conrad_johnson
Well-known member
Never heard of 'em.
Why don't you guys get off your asses and do something!:thumbdown
"Dead Week" - A film by Kyle Stebbins (and company)
- Thread starter Kyle Stebbins
- Start date
Why don't you guys get off your asses and do something!:thumbdown
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
That's awesome news, Mark. I wish you all the best. I have a feeling that it's only going to take one lousy little meeting in there with you and BAM! Everything is going to take off... I believe that 110%. Always have.
--
A few years ago I decided to enroll in film school.
Three years later I was in North Hollywood helping shoot a short film with an Emmy award winner, an ASC cinematographer, and the best crew a guy could ask for. I was being taken seriously, treated with respect, and actually played an integral role in the completion of the film. Talk about rewarding.
I attribute ALL of these opportunities to the generosity of a certain Mr. Mark Johnson (and his team). If not for them, I may not even be around these boards anymore. They showed me that it's possible for a grounds-up crew of miscreants (though talented) can get anywhere they want to be if they keep telling themselves it's possible.
They don't give up, and we shouldn't either. I work a 10-5 job at a bank... every day. I get worried when I start thinking about shooting a zombie flick with blood and fighting and... yelling... - Worried that I might miss work, possibly lose my job, fall back to square one.
But then I met the monsters. -- I don't want to work at a bank. I don't want to have to wear a tie so I can look good for our Goldman-Sachs customers. I don't want to bother myself with being someone I'm not and lately I feel like I'm playing it too safe... like I'm insecure and need to stay on the home team.
Let this be a testament to you all. It doesn't matter who you are, who you were, or who your spouse/parents/friend/loved ones WANT you to be... If you are a filmmaker, then you will make films... THAT'S IT.
I say all of this right now because I'm currently in a debate with a friend over his girlfriend's tight leash. He's an idea man... and the quirkiest, most brilliant guy you'll meet. He was a film student, and graduated. -- What is he doing now? Searching for an insurance job per her request.
Sometimes, especially in the case of feeding you children, it makes sense to take a logical approach and ultimately decide to apply for the open position waiting tables... but if you are fresh out of school, with no ties to hold you back... then you damn well better follow your dreams because these opportunities come but ONCE in a lifetime, and you wouldn't want to miss it.
I know Mark has a lot to say on this matter, and his story is truly remarkable and moving. I wonder if he has time to share it, or some thoughts.
Just a ramble.
Kyle
Jarrod Homer
Active member
Thats awesome Mark!
conrad_johnson
Well-known member
Geeez. If you're gonna get all serious on us......
These guys are truly inspiring and I look up to them.
I've made myself a nice niche here in MN as a recording engineer. And I love It. So I know how important it is to love what you do for a living.
But it's more fun to poke fun at those who realize who they are and what they want to do. HA!
Eat **** Fat Monsters!!!!!!!!!
*****When can I come hang out again....
These guys are truly inspiring and I look up to them.
I've made myself a nice niche here in MN as a recording engineer. And I love It. So I know how important it is to love what you do for a living.
But it's more fun to poke fun at those who realize who they are and what they want to do. HA!
Eat **** Fat Monsters!!!!!!!!!
*****When can I come hang out again....
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Good news Monters. Will be excited to hear how that all plays out.
Mark Johnson
The Dude Abides
Kyle,
Thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words. Your commitment and passion are inspiring. It's no secret that I am one of your biggest supporters and that I believe in your talents.
I wish I could say that I'm a natural and that the biz was my destiny. That's b.s. I'm a 55 year old former lawyer who spent the last ten years fooling around shooting some really crappy stuff with no real game plan. I used to do the firm Christmas videos and although they had some funny stuff and a certain charm, I'd be embarrassed for anyone here to see them.
A couple years ago I found this place and was fortunate to become friends with Jack Daniel Stanley. I learned an amazing amount by shooting with Jack but I didn't really appreciate or understand the need to really focus on craftsmanship. Ted Arabian and I thought we could throw a bunch of money at an idea and make a great film. Boy, did we learn otherwise. Nothing exposes weaknesses like filmmaking.
The biggest thing I learned was the need to partner with people you trust, respect and who can compliment your strengths. If I didn't have Tim and Luis I would be a hack (perhaps an entertaining hack, but my weaknesses as a filmmaker would be very evident).
Some of you guys are multitasking wonders. Some of you can, incredibly, do the whole thing from soup to nuts. However, most of you are like all of us --- talented in some areas and not so hot in others. That's the beauty of this community. Team up. Partner up. Join up with others and you can multiply your talents exponentially.
That's the lesson I've learned in spades. Fat Monster is a living organism that would atrophy without having all of its members working together.
Thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words. Your commitment and passion are inspiring. It's no secret that I am one of your biggest supporters and that I believe in your talents.
I wish I could say that I'm a natural and that the biz was my destiny. That's b.s. I'm a 55 year old former lawyer who spent the last ten years fooling around shooting some really crappy stuff with no real game plan. I used to do the firm Christmas videos and although they had some funny stuff and a certain charm, I'd be embarrassed for anyone here to see them.
A couple years ago I found this place and was fortunate to become friends with Jack Daniel Stanley. I learned an amazing amount by shooting with Jack but I didn't really appreciate or understand the need to really focus on craftsmanship. Ted Arabian and I thought we could throw a bunch of money at an idea and make a great film. Boy, did we learn otherwise. Nothing exposes weaknesses like filmmaking.
The biggest thing I learned was the need to partner with people you trust, respect and who can compliment your strengths. If I didn't have Tim and Luis I would be a hack (perhaps an entertaining hack, but my weaknesses as a filmmaker would be very evident).
Some of you guys are multitasking wonders. Some of you can, incredibly, do the whole thing from soup to nuts. However, most of you are like all of us --- talented in some areas and not so hot in others. That's the beauty of this community. Team up. Partner up. Join up with others and you can multiply your talents exponentially.
That's the lesson I've learned in spades. Fat Monster is a living organism that would atrophy without having all of its members working together.
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
Mark Johnson
The Dude Abides
Johnson, you are on the short list of those we most want to come back. You are a strange and bizarre dude ... just exactly what we like. In fact, I would seriously like to figure out a way to get you out here with Harris again. We did not get to hit the lowlife places we intended .....
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
Well said. Sometimes it's hard for people to break out of their own little boxes and reach out for help, and it's mainly out of fear of... well something. We have nothing to lose by partnering up and just becoming the best that we can be. We can all help each other.
Now with that said, I'll continue plotting the demise of the Fat Monster machine.. already they're spreading like a virus....
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
What poster did you settle with Rodney? *runs off to the b&c thread to check*
Mark Johnson
The Dude Abides
We no doubt will become jaded caricatures co-opted by the Hollywood scene in due time. Just give me my allocation of enthusiastic young wannabe starlets first, please. Then I'll happily shuffle off into obscurity.
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
Jarrod Homer
Active member
Or you could just use Stebbs himself.
ConspiracyPenguin
Nosey Penguin
Mark, I couldn't have said it better myself. The one thing I particularly agree with is the fact that most are good at some areas but not all. I can write pretty well (according to those who have seen my stuff) and I am a pretty decent actor. But when you tell me to do the whole shebang, well, I get worried. People always ask me if I am going to do my own film, and I always say maybe. During TimeFest I took my first real attempt at making my own film. Not just writing it. Not just acting in it. But writing, acting, directing, producing, filming, and on and on. I had to deal with a lot (hardly the crap many of you have had to put up with, though, I am sure). I am someone who has trouble relying on others because sometimes they don't come through. I had to rely on others for this and things happened and I had to deal with it. Ultimately it just didn't work. If you ask me if I am going to try again this fest, I will say maybe. Regardless, however, I first need to focus on what I do best, which is write these scripts and act if anyone will take me.
EDIT:
Am I on the shortlist too? When I do come back down there, I will have to stay a bit longer so we can do some more stuff. Seeing those comics about Matt makes me wish this, then maybe you could have had bird jokes from a bird. :grin:
EDIT:
Am I on the shortlist too? When I do come back down there, I will have to stay a bit longer so we can do some more stuff. Seeing those comics about Matt makes me wish this, then maybe you could have had bird jokes from a bird. :grin:
Rodney V. Smith
DVXFest Promo Guru
maxholmquist
Member
i just came to the boards after many serious ass posts..
tears to my eyes..
comeback kid stories..
very "Rudy" if you will..
but in all seriousness... being a kid out of a small town in the Midwest Lincoln Nebraska amidst saddle creek omaha scene music business.. i've seen popular bands fall and i've seen new bands rise.. i've seen the gleem of hope burn out.. i've seen the gleem of hope rise out of the ashes of other bands..
a great friend of mine in a very popular band for many years.. got married... his band went through some lineup changes.. his wife said "get a real job" so he did.. only to months later find her effing around with some other dude.. and where is he now.. yeah he still plays music.. but his band members are all doing side projects.. and he is doing what? he's a 'financial advisor'.. talk about your dreams getting raped by a rabid horny goat.. holy shiitez...
here i am.. a CHILD of 21 years old.. recently finding himself in deep amongst alcoholism and the poverty of every college student.. not knowing where hes going in life.. declaring himself an "ENGLISH" major with a minor in "FILM STUDIES" and a concentration in "CREATIVE WRITING" not really knowing if he can actually write or if he knows the first piece of dog turd about making a script.. for some sweet feckin zombie movie.. in over his testicles...
but here i have guy like stebbins saying.. this is good.. this is perfect.. people will believe in you.. i believe in you.. and being on these boards for the past few days.. i believe it.. and somehow.. in some sort of disconnected.. 3rd cousin 18 times removed way.. i feel like i can attribute this strage direction and meaning in life to mark.. i have no effing clue who this guy is.. but i know kyle looks up to him.. and i can see that a lot of you guys do too..
so here i am.. 3:09 AM central time.. drunk.. lonely.. in the middle of a script.. waiting for a feature in the newspaper about my music on friday.. wishing someone was here with me to talk to or drink with or sleep with.. knowing.. at least i have something to aim for..
so here i am.. my gun aimed straight up at the moon.. trying to shoot that douchebag off of it.. who is stealing all of the cheese.. cause thats what the moon is.. gooda.. gooda cheese..
make sense?
richard gere???
tears to my eyes..
comeback kid stories..
very "Rudy" if you will..
but in all seriousness... being a kid out of a small town in the Midwest Lincoln Nebraska amidst saddle creek omaha scene music business.. i've seen popular bands fall and i've seen new bands rise.. i've seen the gleem of hope burn out.. i've seen the gleem of hope rise out of the ashes of other bands..
a great friend of mine in a very popular band for many years.. got married... his band went through some lineup changes.. his wife said "get a real job" so he did.. only to months later find her effing around with some other dude.. and where is he now.. yeah he still plays music.. but his band members are all doing side projects.. and he is doing what? he's a 'financial advisor'.. talk about your dreams getting raped by a rabid horny goat.. holy shiitez...
here i am.. a CHILD of 21 years old.. recently finding himself in deep amongst alcoholism and the poverty of every college student.. not knowing where hes going in life.. declaring himself an "ENGLISH" major with a minor in "FILM STUDIES" and a concentration in "CREATIVE WRITING" not really knowing if he can actually write or if he knows the first piece of dog turd about making a script.. for some sweet feckin zombie movie.. in over his testicles...
but here i have guy like stebbins saying.. this is good.. this is perfect.. people will believe in you.. i believe in you.. and being on these boards for the past few days.. i believe it.. and somehow.. in some sort of disconnected.. 3rd cousin 18 times removed way.. i feel like i can attribute this strage direction and meaning in life to mark.. i have no effing clue who this guy is.. but i know kyle looks up to him.. and i can see that a lot of you guys do too..
so here i am.. 3:09 AM central time.. drunk.. lonely.. in the middle of a script.. waiting for a feature in the newspaper about my music on friday.. wishing someone was here with me to talk to or drink with or sleep with.. knowing.. at least i have something to aim for..
so here i am.. my gun aimed straight up at the moon.. trying to shoot that douchebag off of it.. who is stealing all of the cheese.. cause thats what the moon is.. gooda.. gooda cheese..
make sense?
richard gere???
Last edited:
awesome news Mark, good luck and keep hammering it.
Kyle, glad to see you entering this time. I am really looking forward to seeing what you guys dream up.
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
I'm beginning to think that we can churn this serious side of ourselves into some sick, twisted, demented zombie humor, don't you?
It sounds to me like the problem is a mixture of motivation and fear for most people. They're excited about ideas, but too afraid to execute them for fear of failure.
We're just a couple of 20, 21-year-old college students who think it would be funny to take a crack at making a zombie film. We don't own a RED ONE, hell, we don't have our own lighting equipment... but we can find a way to get those things, and that's how this project is going to be from start to finish (save maybe the RED).
I've got to get going, but I just wanted to drop a quick note before I took off.
Thanks for the wishes, Jim (bosindy) - I haven't seen you around the boards for awhile. I hope you are well! It was cool meeting you during O2.
K
krestofre
Knight of the Holy Order
Hey, for what it's worth that was a very well written post.
:thumbsup:From one mid-westerner to another, don't give up the dream.
Kyle Stebbins
AD GURU
Hey, for what it's worth that was a very well written post.
From one mid-westerner to another, don't give up the dream.
Chris, you rule.
I hope you like the freefall poster and banner. I'm glad the full-rez worked out.
--
We are working diligently on the story tonight. Lots of work to be done, yet (believe it or not).