Reflections on film making workshops – by Norm Palazzi

Norm Palazzi (L) with Claire Liversidge and Bruce Ryan at Documentary workshop

David was excellent at determining the level of understanding of each student and pitching his comments and instructions to these various levels. Also his knowledge of the film industry is absolutely top rate and hence his instruction was very relevant and very valuable.

I came to the workshops with a reasonable degree of understanding of the editing process. My main area of deficiency was in the pre production work particularly with setting up such things as the storyboard, the lighting, the camera work as in angles, long shots/close up etc.

I was also very keen to get some input into the level of equipment needed for a person such as I who, whilst not having ambitions of making a career in the film industry, am a keen amateur who would really like to improve the quality of my film work.

I like working across generations and usually find I can relate with young people quite effectively. I was conscious of being the only “oldie” in the group but I was happy with this and found the young folk in the group very easy to get along with and to work with.

Although I wasn’t able to participate as often as I would have liked, I was very happy to do what I could and learnt a lot, particularly with the actual filming aspects of lighting, setting up for a shoot, camera techniques and such like. Unfortunately I missed the sessions on interviewing, but have a reasonable level of experience in this area. It would have been good to be involved there though.

David Hansen (L). Howard Frieker (R) and Dylan Oliver (Back) at Documentary workshop,

I have determined that I will get the next step up in the editing software that I am familiar with and this should cover my requirements with the editing of my work. I will also get myself a better camera and other gear too. With this level of equipment I should be able to produce a much more professional finished product.

Thanks so much to Mayu for making it possible, to David and Bruce for their expert professional tutorage and to all the other participants for making it such a great week of learning and sharing.

– Post by Norm Palazzi

– Photos by Mayu Kanamori