Now at Show 3, I started to notice a shift in how I approach shooting, not just as someone helping capture footage, but as someone actively shaping how the story is told. This cycle felt a lot more hands-on creatively, especially when it came to stepping in with ideas, adjusting on the fly, and thinking ahead to how everything would come together in editing.
One of the biggest things I experimented with this time around was balancing when to lead and when to step back. While helping Bryce, I found myself in more of an observant role than usual. He really took control of the camera and had a clear vision for what he wanted, which was a bit different from what I’m used to. Instead of jumping in, I paid attention to his process, especially something as simple as making sure the camera was focused before every shot. It’s one of those details that’s easy to overlook, but seeing him consistently do it reinforced how important those habits are. Even when I wasn’t the one actively shooting, I was still learning.
On the other hand, working with Andy pushed me to be more vocal and collaborative. Since his original story fell through, everything moved pretty quickly, and we had to adapt. I helped guide some of the interview direction, especially when I realized a lot of the answers were overlapping. That’s when I started thinking more intentionally about the “say it, show it” concept and how to make sure the visuals would match what was being said. Suggesting that we shift focus for the newer member’s interview to weekly meetings helped balance things out, especially since we knew we’d have strong B-roll to support it. It felt like a moment where I wasn’t just thinking about shots, but about storytelling as a whole.
The most creatively challenging (and honestly fun) experience this cycle was working with Emma. This was where I really got to step into a directing mindset. She didn’t have an exact plan for her standup at first, so I took the initiative to build something from scratch based on her script. Coming up with the soccer-based concept and then figuring out how each piece would be shot (from the ball rolling in to the graphics, to the final kick) pushed me to think in sequences rather than just individual shots.
What made it even more interesting was having to communicate that vision in a way that wasn’t overwhelming. I had to break everything down step-by-step while still keeping the bigger picture in mind. It also forced me to think ahead about editing while we were still filming, like making sure we had a full “safety” take and leaving space for graphics in the frame. Those are things I’ve been learning in class, but this was the first time I really applied all of it at once.
Of course, there were challenges too. The lighting at the field was something we couldn’t fully control, and there were definitely moments where the shots were a little overexposed. Instead of letting that slow us down, I focused on adjusting what we could, such as changing angles, repositioning, and planning to fix what we couldn’t in editing. It was a good reminder that not everything is going to be perfect in the moment, and part of the job is knowing how to adapt.
Editing with Emma afterward also helped bring everything full circle. Working on color grading, pacing, and graphics made me realize how important those earlier decisions were. The way we shot everything directly impacted how smoothly it came together in post.
Overall, Show 3 felt like a big step forward for me creatively. I’m becoming more confident in sharing ideas, directing shots, and thinking beyond just the technical side of filming. At the same time, I’m still learning how to trust the process and adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned. As a class, it’s been really cool to see everyone becoming more flexible and collaborative, especially when unexpected changes happen, like with Andy. For me, this week showed that some of the best results come from those moments where you have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and just go for it.