Capt Quirk
Veteran
Yeah, poor Terry Gilliam... how much bad stuff can happen to one guy's production?
The stress of filming..does it wear you down?
- Thread starter Richard J. Johnson
- Start date
Apparently...all of it.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
Yes, that was a heartbreaking tale to be sure. It proves that Johnny Depp wan't always Hollywood magic 
This one was another trainwreck, but at least it got made!
This one was another trainwreck, but at least it got made!
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Now take the SHORT FILM experience out of the equation and do a 12 week shoot (not counting PRE and POST)
Ouch
Ouch
I hear ya...I'm not sure how I'll do it. After finishing my 7th short this summer, my next step is a low-budget feature. Hm...the shorts are pretty hard on me. Then again, I do find that the hardest part is the first day! And by day two and three, I find my stress levels lower, and my energy better. So maybe it's like catching a second wind in a marathon? I hope so, or I'll never be able to do it.
Richard J. Johnson
Joystick Member
The first day is the easiest for me, Then it's gets harder as it goes on. Then I again, I 3 shoots away from finishing my feature length film and have not done any shorts. It seems I like to do things backwards, And it may coming back to bite me in the Azz.
Richard J. Johnson
Joystick Member
You have no Idea how many times a day I read this and it how it has profoundly affected my views on film making. I wrote a short over the weekend and we are shooting it at the end of July. Props.
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
What wears you down is the lack of a chrew.
I did my Timefest entry on 5 Sundays as a one man show.
I have to do 10 jobs on the set and that is not only killing you it is killing your footage, since you have to focus on 10 different things it is normal to miss something.
You get wrong framing, lightstands in the picture, mess up the sound, continuity issues, forget props andwhatnot.
For a one man (or 2 man in your case) show - trying to to all the different jobs on a regular set it is yust too much.
I learned that lesson with my Timefest entry and now have to deal with all thet messups in post.
Frank
I did my Timefest entry on 5 Sundays as a one man show.
I have to do 10 jobs on the set and that is not only killing you it is killing your footage, since you have to focus on 10 different things it is normal to miss something.
You get wrong framing, lightstands in the picture, mess up the sound, continuity issues, forget props andwhatnot.
For a one man (or 2 man in your case) show - trying to to all the different jobs on a regular set it is yust too much.
I learned that lesson with my Timefest entry and now have to deal with all thet messups in post.
Frank
Ugh, I hate what a lot of these guys are telling you. Shooting on weekends is fine. Also, they don't seem to understand that with a family and work, you don't have the option to shoot consecutively. Everyone assumes you either: have enough money to take off of work for 3 weeks or are a slacker who doesn't have to pay bills and therefore has an unlimited amount of time to shoot movies.
Anyway, don't listen to them. One of the great things about shooting on weekends in your position (this being your first feature), you have time to evaluate your mistakes each weekend and improve them the next weekend. Do your best. Try to get a few more people if you can. And keep learning. You'll do fine.
Anyway, don't listen to them. One of the great things about shooting on weekends in your position (this being your first feature), you have time to evaluate your mistakes each weekend and improve them the next weekend. Do your best. Try to get a few more people if you can. And keep learning. You'll do fine.
Simon Höfer
Veteran
Exactly! I'm with you Frank. I messed up so much and continuity is really killing me.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
I make none of those assumptions and I have a family (including a kiddo with special needs, which takes a lot of extra time) and lots of work.
I just believe that you have to understand why you decided to make a feature.
If you are doing it to hone your craft, you can do that with shorts.
If you are doing it to make something that will get you somewhere, shooting on weekends, without a crew, stacks the deck so far against you that the odds are practically insurmountable.
Yes, you get to say "I made a feature". which is an impressive task in terms of stamina and determination. But odds are the movie won't be very good. So what is the point of doing the feature? Showing it to friends and family so they can pat you on the back? That's fun, but does it get you closer to your goals?
What will be more impressive to them, or anyone else; an amazing 5-15 minute short film with great writing, incredible, well thought out camera movement and lighting, seamless audio and great performances, or a mediocre, slip-shod feature? Do you think people will be more impressed because the feature is longer? No. They will appreciate the thought and craftsmanship of a memorable short a lot more than the fact you could suck it up for a string of weekends.
I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from doing what they are passionate about. Nor am I saying that a feature shot over a series of weekends without a crew can't be good (Odds are remarkably against it though). But if you don't understand WHY you are doing what you are doing, and making sure that your decisions are furthering your goals, you are spinning your wheels.
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What's the source of this kind of confidence that it's "fine"?
It's his first feature. That's what you guys are all failing to realize. You want him to make Citizen Kane. After making this film he's going to be able to knock one out of the park the next time through. THAT is one of the reasons why you make a feature instead of a short. Because there's nothing like making an entire film. Are the odds against it being good? Sure. But the odds are against his first film being good period. It's just rarely done. For that reason, just get it done any way possible. If weekends is all you have, get it done on weekends.
So many people have opinions on the "right way" to do things. The thing is, there is no right way. It's "fine" if you shoot one weekends. Will continuity be a little tougher? Sure. But I still don't think shooting on weekends is any tougher than shooting consecutively. It's just that most pepole shoot consecutively so when you tell them you're doing otherwise they freak out because technically to them, that's "wrong". Don't let it dissuade you. Keep shooting.
Tarsem, the director of "The Fall", shot that movie over 3 years. That's a major motion film that looks amazing. Did he have a big crew? Sure. But it should dissuade the notion that films can't be shot over time. Like I said, try your best to get a few more people and you'll do "fine". If you can still only get you and your AD, shoot anyway. Good luck.
So many people have opinions on the "right way" to do things. The thing is, there is no right way. It's "fine" if you shoot one weekends. Will continuity be a little tougher? Sure. But I still don't think shooting on weekends is any tougher than shooting consecutively. It's just that most pepole shoot consecutively so when you tell them you're doing otherwise they freak out because technically to them, that's "wrong". Don't let it dissuade you. Keep shooting.
Tarsem, the director of "The Fall", shot that movie over 3 years. That's a major motion film that looks amazing. Did he have a big crew? Sure. But it should dissuade the notion that films can't be shot over time. Like I said, try your best to get a few more people and you'll do "fine". If you can still only get you and your AD, shoot anyway. Good luck.
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
I do realize it is his first feature, and I want to be clear about my intent. If weekends are all the guy has, then yes, he should do it. But I firmly believe (having worked on both), that you learn 90% of what you learn on a feature on a short.
But I see so many missed opportunities because people are not patient enough to wait and prepare properly. It's not about a "right" way to me. It's about respecting what you are trying to do enough to give it the best that you can. There is this tendency to gather up a group of people and go make a movie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, but is it furthering you along the path you have chosen in an effective way? Only you know the answer to that, because only you know what you are trying to achieve.
I think that many people don't wait, plan, raise money, etc because they don't believe enough in themselves or the project to do that. If they just do it quick, with whatever is handy, they have that excuse to point to if it doesn't turn out well. I am not saying that is the case here, but I think it is a prevalent mindset.
Our choices reveal our priorities. IMHO, if your priority is making quality work then you figure out a way to do that, whatever it is.
But I see so many missed opportunities because people are not patient enough to wait and prepare properly. It's not about a "right" way to me. It's about respecting what you are trying to do enough to give it the best that you can. There is this tendency to gather up a group of people and go make a movie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, but is it furthering you along the path you have chosen in an effective way? Only you know the answer to that, because only you know what you are trying to achieve.
I think that many people don't wait, plan, raise money, etc because they don't believe enough in themselves or the project to do that. If they just do it quick, with whatever is handy, they have that excuse to point to if it doesn't turn out well. I am not saying that is the case here, but I think it is a prevalent mindset.
Our choices reveal our priorities. IMHO, if your priority is making quality work then you figure out a way to do that, whatever it is.
I hear what you're saying Jim. On the flip side, so many people wait and wait and wait for the money, the people, the equipment, the perfect moment - and it never happens. Then you don't have anything.
I'm not saying don't make shorts. Of course making shorts is going to make you a better filmmaker. Make as many as you can. But if you want to make a feature, that's a unique challenge that really separates filmmakers from each other. If you want to do it, do it. Don't let anyone tell you no. At the end of the day a million people can tell you, "if you do *this* then *this*. But the only way to truly understand what making a film is like... is to make the film!
I'm not saying don't make shorts. Of course making shorts is going to make you a better filmmaker. Make as many as you can. But if you want to make a feature, that's a unique challenge that really separates filmmakers from each other. If you want to do it, do it. Don't let anyone tell you no. At the end of the day a million people can tell you, "if you do *this* then *this*. But the only way to truly understand what making a film is like... is to make the film!
No one told him not to do it. Pointing out the problems with shooting only on weekends hardly qualifies as discouraging him from making the film at all.
There's better service done when you tell someone the obstacles they're likely going to face, rather than just saying "nah, it'll be fine."
There's better service done when you tell someone the obstacles they're likely going to face, rather than just saying "nah, it'll be fine."