By: Morgan Epps
Gearbevel City by: Morgan Epps
I was a tyrannical child. Many adults would have described me as “quiet, sweet, sensitive”, but at school, I was a borderline dictator. Parents would call me a “natural leader” meanwhile, I shoved leftover lima beans from school lunch down my friends’ throats and fought to the death for half of their cookie. Of course I grew out of the terrorism, but the control problems stayed, and gave me the twisted determination to become a director for my senior thesis film. I’ve now finished my senior year of SCAD, and an entire year of directing my film, Gearbevel City. Do you wanna know how I made it out on top? You know when lecture professors decide to play a TED Talk by disgustingly rich business owners as some form of motivation? Fuck that, don’t listen to that, listen to me instead. I instinctively block out anything Mark Zuckerburg says anyway, (to avoid becoming a corporate overlord). I’m here to tell you the do’s and don'ts of being a director. #boss #socialist
In all seriousness, I’m not at all the best director, but I’ve learned a lot of valuable things while directing. I’ve made so many deep connections and I honestly have a better idea of what I want to do after SCAD. That being said, DO make connections with your team, and DON’T ice them out. I know there’s a thin line of professionalism between me and someone I’ve probably split a fat one with 2 years ago at a party- but in the end, they are still just people who have the same amount of bullshit homework as you do. So get to know them, and treat them ALL the same-your prejudices against performing arts majors will only make it harder (It’s ok, they’re not real, they can’t hurt you).
DO be confident, but DON’T get a big head. Honestly, sometimes having all eyes on me does make my already swollen head look a bit more inflated, but no one is looking at you because you’re beautiful and perfect. When you give people the attention they deserve and the space to air out their opinions, others will do the same for you. If your head explodes from your bulging ego, people won’t want to look to you for help. DO bribe, DON’T make empty promises. Yes, I am a proud briber, but I’m an honest one too. Sometimes, if you need to convince your teammate to do a little more work with the promise of candy in the next class to motivate them, then so be it. Personally, it’s a plus if there’s enough candy for me, but it’s always a win-win situation.
Finally, DO be passionate about what you’re doing, DON’T ruin it for everyone else. A big part of being a director was, well, directing. I got to see my story come to life, to see my characters interact and become real. And THAT, everyone, was the highlight of directing. I knew I wasn’t picky, but the trust I had in my team assured me that no matter what happened, I knew I would absolutely love it. A plague of perfectionism looms over SCAD students, but try to focus on sitting back and seeing what happens. When you trust others’ judgements, when you realize your decision is not the end-all-be-all, and when you let go of the reins, you may be surprised to find that perfection is the beauty of teamwork.
Honestly, being a director has changed so many of my outlooks on life. I used to think being a director meant being the most prepared and important person. I was pleasantly surprised to find that leading wasn’t so lonely, that I could answer to someone other than myself. The control issues are still there, of course, but I like to think that I’ve turned it into my version of “self-regulation”.
Lastly, make sure to catch my senior thesis film, Gearbevel City, in the Animation Spring Showcase at the Trustees Theater on May 31st! And to all those dreaming of becoming a director, seriously, don’t bother listening to those TED Talks. Good luck!
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