How OWNED am I?(or will I be)

[Nobody356]

Okay so heres the deal, its late and I cant sleep and there are lots of people in my house so i am condemmed to this room. I just got through with posting the worst video I have ever made in the screen grabs/clips section just to see what kind of reaction i would get so now on to another amusement. I'm polling you knowledgeable people here on DVXuser to see how owned you think I will get.

Let me tell you the situation:

I am very soon going to be starting production on a feature film. I am still in highschool and dont even have a decent short to my name(only a few mediocre music vids). And I'm doing this because I guess I believe in myself and feel like I have something to prove. Despite the fact that I feel like I'm an idiot for even trying to do this, I actually feel like I have a chance and I still believe that I know somewhat what I'm doing(we all know this will change). In the projects defense, I didnt write the script so at least its not doomed before its started(wait never mind, I'm directing it...so it is doomed....woops).

But anyways, throw in your vote for how Owned I am and then, if you feel like giving me something to read(which would be very appreciated) feel free to make fun of me or even better give me some real suggestions on tackling a project like this(or do both!)

Heres some basic info on the project:

script length - 91 pages
genre - action/thriller
budget - no budget
actors - unpayed
my role - director/cinematographer/blablablah/one man crew

So yea....I'd love to hear anyone suggestions or sagely advice....would be great.

PS not sure this poll thing will work...first time doin it

[Weston]

go for it and be more positive.

the more negative you are the more negative everyone else will be and the less you will get done.



300 worthless posts.....hurah.
from now on i'm going to make better posts

[Nobody356]

yea im not really that negative, just attempting to amuse myself. I wouldnt try a project like this if I didnt honestly think I could do it. At the same time though I know how difficult it will be and I'm trying to remain realistic. Anyways I'm mostly looking to see if anyone has been in a similar situation as I am and has pulled out of it and made a decent movie. I'd love to hear advice

[MattC]

No one starts out writing a symphony. Even Mozart didn't (he started out writing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - not entirely true but you get the idea).

I think you would be far better off completing a few smaller projects first and using each one to tack a new aspect of filmmaking (audio, lighting, etc.). Most folks will probably encourage you, but search the archives here and on other boards, inevitably young people who try this method (yours) wish they hadn't. Look, let's be realistic, your "feature" isn't going to go anywhere, so why not start with shorts? At least if you complete a really good one, you have a shot at getting festival play out of it. I find this a better course of action then spending a lot of time and energy getting ultimately frustrated and not really learning anything other than, "I should have started smaller".

Just my $0.02

Matt

[Nobody356]

Hey, thanks for the honest advice. I do like hearing it even though I wont follow it. I do think that I have a shot at completing this movie otherwise I wouldnt be doing it, and I also feel like it will be a great learning experience for me.

I know its crazy but I feel like time is sort of running out for me. Its been my goal all along to make a feature before I went to college and being a senior in highschool now I feel like its do or die for that goal. I think that if I go into (film)school with a feature under my belt as well as a slew of music videos(I'm most likely quitting my job this summer to do music vids full time) I will have a slight edge on some of the other people(and we know how competitive this industry is). Anyways thats my goal, and I'm still young so I have the oppurtunity to try something now that has a high chance of failure.

My idea for this movie is to really work on making it solid as opposed to amazing. I'm still in highschool so I dont have to make a movie thats gunna make some huge political statement or win any award or be incredibly artistic(even thogh these are my and any filmmakers ultimate goals). I just want to try to make a solid decent B-movie. I know that sounds dumb/crazy/looney but honestly I'm already being over-zealous enough, I dont need to even further condemn my project by trying to be too unique and original. I think that If I can pull off a contained decent movie(thats now my goal) thats solid enough for no budget, it will be good for my resume/reel/credentials because then it might make people wonder what I could do after 4 years of schooling with a real crew and budget. Does all this sound crazy? Am I way off base?

Anyways, my biggest concern right now is the acting, my weakest point as a director is my ability to direct actors and my second weakest point is my inability to think beyond a scene and see a whole project(both of these things I hope to learn more about with this project). Some of the things I have done already is create a scene list/log that tells me everything about all the different scenes and will allow me to log when I shoot and capture all of them, and on monday I am having a read through with my two lead characters and I'm going to record it and go over the recording to see what dialogue lines are funky and need fixing.

Any hints/tips/tricks would be hugely appreciated and I would also like to hear any suggestions on how to best direct actors being that thats my weakest point.

[Weston]

your zeal reminds me of myself. good luck with the project.

i would post more but i have to get up early to work to pay off my camera and computer.....and shiest...(for the next 3 years........pisssssssss)

[MattC]

read as much as you can and then plan on spending the bulk of your time in pre-production. Storyboard everything, prepare a lined script, shooting script and shot lists, prepare, prepare, prepare....

Beg for help from folks in your area with some experience, whether it's a local drama teacher, or a local videographer. Get someone to handle sound, even if it's just a kid who records bands, it'll still be better than if you try to do it yourself.

Matt

[Geoff_R]

The important thing is to get out there and make your film. If shouldn't be a question of whether or not you'll finish this film, it needs to get done. Think of it that way. The odds of it being some great, revolutionary film are slim to none; but when you're done, you'll at least have a film. It doesn't matter how successful or unsuccessful the film is because you're going to learn a ton from the process of making it. That invaluable information will translate into a better film the second time around.

I like to think of drawing in relation to making films. Me personally, I love drawing. I started out drawing as a kid and thats where all my passion for art originated from. Now, I could stand by you and tell you everything you need to know about drawing. You could read thirty-five books on how to draw great and get your drawings noticed, but you're first drawing is not going to be a masterpiece. But maybe you're fifth or tenth will.

Get that film made and make sure every successive film exceeds the one that came before. If you can do that, it's only a matter of time.

[Geoff_R]

In regards to directing advice, rehearse as much as you can. It'll be the best way for your actors to really get comfortable with their characters. If you can get your actors to relax, trust you, and be absorbed by the character, your halfway there.

Another big thing would be to always give your characters something to do. I see lots of indy films where it feels like a bunch of talking heads. A few characters are at a location but we don't see any motivation as to why they are there... and they just talk for five minutes. It all depends on the script, but by giving your character a basic action or a simple task during a scene, it makes the scene more realistic.

Good luck with your film.

[Mythfit]

Ok half of me is shouting, you’re an idiot! Do some shorts, learn storytelling. 91 pages! The technical requirements of this project boggle the imagination that’s 10 to 18 days of production, if everything goes smoothly, and without a crew, it won’t.

The other half says, cool, that’s enthusiasm, too bad he’s an idiot.

I won’t be the guy who says it can’t be done, ‘cause hey who knows, maybe you’re the one. By taking on this project you will have an edge over your competition in college. Not because you’ll have a finished piece that demonstrates your amazing skills, but you will have already gone through the fire. You will be able to write the book on what not to do.

The risk however is that this experience may be so traumatizing that you will decide to change your major. You’re not just jumping into the deep end, your jumping into the deep end that’s full of bear traps and ninja sharks with friken laser beams on their heads.

Saying “I did a feature” is great, but that’s usually where the conversation ends, but if you can say “I did some cool/funny shorts, or even music videos and here they are on my cell phone or video ipod”, means being able to show off your work immediately, no need for a screening, no need to convince some one to commit an hour and a half, just pop it open and there you go. If you can impress in 2 min or less you’re going to get a lot more of that “Gee wonder what he could do with a full budget?” reaction you’re looking for. If the script is really awesome you might consider doing what a lot indies do, which is to just shoot a part of the script that tells a story so you have something to show, or just shoot a trailer of the film, than you can show off the very best bits, which could possibly get you funding to finish it.

I guess what I am saying is quality over quantity, just making a short that is awesome is a Herculean task, if you focus all the effort that you would have put into a feature on a short, imagine how great it could be.

In the end however it’s totally up to you, if you want to do it, and it sounds like you do, then have a blast. Just keep us posted on how it went.