Expectations of my Third Frameline Film Festival
I have been privileged to attend the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco the past two summers, each with a somewhat distinct personality. My first summer was a new and fresh experience, the last major U.S. city I have visited—I can honestly say that San Fran is the most diverse city I have ever spent time in. That first summer, the food, geography, history, activities, and films were enlightening and challenging. The second summer some of the novelty wore off, I still enjoyed the surroundings, food, film festival and the lively diversity of the area, but I spent more time getting to know the people of the area, those of the festival, filmmakers, and the affluent in the Bay area.
The trip offers a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with some influential people active in the community. Because so many who work in Silicon Valley live in the Castro District, it is possible to meet some of these people, especially if they intersect the LGBTQ+ community and the film community which are prevalent in the area. Given that Frameline sponsors events that allow us to gather, meeting individuals in the independent and queer film circles, supporters, and tech people excites me. My favorite event at Frameline is the Industry Brunch, hosted by Dolby Laboratories in their downtown facility where we have opportunity to gather to visit about our common and unique interests. A close second is the QT brunch for women and trans folk who share their stories and challenges each filmmaker faces— which are unique to this population.
I’ve learned a great deal about the filmmaking community, having met many of the independent and queer filmmakers that frequent Frameline, and by meeting, engaging, and questioning them I have learned that filmmaking is not some ominous, highly budgeted and difficult adventure—though the process is not easy, cinematography does not require a large budget (though it helps), it is a definable process, and most anyone who has a high-tolerance for failure, can pursue filmmaking, the one requisite, is having or pursuing a relatable story—which in my mind, is the most difficult to obtain.
Ruminating on my expectations this time forces me to look more closely on the experience, at this point the trip is not as much about the novelty, but rather the relationships I have garnered thus far with the people in the bay area and to move that forward. For this third trip, I see a few things that can be of great benefit.
First I see myself assisting my new cohort members with acclimating to the area, as well as providing some insight to some of the in’s and out’s of the social climate and the physical area. There is so much to see and do, and with the film schedule, it is difficult to do everything—so helping others is my first task.
Secondly, I see developing deeper and more elaborate relations with the Frameline 43 staff, and filmmakers who are part of this year’s festival. But not just a superficial relationship, I would like to hear more of the stories of those who have ventured into filmmaking, and those who have become an important part of the societal engine, which is dominate in the Bay area. I want to watch, observe and listen to filmmakers, of what they learned, what they did right and what didn’t go so well. I want to learn from their experiences and share in their insight. I also want to delve into the major and minor points of filmmaking for low budget projects.
My third objective is a bit selfish really. Realizing that I will be graduating in May of the coming year, I need to get serious about finding a position, and given my affinity for the Bay area, it only makes sense to ask and probe about potential opportunities that may exist within the LGBTQ+ and independent filmmaking community. And though affording to live in the Bay area is a giant obstacle, the opportunity is one that I must pursue.
Defining expectations is always difficult, none of us have 20/20 foresight—none of us can see the path ahead, but as a 60 year-old trans non-traditional student, I think this third trip will provide additional insight into what lies ahead, and who knows, maybe there will be that one revelatory thing that changes my life as I know it.
