by chasefulton | Feb 20, 2025
Journal Entry: 8/21/24
That’s a wrap on my first production as a director—what a whirlwind. Being both the director and an actor in the scenes made it challenging to track what had been shot, where we were going, and what coverage we still needed. To keep the budget low (since it was coming out of my pocket), I took on multiple roles—casting, wardrobe, craft, props, and more. I felt intense nerves leading up to the shoot, treating it like a student film, a lesson in anxiety.
A big fear was letting people down—the unknowns, the fragility of everything falling apart if one key component failed. The production felt like an intricate house of cards: if a top piece fell, we could recover, but if the foundation crumbled, we were screwed. Every moving part—cast, crew, locations—had to stay intact. Coordinating it all felt like an all-or-nothing gamble, especially when it came to securing a sound guy. At times, it felt like two steps forward, three steps back.
August 20 was circled on the calendar, and as the date approached, people committed, but we were still missing major players—sound and locations. The week leading up to the shoot was hectic both creatively and logistically. My biggest fear came true when the restaurant we planned to film in fell through at the last minute. They were excited about the project but kept delaying a confirmed time, and finally, at 8 PM the night before, they told me it wasn’t possible to let us in until 10 AM. Scrambling to adjust, we had to move the scene outside, which completely changed the shoot’s logistics.
Joe, my DP, was honest about the challenges I hadn’t fully considered. He never told me to throw in the towel, but his practical concerns made me think about it. I felt defeated, stressed, and sad, but also relieved at the thought of it all being over. With 12 emails, I could have shut it all down. Was it worth paying for sound and crew just to shoot near a potentially noisy street? I walked the location one last time that night. The only non-negotiable was access to a bathroom. Which when I found out we had access to a coded bathroom and after speaking with the sound designer and hearing a nonchalant, We’ll be good, I decided to push forward.
The entire process was exhausting, but also exciting, challenging, and rewarding. I found my stride directing actors, guiding them toward the performance I envisioned. I needed some reminders to think ahead to the edit and making sure we had the necessary coverage. Ultimately, this experience gave me much-needed forward motion and confidence toward a more creative chapter of my life.
by chasefulton | Jun 24, 2019
This is my first ever blog post. So I have questions. What to say? Convey? Do I start with some warm-up jokes? How do I write without seeming pretentious? It’s a lot to consider. Honestly, I’d never considered writing a blog—but a few people I trust and love have asked for it, and I have to appease my #1 fans! So here we go. Introducing my Inside Scoop Blog (now with 75% less pretension!).
My creative mantra is: Generate your own opportunities. To actors, writers and performers, this idea may seem elementary—but it’s often overlooked and/or forgotten. I’ve seen countless actors fall into a routine of waiting—waiting for someone to get back to them. I’ve known talented people who sit stagnant and idle, waiting for fleeting calls or opportunities. Because waiting is your only shot to work right?! Wrong. Truthfully, much of the opportunity in this business is in the hands of directors, agents, and casting directors. They wield the power of when and what we audition for. It’s a real pisser. I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to work with several equity theatre companies in Portland for years. But the reality of the business is, if the role isn’t there, you don’t have a shot. But rather than becoming complacent or dejected, I channel this disappointment into homegrown creative opportunities.
No one can stop you from creating your art. Well, maybe YOU can—but other than that, no one can. No one can stop you from networking with other artists in a similar situation or taking a writing or filmmaking class at the local community college (which is crucial). As an evolving actor, I’ve found that coursework is imperative to develop my writing and filmmaking skills. If you’re waiting and not filling the space with ways to improve your art, craft, or skills, your wasting time. Because you know what? The other creatives waiting beside you, those folks are continuing their education and creating their own work. I recently enrolled in Digital Cinematography at The NW Film Center and a screenwriting class at Portland Community College. I improved my competence in filmmaking and writing, but equally important, I met and built relationships with other writers, actors, and filmmakers. And the people I met in these classes, these folks are my community, they’re the people I’m collaborating with to developing projects.
We’re inspiring each other and making things happen in this grey, “waiting space,” because we’re not going to put our creativity on hold. To be a working creative, all you need to do is continue being creative – without being limited by the finicky business of it all. It’s crucial to keep momentum towards satiating your artistic needs, as well as improving your craft and building relationships. So keep talking with your peers and collaborating through reading and writing scripts or plays. Get out there and shoot shorts. Take a class. Make (beautiful) mistakes. Whatever you do: don’t wait for the industry to give you the chance, seize your artistic destiny and create your own opportunity!
With gratitude,
Chase
