I'm back!

Well, I’m now starting my second year as the Graduate Ambassador for the Film & Video – Screen Directing MFA program. You may already know me, having read my previous blog post or met me at admissions events. But if you’re a new reader… where should I begin?

I’ll start with my name. Bubba Murray. I’m a local product, having grown up in the suburb of Oak Park. I made my way back here after leaving Chicago for Boston then off to Los Angeles and back again. Does anyone else feel like they’re checking out an online dating profile? Here are a couple of fun facts about me. I was a semi-finalist for the first Museum of Science and Industry Month at the Museum Project. They flew me in from LA and everything. I even had to sign a confidentiality agreement. Between you and me, I think I would have rocked the museum. I’ve also been chased by a police helicopter and successfully impersonated a Cincinnati Bengal. I’m just happy to be back.

If you followed my blog posts last year, you probably have deeper insight into my creative neurosis than I do. Face it; I don’t look in the mirror twenty four/seven. As a rule, I’m an observer of everything except myself. That’s why I love this blog. It’s allowed me to share my thoughts and experiences with all of you and allowed me a way to honestly reflect on what I’ve accomplished.

Last year was a time of growth and humility. Each project brought on new challenges. For example, my first project was a “ten shot” film. This is an exercise where we have to shoot a short film using only ten shots. In retrospect, it taught me how to economize shots for story telling. I also discovered that, as an actor, I make a convincing bum. I would have said “hobo,” but nobody says “hobo” anymore.

My second project was “Robox.”  This was our first official film. It was about a six-foot-tall cardboard Robot that wants to be more than a toy. On this project, I learned how to adapt. During the shoot, my lead actor, who is also my nephew, got hit with the flu and had to drop out of the project in the middle of filming. Was I happy this happened? Absolutely not. I rewrote the script then pushed on. That’s what filmmakers do — push on.

My third project was “Casual Encounters.” This film was about a cross dressing prostitute. I pushed myself creatively on this project. Not only did I tackle a challenging topic, but I also pushed my editing far beyond what we learned in class. I ended up learning Final Cut Pro 7 inside and out. Even though I did some crazy stylized editing, I decided to re-cut my project this summer. It’s okay not to get it right the first time. But the real lesson is to follow your gut. It’s your movie, and you are your most important critic. (Did I just say that?)

What’s next? Honestly I don’t know. I mean, I know which classes I’m going to take, and I have an idea of the projects I’m going to do, but I don’t know exactly where it will take me. Scary and cool, right? Yeah, it is. But that’s what happens when you find your voice. So what else is there to say besides I’m glad to be back with Marginalia, and I hope my journey helps yours? Oh, I know…read my blog.