Written by Wyatt Beckson
During this time of social distancing and self-isolation, Iâm sure one of the biggest questions youâre asking yourself during this social fiasco is âhow do I stay busy?â Like you, Iâve asked myself that question plenty of times. However, through my own experience, Iâve devised a plan that, hopefully, at least one of you can use to your advantage. This is my list of six things you can do to stay busy during quarantine!
#1 Watch Netflix
Yes, I know this might seem pretty obvious as a film major, but hear me out! Thereâs an insane amount of genuinely amazing films out on Netflix RIGHT NOW! If youâre looking for something funny, The Hangover is right up your alley! If youâre looking for something more serious, There Will Be Blood is the perfect gem for you. Want to relive the plight of high school? The Perks of Being a Wallflower is right there waiting for you. Is there a side of you that makes you feel like a mob boss? Goodfellas is here to make you question what the word âfunnyâ really means. Do you have an itch that just wonât go away, and only a Spaghetti Western can relieve you of that irritation? The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is the itch cream to soothe your desires. Thereâs more you can explore on your own! Trust me, there are films you never thought you would have found! All you need is time (and youâve got lots of it) in a time of social distancing!
#2 Tune into one of the Film Departmentâs weekly Film Fridays
I know Iâve mentioned Netflix earlier, but perhaps youâre more of a social filmgoer like myself. If thatâs the case, I have a convenient solution! Every Friday at 9 pm, for the rest of the semester, I will be hosting a Netflix watch party, showing a different film each week! All you need to do to join is have Google Chrome as an internet browser, download the extension âNetflix Partyâ, and Iâll send you the link to the watch party!
#3 Write that script you never had time to produce
As I mentioned before, we have plenty of time to kill during the quarantine. Why not use it to your advantage? Now is the perfect time to write that script that youâve been holding back on! Even if you use baby steps, using this time to accomplish that goal will give you something to do, and give you that burst of relief once you finish it.
#4 Make a short film
Listen, I know we donât currently have the resources provided by the equipment room to check out, that grade-A equipment like we normally do. However, a good amount of us have a camera on our phones, enabling a lot of us to shoot something, even if it is in the comfort of our own space!
#5 Offer up your skills as a freelancer
While this might not be the most favorable choice by many, we certainly have to acknowledge that the employment market is suffering, and will continue to suffer as a result of the coronavirus. With this in mind, if youâre looking for some extra money, freelancing is certainly an opportunity for you to make some. Luckily, we live in the age of the internet. This means that a lot of things are happening over the internet! And they need videos! Take advantage of that opportunity and make some cash while you up your skills as a filmmaker!
#6 Brush up on your other creative outlets
At least in my own experience, I know a lot of filmmakers who have other artistic passions and desires. One of my best friends, Lukas, is also a singer/songwriter, and loves to draw on the side. Like him, I also draw during my spare time. This is where Iâd like to encourage all of you to either find a new creative outlet, or brush up on an existing one, just for the sake of relieving anxiety and passing the time. Maybe like me, drawing is your thing. Maybe itâs something different, like graphic design, photography, poetry, music, painting, knitting, or something completely different! Now is definitely the time to find something creative that you deem is therapeutic to your wellbeing. There are plenty of scientific entities supporting this idea. If it helps me out, maybe itâll help you out too!
Hopefully, there is at least one thing on this list that can help stay busy during the quarantine. Believe me, Iâm well aware that this is not an easy time, and likely, itâs gonna be something weâll have to endure for a while longer. As so many people have said before, as long as you can keep your mind and body running, we can march through this ordeal through the very end. Stay safe, stay busy, and as Dory says, âJust keep swimmingâ.
Your resident film major,
Wyatt Beckson â20
Film Production Major, Graphic Design Minor
He/Him/His