Okay, so I just finished my first feature length film.....

Richard J. Johnson

Richard J. Johnson

Joystick Member
Honestly it is not too good. I really did not know how much was involved in feature film making. Music Videos are easy, But Narrative is whole different ball game. I did learn a lot but I am not too happy with the final result. I suppose I should be satisfied that I actually shot an 83 minute "film" but if it did not come out how I envisioned I don't think I could be totally happy.

I am an studio guy, I know audio in an out, Yet Audio for film is the thing that was the hardest to get right. It is annoying and impossible to control while doing everything else. I should have had an audio guy. Just could not afford one or find one in this area that would work that much for free.

I know now why one person should not do everything. I think directors need to know a lot about lighting, sound, camera operation etc. but I see why they hire professionals in each department. And that is what I will be doing next time. I don't even want to get into color correction. doing it right is an artform in itself.

Sorry to ramble. I am just a little disappointed in myself that I did'nt put out the product I wanted.

But November 1st we start the next one and I can't wait. I know it takes time to master this craft and I have a lot of that.
 
Congratulations on finishing one. I'm sure the next one will be better.

I know now why one person should not do everything. I think directors need to know a lot about lighting, sound, camera operation etc. but I see why they hire professionals in each department. And that is what I will be doing next time.
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After my third short I determined doing everything was not best. My next projects will have full teams.
 
filthrich said:
I am an studio guy, I know audio in an out, Yet Audio for film is the thing that was the hardest to get right.
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If you are a studio guy, then fixing it with ADR shouldn't be a problem. Primer was mostly ADR'd. It can be done well and with your expertise it shouldn't be too hard. No matter how bad you think your own film is, I think you owe it to yourself to get it in as good a shape as you can and start showing it to people. You might be surprised by people's reactions, and you learn a lot by doing it.
 
Thanks. I have showed it to 4 people that I know will be truthful. 3 liked 1 thought it was okay. But not as bad as I made it out to be. There are so many mistakes that wouldn't be obvious to most people but they stand out to me. But hey that's how its gonna be when you are the director, lighting guy, DP, editor, and evrything in between. As far as ADR goes I was going to try it but the actor was so bad it wasn't even worth the time. How do you nail an audition and suck on set? I don't get that. Anyway I'm glad it is done and I am happy to have learned so much. I know one thing for certain, without DVXuser it would have never gotten made. You can check out some images at myspace.com/themovietorn or youtube.com/dlgleo
 
You have to remember that you are your worst critic. Nobody else knows what you envisioned in your mind, so they don't have a pre-conceived concept that your movie has to live up to. Trust the audience. If 3 out of 4 people liked it, that's pretty good.

If you have a Netflix account, I suggest you logon and watch online a feature called 'Zombie Campout'. See if you can get more than 10 minutes into it before giving up. I couldn't. In fact, I'm continually amazed by the quality of movies that get distribution, not only on Netflix but also in my neighborhood video store. If that stuff can get a buyer, your film might too.

Best of luck on your next project!
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
You have to remember that you are your worst critic. Nobody else knows what you envisioned in your mind, so they don't have a pre-conceived concept that your movie has to live up to. Trust the audience. If 3 out of 4 people liked it, that's pretty good.

If you have a Netflix account, I suggest you logon and watch online a feature called 'Zombie Campout'. See if you can get more than 10 minutes into it before giving up. I couldn't. In fact, I'm continually amazed by the quality of movies that get distribution, not only on Netflix but also in my neighborhood video store. If that stuff can get a buyer, your film might too.

Best of luck on your next project!
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Good point. I really need to see zombie campout. Thank you. One thing for sure this movie making thing aint easy. But It's fun.
 
Most people have never come close to completing a feature film. That alone is a major accomplishment.

If the film truly is "not so good," just make sure that it's not the last feature you ever make.

Good luck on the next one. :)
 
filthrich said:
Honestly it is not too good. I really did not know how much was involved in feature film making. Music Videos are easy, But Narrative is whole different ball game. I did learn a lot but I am not too happy with the final result. I suppose I should be satisfied that I actually shot an 83 minute "film" but if it did not come out how I envisioned I don't think I could be totally happy.
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My first film sucked. It didn't come anywhere near to what I envisioned. It managed to get distributed but not a good deal at all. My most recent film was better. It turned out very well actually. I would like to edit it again to make it tighter but most people like it and "everyone" will never like "everything". 3 out of 4 is awesome! You have to learn when people are humoring you. My second film a lot of the martial arts actors hated it but the viewers liked it and their reactions (even my mom LOL) was much different from the first.

We had better lighting (a 3 light kit actually), better locations, a dolly and the works. But that darn sound is tricky. What's I've learned is simple. I have a very good Azden mic. If everything is shut off and it's boomed right, the only thing I really ever have to do is level the sound. Exterior sound can be a problem. Also I'm careful not to have music too high because people can't hear what's being said. Then I lay my room ambiance and special effects. Normally all goes well, but no matter what one scene will always seem to have bad sound.

-Nate
 
Thanks Nate. Doing anything that sucks, well....sucks. But I learned from it. I can't even be in the same room while people watch it. is that normal?
 
Give it a year, and I think you'll be more comfortable watching it again. That's how long it took me to get comfortable with my first feature. It's still not that great, but I don't hate it anymore.
 
filthrich said:
Thanks Nate. Doing anything that sucks, well....sucks. But I learned from it. I can't even be in the same room while people watch it. is that normal?
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Bet money you think it sucks much more than everyone else. I'm willing to bet it's a good film that may need some work like all first films.

-Nate
 
Nathyn said:
Bet money you think it sucks much more than everyone else. I'm willing to bet it's a good film that may need some work like all first films.

-Nate
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I hope so. I have seen some really bad stuff and mine is not nearly
That terrible on the technical side. Hell, we shot the whole thing with a 2 man crew.
 
My first flick was technically flawed but got points for story. Everyone liked the story and found it interesting. It was even compared to the comic book "Preacher" (a comic series I despise so I found that odd). But all it all people mainly said they'd like to have seen it done with more money. I shot it for $700 (rounded up to $1000). Most people taught I had spent at least $2000 - $5000 so that was good. People figure I spent about $10g or so on "Wages" but it's not so.

-Nate
 
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