So this is my first fest...

[Reeven]

I'm 17 years old with a budget of 0 (though I'd like to think I'm proficient enough in After Effects to sort of balance that out). I'm shooting with an HV20, so I have no depth of field to play with. Do I stand a chance? I'm looking at some of the films entered and they look professional, so much so that my HV20 couldn't touch it.

[clarkage]

Everyone has a chance. There was a discussion similar to this a while back I forgot where it was, but it was an arguement about if the equipment made a difference. The answer to that is yes, equipment does make a difference when shooting films. But that doesn't mean that without that equipment you cannot possibly make a good film. There have been winners of these fest that used HV20's. (I think...lol) The main point that makes up a good film is the story you are telling. If you have the greatest story in the entire world to tell but you are shooting on bad equipment, It wont matter. The good story will balance everything out.

I am also just a kid still in highschool messing around with a dumb camcorder, but i mean. Just because you dont have 30 feet of dolly track, a RED, a 20 person crew, and all the audio equipment you could need doesn't mean you cant stand a chance in this fest.

To tell you the truth I have a camera slightly worse than the HV20 but still close to it and in my mind have just began my future of filming and I am in this fest.

Come check me out:http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=128021

If you have any further ?'s or thigs you would like to talk about shoot me a PM, I would be glad to answer them.

-Clarkage

[Reeven]

Everyone has a chance. There was a discussion similar to this a while back I forgot where it was, but it was an arguement about if the equipment made a difference. The answer to that is yes, equipment does make a difference when shooting films. But that doesn't mean that without that equipment you cannot possibly make a good film. There have been winners of these fest that used HV20's. (I think...lol) The main point that makes up a good film is the story you are telling. If you have the greatest story in the entire world to tell but you are shooting on bad equipment, It wont matter. The good story will balance everything out.

I am also just a kid still in highschool messing around with a dumb camcorder, but i mean. Just because you dont have 30 feet of dolly track, a RED, a 20 person crew, and all the audio equipment you could need doesn't mean you cant stand a chance in this fest.

To tell you the truth I have a camera slightly worse than the HV20 but still close to it and in my mind have just began my future of filming and I am in this fest.

Come check me out:http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=128021

If you have any further ?'s or thigs you would like to talk about shoot me a PM, I would be glad to answer them.

-Clarkage

Thanks, that's reassuring to hear. I looked at that link, what kind of lights are you using? The final product looks really good.

[clarkage]

They are 150 watt clamp lights. Pretty cheap. I just ran down to the hardware store and picked em up. They cost around $10 each.

Another good example that you dont need the best equipment ;)

[Reeven]

They are 150 watt clamp lights. Pretty cheap. I just ran down to the hardware store and picked em up. They cost around $10 each.

Another good example that you dont need the best equipment ;)

Nice, thanks for the tip!

[Ki-Ki]

I'm 17 years old with a budget of 0 (though I'd like to think I'm proficient enough in After Effects to sort of balance that out). I'm shooting with an HV20.

Only difference between you and me my friend is that I don't have a HV20. I have a crappy cheap camcorder with a bad battery. Best of luck to the both of us =)

[Dangitskang]

I think that you do have a chance. But you do have to understand, winning the fest is not everything. This is my first fest and I do hope to win but that's not why I'm entering. For me, this is an opportunity to put what I have learned to the test and really see if there is anything else for me to learn. As opposed to a contest, I see this as an opportunity for me to learn. Keep that in mind.

Even if you don't win, who cares? As long as you had fun, and at least learned something. Maybe for the next fest, you can take what you learned and make a better film.

By the way, the equipment that you use only matters if you know how to use it. I see way too many people with DVXs and HVXs that still look like home video. Learn to use your HV20 and learn to use it well.

[clarkage]

I agree with all that %100 ^^^^^^^

[Barry_Green]

If you're relying on your cinematography to be the most important element in your film and think that's what's going to make your film good, then using a bare HV20 isn't gonna deliver that. But then again, if you're relying on cinematography, your film probably isn't gonna be any good anyway.

If you're relying on your storytelling, a bare HV20 is plenty adequate.

[Mike@AF]

If you're relying on your cinematography to be the most important element in your film and think that's what's going to make your film good, then using a bare HV20 isn't gonna deliver that. But then again, if you're relying on cinematography, your film probably isn't gonna be any good anyway.

If you're relying on your storytelling, a bare HV20 is plenty adequate.

Well said...

[dory_breaux]

maybe next time I'll shoot super8 just to prove you dont need a hella fly camera to make a good film.

[Reeven]

Thanks guys. The biggest reason I asked was that I don't know how these things are judged. Visually or in terms of storytelling. A local video contest is judged completely on visuals, and it feels cheap to me, so I wanted to make sure this was a classier contest. Glad to see it is. One more question, is acting a big part of this? I'm afraid I don't know any exceptional actors.

[Barry_Green]

maybe next time I'll shoot super8 just to prove you dont need a hella fly camera to make a good film.
No, then they'll just say that you did well because "it's film -- of course film will look good."

Sigh.

I say you have no choice but to use a $40 garage-sale VHS camcorder. At least with that, *nobody* should be claiming that the camera helped!:laugh:

[Barry_Green]

Thanks guys. The biggest reason I asked was that I don't know how these things are judged. Visually or in terms of storytelling. A local video contest is judged completely on visuals, and it feels cheap to me, so I wanted to make sure this was a classier contest. Glad to see it is. One more question, is acting a big part of this? I'm afraid I don't know any exceptional actors.
Nothing ruins a film faster than bad actors. If you don't know any exceptional actors, meet some. :)

[Reeven]

Nothing ruins a film faster than bad actors. If you don't know any exceptional actors, meet some. :)

If only it were that easy. I know acting is a neccesity, but, well, I'm 17. Nobody at my school can act very well, and most local "pros" aren't willing to talk to me, because, well, I'm 17. I guess they figure I'm not serious enough about it.

[Mike@AF]

Hold a casting call. They won't know your age until they show up. Once they meet you they'll be impressed by your maturity and skills during the audition. This is where you really need to show them you know your project inside and out, backwards and forwards, and that you can direct. Not everyone realizes age doesn't equal maturity or talent so you'll probably want to spend a little more time with each actor during the audition to give them some direction. This way they'll have a chance to see that you really can direct and then not care about your age if they trust that you'll be able to make a great film that they can use for their reel. Also keep in mind that there's a lot of actors out there that just want to be in films.

Also, you may want to have some additional crew with you for the audition, such as a producer or two and DP. This way it looks like you've already got things in place and are ready to go. Your script should be ready to go to. Basically you want to make it look like you have everything together and look like you have a professional operation going.

[Mark Johnson]

Good suggestions Mike.

I suggest posting an audition notice and when you get responses send the prospects sides via e-mail or, in this case, send them the whole script. IF your script is good then you will have no difficulty getting participation. If your script sucks, then a good actor isn't going to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear anyway. The moral is that it has to be on the page. Make damn sure you have a good script and you'll be on your way.

[Mike@AF]

Good addition Mark.

[Ki-Ki]

Yeah they both have probably the best suggestions there.

For me I'm filming in my very old Comprehensive [High School], which kind of works out great in a way. I might be able to use some of there filming equiptment, play on the fact of promoting talent in there school. And of course as said, post audition posters around and hold auditions.

Perhaps you could use something like that to your advantage? A college or school? Some education facility? But yeah everyone stands a chance, and the main thing is showing what talent you got and meeting new people in the competition, rather than trying to win, but you know this. Any new improvements?

[Reeven]

Perhaps you could use something like that to your advantage? A college or school? Some education facility? But yeah everyone stands a chance, and the main thing is showing what talent you got and meeting new people in the competition, rather than trying to win, but you know this. Any new improvements?

That's something I was toying with. I also have to find actors I don't really have to pay very much, since my budget is in the 6 dollars range. I came into possession of a good light, maybe that'll convince them. :huh:

Anyway, I've got an idea I think is really good now, but the problem is I have no idea how to condense it into 6 minutes. It doesn't help that I'm awful at screenwriting. I'll just say I'm glad to deadline is so far away, I'm not going to be stressing so much that the final product is rushed and suffers.

To anyone else using the HV20, are you shooting on 24p?

[Gohanto]

Writing a good script is really the trick. First of all, you mentioned "I have no idea how to condense it into 6 minutes" which might mean the idea is just too complex. Look at the top 2 films of LoveFest and how simple they were. Simple ideas, done well. Doesn't mean you can't do a complicated plot, but many films end up feeling rushed and it's very challenging to walk that line.

Another note, if you see someone you really like in another film or even a stage play (careful with this as sometimes what works on stage doesn't translate to film), you can usually find out their email and send them the script. Flattery goes a long way in addition to have a good script.

Also, on top of getting good actors you need to be able to communicate with them as word may get around you don't know what you're doing if you're not completely and correctly prepared. Hopefully you've read "Directing Actors" as that should give you the ground work to communicate effectively and professionally with actors.

Best of luck to you.

[Reeven]

Also, on top of getting good actors you need to be able to communicate with them as word may get around you don't know what you're doing if you're not completely and correctly prepared. Hopefully you've read "Directing Actors" as that should give you the ground work to communicate effectively and professionally with actors.

Best of luck to you.

I haven't, but I think I really should. Is it a book, or is it on the web?

[Zacatac]

To add to the mess...

I'm 17, got alo through coercing and everything, ive got the hv20 and redrock m2... ive got lights, kickass computer and adobe cs3..

But none of that matters if you don't have a good story... and off of that, a good actor...

What i did fr my first professional shoot was get the actor, (Exarmy afterbeing shot by a sniper, and now wanted to get into acting) He was working for free, he thought it was some college kid shoot and whatnot, he walked up the location and saw us, one high school senior and one 19 yer old college dropout... But he later old us what was going through his mind ashe saw that..

"High school kid talked me into doing this movie, got free rental on lots of camera equipment, has a great story, who gives a hell, im giving this 110%"

thoe were almost his exact words, mainly the last 4 words. But the thing is, don't let them know your age, wait until they are commited and then let it out... thats what i did, and i made a movie, aquired a DC3/C47 vintage aircraft, and a grass airfeild... to play in with a new camera


Im sorry bout that, i don't mean to be cocky, just showing an experience.. lol


but imstill wicked nervous about setting up the timefest stuff... shooting two films, one wth that same actors... whom i have as a great friend... its gonna be sick, but nerveracking


best of luck... May the Force Be With You

[Gohanto]

I haven't, but I think I really should. Is it a book, or is it on the web?

It's a book you can get on amazon.com

[Mike Insane]

Reeven, it sort of seems like you are piling on the small obstacles to create one big road block. The key to these festivals and to filmmaking in general is that you just have to do it. No one really hits a home run the first time out. You are going to have difficencies. Your lighting might suck for that all important cutaway. Your lead might not be able to act their way out of a 5th grade play. Your sound may end up being more like you are watching a film in a laundry mat than a THX theatre. It happens to everyone. Do yourself a favor and just list everything you need to do to get it all done. Try and organize it in the most logical order. Then take on one thing at a time. You will find out very quickly that you will build up momentum. With that comes greater success.

On the bad actor note... come up with a story that can be told with little or no dialogue. The less the actor opens their mouth the better. As a filmmaker you should be able to visually tell your story. Dialogue is an addition. Direct your actors with active emotion, like anger, fear, lust, calm. That emotion should play visually. A project we had to do for first semester directors in film school was to put together a 1-3 minute short film using still camera slides only. We could use music and sound effects but no dialogue. You would be amazed at how good some of the pieces were. It became a film about the direction, the angles, how the story was told through the lens, the emotion of the characters... and not about how good the performance of the actor was. If you want to know more about that project PM me. These festivals are just like film school exercises... they just have prizes in the end. But even top notch pro's need to continually do exercises or they quickly loose their craft.

JUST DO IT!

[clarkage]

Great advice mike!! ^^

[sfoster]

That is exactly why I'm making my first dvxfest with a cell phone. So many people say they can't compete because of this or that. My equipment isn't good enough, my actors aren't good enough, I don't have enough lights, etc. Well I'm shooting this on a cell phone. No manual controls, no high budget equipment. My family and friends are the actors, and I expect to make a film that can compete with some of the top films out there. If I don't make a film then I definitely can't compete! That is the key. Forget about your shortcomings and be creative and work around your problems and like Nike said, "JUST DO IT"!!!

[portlandbozz]

That is exactly why I'm making my first dvxfest with a cell phone. So many people say they can't compete because of this or that. My equipment isn't good enough, my actors aren't good enough, I don't have enough lights, etc. Well I'm shooting this on a cell phone. No manual controls, no high budget equipment. My family and friends are the actors, and I expect to make a film that can compete with some of the top films out there. If I don't make a film then I definitely can't compete! That is the key. Forget about your shortcomings and be creative and work around your problems and like Nike said, "JUST DO IT"!!!




see, thats what i like to hear. i think its wrong for people to say you need this and that to make a good movie. its bullsht, i got 12 years experience playin the field and im 24 and ive seen some crazy sht in my time. if you can balance an image, decent framing, and a bit for photography you can pull off good cinematography on anything. just cuz it aint high def dont mean sht. low budget quality can and always will be made up by sound and story. do your research on a good half k mic if that and pop ADR the whole project with some good editing and your sht will be serious.