AS WE step into a cinema and take a seat, the room darkens, and we are immediately captivated by the explosion of colors, actions, and sound on the screen. As lights come back up, we leave the theater inspired by the director that created the cinematic masterpiece, hoping that someday, we might also be able to bring our imagination to life on the silver screen. Dreamers Production consists of such aspiring film directors and movie enthusiasts, who plan, direct, and film movies independently. The Yonsei Annals spoke with club president Jeon Ho-jeong (Senior, Dept. of Foods & Nutrition), and executives Lee Hye-won (Junior, Culture & Design Management), Kwon Jee-soo (Junior, Creative Tech. Management), and Kim I-gang (Junior, Korean Language & Lit.) to get a deeper insight into Dreamers Production.

Annals: Could you briefly introduce Dreamers Production?

Jeon: Dreamers Production is a filmmaking club that started in 2009. Whatever you imagine a film club to do, we do—scriptwriting, directing, acting, and editing. Dreamers Production consists of members from various departments but our mutual interest creates a phenomenal synergy when we are working together on set. Our production produces three to four longer films during the semester, and a couple during the summer and winter breaks. Sometimes we produce smaller projects, where a few members are grouped into one team to create a short video. On top of this, we conduct study sessions where we learn about the different themes and agendas to consider when producing a film.

Annals: As a film club, have you ever partaken in film festivals?

Kwon: When our club was first founded, they thought it would be best to focus on activities within the club’s circle and create a stronger bond between its members, mainly because they worried that getting involved in external activities would reduce cooperation inside the team. Due to this somewhat outdated reasoning, we didn’t have many opportunities to take part in film festivals. Recently, however, one of our films, BLUE, directed by Bok Joon-hwan was selected as the finalist for the “Kodak Apparel Short Film Festival”. Since then, we began participating in external events by submitting our films to different competitions. In addition, several works of seniors from the club have also been awarded by several other film festivals.

Annals: How do you recruit club members?

Lee: Our club strives to offer an enjoyable and rewarding experience. This means that we do not expect or require any prior knowledge, skills, or certifications related to film production. During the recruitment and application process, applicants may be asked about their experiences in the field, but this will not influence their application status. Our club is also great for people who want to explore their creativity through film—all you need to bring is a determined and imaginative mind.

Annals: What are some of your favorite films?

Kim: Because we have a large number of club members, the movies and directors that each of us likes are all very different. We asked a few questions about favorite movies on this semester’s application form, and it turned out many of our new recruits favored Kataka and Minari. Personal favorites of our club president are La La Land and Dunkirk because the film has a great color palette. Although incorporating ideas from these films could greatly enhance the quality of our productions, we want to strive for originality, which is why we stick to integrating the directing techniques from these films rather than copying elements from their plots.  

Annals: How do you kickstart a new film project?

Lee: When filming movies, three to four members of the club submit scripts and screenplays that they have written. These members become directors, and other club members apply to work as a staff for each film. Thanks to our hardworking members, we always have a variety of genres—such as drama, comedy, thriller, and horror—to produce.

Annals: What is the most challenging part of producing movies as a student?

Kim: The most difficult area of film production seems to be its financial aspect.  Unexpected expenses are incurred when filming a movie, and at the end of production, the total cost ends up being quite large. For example, most of the filming equipment we use is rented. Although several rental shops offer student discounts; they still take up the largest portion of our budget. Renting a location to shoot also costs us money. When we have a cafe or restaurant scene, we often have to rent the entire site. In addition, costumes and props must be prepared according to the theme of the movie. Of course, we have problems besides budget management, which include difficulties involved with casting actors or finding a filming schedule that every staff member is satisfied with. 

Annals: What is the teamwork like?

Jeon: We can say with full confidence that all our members are close with each other. Before COVID-19, we often held social gatherings even when it was not a shooting day. This kind of intimate relationship that we have built up on a regular basis seems to have had a good effect on film sets where constant communication and feedbacks are key. Even without making an effort to build relationships, teamwork comes naturally to us as all our members are on the same boat when it comes to producing quality films.

Annals: Are any members interested in pursuing a career in the film industry?

Kwon: A great number of our members are planning on entering the film industry. In fact, among seniors, there are those who are currently working in fields related to the film and entertainment industry, including general television broadcasts, radio networking, and even YouTube. We have also heard that many members followed their passion and decided to open their own studio.

Annals: Any last words for film enthusiasts who dream to produce a movie of their own?

Jeon: The final product of any film may look effortless, but hard work and strong commitment are needed to bring them to life. The processes required to produce a film are very rigorous—a scene that may look insignificant can take up hours upon hours of shooting. Always remember that quality films are the result of making a million tweaks in lighting and audio setups. Nonetheless, your hard work will most definitely pay off and even the toughest memories will seem like it was nothing when you finally have the completed product in your hands. That feeling of accomplishment would be unlike anything you have ever experienced before!