Podcast by Mercy Calvo-Cruz & Brenda Sanchez Barrera. Staff Reporters.
In this episode of the Fluidity of Art, Digital Media Art students Marcos Gonzalez and David Clark go into depth about what filmmaking means to them, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their motivation, and what advice they would give to others trying to pursue filmmaking.
Before getting interested in filmmaking, Clark explored other interests, such as creating writing, and making music. He was in a few underground bands, such as Absence of Mine, for which he created multiple music videos and promotional videos. It was practice with creating promotional videos that sparked his fascination with editing and filmmaking. Soon after, Clark changed his major from Psychology to Digital Media Arts.
For Gonzalez, his major was undecided for two years while he attended community college. It was only when he took film classes that his passion for the art grew.
Both students transferred to CSUDH in the midst of the pandemic. As a result of this, they had a difficult time adjusting and feeling motivated. Having to be in isolation during their first semester on campus was especially difficult because most of their classes were hands-on.
“Looking back at [it] now… there were major motivation problems, it sucks to have to work on your own, it sucks to have to organize a whole shoot on your own,” Clark said about the struggles he faced.
Gonzalez added, “For me personally, it was definitely that writer’s block of having to come up with ideas to make a film…” He also states that because his personal style is improv comedy, it was difficult to stay motivated when classes were online and he had to work all by himself.
As creatives, it’s natural to want to express a certain message through art; This message can vary from person-to-person. “I want to convey that we all have similar experiences… we’re not that different,” Gonzalez said.
Clark, who wants to convey an alternate message in his art i, said, “I like to fight cynicism… I hope that’s what I can continue to do.”
When asked what advice they would give to others trying to pursue digital media arts, both students felt very strongly about networking with peers. “Make friends, find people who are in your classes, and talk to them,” Clark said.
Clark and Gonzalez encourage students, regardless of major, to join CSUDH’s film community discord to make new friends and stay updated with any events coming up.
