Hey all, Jordan here! As filmmakers it’s awesome to be able to work with a variety of clients on exciting and challenging projects. Being able to make a living doing something that you love is a rare and satisfying situation. That being said, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to work on your personal projects in addition to paid jobs. This does three things for you:
1. Lets you hone your skills, practice new techniques, and explore different formats of the medium without the boundaries and expectations of delivering something to a client
2. Adds to your demo reel and portfolio. Some of my favourite pieces that I’m most proud of (which in turn can lead to more paid work) are videos that I’ve done purely on my own with no budget or expectations
3. Allows you to get back to the basics and focus on what really made you fall in love with filmmaking in the first place
Personal projects will of course range in diversity vastly from person to person, but one of my favourite weekend activities is to visit a park, beach, or some other type of nature and spend the day capturing it. I love the outdoors but I’m not good at wandering aimlessly, so making this type of video gives me a good excuse to get out there and explore the world around me.
My only objective with this video was to try to help the viewer experience the sights and sounds of fall at VanDusen Gardens
Normally on a shoot, I have to concern myself with things like capturing dialogue, following a script, maintaining continuity, directing actors, or conducting an interview; but “working” on a project like this allows me to simply enjoy composing and capturing beautiful imagery, which is what really stirs my inner artist. I find the process both relaxing and creatively stimulating.
The finished products have zero story and are not likely to impact a viewer in a deep way, but sometimes what you gain personally can’t be quantified in video views. This handful of projects (check out a couple more below) that I created in my spare time taught me so much, not only about my craft, but about slowing down and finding beauty in the every day. But that’s just me – What kind of passion projects do you like to pursue? Let me know in the comments!
On one long weekend afternoon I took a quick trip over the border to Point Roberts and challenged myself to get back to my roots and shoot something using only a tripod – no fancy slider, jib, or steadycam moves – just the basics.
While not inherently “beautiful” by most standards, this wild piece of land across the street from my childhood home held its own charms and memories for me. When I found out that it was going to be developed I made this piece as a way to simultaneously say goodbye and preserve a part of it.