One thing that you wish you would've gone to film school for?

Kholi said:
Who said I didn't do any of those things? I posted a few posts back that I have a two minute super-short involving lighting practice and scene file practice I made the day after I got my HVX.

I go out and shoot scenery every weekend. I don't feel that it's good, so I don't show it to anyone. Doesn't mean I don't go out and stay in practice.

I also shoot my girlfriend doing mundane things like washing dishes, and I've edited a few "dish washing" scenes on my G5.
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If you don't feel its any good you don't show it ?

I hate very poo pooing thing I have ever done with a passion and always will.

Like Blaine said:

Sounds like we're not going to be seeing anything from you...:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

=

I think being a true artist is allowing yourself to be exposed.
 
John_Hudson said:
Stagnant for waiting on perfect is gonna be a long wait.
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Yes, but:

Gustav Holst: 1874-1934 "Never compose anything unless the not composing of it becomes a positive nuisance to you" - HOLST (1921)

There are some people who can't go a day without shooting, there are some who don't need more practice and now want to make sure that whatever they do is worth the effort. Both points are perfectly valid, depending on what stage of your career (and skillset, etc) you're at. But where Kholi's coming from, and to a large degree where I'm at, is that this stuff is a *lot* of work. I want to make sure the end product is going to justify the energy, effort, money and time that get poured into it. I believe he's saying the same thing.

However: The Paralysis Of Analysis does nobody any good. But rushing into something before you're ready doesn't really help either, unless you do it in such a way that it doesn't hurt you either. Like others have said, torching ten grand on your movie when you don't really, actually know what you're doing -- well, you'll get some experience, and some debt, but that's about it.

If someone wants to refine their skills, then your prior advice is perfect -- get out there, work, volunteer, help other members with their DramaFest shorts, anything. Learn something, and help the fellow members out too, it's fantastic exercise.
 
Exactly. I state in every post that if some people feel that need, it's fine. I don't hate on it and I am actually guilty of sinning; I envy you all. I on the other hand can not force myself to do something just to do it and then showcase it. I will do small things that cost me no money, like shooting someone making the bed, just to see if I can handle a small task like that. However, there's no need for me to showcase that. When I have something of substance, something that I've done that I feel is worth people spending the time offering full-blown critiques of narrative style, pacing, production design, etc... that's when it'll come out.

That's all I'm saying. And, you can't brand someone for not doing things your way. That's just incorrect. I'll do it, I'll find partners to work with and get more involved in DVXuser shoots to see how everyone else works it out... but you won't see anything that I'm not proud of.

And something that I'm proud of showcasing STILL might not be good to other people, but as long as it's good to me then I can hold my chin up to the criticism and take it. Because hey, I loved it, and I loved doing it, and I believed in it.

That's me.

By the way, I might not have as much experience as Barry, but I AM saying the same thing.
 
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Barry's right you know... I've been asked by many if I am going to do a dramafest entry... thing is... I don't know, and really though the fests are awesome, it's not at the top of my list of things to do... I'd rather be in pre-production on a feature to shoot in the Summer... you get to a point where you have to choose doing one thing, over another...
 
Well, we look forward to seeing something you feel is worth releasing Kholi.

Good luck ! I hope you achieve whatever growth you are after in 2007.

Wasn't it you whose sig used to say:

Screenwriter; maybe.

=

Here's a new one:

Filmmaker; we'll see.
 
John_Hudson said:
Well, we look forward to seeing something you feel is worth releasing Kholi.

Good luck ! I hope you achieve whatever growth you are after in 2007.

Wasn't it you whose sig used to say:

Screenwriter; maybe.

=

Here's a new one:

Filmmaker; we'll see.
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Definitely not a maybe in the writing department. But, you can sub-text that filmmaker one. I got no issue with that what-so-ever.
 
I think I'm in the middle of both views here. I shoot almost every day. I have a full time job as a teacher and I work on Sundays at Church as the pianist. I'm a father of two energetic boys, and husband of a great lady. But... I stay up every night trying out new ways of positioning lights, writing down ideas, techniques and editing tons of anything I can get my hands on. At the same time, I'm not posting my family and their birthdays here for the whole world to see. I'm at a point where I can see if my stuf looks like crap or not. I'm ok with my failures as long as I don't repeat the same mistake again in the near future. I shoot tons of stuff from the mundane to the absurd. Whatever. But... Maybe Kholi wants to start with a bang and he holds himself up to a higher expectation. Who knows. I know that I couldn't stop filming even if I wanted to. It's in my blood by now. My father was a photographer so this carries to me somewhat.

Perhaps, the question is not whether Kholi is filming or not but whether he feels comfortable sharing it. Do what feels right.
Jgastelb
 
connections. i don't think my friends who went to film school have any more talent than i do but they seem to have a much easier time getting jobs. even if they're only PA jobs.
 
TheMacB said:
connections. i don't think my friends who went to film school have any more talent than i do but they seem to have a much easier time getting jobs. even if they're only PA jobs.
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That's probably the best benefit of attending. They might not have talent, but they sure as hell know that one-guys-name that has all the money.

jgastelb I think I'm in the middle of both views here. I shoot almost every day. I have a full time job as a teacher and I work on Sundays at Church as the pianist. I'm a father of two energetic boys, and husband of a great lady. But... I stay up every night trying out new ways of positioning lights, writing down ideas, techniques and editing tons of anything I can get my hands on. At the same time, I'm not posting my family and their birthdays here for the whole world to see. I'm at a point where I can see if my stuf looks like crap or not. I'm ok with my failures as long as I don't repeat the same mistake again in the near future. I shoot tons of stuff from the mundane to the absurd. Whatever. But... Maybe Kholi wants to start with a bang and he holds himself up to a higher expectation. Who knows. I know that I couldn't stop filming even if I wanted to. It's in my blood by now. My father was a photographer so this carries to me somewhat.

Perhaps, the question is not whether Kholi is filming or not but whether he feels comfortable sharing it. Do what feels right.
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Exactly. It's not even starting with a bang, it's just starting on the good foot, not the slew foot. That's just me.

And someone's going to say "how can he judge his material if he hasn't let anyone else judge it?" or whatever. Yeah, I can judge what movies I like and feel are good or bad, I agree that Shawshank Redemption was a good ass movie... so how do I not have the ability to judge if my Dishwashing_Hvx.Mov file sucks?

Everyone walks a different path.
 
connections. i don't think my friends who went to film school have any more talent than i do but they seem to have a much easier time getting jobs. even if they're only PA jobs.
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Diligence my friend.
 
PA'ing isn't easy. I know a lot of PA's, my roomate PA's on Without A Trace ritually and he's got a lot o'PA horror stories to tell. He gets calls for other jobs nearly every day, but didn't go to school, so that's diligence right there for ya.
 
PA'ing isn't easy. I know a lot of PA's, my roomate PA's on Without A Trace ritually and he's got a lot o'PA horror stories to tell. He gets calls for other jobs nearly every day, but didn't go to school, so that's diligence right there for ya.
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Amen brotha'!
 
I fully support working on your script and making sure everything is done right. First films do not have to be crap. Yes, they often are, and the DV revolution has increased that percentage of crap. It precisely because people DON'T have to take their time and perfect their script that you see a lot more junk now-a-days.

OTOH, a person can easily trap themselves forever in writing and re-writing because they fear the next step of putting that script out their for public consumption and criticism. If you want to know if you are being honest with yourself, set up dead lines and stick to them. Try making yourself immune to criticism by sharing your script with people as often as possible (not just family and friends but any stranger you convince to give it a read).

At the same time you need to be working on your filmmaking skills. Forget the Dramafest for now. The crack cocaine of filmmaking is the 48 hour film contest. Nothing gets a person energized and focused like these things. It's quick turn around forces you to get over your self-doubts and just have fun with it. Being allowed the excuse of, "well, we only had 48 hours to do it" frees up all of our inner-critics.

Everytime you work on one of these your storytelling skills and your filmmaking talents will be fine-tuned. You get to meet people and bond with them in a way similar to going through a war together (a mini-48 hour war with, hopefully, no fatalities). Most importantly these film contest will energize, excite, and focus you on wanting to get moving forward on your masterpiece.

Lastly, they are just fun as hell.

If you can find one of these in your area just go for it. The most you lose is a weekend.
 
Thanks for the links. Haven't heard of instant films, but knew about the infamous 48hourfilm. Was it LA that was pre-booked for entries last year?
 
I hear you. As a filmmaker you need people around you, especially if it is done on the cheap, who want to support your vision but a lot of people can't do the hard yards and can let you down. It is about trying people out and if they don't come to the party you never work with them again. Film school definitely has an environment of collaboration but it also has other issues. Get out there son and make contact with the like minded people. You will find them occassionally.
 
I can understand what Kholi is saying because I am in that rut. I did however, change my mind recently. I decided to start making films to perfect my technique so that WHEN I do have my perfect story, I will be able to film it in the most effective manner. For me, I'm working and schooling full time (so no time to make films) until I can afford the DVX. Once I do get my hands on a DVX, I'll probably start shooting ASAP. Or, I might just ask one of you guys with a camera to help me or I can help them make a film.

If you do need help in making a film, I'm always interested. I sure as hell won't be a John Hudson or Barry Green on the set but I am interested, motivated, and willing to learn and better myself in terms of film making and telling a better story.

PS...if any IS planning on making a film in the LA region, PLEASE...call me because I need to be around more John Hudsons who will really push me to stop waiting and actually start making films...Long post...sorry
 
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