To be a Sleepwalker you really have to go against the grain at times and just throw yourself wholeheartedly into what you’re passionate about! There are a few people that threw themselves into the film industry after graduating from undergrad in the Media Arts Department at the University of South Carolina. I’ve always admired their drive, commitment, and vision in trying to pursue our craft. One of these people is Frank Love.
We had a few classes together in undergrad, but it has always been fun to Facebook surf and see what he’s up to. Every time I come across his profile he’s working on a new movie, working with gear I wish I was working on, and just chasing his dream! He didn’t get to where he is without hard work and sacrifice, and that’s what I really appreciate! Read his story and you’ll see why Frank Love is a Sleepwalker to watch! Yall know the deal by now, so check out his answers.
When did you first start sleepwalking?
When did I start, well I suppose there's no specific date to this, but rather a period in which I really looked at it and then went for it. I moved here to NYC where I live now in Jan '06 during my last semester at SC to do my internship. I was in a short term lease and could have very easily moved back to SC or somewhere after graduating, but rather I decided I'd find a more permanent living situation and after graduating in May '06 came right back here and started looking into how I could work on films. I can sort of equate it to a pool, instead of just up and getting into the deep end, I had the chance to check it out, test the water, really know what was there before jumping in. I got a position as camera intern on a feature in Aug that year an have been working camera in one way or another ever since.
What motivates you to keep going after your dream?
I guess how much I enjoy doing what I'm doing. I have sort of committed myself to do this thing, and every time I get a chance to work on a film, I love the experience. I don't work in an office day in an day out, I can wear clothes I want and not what's according to policy, and I get to go places most people don't sometimes. I got to also see the premiere of a film I worked on at Sundance and got the VIP treatment at the screening and parties, that same film is coming out in Aug and the trailer is out now (Cold Souls). So the finished product feels good to know I was a part of that. Also getting opportunities to do more, like the short I'll be shooting next month on 35mm funded by thedoorpost.com after having shot a finalist film which got us the funding. It's a huge opportunity for me.
Wake up: What have been some of the biggest challenges in going after your dream?
Biggest challenges, money namely. This line of work is freelance, so I don't have a steady income, I often don't know when or where from my next paycheck is coming. So forget budgeting, collecting unemployment comes into play sometimes. Doing my taxes are a nightmare since I have to keep my own records, I have a w-2 or 1099 for every job I work that year, plus I'm taxed a lot since I make good money for how much I work, but since I don't work all the time I'm usually owed it back. Scheduling is a challenge as well, last minute jobs are common, so advance plans aren't easy to make without already having work lined up. A social life is hard for the same reasons plus the long hours that we work, though that's usually compensated by the crew hopefully.
Don’t sleep on this: What’s one thing you have learned in your craft that fellow sleepwalkers shouldn’t sleep on?
What not to sleep on, discerning things you need and things you want and why. Part of why I was able to living here and then work as an intern for a month for free is because I sold my car and lived off that money. No way I could have interned and had a normal job as well at the same time, but without that internship I wouldn't know what I do now or the people I do. Sure you'd want to start with a paying job, but I didn't know enough to be able to get one. Working for free will teach you more usually than going to class where you have to pay anyway. At least for filmmaking and photography, if your goal is to do, to work, then you need to do and work. In whatever way you can, do. I got my camera intern position off craigslist. Past that though it really is who you know, so make good impressions on people, show that you're eager, willing, and competent and that can go a long way. People will remember you and call you back, then you'll meet more people, and so it goes. So I'd say have a financial net when starting allow for at least a month or more without any income, and a back up plan. This may involve something drastic like selling your awesome car, but I don't need a car or even want one in NYC...what are you willing to sell? Do whatever you can to implant yourself into what it is you want to do, and network network network.
Top 5 accomplished sleepwalkers you admire in your craft and why?
1. Andrij Parekh, he shot Cold Souls a well as Half Nelson and more recently released Sugar. He is someone who has a style and approach I admire and has shown his ability and professionalism time and again. After him there are two DP's that picture after picture I can admire what they accomplish, 2. Roger Deacons and 3. Robert Elswit. Deacons has shot countless Oscar nominated films and nearly every Cohen bro's film. Elswit who recently won the Oscar for There Will Be Blood, also shows he takes care in his craft and doesn't cow tow to trend and cliché. Another who follows that school of thought is 4. Wally Pfister, DP on the Dark Knight, being able to shoot a decent chunk of the film in IMAX to put the best image possible on the screen regardless of what challenges that may present. Where some have given in to the HD and 3D trends out there, these guys have made a point of delivering the best product they can.
5. John Bailey. He's another DP who I admire because he has also resisted trends and goes with the science of the craft. He recently stated in an interview how 35mm Anamorphic would come out to about an 8K to 10K equivalent digital file so his eyes tell him. So to do a 2k or 4k DI scan versus optical printing is essentially a waste. He shot 2 entries in Sundance this year, both he shot 35 anamorphic and both were very low budget films.
Just reading his story makes me want to go and sell something to live the dream! lol. We all have to go our own paths, but Frank has definitely found his and is jogging down it!
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