Monika Biernacka
Screenwriter
Producer,
Assistant Director,
Director,
1st Assistant Director,
2nd Assistant Director,
Script Editor.
About Me:
My Work and Credits:
Refuge (2019)
About:
Refuge was a short film following not only survivors of domestic abuse but those who were haunted by it still.
Refuge was one of the most intensive films that I have worked on. It required me to constantly be pro active and ready to change anything when required to. One of my largest responsibilities was keeping everything on schedule as much as possible without rushing and sacrificing the quality of the film. Certain scenes did run over the original designated amount of time but rather then this becoming a massive issue I changed it into an ever evolving schedule. When scenes slipped up I immediately looked through the schedule, finding places that we could slot in extra time and finding which scenes that would not require as much time. Keeping everyone updated with any changes allowed the film to proceed smoothly.
Another main responsibility was the health and safety of the cast as well as crew. It is vital that they are able to produce high quality work without having to worry. For each day and each location I created a risk assessment as to make sure every hazard was accounted for. I assessed the areas thoroughly, making sure everyone was aware of the hazards as well as the boundaries (if there were any). I had to be constantly aware of what was happening not just directly on set but the surroundings too, allowing me to process hazards as soon as they arise.
Refuge was one of the most intensive films that I have worked on. It required me to constantly be pro active and ready to change anything when required to. One of my largest responsibilities was keeping everything on schedule as much as possible without rushing and sacrificing the quality of the film. Certain scenes did run over the original designated amount of time but rather then this becoming a massive issue I changed it into an ever evolving schedule. When scenes slipped up I immediately looked through the schedule, finding places that we could slot in extra time and finding which scenes that would not require as much time. Keeping everyone updated with any changes allowed the film to proceed smoothly.
Another main responsibility was the health and safety of the cast as well as crew. It is vital that they are able to produce high quality work without having to worry. For each day and each location I created a risk assessment as to make sure every hazard was accounted for. I assessed the areas thoroughly, making sure everyone was aware of the hazards as well as the boundaries (if there were any). I had to be constantly aware of what was happening not just directly on set but the surroundings too, allowing me to process hazards as soon as they arise.
Photos:
Fun stuff:
I cried watching:
The How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. I love being invested in the characters and their story which is what this series did. Though I enjoy immersing myself in stories, I've never felt it to this level before.
Writers I Respect:
Erin Morgenstern. The Starless Sea is one of the most wonderful books she has written. Writing beautiful little stories and managing to entwine them into the main narrative is phenomenal.
Books I have given my friends:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It's a fantastic fantasy book that has such rich descriptions, making you envision the magic so vividly. I highly recommend it to all.
The best thing I own:
Letters from my granddad. He wrote about such wonderful adventures and till this day I don't know if they are real or not but that's what makes it all the more fun.