Your inspiration for film began with your first camera phone. Do you still have the footage shot with it? If yes, do you revisit it for continued inspiration for creating new projects?
The very first camera I had which was on my phone was roughly back in 2004. Sadly, because technology wasn’t the best, and I had no idea that my path would be film or photography many years later, I don’t have anything with me anymore that was taken on it. BUT I do still have the phone. I often wonder if I would be able to get anything back off of it in the future, but, with a phone as ancient as that, I doubt the wires even exist! Although I do still have photos and a couple of videos that I had taken on my very first digital camera. I always look back on the photos and think, ‘I did that at that age?’.
It’s apparent you love to experiment, like your lips collection, where you used food and makeup to tell a story through photography. Could you share the inspiration for the lips collection?
The good old lips collection; these must be some of my most favorite photos that I have ever taken from my younger years. The inspiration came from my imagination and my love for photos. One day I was really bored. I remember it was a weekend, when I had no school, and I was trying to think of ideas to go towards my GCSE’s at the time. The title of the project I had to work towards in order to get my final grade was ‘My Oxford’. This had to include painting/drawings of food too. Although it had nothing to do with Oxford per say, in my eyes, this was a way of portraying my artistic skills, as I live in Oxford (UK) and that I’m not a ‘posh girl’, so I will make do with whatever I can find food wise, and get creative. Thankfully after 2 years of hard, artistic work, I achieved an A* grade. One of the first A* grades in the whole school for 4 years. Result!
I fully agree with you. I love photography. My love for it and film intertwines. That’s why we have directors of cinematography. Would you say that is the case for you? Do you feel one needs the other to tell a story? If yes, how so?
My love for film and photography is such a huge bubble, it could almost burst! Being directed for someone else’s vision is massively important to me. This is because I believe, what one mind thinks is different to another. For example, I see a bowl of fruit on a table. But someone else may see it as a table with a bowl of fruit on top. Neither is wrong, but each individual has their own interpretation. This is why I love to be directed in someone’s vision, especially when it’s something so important like a video. Sometimes I am directed how a video or a photo should be taken, and that’s really important because I’m trying to make someone’s vision ACTUALLY happen. It’s especially hard too, as you try to get into the mind of another person, and that’s a huge skill to have and work on. But sometimes I am not directed, and this allows me to be totally free in what I do, like a messy painting, but still being restricted with the space you’re working on. I find that having someone direct me with their vision is definitely important, but having my vision also is just as important as theirs to tell a story.
It’s always fun to work like-minded people in your industry. Bravo on the opportunity to attend the Oxford Film Video Makers. Could you share your experience with our readers?
OFVM is a cool place if you want to learn how to start out with film. Attending OFVM was the start of me realising what it was that I wanted to do in life. After leaving college, and studying music, art, drama and theatre studies for 4 years, it was by trying out OFVM that made me sure on what I wanted to focus on for the rest of my life. Prior to this, I had attended a workshop in film making, this is what sparked the first thought about film, and made me question how I could take film further. It was that workshop, which led me onto attending OFVM though a work friend. Over the 6 weeks with OFVM, I had the chance to work with people that had the same passion as me, meet people high up in the industry, and gain a few skills in camera operating, video editing, sound, light, animation, live broadcasting, and journalism. The experience was great, but I knew there was so much more to find out in the world of film. Many years later, I’m now a film producer and editor, but the one thing an artist should always know, is no matter how old you are, you will always be learning and finding new things out. Especially in the film industry, as technology is forever changing around us. It’s never easy, but it is always super fun.
Congrats on having your film shown on the silver screen. Could you share which project it was?
The short film that was shown at the Phoenix Picture House, was the celebration of finishing the 6 weeks at OFVM. All the work myself, and others who attended, had completed was put together to create a short film to be screened and shown to the paying public. The feeling was great, and seeing my face on the screen and name on the credits was definitely a ‘wow’ moment for sure.
Tell me about the Young Women’s Music Project. I wish more women were involved in film-making. Has this project inspired women to become filmmakers?
I have filmed for the Young Women’s Music Project for around 5 years now, and I have to say the young women that are involved with it are absolutely amazing. I urge anyone to check them out by following them on either Facebook or twitter, as there are some majorly talented women who sing and make their own music. By filming for the YWMP I’ve seen some of the young women’s confidence grow just by performing and being involved with music, not to mention believing in what they do, which is majorly important. It’s ran by a woman called Zahra Tehrani. ZT has helped in bringing young women forward in music, and has pushed for women to be heard in music. She is also the founder of BG Records, which is an independent community based record label providing Recording, Mentoring, Releases, & Events in and around Oxford. If you get the chance to look them up, then do so! I’ve been filming for BG since it started back in 2010. By filming I mean, music videos, workshops, gigs and other events. In-fact the very first music video I ever did was with BG Records, and the love for filming and editing music videos is still so strong. It’s what I love to do best, as music is and always has been a huge part of my life since I was little. After all music is the anchor that ties visual emotion to the soul. I use to sing and make music all the time, but confidence got the better of me. So instead of being in-front of the camera, I am now behind the camera, and I’m comfortable with that. And it’s even greater that I can bring both music and video together for people to see. Doing any video/film to me is now my version of being on stage for all people to see. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to sing and make music, but just not to perform anymore. I sing for myself in the house when I’m alone (don’t we all?), and that’s totally fine by me. And I think it’s probably safer to not expose my singing to other people’s ears now. Ha ha!
What is the BBC Master class? You mentioned it gave you knowledge on working for BBC. By the way, I’m a huge fan of BBC America. Could you share your most favorable experiences?
The master class was a way of connecting with the BBC and finding out all the information, know how’s and secrets behind working for them, gaining the knowledge from professionals who have worked for the BBC now for many years. Luckily I got accepted to be a part of this along with others from around the UK, and I have now grown a relationship with them. Being in a room with like-minded people was just so liberating. After gaining all the knowledge that we needed on the first day, we had to form into groups. We had to do this because we needed to come up with a program idea to put forward to the commissioner and producer of the BBC. The second day we arrived at the main BBC broadcasting house complex on Regent Street in London. It has always been a huge dream of mine to set foot into that building, and there I was, surrounded by everything TV. I could go on and on about the experience of just being there, but to cut a long story short, it was totally amazing beyond words.
We went on to meet Lucy Cooper, to pitch our idea, and we ended up doing really well, with it being one of the best they had seen. After the pitch we got a tour around the BBC, and managed to see where BBC News studio is filmed. If I could do it all again tomorrow I most definitely would!
It’s nice to see that you’re still growing as a film-maker, and challenging yourself to learn more. What are the latest projects you’re working on?
I’m currently in the process of making my very own first short film for 2015. In fact I have two in the pipeline, but focusing on the first one for now. I’m really excited as it’s my first Short film, but I’m also really nervous, as I have never done it on my own before, and it’s even more scary when you’re doing it on a low budget. But I’m super eager to dip my toes into different puddles and try new things out from my usual work load, and also to make use of what I have or don’t have, and be artistic and as free as I want to be. It’s also a great new way to learn and push myself out of my comfort zone. I recently put a call out for aspiring actors to be involved, as I’m a firm believer in giving anyone with as little or as much experience, an opportunity to get involved with the arts in my city. The title is ‘Are you Looking?’ but what it’s about remains a secret for now until I actually release it. So keep an eye out for it on my website; MayaFrancisFilm.com
As I’m a freelancer in what I do, I’m constantly doing new things. At the moment I am on an intensive program of training, mentoring, learning, project development and leadership with OYAP trust, a youth arts charity that works across Oxfordshire. As part of this program I will be designing and delivering my own projects with young people involving film. OYAP exists, simply, to help young people be the best they can be.
In January I will be working on a project called KickArts, this project will give me the opportunity to work alongside inspiring artists. This will mean thinking about how I can use my skills as a filmmaker and artist to collaborate and make their ideas and projects a reality. I this feel will give me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of working with young people with a variety of challenging circumstances as well as developing what I have to offer in a challenging environment.
I have also received a mentor, who works for The Discovery Channel here in the UK, so I’m super keen to learn what I can from him.
I will be filming for BG on the corner too, which aims to showcase some of the greatest wordsmiths, beat makers and performers in our city, breaking down barriers and welcoming the old and new to reclaim public spaces in Oxford.
I will also be filming a festival of music, workshops and discussions to inform, inspire and empower called Womanity. Young Women’s Music Project presents this for the 2nd time, as Womanity had its first run in 2013.
Among all this I will continue with my Photography and my own projects. 2015 has a lot more in store for me, as well as what I’ve mentioned, and I’m really looking forward to it all.
In what direction would you like your career to go in the next five years and why?
I vision my career as a colorful maze. There are twists, turns, up’s and downs. And whilst I’m trying to find my way around the maze, I’m meeting all sorts of people and seeing all sorts of things along the way. And that’s great! Freelancing is totally fun, and is always changing. I would never want my career to be completely straight forward, as that could be a bit boring. But I definitely want to have more sense of stability in what I do. Especially when being a freelancer can have hectic moments and quiet moments. I know this will always be the case with the field that I have such a love and passion for. I would say the direction I would want my career to go in the next five years is to be working in T.V broadcasting as a camera operator, as this has been a dream of mine for many many years. As being a camera operator is so male dominated, I, as a woman, definitely want to make sure that happens. I’d also want Maya Francis Film to be as successful as possible, and let it be known that camera women can do just as well as men! I’m also a firm believer in making something out of nothing, or making use of what you have, rather than what you don’t have. With Maya Francis Film, it’s all about creativity as well as quality, seeing potential in something small, and doing the best you can. I most definitely want to keep learning and achieving in what I do. I also want to have more short films under my belt, as well as do more projects involving film and young adults, bring small social change with what I do and perhaps do this on a global scale one day.
THE ARTS RULE!
Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Firstly I would like to thank you for interviewing me, and I would love to come back to you guys in say…a couple of years time for round 2. And secondly, I would like to leave you all who are still reading this, a little something I wrote a while ago, whilst my never-quiet brain wouldn’t shut up one night. (I don’t think I know an artist, whose brain just quietens down for more than 10/20 minutes)
Half of my life is spent looking through a screen. Now, as sad and as superficial as that may sound to some of you, I personally find that a beautiful thing. Why? Because when looking through a screen, I’m looking at what’s beautiful at that given moment. Nothing around it but what’s on the screen. Think about it. I could be in a field of dead flowers with a grey sky in the pouring rain. But I have just spotted ONE bright flower. If I fit this flower into the screen of my camera, you see nothing but the flower. But what you don’t know is what this flower is surrounded by. Until you look at the bigger picture. It’s not until I take a good few steps back, get a different perspective, that you then know its ugly surrounding. That’s if there is a bigger picture of course. Because usually, the only time we point a camera at something, and take a picture, is because something has captured us. Captured our soul. It’s because something at that given moment that we see through our eyes, we feel the need to put this thing that we see into a screen. We point our lens, we point our camera, just to put into a box called a screen, so that we can put this moment into another box, and keep it as a picture…or a moving picture, so that we can then look back on it, and remember it for the rest of our lives. Because I capture moments that words cannot express.
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