I've seen movies, but I was never exposed to "film" until I got to college. I major in writing at a school that primarily focuses on film, and for some reason, I just happened to make friends with loads of flm majors. My best friends even live on the Film Immersion floor of their dorm. Here are 15 things that happen when you're friends with Film students:
1. You watch a lot more movies.
My film friends exposed me to so many more movies that I wouldn't have seen had I not become friends with them. They like to go to the movies a lot, and most of the time they spend their nights watching movies. Sometimes, they're really good, like "Deadpool," which I wouldn't have seen unless my friends told me to go (On a sidenote, if you haven't seen "Deadpool," see it. Now). Other times, they're really weird, and you make an excuse to go back to your room a little earlier than usual.
2. Your friends insult a lot of your favorite movies.
My friends remind me a lot that I have really bad taste in movies. Sometimes, they're really pretentious and film-snobby, but if I get lucky, they just might watch 10 minutes of "Legally Blonde" with me before retreating to their room to edit one of their own films.
3. You start to pay attention to the way films are edited
It only took about a thousand times hearing things like "Wow, that was a beautiful transition!" and "Look at that shot!" before I started recognizing nice edits and shots, too. Thanks guys.
4. You always stay until after the credits at the movies.
Even though I may be ready to flee the movie theater so I can pee, of course, I'll need to stay until the end to see if I recognize any names, what it was filmed on, what they used to edit it...
5. You've been in a film.
6. You're there for every part when they make their own films.
Even if I'm not in one of my friends' movies, it's really cool watching them flesh it out from start to finish. I'm basically in the loop through it all: when they get the idea, when they film it, when they edit it and when it's all done. It just makes me realize how lucky I am to have such talented and creative friends!
7. Your friends are all on set every weekend.
It's really important for film kids to get on a lot of film sets not only because they love it, obviously, but also because being on sets will help them make connections, which will help them get jobs later on! It sucks that sometimes they miss parties since they're catching up on homework and sleep, but I get it.
8. You know all the drama that's happening on film sets.
9. You (kinda) know how to deal with film equipment.
I know not to draw or write cute notes in the notebook that's laying around, because it's actually Jacob's, and he draws all his storyboards in that notebook. If I see a gel on the floor, I should pick it up and ask whose it is, because I know that gels are fragile and important. Don't knock on Josh's door while he's editing. Don't touch Luca's camera. I shouldn't harass Jake because he's very overwhelmed this weekend, he needs to find a bunch of antique cars for the BFA he's working on (and by the way, working on a BFA is a big freakin' deal, apparently).
10. Sometimes, you get really confused.
I may know how Reds are a big deal, but not how to switch the colors around on an editing program so I can make a Vine of Rick from "Rick and Morty" screaming "RIGGEDY RIGGEDY WRECKEDDDDDDD" in front of a video of a man falling over while shoveling snow (even though it turned out to be really cool).
11. Trailer releases are like national holidays.
When the new "Star Wars" trailer was released, my friends watched it literally 5,000 times (OK, maybe I did, too). Everyone ran around their suite screaming about it and yelling at each other to put it on the Chromecast. Everyone was on the phone with each other trying to get advance tickets. And that was just for one movie.
12. You start to care about award shows.
I actually hate award shows, but it's kinda fun when you're in a room full of film students loudly arguing about Spielberg. I either get really drunk and try to yell along with them or color on their floor while offering words of sympathy for their failed predictions.
13. You always have help with complicated things.
My film friends have been there to help me with iPhone problems, computer trouble, camera operations and so much more!
14. You see things differently.
Now, when I see some really pretty trees or witness a kind deed happening on the street, I don't think, "Aww!" like I used to. Instead, I think, "Wow, that would make a really nice shot!"
15. You understand the power of movies.
Ask any film major why their favorite movie is what it is. Their eyes light up and their smile stretches across their face. They won't stop talking about it for a while, but it's honestly so cute. I love knowing what inspires my friends.
My friends call me their honorary film student for a reason!
