Thursday, March 11, 2010

Practicing One's Craft for the Sheer Joy of It

Ready...Set...OK, GO!

I'm neck-deep in a project, so I'll (try to) be brief.

I'm working really hard to learn Final Cut Pro because I want to produce some video shorts and expand my efforts at self-expression to include film. As with any worthwhile endeavor, there's a learning curve. And with any passion, there's a willingness to commit long hours.

I pulled an all-nighter last night trying to master FCP. I want to create a finished-looking DVD of Romeo & Juliet from the multi-camera filming we did on consecutive nights last week of the performances. Broken Box Theatre Company did an AMAZING job. Kudos to the players and their fantastic director, Ms. Nancy Moran.

I know what I'm doing, but I don't really know what I'm doing -- yet. It's been quite a challenge to master the complexity and power of FCP, but I'm really in to it. It's cool, even though it's painful. There's an old French saying:
Pain is the craft entering the apprentice...

Indeed.

But the payoff is quite joyful. To wit, here's a music video. I defy you to watch this video and not be both fascinated and tickled.


It's an absolute certainty that these folks worked hard on this product. Its, what, four minutes long? But I bet they loved every hour of the days and weeks it must have taken, and the four minutes of finished product, along with the joy of practicing their craft to create it, makes it all worthwhile. We should all be so lucky (or so committed to our passions to pursue them con brio).

Back to the editing station, because it's a labor of love. There's no better kind.

1 comment:

  1. I think in order to be successful in any artistic pursuit it must always begin as a labor of love-- because art is the final product, and that's what is given to the world, what will, possibly, earn you some kind of payout. Up until that point, it is all about crafting something that only you can see. I don't see why anyone would bother if they didn't love it, since there's such a long road, and no guarantee at the end of it.

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