1st Time Filmmakers & 1st Time Entrants Say Hello Here

Jack Daniel Stanley

Jack Daniel Stanley

Moderator
Staff member
Two elements I really enjoy about these fests are
1) Meeting members - both those that have been around for a while but our paths haven't crossed and those who were drawn to User specifically for the fest.

and

2) Being a part of people's first filmmaking experience. Really cool to see people take that first step and become a filmmaker and really cool to be able to discuss their films and give feedback here.

So if you are new to the fest or are a first time filmmaker. Say hello here - if you would like to - and tell us which category you fall into so we can give you a proper welcome.

And tell us something about yourself too
(filmmaking experience, geographic location, which Superfriend you identify most with, anything)

Finally ... PLEASE ... PIMP YOUR FILM HERE.
Stickying this so we can welcome you but also so you guys can get some more attention. Maybe not as much attention and Fat Monster, but hey, it's a start :)
Links to your thread are encouraged in other words.
 
Hello... My name is Zaza...and I WANT to be a film Maker someday!

I'm new to this site (2-3 months) and was SO glad to have found it. I've found it to be filled with THE most talented people who give THE best advise...all ages, sizes & shapes.

I'm completely new to all this. Just bought a DVX100b a few months ago and am trying to find my way around it. I've also bought a few items from you folks via the Marketplace (thank you very much...you are all great to work with...nothing but good experiences).

I can be found in the upstate New York area. I develop interactive software for a living and have been around video for years, but never had the chance to really use it as an artistic platform...it's always just been a small piece of what I do.

I'm also a musician, toured for years opening for acts like Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Kansas, Pat Travers & Rainbow to name a few. I built, owned & operated 3 different commercial recording studios...and the 4th is now in what used to be my livingroom!

I did score an independent film years ago by a local film maker (who's name escapes me at the moment) called "Goddess of the Heart"...I think that's where the idea started.

Enough for now...I'm just glad to have found you all and look forward to learning this art and adding anything I can to help out!

Cheers,
-Zaza

Oh...Superman...Superman is by far my favorite hero!!!
 
First time filmmaker here.

I've worked on a bunch of sets but never actually produced, directed, or shot my own short.

I'm in high school and the age thing makes it hard to get a lot of interest in my projects. I've tried to make a couple films before but just gave up before making any dramatic steps (getting others involved). This time I basically forced myself towards the next step. I set up auditions, scheduled a weekend to shoot on, got some crew, etc. Once other people are involved, I couldn't back out and this was good for me.

I got a bunch of help from some DVXusers in Austin. Luis Caffesse, Matthew Rodwell, Jason Egan, and Robert Werden all lent me a hand in one way or another.

I learned that I'm not very good at directing actors. I love having creative control, but I almost feel that I can't effective communicate with actors. I've read the book Directing Actors, and I used all of its techniques, but I couldn't get the exact performances I wanted. Next time I direct a film I'll have rehearsals. I just didn't have enough time in my schedule for rehearsals on this one, but I will next time.

It's also pretty hard to direct and DP a film. I was so worried about the lighting that some other things felt a little weaker in my opinion.

Another thing I'll do next time is get a second person to review my shot list. There are some seemingly obvious things I missed that wouldn't have happened if I had somebody give it a quick look before shooting.

All in all, it was a great experience. Shooting a film is a mixture of super high stress and fun. There's this indescribable adrenaline that I'm sure everybody here has felt that I only get on film sets. I can't wait for my next one.

Oh, and here's the link to my thread even though it's my signature:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=129829
 
Cool.

Drew, surprised this is your first film having seen you around so much. Looking forward to it.

Zaza, you've wrapped. You ARE a filmmaker.

Shawneous and Nick - it will be cool to see your work finally.

:beer:
 
Thanks Jack, although this is not going to be an amazing example of my work. I am a script writer first and a decent actor at times but this time I am doing the whole deal with a variety of limitations and roadblocks, but I am running with it anyway.
 
Long time poster, first time entering a DVX fest. I was here when the fests only allowed DVX's, thus ruling me out automatically. Then I went and purchased an HV20 - but never used it. Got the thing a few weeks after it came out. It was then I actually started working in the industry.

I've PA'd on sets, been a casting Intern, ran audio, DOP'd, Gripped, AD'd, Produced numerous films. I'm actually going to school still. Been lucky enough to work with an F900, once you go cinealta, you never go back. Work with 16mm film a lot.

My entry, B-Nice, is my first DVXuser entry. I've decided to forgo the equipment I normally use and try this without any professional gear - aside from gaff tape, HV20, and Rode VideoMic. :)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=136475 = linkage

Can't wait to see the entries. And ZaZa, where are you in upstate NY?
 
Hey all!

I joined this site in April. I lurked for a couple weeks when my older brother sent me the link. Then I saw the Scriptfest contest which was ending the next day, so I slapped together a 9 page script in 6 hours (it showed) and submitted . Yep that's what I like to do is write. I'd also like to get into the production track. And makeup effects is another hobby; I did some casualty simulation makeup for a few Air Force exercises last summer.

I spent 7 1/2 years in the Air Force and separated in January (although will probably join the reserves). I decided to take the plunge into filmmaking and am enrolling in film school out in Colorado in the fall (whoo, hoo GI Bill). My brother has spent one year there already. With the logistics and training I put together last summer for the Air Force, I think film production is really similar.

I'm extremely new to filmmaking, the Timefest entry is my second film. My first was a zombie short (go figure) for the Diary of the Dead contest back in February. I did help my brother on two of his film school assignments when I visited him last Thanksgiving. Two days of sitting on his set soaking things in like a sponge, loved it. I have no equipment but my Macbook and final cut but that doesn't stop. I just know that in filmmaking you learn by doing.

Chris Westfield
Noobie Filmmaker

Here's my zombie movie: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29184629

Also my second film "INTERFACE" will be available for Timefest.
 
Oh hi der!

The Five Worst Days in the Life of Bartholomew Saxton is my first film fest entry. I was introduced to the DVXuser when I worked on Dustin Rogan's Given.

I graduated from Elon University (private university in NC) a year ago and have been living in Waco, TX since then. I work for an ABC affiliate as the video editor for the morning news. I'm here until my fiancee (we get married in a month!) finishes grad school in Directing for Theatre. Then we plan to open up a theatre company somewhere in TX.

Click on my banner to check out my film!

-Jason Spinos
 
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I've been a member of this extremely knowledge community for a while. I wrote a script for lovefest (but it didn't pan out). This time around I posted an ad and got a response from fellow member Dick Campbell. He drove to Dallas from Waco to shoot a 10 page script in one evening (from dusk till dawn, literally). It had been a fantastic experience from start to finish. I've learned a great deal about planning and getting an official script supervisor!

I've done a couple films personally (nothing big), and this is really my first "true" short. I have pretty big ambitions to complete a feature in the next year or so, and I'm really using shorts as a fun vehicle to learn the trade. It is a great thing a community like this exists.

I'm also a pretty big film buff... As well as music buff...

The link is in my signature.
 
My name is Kevin, this is my first entry to a dvxuser fest (or any festival for that matter). I plan on attending a film school and becoming a filmmaker. I have worked on a few sets with a friend of mine that goes to USC film school. I have been apart of this forum for awhile now and I am VERY excited for the fest!
I have learned so much from this forum and I am still continuing to learn. I want to learn everything about this craft. and I agree with Haxel (^^^) this community is a great thing to have and I think I can say on behalf of all new filmmakers that things like this forum are what really inspire me to keep on going.

Link to my entry for TimeFest:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=128021
 
I've been posting for a while now but beyond a very low budget feature which i was the camera man on, this is my first real do everything production. I hope it comes out well. Working with Nick and FDL (Francesco) has been great, this forum is so interesting with all the international collaboration possibilities.

Please critique my short and give me some advice on how to better tell the story. I definitely need it but hey, at least i've gone out and made something :)
 
I've introduced myself before but seeing as this is my first fest that I will be entering a film in I might as well introduce myself again...

My name is Travis Fantina, I live in Kitchener ON, but I am originally from New Jersey and I still consider it to be a home (one of them), I've been making films since I was six or seven.

I am entering a film in the fest simply called "5:00" and you can check out the poster- grabs and updates right over here.
 
Moojangles said:
...Working with Nick and FDL (Francesco) has been great, this forum is so interesting with all the international collaboration possibilities.
Click to expand...

I can only second this. Just being a member here as put me in contact with not only Brad, but many other filmmakers who are in need of scripts. Working with you was great as well, and I can't wait to see what you've done with what I put on paper. Thanks for the props.

I guess I never really formally introduced myself in this thread. I live literally in the middle of nowhere, in Coarsegold, California. I know what you are thinking "Is that a real town in California?" and the answer is...no. Just kidding...it is, unless I am living in some crazy parallel universe or something. ("Coarsegold" Coming Fall of 2009!*) But I am a writer and sometimes an actor and this will be my first fest and one of my first "do everything" productions. This is a great community of very talented and kind individuals and I couldn't be more proud and thankful to be a part of it.






*Not a real production. Or will it be? I don't know...
 
I guess i didn't really introduce myself either... My names Brad Crawford, i've been living in Osaka for the past 3 years doing photography and video works as well as the ol' teaching English for money.

I'm originally from Winnipeg, Canada and will be heading back there this summer for the first time in 3 years. If there are any other Winnipeggers (or even nearby Canadians... north dakota?) out there that wanna make films, i'm excited to get right to work on some more assoon as i'm home.
 
Mattykins said:
Live near Utica. Go to school in Ithaca.
Click to expand...


Yes... Ithaca! I love that town...it's like the Woodstock of upstate. I used to Rep in the music industry and Ithaca Guitar Works & Pyramid Sound were customers of mine. I remember meeting Courtney Love at Guitar Works...it was right after Kirt died and she was trying to get her head together by staying with the Monks on the hill! WILD chick (I could tell you stories....).
 
First Fest!

First Fest!

Hello to everyone!

This is my first DVXFest to enter...although, technically I attempted to make a film for DramaFest (over a year ago) which ended up turning into this 41-minute monstrosity that took over a year to finish!

God and Country :laugh:

So, this time around I actually made a film that fit the time limit:

The Small Multiple

I was born and raised in Texas and do freelance directing/editing to make money while pursuing my dream of filmmaking. To second what everyone else has said this is a fantastic community to be a part of and I have learned TONS from the people here.

Please watch the film (you can find the thread through my banner as well) and give me any critiques/thoughts/criticisms that come to mind...they will be greatly appreciated!!!

Ciao.

Daniel
 
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