Another “alumni-done-good” article? Yes. Yes, indeed.
Straight off the pretty awesome post on Jeremy Briggs, alum of San Francisco Film School, California, we’re right backatcha with an update from Stephanie “Syd” Yang. SSY is a long-time part of the FilmSchoolSF school community and has been one of the key people that have made us such a success. From a bright-eyed student in the 1-Year Digital Filmmaking program to a trusted member of the FilmSchoolSF faculty, she worked on dozens and dozens of shorts, commercials and a feature and brought a fun, level-headedness to each production.
Stephanie recently relocated to Los Angeles upon an ill-founded rumor that there was a burgeoning film scene of some sort down there. We were able to ask her a few questions about the move and her current projects.
What part of being here at FilmSchoolSF do you miss the most?
The people and the community.
How does LA stack up to San Francisco? Traffic? Smog? Weather?
I mean, it’s a totally different world. And it’s tough for me to compare at this point because by the time I left i was so over SF…and as much as I didn’t expect it, LA is rocking my world. Sure, traffic sucks. The air has made my asthma kick in overtime (ugh) and the weather is too hot for my tastes (I know, I know…I’m the one person out here who doesn’t appreciate the year-round heat) – but overall, it’s wonderful.
There is a creative energy buzz here that’s unlike anything in the Bay and it’s addictive. In addition to all of this, life is just different here. Networking happens everywhere — I am getting back into the flow of going out a lot – and that’s how I’m getting work these days. And even though things are still slow out here these days, there are still a lot of indie productions in play. Plus having UCLA, AFI and USC out here too means there are a lot of events to attend + projects to get connected to. Those schools are super-connected out here and I’ve been working more and more in particular with 2 DPs who graduated from AFI years ago (one teaches there currently) and through them I’m meeting some awesome folks and learning lots of rad lighting + camera schemes.
Oh, and then there’s the gay + lesbian scene out here. Oh, where to start. SOOOOO different than the Bay…as much i ran away from it when I was younger when I was in college (I went to UCLA) because I didn’t understand it (It really is the L-Word out here – and for me, being queer in the Bay just made sense). I’m meeting some pretty incredible women out here – oh, yes, Hollywood is totally gay.
You came to FilmSchoolSF with a post-graduate degree from Tulane. What did you learn at SFSDF that you didn’t get in all your previous years of school?
I got my MA from Tulane in French Literature and Film Theory, and my BA from UCLA in French Literature — where I also studied film + critical theory. What I got at SFSDF was the hands-on production training I was craving. I also gained a level of confidence of being on set that I didn’t have before, which is probably the most valuable thing I received through my experience at SFSDF (of course after meeting all the rad people there!)
If you had a small- to mid-sized castle somewhere in Idaho, would you give it a funny name? Or would you take it seriously?
Totally. It would have a cryptic name, like Pocketsquirrel Manor. And at it, I would have 20 cats, 2 dogs, 3 goats and 5 rabbits…with a few skunks and possums thrown in for good measure. Of course, the castle would boast a Dolby stereo-equipped screening room, a sound stage, a collection of vintage 8mm and 16mm cameras, and a 10- ton grip/lighting package. It would also have a state-of-the-art kitchen, an organic garden, a swimming pool and plenty of bedrooms so friends could all come visit and we could make films together. It would also not be in Idaho.
To be able to say “I’ve made it”, what kind of work would you be doing on a daily basis?
Ah. To have made it. I’m not sure I want to get there or maybe I’m already there? Meaning, I think life is a journey. In a sense, I could say I’ve already made it in that I am living a life that feels extremely satisfying and full of joy. I get to work on film sets in a variety of settings, I get to play with and direct lights (!!), I have amazing people in my life who I respect, love, and learn from. I wake up every morning thankful that I get to work as an artist and be surrounded by creativity in so many forms. oh, and yeah, I do really need to be making more money! Ha! Working in indie film just isn’t as lucrative as I would like it to be…and I believe that all will come together. Soon. Yes.
Recent gigs?
Mostly I’ve been getting work as an electric on a variety of indie + art shoots — and am working now more and more as a gaffer on indie shoots. It’s been a journey and I’m finding so much joy working as a gaffer — (of course with competent DPs!) … and i’ve decided to focus on pursuing this route right now — lights/power distribution/etc. – so much fun + really incredible! I learn so much on every set I’m on…and I’ve been working/networking to build my community here with DPs who I admire — and am taking more and more jobs (and getting offered more + more jobs too) to work as a creative gaffer — working in tandem with the DP to create beauty. It’s so so so much fun! and I’m finding too that I’m really good at it and that folks like working with me. I’m still debating going down the union/728 route — so you never know…
Right now, I’m trying (hard) to get hired as a gaffer on an upcoming feature (keep those fingers crossed) and just got hired as a gaffer for a series of web projects at NBC that begins shooting in July… along with gaffing two short films in June.
I just wrapped a short last week as gaffer with the most awesome female Director + DP team. This is the 2nd project I’ve gaffed for them — we’re becoming quite a team – I love it! However, I do miss teaching at SFSDF a lot!
– Electric, Girltrash, Directed by Alex Kondracke, produced by Power Up
– Best Boy Electric, Triple Standard, Directed by Branden Blinn
– Gaffer, narrative short, Slip Away, Directed by Tina Scorzafava
– Best Boy Electric on most recent PSA produced by Women in Film
+++
Check out Stephanie’s Testimonial on FilmSchoolSF below. Oh, and she also features heavily in this fantastic behind-the-scenes mini-doc on the making of our feature film, Around June.
Find out more information on FilmSchoolSF 1-Year Digital Filmmaking program HERE