About
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After producing a physically and emotionally grueling short film in the Summer of 2019, I started thinking about expectations within the film industry. Although news stories were showing promise in terms of moving he industry toward a more accessible place, I wanted to move faster. I had met two key people on that short film production who lived in the area and seemed interested in reevaluating how film sets are run. We began meeting once per month to discuss our vision for the future of film. What we came up with is the idea that no two film sets need to be the same; there doesn't need to be standardization, because standardization is inherently exclusionary. Our main goal was to treat every set as a blank slate to be determined by the specific collaborators involved with each project.
As the years progressed CAFC grew from a group of three to a group of fifteen. Among our ranks are parents of young children, people with physical disabilities, people with severe social anxiety, people with full-time non-film careers, and teenagers. All of these people would normally be kept from the film industry, or would have to make serious concessions to either their work or personal lives to fit into the outdated industry mold. All of these people, along with those who can work 14 hour days and make space in their schedule to do so, are treated as equally important to the process.
CAFC is dedicated to this blend of ability level and lifestyle, as well as a welcoming environment for newcomers to film to find their footing. By taking the time to foster a comfortable environment, we've built a community of people who are at ease stating what they need to be able to be involved in a project, and each project is molded to our ever-changing needs as evolving artists and human beings.
As the years progressed CAFC grew from a group of three to a group of fifteen. Among our ranks are parents of young children, people with physical disabilities, people with severe social anxiety, people with full-time non-film careers, and teenagers. All of these people would normally be kept from the film industry, or would have to make serious concessions to either their work or personal lives to fit into the outdated industry mold. All of these people, along with those who can work 14 hour days and make space in their schedule to do so, are treated as equally important to the process.
CAFC is dedicated to this blend of ability level and lifestyle, as well as a welcoming environment for newcomers to film to find their footing. By taking the time to foster a comfortable environment, we've built a community of people who are at ease stating what they need to be able to be involved in a project, and each project is molded to our ever-changing needs as evolving artists and human beings.
C.A.F.C. Principles
The principles listed below were decided by CAFC as a group. Once per month we review these principles and open the floor to changes or additions.
- We must foster cooperation and collaboration within our group. No one is anyone’s boss. While we have experts and leadership, we strive for collaboration rather than hierarchy and cooperation rather than discipline.
- We must allow room in each film for our personalities. Who we are as people will make our films unique. By allowing our whole selves to be a part of both the filmmaking process and the story we’re telling, we will be a constant reminder to each other of the importance of integrity and empathy.
- We must put safety and comfort above productivity and efficiency. We will always have a plan B, and the plan B will be utilized in the event of a safety or comfort concern. A comfortable process will make our films special.
- We must remind each other that we are doing good work. We will give each other feedback often, both positive and critical, to foster a communicative atmosphere and normalize compliments and suggestions.
- We are equal to one another. No topic is off limits; no decision is above a pay grade. All questions will be answered openly, honestly, and fully, and all suggestions will be considered regardless of a member’s position or experience level.
- We must prioritize empathy, communication, kindness, and patience. We will make every effort to see each other as unique individuals with a unique set of needs. We will ask each other regularly about our individual comfort levels and emotional states. We will always approach problems with kindness and patience. They’re just movies after all!
- We must listen actively and attentively. We will be moving quickly and making decisions under pressure. We cannot function as solely individual players; we must hear each other and respond uniquely and warmly; ready for changes in comfort level, mood, communication abilities, and energy level.
- We must prioritize creative stimulation and inspiration. We are not simply a technical crew, we are artists, and as artists we must allow our minds to play in the worlds we’re creating. We will make time for exploration, and find a balance between efficiency and imagination.
- We must have fun! We are so lucky to be able to make serious, professional films. What better way to celebrate our luck than to enjoy every minute? We will remember that our audience is coming into our world to escape the realities of life; let us ourselves escape while creating that space for them.
- We must protect the process which we’ve spent years creating. It is valid. It is important. It stabilizes us and pushes us forward. This space and this focus on the above values will be rigorously maintained through each project we tackle both now and in the future.
