PENGUIN BLOOM COMPLETE
Glendyn Ivin
Films start with 'big questions'. Like, "What shall we make a film about?" "Who will be in it?" "What will they say?" and "Where are we going to shoot it?" Etc. And end with 'small questions' like, "What if we lose a couple of frames off that shot?", "Can we make that sunrise a little redder" and "Can I raise the volume of that sound by 2db?".
All of these questions, the big ones and the small ones are all as important as each other in the end. They all go into making the film.
However, a lot of energy is spent on things that unbeknownst to you ultimately won't be necessary. You write and shoot scenes thinking they are incredibly important only to have them left on the cutting room floor as they now don't belong in the film. And scenes that don't seem that critical end up becoming crucial moments in the final cut.
In the beginning, all the details seem essential. You approach every idea and thought not knowing which is going to help the film and which isn't. But somewhere towards the end of the process, all the effort you put in makes the film better. I think this is my favourite part of filmmaking. Because now I finally know what is essential.
I'm happy to say that all the questions both big and small have been answered on Penguin Bloom. I watched and signed off on the final DCP of film this week. After working on something for over a year and a half straight, it feels weird to think it's now 'complete'. I'm grateful to all the people who helped make Penguin what it is. From the very beginning to the very end. Thank you!
