During the opening week of Glasgow Film Festival, Arts Practitioner Chak joined some of Eden Court's film and drama participants for a series of Behind The Scenes events hosted by Glasgow Film Theatre.
It was a truly inspiring weekend down at Glasgow Film Festival. I learned a lot; not just technical skills but general life tips that the speakers shared as well. I remember vividly when Mark Leese, Production Designer for This Is England, asked the audience: "Be honest - did anyone look up who I was before this talk? Raise your hand if you did." When only three people raised their hands, it didn't highlight his own ego but rather the importance of networking within the film industry. This made me reflect on my attitude towards my own filmmaking journey and has taught me to be proactive and not be shy in reaching out for contacts. Most people in the film industry are very friendly - and I can definitely testify to that after taking part in a few short film open mic nights at GMAC Film. Leaving a good impression is all it takes for people to remember you.
Hearing the speakers’ authentic sharing and how they channel their passion within the film industry helped me understand that there’s no one way or set path to follow. The most important thing is to keep trying and put in lots of hard work (and passion of course!) - "imperfect action takes things forward" as producer Lauren Lamarr said. Sometimes it’s hard to gain self-belief when we’re just starting out and needing external validation. This inner struggle is a shared process for all emerging artists, and this fact really created a sense of solidarity amongst everyone at the event, including myself.
It has been very touching to hear some of our young people’s feedback on how hopeful they feel about their futures after the trip down to Glasgow. The impact from events like this can be enormous and ripple beyond our imagination. I am grateful for all the funding that Glasgow Film Theatre has provided us with and ultimately contributed to us sowing the creative seeds of the next generation in Scotland. The Engagement team at Eden Court feels proud to continue supporting and nurturing our future filmmakers within the Highlands and Islands; bringing more local stories to the screen and sharing them with the world.
Chak is a multi-disciplinary artist from Hong Kong. His intuitive approach to filmmaking began with a birthday video that he made for one of his middle school friends. The ability to bring a smile to someone’s face is what motivates him to create wholeheartedly.