Scott Hartmann's BLOG

It’s summer. I’m off from school. This is the first time in two years I haven’t been taking classes. I’ve really wanted to take advantage of my time here at Chapman, but I didn’t realize how it was affecting me. I was getting burnt out and not dealing with the things in front of me as well as I could be. It really was made clear when I was finally able to get back to family and friends back home in Oregon. I likened it to a soul refill. I definitely needed to be able to work on my thesis.

For the next year, my main focus will be on making a thesis film. I’ve done two years of training, practice, learning, etc., so that I am prepared to make this movie. It will be without question the biggest production I’ve ever taken on. One of the great things about the production is the team with whom I’m working. It was a really stressful process trying to crew up, and in my opinion I saw many of my school peers act with little character and class. It was emotionally draining and unnecessary. Regardless, without overly romanticizing it, I think the universe knew what it was doing and brought us together. The more I deal with the team the happier I am. I think we can make a great movie together.

The name of the movie is MASCOTS. It’s a coming of age story about a college aged kid who is part Native American, with friends, sets out to protest the use of Native mascots and learning about himself in the process.

A story about a Native American college student who sets out to prove himself as a Native by going to protest the use of Natives as Mascots, but learns there’s more to the experience than he expected. We’ve been working on the screenplay and we’ll start fundraising soon (so expect to hear from me, haha). We’re aiming for the stars and as a team we really want to make a great movie. So stay tuned, I suspect this is what I’ll be talking about a lot over the next year.

I visited Oregon for two weeks and saw as many people as I could. Which was made harder by getting sick for 5 days in the middle of the trip. However, still great to be there. I came back to Cali with a clear head, a better attitude and real interest in getting back to work on the upcoming thesis. One of the things that was great about being in Oregon was I knew when I saw people, friends and family; they were genuinely excited to see me. That’s a great feeling.

The early part of July I went to Nebraska for a visit. This was also a chance for me to be there when they interned my grandfather’s ashes. I usually can hold it together for these sorts of things, but there was a moment there I thought I was going make scene. I actually had to look up and ask out loud for help. I felt like it was important for me go and as it turns out it was completely worth it. Aside from the somberness of that occasion and the heartbreak of seeing my grandmother so upset, it was a great visit. I was able spend time with family I don’t get to see often enough, saw wonderful 4^th of July fireworks that were unlike anything I grew up with and I ate great food. The food helped me pad my weight for a big summer goal and weight loss contest I working on this summer.

My sister Leanna and I are in the midst of a weight loss contest. Based on weight loss percentage. So I might be able to lose the most weight, but if it isn’t enough to beat the percentage… I lose. So far it’s gone well. I started at 328. Though I’m sure when I was in Oregon I was up in the 330′s. Love that thin crust pizza. My short term goal has been to get my weight below 300 for the first time in about 15 years. I’m told I carry it well, but it’s still a lot of weight. And you don’t see a lot of 300 pound 80 year old men walking around. As of today I weighed in at 305. Pretty pleased with that. Feels like a good start. One of the neat things about the whole thing now is that it hasn’t been too tough at all. I’ve never even tried to lose weight by watching my eating AND going to the gym. As it turns out, makes things a lot easier to do it in tandem. HaHa. The thing I’m waiting for now is for someone, unprompted, to notice the weight loss. Until then, I go to the gym and watch my calories. So we’ll see where it goes…

Life has gotten crazy busy recently. We’re in the midst of pre-production for the next movie. I like directing. I really do, but I think there are many occasions that the “directing thing” or at least the perception of it is more impressive than it is truthfully. I don’t know how much people know about making movies and what the real work is for a director, but I can impart a little insight… it’s not really that impressive. Don’t confuse that with easy by any stretch. I might even go so far as to say it can be a glorious pain in the ass. I don’t think many people have an inkling of the work that goes into directing even short film. Don’t feel defensive if that’s you, because I’m in school, graduate school, with a number of people who have no idea either. Sometimes these are people standing next to the food table who want to be called “director”. They see the “man in the chair” and they want to be THE DIRECTOR too. They say smugly “I can do that”. For the most part they only see directing as being the big cheese, the great man at the top, and of course they have no idea the work and responsibility that comes with the title. All that said it’s the job for me. It’s a great lesson I’ve been able to pull away from being film school. I’m still very grateful for the opportunity to make movies and learn more about the process and production.
On paper film school is supposed to be an academic environment that has been set up so that people who have extensive experience to teach students the craft of filmmaking. Hopefully good films. We’re trying to learn how to find the story, the character, the conflict and the rest of the stew that goes toward making a movie with some level of skill and craft. However, I think too often the environment that film schools set up is more geared toward developing film critics rather than film makers. It’s such an easy thing to sit back and watch someone else’s creative effort and dismiss it in a cavalier way. That is film school too.
This weekend two of my movies, Bad Character and Keys to Closure, will be screening at the Mid-Valley Video Festival in Salem, OR. You can find more information at Mvvfest.org . Might have a shot at a trophy of some sort.

So it’s been a long time since I welled up for something happy and from real life. Movies can definitely get me. When I’m a little moody a commercial will pull a controlled breath from me, but it seems to be rare that real life will get me to loosen up on the tear ducts. This emotional outpouring is rare and a great barometer for some events in my life. Last Sunday I drove up to L.A. to watch my very close friend Bryan propose to his girlfriend, now fiancé, Natalie. And as a bonus I was able to see and spend time with long time friends. It was one of those occasions that can remind you how valuable and special real friends can be and how much their lives mean to mine.

Last night I took a quick glance out my bedroom window as the sun was setting. Though most times I wouldn’t have spent too much time taking it in. Maybe I’ll pause for a second, but last night I felt compelled to grab my camera so I could share it. There are too few times that I feel fortunate to see things that move me. And let me remind you, this was taken from my bedroom window. I felt fortunate last night.

So it occurred to me that in my time at Chapman University I’ve made a few movies. That wasn’t the part that occurred to me. What occurred to me is that I have a blog now and I can share what I’ve made with people who are interested. I sent out a big email and invited a lot people to watch my most recent work. I really appreciate the people who were gracious enough to watch the movies. The support and feedback is greatly appreciated.

I’ve setup a page on Vimeo.com to show my work. You are welcome to check out the new movies as well as some older ones. Vimeo is good place to post good quality versions of the movies I’m made, so I will continue to upload them each week.

Bad Character is the most recent, and without question the biggest movie, I’ve been a part of making. I didn’t do it alone by any means. It was very much a collaboration. And for the first time I directed a movie I didn’t write myself. It was a challenge to make this movie, but overall I’m pleased with how it turned out. You can watch it online (the password is: writersblock) at Vimeo.com BAD CHARACTER. The reason I have this particular movie password protected is that I’m planning on sending it to festivals.

I directed movie over the summer as well. It was a great project. The first time I’ve gone into a movie with no script, no story, and no idea where I’m going. I approached much the same way John Cassavettes or Mike Leigh approach making movies. A lot of improv and freedom. It was a great experience for me and I’m happy with the end result. You can go to the Vimeo page or click on the link below.

Keys to Closure

I’ve also upload my first year movie, BROKEN. It was originally titled Wedding Bowl, but I recently changed the title to something that was less likely to make people wrinkle their nose in confusion.

Anyhow, that’s what I have for now. If you do watch the movies please drop me a line and let me know what you think. I’m trying to get better at this and getting feedback from people who are not film school snobs is very helpful.

Not exactly the New Year. It’s already past the middle of the month. Argh! I’m aware of how quickly things can slip by these days. The bane and pleasure of aging I suppose. For example, I moved to the fine city of Orange in August of 2008 and I don’t know that I wrote in my journal since I made the trek. I think about it, but alas we are not at a point where thoughts are transposed into words for an online journal. Just yet. However, I’ve made a resolution. In fact, my only resolution for this new year. I’ve resolved to do a better job of writing in my journal (Blog now). I’m never certain if people read it, but if anyone wants to follow, catch up or review the roller coaster that can be my chosen life, then great. Read on…

So I’ve installed and plan on using the blog format and for the most part this is a trial and a test to see if it works. If it does then you’ll see more. If it doesn’t work, then you’re not reading this…