Arts Axis Florida Podcast Season 4 Episode 3 Making a Movie with Hannah Sam



[00:00:00] Malaika Hollist: Welcome to the Arts Axis Florida podcast. I'm your host, Malaika Hollist. This podcast supports the art, nonprofits and artists around us. We strive to amplify different voices in our community by creating us. Space for conversation, education and connection.

[00:00:32] Malaika Hollist: Support for Arts Axis Florida comes from Community Foundation Tampa Bay, champions of Philanthropy. Learn more at cftampabay.org

[00:00:40] Malaika Hollist: Today on the podcast we have Hannah Sam, a senior film and media arts major at the University of Tampa. Hannah is completing her senior thesis film, but before we get into that, we learn about her start in the art world and how she continues to create her future.

[00:00:59] Hannah Sam: My [00:01:00] family, especially on my mother's side, is, is very, um, art heavy invested in that. Um, my mom used to be in a band and my grandma, um, she paints and does all that fun stuff. So art is something that was very involved in the, um, older figures in my life. So it was something that I was just very open to. Um, Learned about very easily, and it's just something I've always been a part of and done, um, since elementary school.

[00:01:26] Hannah Sam: Um, I've just said, you know, I've painted and I, you know, did musical art and things like that. I, you know, sang and it wasn't until I started, um, like near the end of like junior high high school, um, where I started getting into more like the visual side of arts. Um, in terms of. Video, um, and pictures and things like that.

[00:01:47] Hannah Sam: So it kind of started, um, when I was like kind of getting to know myself as well, um, and becoming that person to really, you know, get into that interest of what I'm doing now.

[00:01:57] Malaika Hollist: So what do you think made you have [00:02:00] interest in that instead of like the music and singing?

[00:02:04] Hannah Sam: I will always love music and singing in my heart, but, um, it was more of a hobby.

[00:02:08] Hannah Sam: Um, I just loved films and the beginning of getting into, you know, wanting to major in it just started from seeing the dedicated craft of people behind the scenes on films like that. I think the one that I watched that really just, you know, took me aback in awe was when I watched Behind the City, uh, behind the scenes of, um, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, that one, and there's like a

[00:02:35] Hannah Sam: 30 minute, like bts video, um, on YouTube that I watched and I was just like fascinated to see how much, um, of that film was like practical and seeing like, I mean that whole like ship that they had, that they were on the Chocolate River. Actually sized that way. And they were like, you know, it, it, it was like controlled by a mini version of it.

[00:02:56] Hannah Sam: And I just, I thought it was so cool and seeing the whole [00:03:00] set of that entire, like, candy world, um, and how the actors actually got to be there. Uh, I just, it was fascinating. That was one of the videos that I saw that like, really. Kind of aided to enjoying it. But I just loved watching behind the scenes and bloopers and seeing the creation of, you know, the things such a large media that is consumed, um, and like the process that goes behind there.

[00:03:23] Hannah Sam: Yeah. So that's definitely what got me into it the most.

[00:03:26] Malaika Hollist: Okay. So now that you're at the University of Tampa, um, you mentioned that you tried your best to put yourself in as many roles in filmmaking as possible. Can you give us like maybe a brief understanding of some of those different roles and which ones are your favorite?

[00:03:44] Hannah Sam: Yeah. Um, there is a lot of different roles within the departments of film and luckily myself at least, um, from bigger to smaller projects, I've gotten to at least do at least something in each of them. I mean, in film you have, um, you [00:04:00] departments, there's the production, which, you know, mainly they work on.

[00:04:03] Hannah Sam: Like, you know, you have your assistant directors, your producers who work on curating the film and making sure that it's running. You have your camera department, so there's, you know, like the director of photography. Handles the main visual, look at the film, you have sound, art, um, all of those, you know, there's, there's so many different things that go into film and my favorites, um, at least the ones that I do the most are, um, I do work in production a lot.

[00:04:28] Hannah Sam: I have assistant directed and co-produced, um, a good amount of films. Um, I work with, usually I'm pretty organized when it comes to those things and have a good understanding of time and set up. So that helps when you're trying to make sure a film is running well. Um, probably. Uh, the department that I work in the most would most likely be camera.

[00:04:49] Hannah Sam: Um, I've gotten, I've had the amazing chance to be the director of photography of my own films and, um, other films that people have worked on in other senior seminars and, and sort of [00:05:00] projects. Um, and I do work in post a bit. I do a little bit of visual effects, so I do. Editing and coloring, but those are kind of a big three for me.

[00:05:08] Hannah Sam: Um, but I do love and have a vested interest in like all the other departments and I've done at least something in each of them.

[00:05:14] Malaika Hollist: So yeah. What do you enjoy about cinematography? Because I always found, when I was in school, I found the camera very intimidating and I always was like, oh, someone else can do that part.

[00:05:24] Malaika Hollist: Maybe I'll just direct or edit. So what about the camera do you enjoy?

[00:05:30] Hannah Sam: I think that obviously there's a billion important parts to a film. But I think the visual aspect of a film is something that is so important and can be manipulated in so many different ways depending on the person. I mean, there are so many great, you know, different types of cinematography skills and people who manipulate the way that things look based off choice or meaning.

[00:05:51] Hannah Sam: Um, and I think that having that ability to kind of curate that craft to your own type of style and characteristic. [00:06:00] Adapted to a meaning of a piece or script is what I enjoy and what I think is so fascinating, I mean, for the things that I've been able to. Dp, I feel like I never do anything the same, and I feel like each project, depending on what it is, um, is a different experience and learning process for myself.

[00:06:16] Hannah Sam: I mean, I've, I did a musical last semester and the way that the camera moves and how I processed that was completely different than. Um, a film that I just did recently, which is like this kind of, um, almost like istic drama where this girl's being followed and the way that I place angles and things like that is a completely different vibe than a musical.

[00:06:34] Hannah Sam: Um, and in terms of lighting and that whole aspect as well. So I think that it's, it's almost like just kind of painting a picture through a camera and you can really have fun with it and, and choose to manipulate it in a way that you feel like represents the way that your visual style is, is interpreting a piece.

[00:06:49] Hannah Sam: And I think that's probably. What I, what I enjoy most about it. For sure.

[00:06:54] Malaika Hollist: do you have any inspiration, like are there some cinematographers whose work you really enjoy? [00:07:00]

[00:07:00] Hannah Sam: Yeah, I, um, it was more like looks of films, um, that I enjoy. Um, I really like the different styles and I'm like a visual effects nerd, so a lot of, a lot of what I enjoy is with that and I.

[00:07:20] Hannah Sam: Like later on, 2049 was one that I enjoyed just cuz of the, almost like lighting and coloring. Um, there's a show I'm watching right now, A Shadow and Bone that's on Netflix and I was just sitting and appreciating, uh, the color and the way that lights work and how framing of, um, You know, certain characters and things represent what's going on in the scenes.

[00:07:41] Hannah Sam: Um, I'm a bit horrible with, uh, remembering names, um, especially when people ask me about it. So I can't say anybody off the top of my head, but there are definitely are a lot of pieces that I enjoy and appreciate that I've. Seen a lot of cinematographers, um, work on and, and do. Okay.

[00:07:58] Malaika Hollist: So now you're a senior [00:08:00] and you've just, you're, I believe you're in senior seminar this year.

[00:08:05] Malaika Hollist: So you've created your senior film. So, tell us about, tell us about your idea, what's your film about?

[00:08:09] Malaika Hollist: Yeah, so I am taking it this semester. I started writing my script, um, like last semester to prepare. Um, my film is called Adeline and the Cyborg, it is about this, um, elderly woman who is surviving on this dystopic, decaying earth, um, on her own.

[00:08:30] Malaika Hollist: Uh, and this cyborg crashes on her doorstep. And it's a piece that kind of just touches on the humanity between these two very, Uh, characters, um, and is just kind of a visual, like minimal dialogue piece that just discovers, um, how these two characters, you know, form a relationship with one another. And he reminds her of her son that she lost in the past.

[00:08:52] Malaika Hollist: And to him, she's this only taste of what Earth was. Um, and it was very interesting to kind of create a piece [00:09:00] that is a bit, um, Like just a bit higher in stakes in terms of, uh, or it's a bit ambitious, excuse me, um, in terms of trying to create this process with such a minimal, uh, budget and minimal time.

[00:09:12] Malaika Hollist: Um, but that's like the concept and it was really fun to, to do and create, um, and curate.

[00:09:19] Malaika Hollist: Okay. So I'm very curious. So what was your pre-production like? How did you make this happen?

[00:09:27] Hannah Sam: So it was written like I finished writing it last semester and spoke with the professor that I am currently under right now, um, about the idea she wanted to have a meeting.

[00:09:37] Hannah Sam: And, um, my biggest, like, necessarily the biggest challenges and things that I, um, knew was going to take the most out of me was the, uh, production design and the location, because I know that those two would contribute to making this film as realistic as. And I went through a lot of research and searching and, and possible [00:10:00] permitting, um, and trying to find a place that would mimic this look that I wanted.

[00:10:04] Hannah Sam: Um, and I got very lucky. Um, the girl, um, her name's Caden Hancock, uh, she was, uh, my, uh, set designer. She, her, uh, parents' place over in Polk City. They have like this barn and this whole like, acres of land behind them. And we really like curated this barn to be kind of like this makeshift home for, uh, my lead character Adeline.

[00:10:28] Hannah Sam: Um, and used that place as a huge location and it, it was, I couldn't have asked for a better place. It really worked out. Um, and my, uh, production designer, uh, her name's Pene Vaughn, uh, we work together a lot to kind of create. Um, the realism of this world and, and thrifting and all of that. I did a lot of new things for myself.

[00:10:48] Hannah Sam: I ordered some skeletons online and corpse them, um, for the first time, and that was really fun. Um, I like hand chiseled some stones that I got from, uh, home Depot and that [00:11:00] was super cool. And she like moss them, uh, until I kind of create like gravestones and such. Um, so there was like a lot of mini individual projects that.

[00:11:09] Hannah Sam: So huge. And that contributed, and it's like, it's only shown for some moments on a screen, but I feel like the whole process of creating it, um, and working with this amazing team that I had with me to help me achieve this vision was just like, it was an experience that I like, would do all over again. And I'm just so grateful for like everything that happened and everyone that's helped me.

[00:11:29] Hannah Sam: Um, and I'm, I'm super happy with it. Uh, and how the whole production process.

[00:11:46] Malaika Hollist: So what were some of the challenges and some of the wins you had during the shoot?

[00:11:53] Hannah Sam: During the shoot? Yeah. Um, this isn't directly related to film, but my second day of shooting, um, it's like from, I [00:12:00] live over in St. Pete, so it's about like an hour commute to set each day. Um, and my mom was in town the first week cuz she helped me with makeup and sh we got a flat tire on the highway and ended up being like an hour late to set.

[00:12:14] Hannah Sam: And it was like really stressful and I was just like, this like sucks. And of course it would happen. You. On a shoot day. Um, but I like really had to just like, keep myself calm and remember that, you know, I had the team that I had was just did everything that they were supposed to and I was able to communicate what I could while I was not there.

[00:12:34] Hannah Sam: Um, and, you know, everyone just did what they, you know, were supposed to do. And when I got there it was just smooth sailing. We finished early that day. Um, and I think like that in terms of just emotions and struggle was kind of like a side thing. Um, a lot of it, another struggle I had was just obviously as most productions do, is time when you are, you know, you're on set and you're shooting and people, [00:13:00] um, there are so many factors that you have to deal with and time and daylight is definitely one of 'em.

[00:13:06] Hannah Sam: And we had to, it's kind of work with my production team to uh, kind of move some scenes around. Cause we're like, oh, we've lost some daylight. We're not gonna be able to shoot this. Let's try. You know, flip this or move this to another day. Um, so that was like some things that was a struggle, um, and just to get done and curated.

[00:13:25] Hannah Sam: But, um, and some wins. I, something that I knew was going to be hard for me and that I worried about a lot was there's a scene. That me and my, uh, performance slash directors assistant, um, choreographed where the cyborg speaks to, um, his other, like, his kind of family members, I guess you could say, through hand movements.

[00:13:48] Hannah Sam: Um, and we choreographed it ourselves because we didn't think it would be plausible for like cyborgs from another world, you know, speaking a s l. Um, so we worked [00:14:00] on. You know, making that and having it taught, um, in a very short time period because there were some actor conflicts and some people had to cancel and just make sure it was done and getting finalized and it was, that was like a struggle, but, I think that's what one of the most things that I feel accomplished about the most, because it went super well.

[00:14:21] Hannah Sam: It was the very last scene that we filmed out of the entire production. And it was the one I was super stressed out about the whole time. Cause it was, you know, the final one. And I'm like, oh God. It's like, you know, we're getting there. That'd be right. Yeah. But the. The actor's been amazing. Um, and it looked great.

[00:14:38] Hannah Sam: And, you know, we've worked through and everybody was super accommodating and willing to go through it, um, and get it done. And it, it worked and it, it got together and the choreography landed and it made sense and it was good. It was. Probably one of the bigger accomplishments in my face.

[00:14:56] Malaika Hollist: So you talk a lot about, um, having a team.

[00:14:59] Malaika Hollist: Do you mind [00:15:00] touching on like why you think it's so important to kind of assemble the right team, especially in projects like

[00:15:05] Malaika Hollist: this?

[00:15:07] Hannah Sam: Well, in the film industry, um, the majority of these, you know, sets in the way that these work is not. It's, it's a group of people creating something. And it's so important that when you have someone, uh, as a part of a team and a part of a, a crew, Um, that person and that job that is, you know, that person is assigned to is, is accomplished and that you can entrust them to do it.

[00:15:29] Hannah Sam: And, um, for me personally, I knew that for my film it was gonna have a lot of moving parts and I wanted to have people that I could trust, um, and make sure I had certain roles assigned so that it would not only lessen the stress on myself, but have other people, you know, do the jobs and have the experience and just to, you know, work together and curate.

[00:15:52] Hannah Sam: Um, and I think that having the roles and people that I did on my film is what helped it move so smoothly and help [00:16:00] everyone, you know, pull their own weights and work together. Um, and having that type of environment, I think for me was what really saved and pushed forward my film. And even when things are hard or we're running behind, you know, being with people that you can work with and be around mm-hmm.

[00:16:15] Hannah Sam: And, and join, can you. The, um, on set with really helps, you know, contribute to making a set be enjoyable and feeling like you've accomplished something at the end of the day. Um, and even in sets that I've been on that aren't school based, um, just having people on a job that they can. You know, they know how to do it just makes your life easier, um, and realize you don't have to pull someone else's weight and you can just do your job accordingly.

[00:16:45] Hannah Sam: Um, and all those moving parts are just moving because everybody does what they need to do. Um, and I, yeah, I just think that's extremely important and it helps with relationships. And this whole industry is really based on networking. And I think that the more people you work with is the more people you [00:17:00] know and because you know that person, they know somebody else.

[00:17:03] Hannah Sam: Uh, and I think that. Really important and it really helps, you know, grow and push you forward in the direction that you wanna go in this type of job and in this type of world.

[00:17:13] Hannah Sam: Yeah, I agree. I feel like filmmaking is one of the, one of those careers that's really team-based, and if you can't work in a team or you don't find the right team, then you know, you might not get as great of a product as you would like, but when you get the right people together, you can create something really magical.

[00:17:29] Hannah Sam: So that's, yeah. That's awesome. So now that you're in post-production, how is

[00:17:34] Hannah Sam: that? It's, it's going good. I, um, recently the way that our class is formatted is that we like, kind of present, um, like you start with dailies and your assembly edit, and then you go to rough cut, your fine cut and then final. Um, so I presented my dailies, um, after like the week of shooting.

[00:17:55] Hannah Sam: Um, and it was kind of cool just to see everything and, you know, show the [00:18:00] class of what behind the scenes of this production looks like. Um, when the camera's, you know, not rolling or right before it's rolling. Um, I've got to look over my footage, um, see it with some color on it. Um, I really just have an assembly edit down.

[00:18:14] Hannah Sam: Um, I'm moving into the rough cut phase, um, but it's looking great. I'm super happy with everything. Um, since I, you know, I directed ndp so I had a pretty good amount of control of what's being seen on screen. Um, and I, I enjoy it. I'm working, uh, in Da Vinci that is, Editing software of choice for this project.

[00:18:34] Hannah Sam: Um, and, uh, yeah, it's going pretty great. I'm excited to get it to its final point. Good.

[00:18:41] Malaika Hollist: Yay. Good luck. What are you hoping to do in your future? You're gonna be graduating soon. Do you have any like ideas or plans for yourself that you're hoping to accomplish?

[00:18:54] Hannah Sam: Yeah, I mean, right now, um, once I graduate, I'll still be in the area because I'll be, [00:19:00] uh, on a lease.

[00:19:00] Hannah Sam: So I plan to continue working. I've already had the fortune opportunity to work. Um, I do freelancing a bit already, um, and I've worked on some features as they come into town, so I know at least that I would love to plan and do. Um, I've got to meet some great people who I know work in certain places like Georgia and la um, who have been like, you know, like, if you need work or whichever, you know, talk to one of us.

[00:19:25] Hannah Sam: So I hope to kind of continue the. Talents and like what I've learned, um, and what I've been working as, which so far in on sets, it's been in camera, which I do enjoy. Um, I just wanna, you know, kind of just get my name out there and continue working. Yeah. I kind of miss, you know, being with, uh, a bunch of talented and amazing other people on these type of sets and having, uh, these huge accomplishments of pieces that you've, you know, that I've been able to work on.

[00:19:54] Hannah Sam: Um, so I know that I at least wanna continue and work there. I'm not exactly sure where. I wanna go [00:20:00] yet. Um, in terms of if I'm leaving, I think I probably won't stay in Florida, um, since, uh, Florida is not the best for a film incentive, but mm-hmm. I, I'll see where it goes. I know that I love the departments that I've worked in and I would love to continue it.

[00:20:16] Hannah Sam: Um, and hopefully all goes well.

[00:20:19] Malaika Hollist: Awesome. Okay, so last question I have is, would you mind giving some advice to other, you know, other film students that you know who are maybe freshmen and aren't sure where it's going, or other, you know, younger people who aren't sure where their next path is?

[00:20:36] Malaika Hollist: What's some advice you'd give them if they wanna work in art or work in film?

[00:20:41] Hannah Sam: Yeah, I think one of the biggest things that it took me a while to understand and realize, um, until I really interacted with other college students and other people is that everybody works on their own pace. And I didn't even realize that I wanted to really go into film and major in it until like [00:21:00] my junior, senior year of high school.

[00:21:02] Hannah Sam: Um, I think just whatever it is that you wanna do and accomplish, you know, you just do it on your own time. The amount of time it takes someone else to do something that you wanna do is completely different. And I think that as long as you're true to what you wanna do and what you believe, and as long as you're happy doing with you what you want to accomplish, um, that's all that really matters.

[00:21:24] Hannah Sam: Uh, and you should prioritize that and not focus on the, you know, strengths or the. You know, the way that other people do things. Uh, and it really, it's just yourself that matters. And it took me a while to learn that. And just realizing the different levels of where people are at. You know, when I was a freshman I was like, oh, this person can do this and this person can do this.

[00:21:45] Hannah Sam: And like, I don't even know what that is. Um, and all it really took was just time and dedication. And I look back at that, I'm like, oh, like I know what that is. Or, oh, I'm the person, you know, telling other people how things work. So I think. Really just stay true to yourself. And if there's [00:22:00] something you wanna learn, you know, just take the time and learn it.

[00:22:02] Hannah Sam: Or if there's something you wanna do, take the time and do it. Cuz now is the time where you have, you know, the opportunity to do that. I think college, take advantage of the, the resources and the chances that you have around you and really utilize it and learn it while you you're here. Um, and just strive for what you wish to accomplish.

[00:22:19] Hannah Sam: And.

[00:22:21] Malaika Hollist: Great. Thank you. Great advice. Great advice for me as well. I remember that for myself. Next time I wanna try something. Awesome. Okay. Well thank you so much for being a part of this. Hannah. Is there anything else you wanna add or that I didn't ask that you'd like to say?

[00:22:36] Hannah Sam: My film, uh, will be screening.

[00:22:39] Hannah Sam: There's the senior showcase that will be May 1st. Um, that is every senior film that is, um, in this class. So that will be at the Charlene Gordon Theater at the Furman Center of the Arts. Um, I believe it's. Screened at 7:00 PM Um, the Blackbox Film Festival is also an amazing screening program for all students at UT who submit [00:23:00] something.

[00:23:00] Hannah Sam: Uh, it's, you know, juried, um, and it's selected by an alumni committee. Um, and it's really cool to see the different kinds of work that people present. Um, I plan to submit my film. I'm not sure if it'll be selected, but hopefully so. Even if it's not, I think that if somebody wants to go and attend that, there's definitely going to be some amazing work that's chosen for there.

[00:23:19] Hannah Sam: Um, and those are our two big screenings at ut so if anybody wants to go kind of see some of the work that happens over here, those are great places to see it. Awesome.

[00:23:29] Malaika Hollist: Great. Well, thank you so much for doing this. Thanks again to Hannah for being a part of this podcast episode. You can see her film Alyn and the Cyborg and the rest of the senior seminar thesis films on May 1st at the University of Tampa's Ferman Center of the Arts.

[00:23:45] Malaika Hollist: Thank you for listening. Learn more about our guests in the show notes. Follow us on any social platform by searching Arts Access Florida, or on our website artsaxisfl.org. We are a product of [00:24:00] WUSF Public Media and sponsored by Community Foundation, Tampa Bay and Gobioff Foundation. Copyright 2023 WUSF Public Media.

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