The formula is changing constantly with the advancement of technology,
and audience expectations is very different from what it used to be and
where it will be. This shape shifting terrain is both haunting and exciting.
Because it requires crazy artistic people to indulge themselves in it. And the
best part is, no one knows where this is heading…
Directing is an art. Art is created through imagination, commitment, applied
scheduling, timing and execution. Every shooting day from pre-production,
until the last day of post-production is a battle for ‘quality.’ It is intense. You
have to keep your sense of humor. You have to be victorious. There is no
other way. It’s both mind boggling and exhilarating. When you think about
it, you go into a meeting and you talk to a ‘producer,’ and pitch: ‘I see this,
and I need this much money so I can go make this film that I see in my
head.’ And sometimes they do bite based on your visual that you created in
their head, sometimes (like 1% of the time), and it’s the best virtual game
imaginable. It’s all nuts. Yes crazy.
There is an element of vitality and energy that fascinates me in directing a
movie. When I direct, It is a reflection that stems from the fabric of the lives
and moments I have lived. Images that have moved me, sounds that have
haunted me and colors that have enriched my life. To bring personal
experiences that have touched, inspired, saddened, and made me happy,
usually plays a part in making any film. I find this true when I get married to
making films. The writing is no different. I find myself privileged that I can
write screenplays and witness the greatest expression of freedom –
transposing the literal medium into a visual medium – when it comes to life,
it is magical. It is in my blood to make films that portray strong emotions,
strong characters and make them controversial with intriguing stories. I
want characters to show humanity, empathy, intellectual strength, and
transform themselves with chilling perfection. I live by these rules. I breathe
them.
I come from the independent world. This means I had to ‘suffer’ to make
feature films. Perhaps ‘suffer’ is even an understatement. But with pain
there is reward, and mine is known as ‘experience.’ With experience came
the key element every director must possess, INSTINCT. Doing everything
you can to make the film work in the most economical and timely manner.
Capturing the right moments to make it interesting enough to keep the
audience intrigued. The visual style and production design at any budget
makes any film no less special. It is difficult. But that is what I am used to
doing. REVENGE OF THE MASK 1 & 2 like RISE OF THE MASK 1 & 2 are
short films that were made in two weeks each, and broke records with
views on YouTube. Even when it comes to a short, a commercial or a music
video, the cost of making a film without losing its integrity in a very limited
time is always in the back of my mind. So from experience, I have become
sharper, smarter, and refined to make features without wasting time. The
best experience for a director in this is that I know exactly what I want when
I shoot a film. Improvisation becomes an end in itself. Everything has been
made, every story has been told, so what is it that I bring that is different?
Style is key. I get involved in everything and in that I know not only about
writing, but also, cinematography, editing, music composition, color
correction, sound, and sound design, all the way to distribution. This is
what I bring to the table. This is the life I have lived.
I look forward to reading my next film, meeting the right group, or person to
work with, from cast, to crew, to the producers. It is all a privilege. It is all
wonderful. It is film making.
Thank you for visiting my web page.
Lance Kawas
INSTAGRAM @lancekawasfilms
