ENDA Episode 28→ The time when the Endless Apprentice met his first heroes (Part 5)

During the retrospective I did of the SAMA team, I realized there was one particular incident that I had completely ignored: the final project that came after their second short film.

The final project was to do a short film with just pictures and sound design but in pairs. So this time SAMA had to separate: the girls in one team and the guys in the other.

The girls’ project had a simple storyline, but well executed and with an art direction that helped to give personality to their characters: eggs with faces and handmade clothes. Their only weakness: small problems with the editing and probably with a more defined sound work it would have reached the standard from their previous projects.

The guy’s project was a different story. Both being more on the technical side decided to do a stop-motion with plasticine in just a day or two, but the results were not the expected. Although the lighting and sound design saved the short film, the poor state of the art made it difficult to understand the story and dropped their grade to a close failing.

It was then that I understood how the group worked, they were like “Paramore”. Together they rock, but separated they can not reach the same heights. In retrospect, that made me realize that they rarely separate to do short films with other people and that somehow limits them.

At the end of that semester, I made a decision and after talking with one of the members who was about to leave for an international exchange, I was more reassured.

I will never forget how they inspired me for almost half of my career, but now it was time that I took my own path: instead of wanting to be like my heroes, I will aim to surpass them.

Of course, I was at a great disadvantage: I was neither a talented director nor an in-depth technician or a natural artist. Nonetheless, I could give my new group what SAMA was lacking in all their projects: a production style that would balance the project quality with their actual deadlines.

One where the crew members could work knowing that the schedule was flexible enough to deal with any problems or unexpected delays. One that would work and anticipate 3 or 4 weeks ahead of what others were visualizing.

And yes, all that meant one thing: I needed to become a producer. A decision that for better or worse would shape me as an artist.

How was my path as a producer?

Well, that would be for the next series.