Are you tuned into your senses?
Need some inspiration?
Ready for a career reboot, perhaps?
Simone Bartesaghi joins us on the Guided Goals Podcast, and we’re going to talk about filmmaking, story & senses. Simone is the author of The Director’s Six Senses, and teaches filmmaking, directing, and screenwriting.
Simone is an Italian award-winning filmmaker who has been recognized by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producer). He currently develops new projects through his production company, SIBA MEDIA LLC, and teaches film as an adjunct professor at Santa Monica City College.
Simone talks about how he worked in business until 10 years ago when he became a filmmaker, the benefits of following your passion, and some exercises to get in touch with your senses.
Simone’s Background
Simone’s life was completely different until about ten years ago. Growing up, he loved storytelling and creativity, but decided to pursue a career in business, as that was the sensible thing to do. Seeing he needed a creative outlet, Simone’s wife signed him up to take a short-film class.
Reluctantly, he entered the Milan International Film Festival, and won both first and second prize. With the prize came a scholarship to one year at the Los Angeles Film School. Simone and his wife put their lives in Italy on hold for 12 months, and came to the United States. After film school, Simone kept being presenting with fantastic copporunities. They kept extending their trip a few months at a time until finally they stopped postponing their return and settled in.
Taking Chances
Life is full of surprises and changes every day, Simone says. Some little things change everything.
At LA Film School the newer students worked on the films of the slightly more experienced ones.
One day on set, someone wanted Simone’s job on set, and they tried to send him home. Instead, Simone decided to take a little camera and shoot behind the scenes. He turned that footage into a documentary, Impressions at 24 Frames per Second, which caught the attention of his teachers and got him work.
The lesson: Respect your passion, you never know what will come of it. In Simone’s case, it turned into numerous opportunities, including his first directing gig.
From Business to Filmmaking
Simone talks about how his business career prepared him to be a filmmaker. There are many ways to enter the movie business and many jobs are still storytelling.
His first few jobs were as production manager, which was second nature, because it was similar to what he did in Italy, it was just a different product.
It was easy to translate his business background to production.
The Director’s Six Senses
Most books about filmmaking teach you how to take the shots. They aren’t about training your brain. We forget that all the other senses increase awareness and help you create, Simone explains.
Underneath our armor, we are all the same. We put on armor throughout our lives, but we are all the same nature. When we go back to the senses, it puts us on the same level.
If you pay attention to your senses, it will help you understand others, be open to other collaborations and relationships. Being a know-it-all reduces your ability to be successful. If you collaborate, you can be much more.
Sense Exercises
Simone shares some exercises you can do with your senses.
- Look at pictures in magazines. When you see one that sparks an emotion, try to figure out why you feel that emotion.
- When you sit at a coffeehouse, do the same. See what’s happening in front of you. If there are elements that attract your attention – there will be common patterns, color, composition – make a note of them.
Try to create and surround yourself with things that bring you excitement or calm you down, depending on what you want to do. When you create an environment that suits you, you’ll be more productive.
Collect pictures and put them in a folder. Forget the story behind the pictures, and it will help you figure out what you like. Simone tells his students: Don’t fight against your instincts, use these styles and characteristics to you benefit when you create.
Work/Life Balance
Simone doesn’t consider what he does work anymore. He knows he needs to take breaks, but he loves what he is doing so much, it isn’t work. Even while he is driving and talking to his wife, he’ll think of an idea ask her to write it down. She knows it’s something he’ll be working on the next day.
Goal of the Week 1: Keep a notebook of all the ideas that come to you.
Goal of the Week 2: Start a scrapbook or folder of pictures that mean something to you, so you can go back to it for inspiration.
Want to learn more about Simone’s story and using your senses? Listen to the entire interview on iTunes or Stitcher.
Watch the video:
The Guided Goals Podcast gives you the tools, direction, and resources you need to pursue your passion project. Thanks for tuning in.
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud, and leave a review.
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About Debra: A project catalyst, Debra Eckerling works with individuals and small businesses to create a strategy, set goals and manage their projects. Follow Debra @GuidedGoals, Like Guided Goals on Facebook, Subscribe to YouTube.
The Guided Goals Podcast gives you the tools, direction, and resources you need to pursue your passion project. Thanks for tuning in.
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud, and leave a review.
* * *
About Debra: A project catalyst, Debra Eckerling works with individuals and small businesses to create a strategy, set goals and manage their projects. Follow Debra @GuidedGoals, Like Guided Goals on Facebook, Subscribe to YouTube.
