COG DIARIES
The Cog Diaries is the long-form, behind-the-scenes series from filmmaker and artist Rob Perrett, documenting the continuing development of Microscopic Cog Films and the creative journey towards making Watkins Corner.
The series follows the reality of independent filmmaking as it happens: developing scripts, raising finance, building an audience, designing campaigns, creating artwork, testing ideas and gradually bringing ambitious projects closer to production. Rather than presenting a polished success story after the event, The Cog Diaries records the uncertainty, problem-solving, wrong turns and occasional breakthroughs that form part of the work itself.
Although filmmaking is at its heart, The Cog Diaries is also about the person behind the work. It reflects on the experiences, influences and ideas shaping Rob’s development as a filmmaker and artist whilst in his 60, and on the persistence required to continue creating without the resources or infrastructure of a major production company.
The series is clean and cinematic in presentation, but remains deliberately personal and direct and sometimes tatty. It is not intended as a formal tutorial or a carefully manufactured portrait of creative success. It is an ongoing record of work in progress: the films, the artwork, the plans, the mistakes, the successes and the ideas that may—or may not—survive.
New material is gathered throughout the working week and developed into regular long-form episodes for YouTube, creating an evolving diary of Microscopic Cog Films as the company, its projects and its audience continue to grow.