Lauren Bowen

FS301

Documenting a Vision to Achieve Success

In both music and film, performers are cued and expected to display their skills aptly. However, in order to display skill without flaws, one must “train, and prepare to fill any post with credit and master any subject with facility.”¹ The steps necessary to reach any goal include hard work, determination, and confidence. Besides these features, I will need to acquire other elements in order to fulfill my goal. Implanting myself in local organizations and clubs in and around campus will let me gain the knowledge I lack. My ultimate dream is to work behind the scenes of any feature film or network station. Specifically, I aspire to create and add the soundtracks to media such as movies and television shows. By using both my musically calibrated ear and my knowledge of radio, television, and film, I would be able to integrate the two and produce moving and influential work in media. Not only would I be fulfilling a lifelong dream of working with music and film together, but I would also hope to further develop film community in Austin by utilizing my passions. Therefore, when I am finally cued and expected to present my skills, I will be able to showcase my “aspirations and achievements.” ²

Although my journey may be long and arduous, I have certain outlets in which I can envision many accomplishments, such as the Longhorn Pulse. In mid October, I showed an interest in becoming involved in this campus-based television show. Shortly after I submitted an application, the crew accepted me out of a handful of students and made me the production manager on set. I am elated that this opportunity has been presented to me. Not only will I gain hands-on experience behind the set, but also I will have new challenges and responsibilities that will only further my desires and dreams. At first, I was skeptical as to whether or not I would be able to find a channel through which I would be able to express my creativity and abilities. After becoming involved in Longhorn Pulse, I recognize that “as [my] life is now the life of the University, the University begins to animate [my own life].” ³ I am currently exemplifying leadership as a department head for this organization. Setting film dates, getting authorized access to certain locations, sending out crew calls, and gathering essential equipment for the shoot are the main aspects of my job. However, how can I promote my experiences with the Longhorn Pulse to lead me to greater things? The answer is simple: I must become involved in as many organizations and associations as possible. There are a handful of organizations on and around campus that deal with film. Austin Film Society, University Filmmakers Alliance, Longhorn Pulse, TSTV Crew, Student Film, and Independent Filmmakers of Austin are a few of the organizations I could become involved with. A sense of responsibility gained from these associations will facilitate my future ambitions. By achieving reliability and dependableness through such an organization, I would be able to act as a true leader in any future endeavors.

To accomplish my ultimate goal, I must “develop, to the fullest extent [I] can, the powers of [my] mind in all [its] rousing strength and reach for what is noble.” ⁴ Hence, I plan on becoming involved in the University Filmmakers Alliance. The University Filmmakers Alliance is one of the most hard working and industrious groups around campus. Hopefully, my activity in this organization will allow me to work integration of music into film rather than the managerial-type work that I have experienced with the Longhorn Pulse. As stated in the Proverbs of Solomon, “wisdom is the principle thing: therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding.” ⁵ Like the proverb asserts, it is vital to my growth as a filmmaker to gain experience and to become familiar with the field that I would like to enter. The University Filmmakers Alliance would enable me to use my experiences from Longhorn Pulse and my accumulated creativity to demonstrate my proficiency in media. In order to prove my abilities as a leader and a filmmaker, I would hope to gain an officer position. This position would allow me to show my creations that combine music and film and also allow me to share my knowledge with others who are qualified in this field. The only method to working productively on a film crew is by devoting time and heart to any project. Along with dedication, the experience and practice I will gain from working with an organization will be beneficial to any aspect of my life. However, “training is a matter of rule; it is not mere application, however exemplary, which introduces the mind to truth…such knowledge is a result of a scientific formation of mind; it is an acquired faculty of judgment, of clear-sightedness, of sagacity, of wisdom, of philosophical reach of mind, and of intellectual self-possession and repose.” ⁶ Consequently, I do not anticipate acquiring more knowledge and information from the University Filmmakers Alliance, but rather gaining familiarity. By the end of my membership with that group, I plan to have completed a short silent film. Seeing that music would be the audio in the movie, I will be able to prove my expertise in music. However, because the production of a film is very complicated, I will seek aid from my UFA peers. Assigning each person to a certain task would not only exhibit leadership, but would also create a working crew. By having a crew to cover certain aspects in film production, my ability to work cohesively would be exemplified. This piece of work that I will have produced while with the alliance will enable me to collaborate and cooperate with other aspects of film in order to make a finished product. As stated by A. Bartlett Giametti, “[The greatest gifts are the] connections in and through ideas as palpable and real as anything you will ever encounter, with other minds, past, present, and future.” ⁷ Therefore, the capability to work in an interrelated manner with other members on a crew will help me become better acquainted with other features in film. This would be the most beneficial facet of being active in the University Filmmakers Alliance.

The next ideal step in my journey to incorporate music and film is getting an internship with any television station or on the set of any feature film. Local stations such as KTBC, KVUE, and KXAN frequently agree to harbor extra hands on set. Much like the television stations, independent production companies always seek additional production assistants to complete small jobs. Working with either a television station or a production company would elevate my level of experience. Although this task may seem feasible, my ability to gain an internship is not particularly difficult. The director of the Longhorn Pulse, whom I work with, also spends time behind the scenes of local feature films and television stations. When I first began working with the Longhorn Pulse, the director suggested that I accompany him on any Saturday in order to see more behind-the-scenes work. Although my schedule right now does not leave much room to partake in outside events, he promised that I could work on any local set during the summer. This chance to relate my knowledge to an actual piece of work will allow more opportunities in the film industry. Because I aspire to work in a field in which experience can carry you farther than knowledge, it is vital to work on an actual set rather than reading about one. I would apply my understanding of responsibility and my capability to work cohesively with other features of media to this internship. Dedicating myself wholeheartedly to a certain project will permit me to work to best of my abilities. Being able to participate behind the scenes of any film or on the set of a television show would equip me with the proper know-how and provide me with the potential to apply all of my collected knowledge. Through this internship I hope to accumulate knowledge of working with actual mixing boards and implanting tracks into scenes. Although this job will rely heavily on the aid of others, my work with tracks will be a main aspect of the finished product. With music being a main part of my dream, the technology and equipment offered at television stations and on film sets would allow me to experiment with different soundtracks and audio clips. Even if the music were not to be incorporated in the scene, my access to such equipment would be beneficial. I could be able to utilize particular amenities such as soundboards and studio equipment only offered in audio labs in order to enhance my familiarity with the incorporation of music in film. This internship would probably occur during the summer of my junior year. With my college career coming to a close, most of my coursework will have been finished. My freer schedule will enable me to focus on media work only. The opening of time will provide me with space to concentrate more on the effects that can be placed in soundtracks. Effects such as fading, distortion, and other various specific features are commonly used in films. By understanding and better comprehending how to create a desired effect, I could have a greater range of musical tracks. Furthermore, combining the attributes gained from each trial will supply me with the essential foundation needed to “truly be an agent of positive change.”⁸ The years of experience pertaining to film and music will secure my future in sound mixing. My career will be determined on the type and length of experience gained in college. Therefore, all of the steps required to reach my goal will be vital to my success.

Through means of participating and becoming active in different associations and organizations, my ability to reach my ultimate goal will not be complicated. By obtaining qualities such as responsibility and dependability from the Longhorn Pulse, my ability to start or finish a project will be simple. Along with those skills, being able to combine my work with others’ contributions will allow me to cooperate and integrate with other groups. Lastly, applying all my knowledge to one area of media will produce a piece of work that others will be able to connect with on an artistic level. Therefore, all of these aspects of hard work will help me “accommodate [myself] to others, throw [myself] into [others’] state of mind, bring before [others my] own, influence [others], come to an understanding with [others], [and] bear with [others].”⁹ In exchange, I will be completing a vision. My dream of combining music and film to inspire others would slowly become a reality by taking the necessary steps. Although my aspiration may include many hours in a studio mixing sound clips and changing the audio levels on a track, the finished product would be verification of my hard work and labor. My pilgrimage through college will supply me with the proper steps and abilities to become a leader. By developing and utilizing the acquired traits from each step taken, I will be able to prove myself as a truly skilled worker in the media business. Besides physical work and dedication, “the knowledge, which is desirable, though nothing comes of it, as of itself a treasure, [is] a sufficient remuneration of years of labour.”¹⁰ Therefore, even though it may be a long and strenuous journey to success, the skills gained through each crucial step will lead me to the achievement of my goal. Thus, when I am cued and expected to perform without fault, I will be able to demonstrate the abilities that I received through pursuing my vision.

Word count: 1964

Citations:

1. John Henry Newman, “The Idea of a University,1852”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 313.
2. A. Bartlett Giametti, “A Free and Ordered Space”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 323.
3. A. Bartlett Giametti, “A Free and Ordered Space”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 321.
4. A. Bartlett Giametti, “A Free and Ordered Space”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 321.
5. Solomon, “The Bible”, A. Bartlett Giametti, “A Free and Ordered Space”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 301.
6. John Henry Newman, “The Idea of a University,1852”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 311-312.
7. A. Bartlett Giametti, “A Free and Ordered Space”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 321.
8. James W. Vick, “The Core Purposes of the University”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 298.
9. John Henry Newman, “The Idea of a University,1852”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 313.
10. John Henry Newman, “The Idea of a University,1852”, in Explore Texas, ed. Jerome Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2006), 310.

Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6344390265032304367&q=sound+mixer&hl=en

v Combining Audio and Video 1 page 1 – Pictures taken from Microsoft Clip Art Gallery Online

v Keeping Longhorns in Beat with UT 1 page 2 – Picture taken from http://www.airstudio7.com/Pulse/Home.html

v The UFA Logo 1 page 3 – Picture taken from http://www.utfilm.org/

v Working Behind the Scenes 1 page 4 – Picture taken from http://sinope.redjupiter.com/images/BetsyDevine/tonykahn2006.jpg

v Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6344390265032304367&q=sound+mixer&hl=en 1 page 4 – Picture taken from http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6344390265032304367&q=sound+mixer&hl=en

v A sound Mixer at Work 1 page 6 – Picture taken from http://www.audiostrategy.com/sound_mixer.jpg