Realistic Drug Movie?

[vitaluminosa]

[deleted by user]

[EJ Pennypacker]

Do check out HUMAN TRAFFIC.

Regarding what to show and what not too... I'm not sure there's anything left not to show... Besides actually making the stuff :)

EJ

[dustino]

Use only fake drugs. You'll get better performances and keeps the production costs much lower.:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[dustino]

I think the shots of a needle going into an arm, or clever camera angles showing someone sniffing coke are more than a little over used. Come to think of it though - this must have been done a thousand times but I can't recall seeing it... what about someone sniffing fake cocaine from a glass top table (or just a sheet of glass for shooting), shot from underneath with a close up on the nostril. Again, probably done countless times, but might be fun.

It seems like "fantasy sequences" are also a fun way to portray the euphoria of being high - the quirkier the better. They can be expecially effective when slammed against the reality of the ugliest aspects of addiction when editing.

Caveats (IMO) would be overly dramatic make-up. You know, where the talent looks more like a zombie than an addict (way too black eyes, way too pale face.) A small amount of makeup and "unflattering" lighting will do more than gobs of dark makeup. Also, most addicts don't live in abandoned urban buildings - even when they're at rock bottom. Lastly, it seems it's what addicts DON'T do that is more accurate and effective than what they DO. In other words, scenes of them acting crazy, etc. are less effective (IMO) than those that show them withdrawing away from people, friends, family, etc.

Good luck - post some stuff for us.

[rightfrog]

See the movie "Rush" with Jason Patrick...it's a very good "drug movie" and doesn't really fall into the traps of clever camera work to glorify drug use and make it look cool. Good Soundtrack too...

[alveraz]

Hello,

I'm planning to make a drama short about the effects of drugs on a couple of students.

What are the "dos" and "don'ts" of a drug movie?
As in, what is appropriate to show or do and what isn't?


Any help would be appreciated.

Having sprinkled a few scripts with drug use subplots myself, all I can say is, getting down to the nitty-gritty is important. Going in with the intention to remain 'appropriate' can stifle your creativity and blck you from what's a truly degenerating process (drug use). I mean, there's nothing like sinking yourself into a dark place and diving into characters that use.

Also, noticed some tips on angles, make-up and directing. Forget it, this is a script first, and production second. Get down and dirty, go for it, and hold nothing back with your imagination. You can always come back, edit, re-write and decide on the right angles and direction when the time comes.

Have fun.

[thematthewbone]

you should check out darren aronofsky's requiem for a dream. it is very stylish and still tells of 4 addicts downfall as their addictions become exponentially worse and eventually they are left with nothing. brilliantly photographed and brilliantly told.

[Charli]

Use powdered milk to snort.

Charli

[Matthew B. Moore]

you should check out darren aronofsky's requiem for a dream. it is very stylish and still tells of 4 addicts downfall as their addictions become exponentially worse and eventually they are left with nothing. brilliantly photographed and brilliantly told.

Requiem for a Dream is probably the best. The film is briliant. Warning: You may run for the hills after you have seen it, but one thing is for sure - you won't forget it.

It makes a huge impact. Keep a few hours of cartoons on stand by to pull you out of the depression.

[saturnin]

requiem for a dream

and spun

[thematthewbone]

i never would have thought about using powdered milk to snort.

i guess i would imagine it wouldnt be too difficult to get down....

that is kind of a funny post.

[PUNCH]

Use only fake drugs. You'll get better performances and keeps the production costs much lower.:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)


That's funny! I'm still laughing at that one.

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Don't use powdered milk if you are lactose intollerant. And also Requiem For A Dream, a masterpiece!

[Yardsale]

Don't use powdered milk if you are lactose intollerant. And also Requiem For A Dream, a masterpiece!
:grin:

[Jeremy Ordan]

Drugstore Cowboy... amazing film with great drug use scenes.

-Jeremy

[FilmMakerr]

Requiem for a dream= One of the greatest movies ever made PERIOD.

[Biggerbang06]

I'm writing a screenplay about multiple characters(vignette style)and one of the characters is a user...my advice would be dont focus too much on whats done or what hasn't been done,or can't be done....Just do your research on drugs,their effects and the implications of abuse.If you research it well and get FACTS and read news stories about real people your story will be more genuine....And OF COURSE develop your characters and their backstories so that you'll have your influence as well.
Truth is stranger than fiction.

[swiperstopswiping]

requiem for a dream -- music in the last 20 minutes will haunt you forever.... foorrrreeevvveerrrr.

[kimko]

Having sprinkled a few scripts with drug use subplots myself, all I can say is, getting down to the nitty-gritty is important. Going in with the intention to remain 'appropriate' can stifle your creativity and blck you from what's a truly degenerating process (drug use). I mean, there's nothing like sinking yourself into a dark place and diving into characters that use.

Also, noticed some tips on angles, make-up and directing. Forget it, this is a script first, and production second. Get down and dirty, go for it, and hold nothing back with your imagination. You can always come back, edit, re-write and decide on the right angles and direction when the time comes.

Have fun.yes totally agree there are no borders in this genre, but do your homework and get the facts from someone who knows. using your imagination aint gonna cut it. that's like hiring an drug counselor who's never done drugs to mentor.

[thematthewbone]

requiem for a dream -- music in the last 20 minutes will haunt you forever.... foorrrreeevvveerrrr.
the last twenty minutes period will haunt you.

but yes, clint mansell did such an INCREDIBLE job with the score too.

so i suppose what i am saying is if you are doing a drug movie find one stellar composer. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[BryantStanton]

As far as realistic drug effects go, I'd say Fear and Loathing in Las vegas did a great job.

I am also in the midst of writing a movie that revolves around drug use. Going pretty good so far, but it can be tough making it realistic. Good luck with yours!

[MOVIE STUNTS]

Naked Lunch, is a good drug movie, though not realistic unless you are under the influence of drugs.

[deedive]

which drug? Its easy to find people taking whatever drug your character is doing. Hang out with them if you have time.

[Elvis]

"Spun" Is a great little movie. Very real I thought. A little to real for me. I knew people just like it at the time. I used do be a bouncer at a bar. I've seen and known all types.

[matt s.]

spun is a great movie. especially mickey rourkes character.

[Noel Evans]

Some good movies named alread but I have couple of other drug movies that might give you some ideas.....

Something retro: Go ask Alice.

Also Trainspotting.

[R!ff R4ff]

Yeah, I can't believe Trainspotting was first mentioned in the 27th post. Read the book it's based on too if your film drug of choice is heroine. Gotta love the lost DT scene of the dead baby crawling on the ceiling.

And oh yeah, "Requiem For A Dream" RULEZ!

[Hairy Lime]

Many good ones named already. I'd throw out SLC PUNK and GO as a couple others with drug use handled in interesting ways.

[ngraha3]

Good advice for a drug movie????

Don't do a drug movie. Nothing says, 'Hey I have absolutely no imagination whatsoever so here's a cliched student film about the most generic subplot ever' like a drug movie.

Try thinking about what you'd like to see in a film and not what you've seen a million times in films. There's enough people out there making drug movies, and chances are they're doing it better than you as well, so... yeah, you should show those hacks whats up.

Biggest influence on pop-culture student film bullshit -- Requiem for a Dream...

Don't do it. Challenge yourself. Don't recycle that hipster crap.

[sonic freak]

vital,

your post was a while ago. if you're still doing it, i'll post my 2 cents.

I think your answer lies within your question. you wrote:
I'm planning to make a drama short about the effects of drugs on a couple of students.

first question:
Why? have you ever snorted coke? done heroin? are you a recovering alcoholic? had an alcoholic dad?

I'm not trying to challenge you. just trying to help you get to the bottom of your question. The answer is sometimes closer than we think. but it's not always comfortable.

Next:
find the original reason you inspired to do this, dig that thing back up, because it was probably from somewhere deep in your subconscious, which is usually a non-obvious and truthful place, and then do it for exactly THAT reason.

good luck.

-Murf

[Michael Carter]

Hmmm, this thread had some talk about 'characters' and ended up with a lot of drug hardware & trips...

Look on the web for the local AA, NA, & CA meetings in your town (alcoholics anonymous, narcotics Anon, & cocaine anon.) Some of 'em will be "open meetings"; look for groups that are geared towards teens to 30-yr. olds (a lot of the NA & CA groups). Sit in and listen, you'll get enough character stuff for 20 screenplays.

Some groups have candlelight meetings on certain nights, and people really open up.

If you check that out, please respect the "anonymous" part; don't swipe stories... but get the "tone" right. Look at mannerisms, character tics, and get some overall feel of what these folks have been through, and are still going though. A lot of people have been humbled to a degree we can barely understand from the power alcohol or drugs hold over them; very few movies have really made the viewer understand that. AA works on the idea that nobody but an addict can completely understand addiction; the job of art & literature & film is to make such things understood by an audience, at least at a gut level.

I'm not an addict, but attended many meetings in support of a family member, and man... an eye-opener for sure.