Advise for an aspiring writer/director

V

vertigoanton

Active member
Hey guys -

New to the forum, and wanted to get anyone and everyone's thoughts on this...

I'd like to write and direct my own stuff - music videoes, shorts, features (surprise, surprise, right?) - but would like to know how people out there have been able to achieve this.

i've heard some people have been able to start production companies and then are able write/produce/direct projects for their clients. at some point, there's enough revenue to fund their individual projects and go that way.

another way is the Kevin Smith/Robert Rodriguez route - maxing out credit cards, donating bodily fluids, etc. i don't imagine this is the safest route because i'm guessing those 2 guys are more the exceptions, rather than the rule.

a third is to work a corporate 9-5 gig, write and pre-produce during nights and weekends and save up the funds to make the movie. then take a vacation/sabbatical to shoot it and then go from there.

i'm currently weighing a pretty big decision that will likely take me down one of these paths, with the second option (Smith/Rodriguez route) being the distant third. are there any other routes that i'm missing?

don't worry, i'm not lazy, and i'm willing to put in the work to eventually write and direct my own feature, but i'd prefer that i not be starving nor selling out in any way to get it done. i also understand some paths work for some and don't work for others, but i'd like to hear some real life experiences from folks.

thanks in advance for sharing.
 
Seems to me you answered your own question. There's no specific rules here. You already know the varous routes, now you have to find the one right for you. All I can suggest is to keep reading books on the subject, ask more questions around here, and when possible get out there and shoot, shoot anything, but shoot. Lastly, get on a set whevever you have the spare time. Nothing beats hands on experience, even as a PA. The only thing that will stop you, is you. There's the ones that talk about it, and the ones that do it.

Good luck!
 
Well, I'm still a struggling filmmaker, so my path has yet to be realized (still crossing fingers).

I started writing scripts a few years back and then started from the bottom in production. I jumped on every set that would have me. I PA'd a ton of projects and worked my way up, into AD gigs.

Then, when I felt strong enough I pimped my scripts to producers for financing with the stipulation to direct. I found financing for one and directed a feature film. I did a few shorts as well. I then sold a few short scripts to prodcos and one feature of mine was recently optioned. I just wrapped a feature documentary I directed and we premeire the first feature film I directed May 1st in Hollywood.

I only wish my wallet reflected all this. But like I said, I spent couple years in the mud first, running prodco errands and serving directors cofee. I think I'm better for it. My AD experience was the most valuable I suppose. I'm far from a success story, but I'd like to think I'm on the way.

Good luck!
 
Try and get experience in all different departments that way when your running a team you will also know their jobs and get the best from them.

Write, write, write, shoot, shoot, shoot and then hope someone notices you. :)

Contacts are also extremely important, get yourself out and involved in everything in your area.

Best of luck, its a tough path but ultimately worth it!
J.P.
 
i'm sure most of us are in a similar situation. my strategy has been to hone my directing skills making shorts, and work on writing a really good feature script. i think the script is key because it takes no money to write a great script, just your time and effort. with a good short film and a good feature script, i think i can get funding if i hustle enough. there's no way i'm going to make a feature film with my own money. i do this all on my nights and weekends because i have a full time job. i want to save money and live comfortably in case i never make it. good luck.
 
just like to say this is my 1st msg on here so im excited lol
...but yeah bak 2 the point....any 1 done any music video directing? any tips 4 a semi noobie?
 
I'm also in a similar boat. I've had a few personal obstacles that have kept me from being as prolific as I'd like, but I've also been blessed with a few advantages, as well.

The only thing I can add is that it's best to keep a cool head. I disagree with the notion of aiming huge. I think that winds up with unrealistic goals and broken dreams. Most directors are NOT famous, but there are plenty out there that make a decent living, and enojy rewarding work.

I personally have no interest in fame, although I'm not a liar, if it came my way it'd be great, but only because I'd have an easier time getting my movies made. My #1 priority is finishing my existing projects, and moving on to the next step, which is to get funding for my next. Nothing huge. Ultra low budget, but when someone pays you for your work, THAT is when you become a professional. It doesn't matter even if you still need a day job. Being paid for your talent is what seperates you from the wanna-bes. And you know what? it's okay being a wanna-be too, as long as you're proactivly working on your goals.

I don't think I've heard of a single story of someone who worked incredibly hard through thick or thin, and didn't wind up with some success. Okay maybe not Sundance success, but recognition, reasonable pay, and rewarding work. Those are not pipe-dreams.

Anyway, that's my personal take on it. Of course I'm not an authority, if you have a different mindset, or a different path, more power to ya! I just wanted to share my outlook since I think it's rather level-headed and different from the usual, "You can do it!" motivational speech, or the, "Dude, it's a million to one," downer. Don't listen to those people. In my experience people who say that are disgruntled, lazy, failures. In fact, the more successful people I've had the pleasure of meeting, the more encouraging they are!
 
Running your own production company, much less starting one, requires a huge investment in time and money. I would not recommend it unless you are very serious about producing, and have an advanced knowledge of what “production” entails.

You’re right that the Smith/Rodriguez model is the exception, not the rule. Although, if you are only looking for a couple hundred bucks to do a short film or music video, this might be a good route to take. Just don’t bankrupt yourself (physically or financially) trying to get cash this way.

The day job route is probably the safest bet. The are some other things I would suggest along with this:

Make friends with local filmmakers, rental houses, and actors. Spend some time cultivating these relationships before you ask them to donate their time, talent and resources to your film.

Don’t be afraid to look for outside help. There aren’t many grants available to filmmakers these days, but you can always partner with a non-profit organization and solicit donations from individuals and corporations. And there is always investment funding, just make sure to do your research to avoid legal trouble.

Always remember the Fast/Cheap/Good rule.

Finally, you have to remember that filmmaking is a business, so if you want to make a comfortable living from filmmaking then you will probably have to sell out to some degree.
 
The day job route is certainly the "safest", but the least likely to lead to satisfying results (at least to my observation). Currently I'm doing something about halfway in between option 1 and 3 that you list above. My company that I've worked incredibly hard to develop for the past 2 years is financing part of the production, but the rest falls on me. And that means debt. But whatever. An actor I auditioned for a part comes in last week and gives the following monologue, from Collateral:

How much you got saved? Your business "plan?" Someday? "Someday my dream'll come..."? And one night you'll wake up and discover it all flipped on you. Suddenly you're old. And it didn't happen. And it never will. 'Cause you were never going to do it, anyway. The dream on the horizon became yesterday and got lost. Then you'll bullshit yourself, it could never have been, anyway. And you'll recede it into memory...and zone out in a Barcalounger with daytime TV on for the rest of your life... Don't talk to me about killing. You're do-in' yourself. In this yellow-and-orange prison. Bit by bit. Every day.

All it ever took was a down payment on a Lincoln Town Car. What the hell are you still doing in a cab?
Click to expand...

There's something to it, y'know? "Who Dares Wins".

Plenty of people have given good advice in here. Make your contacts, find good people that you trust to work with. Do some collaborations. Work your way up. But when you get to feeling like you're ready, cut yourself lose. Just do it. There's no better way to get it done than that terrifying feeling that you're in free-fall, and have no choice but to succeed.
 
Read the biography on Stanley Kubrick. That is probably the most common sense story of any director achieving success.

I say THE biography because there's only one :).
 
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