As far back as City College student Paul Giret can remember, there was always a camcorder in his house.
“My dad was always up on new technology,” Giret said. “I did all the videos for the kids in my neighborhood.” Now Giret works on a larger scale throughout San Diego, having done corporate and music videos. Most recently Giret produced a short zombie film called “Point of Infection” with the San Diego City College Film Society.
“What a producer does is thinks ahead. I’m supposed to be two days ahead of everything happening on set,” Giret said. This is his first time acting as a producer, but he is no stranger to being in a leadership position. Giret is also president of the Film Society.
“Our meetings are usually casual as we listen when Paul speaks,” said Arturo Adame, club secretary. “He’s a pretty calm yet imposing figure.”
After the Film Society was chartered, the Associated Student Government gave them $500. The club decided to produce a short film with the money, and Giret reached out to Jodi Cilley, owner of production company VideologiCo, to direct the film.
“Paul handled everything really smoothly and got a lot of good people excited about it,” Cilley said. “He’s an energetic guy.”
“Point of Infection” will premiere April 26 at the San Diego Student Film Festival in the Saville Theater. Giret and the Film Society are organizing the film festival, and offering a $1000 prize to the winner. “It’s the first time we’re doing it and we’re already starting to buzz,” Giret said.
According to Giret, it’s a misconception that filmmaking can only exist in Los Angeles, especially with the home technology that is available. “I’d like to bring filmmaking to San Diego.”
In 2013, he will continue working toward this goal, having signed on to run the San Diego Indie Fest film stage.
Though, he is a writer, he mostly keeps that work to himself. Giret wants to master the art of filmmaking before he starts moving towards other things. “It’s the most modern form of art because it’s only been around 100 years,” he said. “We’re still learning.”
