered me a position as assistant director (no previous experience required) for her senior project, so I accepted. I figured at least I could get a feel for what I could have been doing...

That is how I met Chris. He was the DP for the student project, and now he is one of the camera operators for Around the Bay.

When the director, Alex, asked me if I'd like to help out by taking photos and other random tasks, I was excited. After all, this wasn't just another student film. It has the potential to go places, and I could get credit for doing something.

During the first weekend I helped out (September 30 & October 1), I noticed how much film/movie knowledge the camera operators had. They talked about compositions, lighting, etc., and referred to films I had never seen before. It was like the beginning of college all over again, when I felt left out and behind.

But this time it was different. I felt like I had a purpose. When someone needed a new battery, I had a fresh one ready. When someone needed a new tape, I gave them one, and labeled/put away the used one. But what I liked the most were those times the director would personally go over to me and ask me how I was doing. It made me feel appreciated.

And today I received an email from Alex, inviting me to be a part of this blog. What am I supposed to write about? I don't know too many film terms. I don't know much about Around the Bay.

But I guess I can talk about other things, like how one time when we were shooting at the house, I picked up one of the coffee table books on Japanese baths. As I flipped through the pages, one of the photos caught my eye--it looked really familiar. I then realized that the photo was of the teahouse/guesthouse in the backyard of the shooting location. Later on, I picked up the other coffee table book on Japanese gardens, once again found the teahouse featured in it, and read a page about how the homeowners bought the property in 1975 with the teahouse unfinished.

Or I could also talk about the time they were shooting next to the teahouse, and Sam, one of the boom operators, told me to watch out for dog crap. With the bugs flying around me, and having to worry about stepping in dung, I decided to find a place a bit far away to sit. From a distance, I could see Sam and Brian constantly checking their shoes.

Another thing I noticed are the relationships between the actors. Even before the cameras are rolling, they begin to make conversation, and most of the time I'm not sure if they're speaking as their characters or if they're chatting as themselves. Usually, I don't know if I should watch/listen to them because if they're conversing as themselves, I wouldn't want to seem like I was eavesdropping. But on the other hand, if they're acting, I want to pay attention to them.

I guess it's just the sociologist in me, trying to get a sociological perspective.

It's now midnight, and I have a Sociology class at 8 A.M. Enough of this. It's time for sleep.