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by Nicole Docta
I’m relatively new to the filmmaking world but have worked on a wide variety of projects. I was an Additional Production Assistant on Public Enemies when it was in Oshkosh, Milwaukee, and Chicago. On some days, there were 150 extras on set with another 50 crew. I found that out because when we had to work through lunch, the other PAs and I had to pack and deliver that many lunches to set. Basically, I was glorified crowd control, but I was able to learn how crazy a film set can be and how much even the lowest person on the totem pole can contribute.
I “saved” one of the actors from getting hit by an old-timey car in a narrow crosswalk coming off set. I also learned humility when the actor didn’t hear me or understand why I was pushing him and proceeded to scold me. He gave me a big hug whenever I’d see him on set later but his initial reaction made me remember there are some big egos out there. But don’t let me sour your impression of the industry. Most people are really great and willing to help you as you’re starting your career, which I learned on other commercial sets and getting immersed in the Milwaukee community.
My other credits include producing and editing a documentary called Chosen Towns: The Story of Jews in Wisconsin’s Small Communities and co-directing, producing, shooting, and editing A King In Milwaukee, both of which aired on Wisconsin Public Television. A King In Milwaukee also enjoyed a short festival run screening around the country. Besides the festivals in Wisconsin, I attended the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Festivals are great places to make connections and gain knowledge about the industry in general and within specific communities. How were you funded? What camera did you use? I have a friend you should collaborate with! You also get to see films that aren’t going to be shown on TV, Netflix or in the theatre chains. Even if you’re not able to screen at the festival, you can benefit from forums, workshops, and Q&As.
You can act locally and reach out globally. A King In Milwaukee is about the creator of Duplex Planet, David Greenberger, who talks with people with memory loss and develops a periodical, a CD, and a blues-funk concert out of those conversations. We learned about David’s creative process and the art of conversing with someone who has some form of memory loss. I told a story about David’s time in Milwaukee but anyone can relate to the message and use his techniques anywhere they have an aging loved one.
At the Hot Springs festival, I met 9 other women directors including a student filmmaker from the Czech Republic. Maybe it is the independent doc world that is more welcoming to women? I felt and was treated like a respected colleague among friends that varied from first-film-struggling-artists to seasoned veterans making a living off their personal work. It was fun and inspiring to hear how other people got started in the industry and to realize that most are going through the same struggles.
I mentioned I met many women at the festivals but I met twice as many men. The industry is without a question male dominated. I’m not sure why there aren’t more women in the industry. I noticed in school there weren’t as many women film students. It made me wonder: are women less interested in the industry or are they discouraged to join because they would be in the minority?
With any work, you need to pull your own weight (sometimes in the form of sand bags) but don’t step away from a challenge before you try. Some tasks are easier if you’re a woman, which I’ll be talking about in my next post!
Nicole Docta, formerly Nicole Brown, has co-produced and co-directed a number of documentaries. Nicole writes: I’m a Wisconsin girl at heart. I spent most of my childhood in Oshkosh and went to college at UW-Milwaukee, where I received my BFA in Film. I made mostly documentaries for my student projects and am able to continue to tell stories about real people in my professional career. I’ve worked on feature and commercial sets but for my own work, I hope to show people things they never would have encountered on their own and show more depth in familiar things. Although I’m relatively new to the filmmaking world, I’ve learned a lot about the industry and have had success in the national festival circuit and airing pieces on Wisconsin Public Television. I produced and edited Chosen Towns: The Story of Jews in Wisconsin’s Small Communities (2007), I co directed, shot, and edited A King In Milwaukee (2009). I’m currently co-producing As Goes Janesville which is funded by the MacArthur Foundation, The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund, The Lubar Family Foundation,and ITVS and will air nationally on PBS in Oct. 2012.
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