posted Nov 28, 2016, 1:42 PM by Sarah Jones

Jacob Hoag is the director of this year's school film, a project of the EMHS Multimedia Club. What follows is our reporter's interview with Jacob, describing his creative process and interest in film making.

1. Was there a particular event or time that you realized that you were interested in filmmaking?

Age 7 after seeing Jaws for the first time. It was such a captivating film and (at the time) I'd never seen anything like it before. Mesmerized by the feature, I was snowballed into an interest which would soon become infatuation with film.

2. What experience do you have in film?

I was real young when I got my first camera and youtube had been embedded into my generation so I would watch independent film channels and learn all sorts of tips and tricks. Also I've also had my film in a festival (and hopefully will be invited to others). I also own my own film company where I have six (and soon to be seven) under my name.

3. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to create a film?

Study what you love and study the greats. I will NEVER make something I wouldn't go see myself. Also if you're into a certain niche study the ones who came before you and learn from them.

4. What makes a film great for you? Are there certain qualities that make a film better?

Film is completely subjective but overall it's all about the experience. Every little detail is important from making the film to the reel shown before the picture. The more on top of things a film is the more I tend to enjoy it.

5. "It all starts with the script." Maybe not, but when do you know when the script is ready to shoot, and what is your process of getting there?

I watch movies for inspiration usually not even for ideas but just like a piece of the film. Scriptwriting is tedious work and I don't like to do it unless I really have a clear idea of what I want. Also I will almost also write the beginning and the end first as those are the important parts. Everything else needs to be linked to those two.

6. It is said that there are only 6 stories. Maybe 12. It's all been done before and we've seen it all. What makes a film fresh? Is there anything you do to keep it original?

You haven't seen it all in fact we've barely scratched the surface. Narrative is one of those platforms that will never cease to exist. A film is fresh when even though you doing something that someone else has already done but you did it in a way that surpasses the expectation of the previous film that did it. I take idea that's easily been done before but I make better by tweaking what was weak with the other idea.

7. Basically speaking, what are the main steps of film making and which one is the hardest and why?

Plan, Write, Shoot,Edit,Present in short. The hardest is the planning because if you don't plan very well then your picture is doomed to fail. Film making is very daunting but if you keep a level head and take your time it will turn out fine.