The Dvx Experiment. My Feature film story.

Adam J McKay

Adam J McKay

Veteran
Hey,

I started a new thread because I now have a proper project title for my adventure. I am calling it the dvx experiment. It's is the diary of my attempt at a feature length film. I have setup a youtube account which will feature video blogs, a myspace and a facebook page to help me promote this project. And if all else fails, I might have an interesting documentary in the end.

Check out the first video entry at:
http://ca.youtube.com/user/thedvxexperiment
I am a little awkward but thats ok, it should pass the more I do.

I am planning on shooting this film with little to no budget in the fall of THIS YEAR, yes 2008. I am starting the concept development now and hope to have the script done by mid August at the latest. I am going to need alot of help and support along the way to keep on keeping on. I don't mind the skeptics and nay sayers, I actually embrace those comments. As it keeps me incredibly motivated to get it all done. I will also be posting my experiences on here for those who wish to read about them.

So if anyone wants to lend a hand in anyway let me know.

Thanks
 
Watched your video entry on youtube. OK, you're not as crazy as I thought. I'm thinking this could be really cool to watch you talk through the project, maybe with clips and BTS footage.

Don't know how I could help, but I'm on board, at least in spirit.

Good Luck!
 
AWESOME idea man, all the best!

I'd reccomend you hire out LAND OF PLENTY if you haven't already. It is far and away the best made - and best looking - DVX feature. It will show you what the camera can do really well. Also check out the links on Wim Wenders' website to the film. He talks about how they graded it, how they made best use of available light, and much more.

Good luck!
 
Hey guys,

Posted another video on youtube, go check it out. Subscribe to the channel tell the friends, help me get some publicity.

I spoke to an actress from Toronto last night, one of my theatre friends I met at Ottawa U, she is down for the project. This is a good thing. I mentioned in my video blogs how I have severely underestimated this project and the incredible amount of work that it is and will be.

But im not giving up. I am going to make it happen and its going to be quite the ride. So again, thanks for the support and I will keep you updated.

P.S is anyone good with web design? I am looking to start a website once I have the story and script. I might be able to pay you for it...but I might not.


Thanks again.

Adam McKay
 
You may get to the point where you want to quit. just give up and never look back because you're down to nothing...

I know i've gotten to that point...

But I never quit no matter how easy it was or seemed to be. So keep on truckin'! and the hard times will pass.
 
Hey Alan,

My hometown of South Porcupine, Ontario.
I have an endless amount of locations at my disposal and im hoping that once a first draft of a script is done that I might be able to get some donations from the various business in the town.

I know its an extreme shot in the dark, but I have setup a paypal account for the film in hopes that I may be able to get donations. So if anyone is feeling generous: thedvxexperiment@gmail.com.

As I said in a previous post I am going to be in need of a web designer who may be willing to trade services or be payed a very small fee. I may, just maybe, may need a cinematographer, I don't need a cinematographer, but if I could find someone who knows alot more then I do that would be great. The only catch... there is no pay. I expect no answers now, but if your a cinematographer and you seem to be gaining more and more interest in this project as the weeks progress, let me know.

thanks a million,

Adam McKay
 
I know it's way too early to say this..but almost every low-budget movie I've seen has horrible sound.

Make it a goal to have crisp clear and audible sound. Sometimes it seems like the Mic is 20ft. away and I need to turn my volume up all the way to hear. Not to mention good audio editing, always recording room tone so there isn't sudden pieces of complete silence. If your making a feature, imagine it on a big screen, imagine the audience's reaction if the sound isn't natural and awkward sounding.

That boosts production value like you wouldn't believe...an amateur video with very professional sound can go a long way.

Good Luck with your adventure and I hope the best for you. For all I know I may end up in the same situation and I'll have this site and persons such as yourself to rely on for help.
 
For the sound I plan on using my Sennheiser k6 me66/me67 combo. I have got some good softies and have been practising alot. I also have some friends who do alot of their own music recording who can help me out. I think ill be picking up the sound dvd from dvxuser shortly, when the funds allow.

AS for the visuals, I was thinking about going 35mm adapter, however that requires more light and more money for the adapter and lights. I am thinking of investing in an RR mattebox however, I could really using some ND grad filters for the exterior shots as well as a mattebox on the front of the cam just looks so much more badass.

Thanks for the audio tip. I am learning everyday and love the help im getting. So feel free to share any of the concerns, tips etc. LOVE IT.
 
If you one for everyday... yeah a 1 minute thing would be plenty since it'll probably take about 120 days from start to finish...

GL i'm def following this thread :)
 
So I have pretty much settled on an idea for the film. It's going to focus on a boy trying to find himself in his small Northern, Ontario mining town. His father is going to be crippled from a mining accident and mother a dead beat who leaves the family soon after the film starts. We are going to follow the kid on his journey to becoming a man, with an understanding the box that the town is in. The antagonist is going to be the town, or most of the town, as they are all narrow minded people who know nothing passed alcholism and working in the mine. Essentially this is an autobiography of my life without the crippled father and dead beat mom.

The boy is also pursuing a career in film but is having a very hard time to write his screenplay. He is feeling very uninspired by the things he is surrounded with. So as time passes he starts to realise the good, the bad and the ugly of his current situation, finally having a moment of clarity where it all makes sense.


That is the coles notes version of the story. I don't want to give it all away. Feedback welcome.

Side note: Moments ago I got a call from my mother informing me that a friend of the families was in a serious mining accident. She couldn't provide me with anymore details. Hurray dieing for 22 bucks an hour.... And this is why I am making this film.

Thanks
 
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Hey man, check out the documentary Harlen County USA if you haven't already. It's a true story(obviously) about a mining town in Kentucky but it really plays like a feature film. It might inspire you a bit...
 
So guys,

I am feeling very discouraged about this film. I have no money, actually I have only a ton of debt, I don't want to make this film unless I am satisfied with the story, which I am not. I just feel like it's now or never. But really should I wait until I am more financially stable to make the film? When I may also have a story I am incredibly excited about? Because really, I have yet to make any short films which people are excited about and it seems to be the less risky way about doing things. Should I wait until I win some festival awards? See how I do in Twilight fest? I just really underestimated this whole process.

Blah

Adam McKay
 
Here's my opinion, others may very.

If it's a story you have to tell - one that means the world to you - do it.

If it's not something you're living and breathing, if it's not something that you have to say about the world, or a small aspect of it, that's unique to you - you can try, but you probably won't finish.

It doesn't sound like your project is the former.

I don't want to discourage you, but I say get to know your craft on some shorts. Figure out what you can and can't do. And in the meantime, work on the story that you have to tell.
 
Go the route of a couple of shorts first. Why spend alot of money if you don't even know if you are any good? There is no risk at all. if you can't make a decent short, why bother about a feature film?

just my 2 cents
 
I would say go the route of doing a few short films to get your feet wet and build your resume....also as you said this will give you time to really polish your script which for a feature is vital.
 
I am thinking this is what I should do. Because I want my first feature to be something I am really proud of, not a piece of crap I rushed together in a couple of months. I think I am going to stick with the blog and document my experience of making shorts etc. I also really want to do scrip fest and twighlight fest as well as finish my short for cinefest, I don't think I am going to be able to do all this whilst working and writing a feature.

I think I am still going to try and write a first draft by mid August and work on refining the heck out of until I feel that it is perfect. And then and only then will I start thinking about shooting.

thanks for all the support though
its very much appreciated
 
So I have decided to re start my project that I ended so soon after starting.

I have decided to take a different path and write a couple films to get the feel before writing my semi auto biographical story. This time I have no deadline, with deadlines I am going to get stressed for no reason. I am going to take my time and write some good effing stories. I am mid way through from reel to deal, the dov ss book, and it is one motivating piece of literature. I am going to start posting up on the blogs again as to the progess of my projects. Just thought id share the news.
 
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