The right time to begin a Feature?

capitalP

capitalP

Veteran
Sorry if this has been asked before and I missed it, but I'm really stressing about when is the right time to begin working on a feature film. Am I rushing things, so far I've done 4 shorts and currently working on my 5th, but I haven't even had the DVX for over a year yet.. all of the shorts were rush except for this one I'm currently working on now.

I'm afraid maybe I'm not experience enough to take on such a big task as a Feature... so the ultimate question is.. is there such a thing on the right time to begin your feature film or will there never be a right time, should I just act like Nike and do it? I'd like to hear from some of you guys that have done features or will do one, how long did you wait to take on that task, and years of experience in film making would help to.

I'd like to note, the DVX wasn't my first camera, I shot another short(which makes it 6 shorts total) with a sony back in 1998. If it'll help any.. My birthday was this past Saturday. I'm 29 years old..


p.s. I'm currently working on the treatment for my feature.
 
Well. I don't know how much help I'll be. I'm starting on my first short in a month or so. Action oriented and a way bigger step my first time out than I thought I'd do. If I pull this off, I'm all over a feature of my own.

I've had my camera, JVC HD100, for about 2 weeks now and don't really know much about it, but I'm learning as much as I can. I just plan to surround myself with the best people I can/afford and learn from them.

As for the "right time" question. I don't think there's every really a right time. It's just a matter of being as prepared as you can, having the perfect script, and then just committing to it and taking the journey. Just learn as much as you can for your next time out. My school of thought is if you wait for the "right time", you'll just keep waiting.

Best of luck. I'd love to see how the short turns out.
 
pardon me if these are stupid questions, but what stage of completion are your prior shorts in?
have they shown in festivals, been distributed via DVD (even self distributed)?
Are you happy with them?
-J
 
No.. good questions... The current short is two weeks in production with a wrapping date in the Summer. And my other short have not been shown in any festivals or been distributed. One of them I sold copies to friends and family for $5 if that counts.. I made over $700.

And Honestly.. I'm happy with the fact I actually completed 4 short films, but as far as the quality and other things associated with the shorts I'm not that happy with. I feel I can do better, and I'm trying to prove it with my current project.

Also Carcaridon, you may be right, sometimes procrastinating can be ones biggest enemy..
 
Do you have a good feature length script? If not, and you plan on writing one yourself, begin working on the script and in the meantime you can continue working on shorts to hone your craft. Work on the feature script until it is great and by that time you will probably be ready to actually make it. My 2 cents.
 
I guess it's something like starting a family. If you wait for "the right time" it'll never come. This is a JUST DO IT thing. Of course, there's a "million" things to take into consideration. First things first. Get a script. Whether from someone else or write it yourself. Keep in mind what your market is. After you have your script it's time to work on a budget and the drawing together of talent and crew. Money. Money. Money. Even the lowest budget feature is gonna cost. There's food, locations costs, gas and parking at a minimum.

We just finished shooting last August and should be done with post in another 2-3 weeks. If we had waited for the right time, we'd still be waiting. :thumbsup:
 
Great advice guys.. I think I'll continue writing the script while still sharpening my skills behind the camera, by the time I'm done with first draft, second draft, third.... u get the idea, of the script I think I'll be ready..

People learn from their mistakes and if it's a mistake, then I'll find out the hard way.. then I'll be ready next time...

Thanks.
 
No one can tell you when the right time is for you to make your first feature. It's a feeling you get, like you know you can do it. That when you just go do it. You don't need to have a bunch of shorts under your belt. I made my share of shorts in film school, but that's it. Since then I've only been writing and preparing to make my first feature. Now I'm preparing to shoot it in August. I'm going for it because a know I can make it and I owe it to myself to make it.

Basically, just go make it.... but finish the script and rewrite as many times as necessary.

BTW, a good book for inspiration is Rebel Without A Crew by Robert Rodriguez.
 
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CapP--
What kind of story is it? I think that might come into play here too. The movie "Tape" is a feature with with minimal characters and setting...much easier than shooting Spartacus II Demille style. The other thing is, man, if you totally dig your script, then enthusiasm can go a long long way. If you're excited about it, other people with talent will be too.
But I think a very important thing to think about is can you tell the story you want to tell considering budget, fx, locations, etc. Every time I write something I have to debate inside my head: "Do I write this cheaper and easier, or do I just follow the story that needs to be told and film it when I am at that point skill wise?"
I dunno, I'm babbling. I say do your thing and then do it again...and again...good luck!

Besties,

Mischief
 
The story is an urban drama. I know exactly what you mean, I hate this but I do it anyway.. as I'm writing the story, I write it knowing there's certain things I won't be able to due budget wise, so I have to becareful not to go out of my budget.

I'd love to write with no boundaries, but I have to be realistic. Example, I know I can't have a helicopter crashing into a building, so I have to maybe have a car crashing into a garbage can or a bike running going over a curve, those are not actual scenerios in the script but you guys know what I mean. So as a writer you have to limit yourself because of budget. But that's only because I see myself directing this movie, but I have other screenplays in the works where I set no limit, I write as I see the story fit, those hopefully I can produce myself someday or worst case scenerio sell the script to hollywood and watch them chop it up.

So, next year around this time I plan on maybe casting for the roles or going into production, but a good screenplay is first thing, then money.. oh man!!! raising money that's a whole other stress..!
 
My advice is *never* write for your budget limitations. Make the best story you can, regardless of budget. Once you heve that most incredible story, you can then look at your production options, talk to the produciton experts, a good UPM, a good AD, a good DP, a good FX guy. See if they have any ideas, then youcan start scaling back. the most important thing is the story. And hey, if the story is good enough, you can sell your script to a major studio and see Tom Cruise jump out of that helicopter just in time...

One other piece of advice, how long are your shorts? I've worked on a couple of 30-minute "shorts" that were about 75% the effort of a full blown feature. In other words, for just a little more production effort, the director could have mad a feature film. All the locations, crew, equipment and actors had been secured, It would have just needed more production days and a feature length story. Just something to think about...
 
I do agree on the advice of never writing for budget limitations, it's tough, but as a writer that should be a no no.

...And my shorts were all under 10 minutes. This one I'm working on right now 30minutes. And J, currently I'm in my third week of production. I try to shoot every weekend. How long did those 30 minute shorts take you to complete..? not including Post. Because I'm telling people the movie will be completed next year and they look at me like DAMN!!! it's only 30 minutes.. but they don't understand.
 
They took about 10 days total, 6 continuous and 2 extra and 2 pickups. Best of luck with your shoot!
 
flmmkr said:
BTW, a good book for inspiration is Rebel Without A Crew by Robert Rodriguez.
Click to expand...

Yes! I read a little bit of it before any "big" project. It always gets me really excited to make a movie.
 
Billy Pilgrim said:
Yes! I read a little bit of it before any "big" project. It always gets me really excited to make a movie.
Click to expand...
Whatever it takes to get your head into it...but the most important thing is to DO IT. Once you start, don't let anything stop you. Just like a screenplay keep it moving forward.

Our feature was shot over the month of August '05, a total of nineteen days. We've been in post since then. In fact, we just laid in seven tracks of the score today, along with another five scenes of sound fx. Hopefully down to the last two weeks of post.
 
Originally Posted by flmmkr
BTW, a good book for inspiration is Rebel Without A Crew by Robert Rodriguez.[/QUOTE]

This is a book I must get, so many people mentions it
 
j said:
My advice is *never* write for your budget limitations. Make the best story you can, regardless of budget. Once you heve that most incredible story, you can then look at your production options, talk to the produciton experts, a good UPM, a good AD, a good DP, a good FX guy. See if they have any ideas, then youcan start scaling back. the most important thing is the story. And hey, if the story is good enough, you can sell your script to a major studio and see Tom Cruise jump out of that helicopter just in time...
Click to expand...

I'm going to disagree here. I think that writing for your budget restrictions is very important at least in the beginning. If your goal is to be a screenwriter then things are different but if you want to direct, my suggestion is to write something you CAN direct. If you write something you can do and do well and you actually go out and make the movie you can always use it as an example of your work to get funding in your later projects and eventually you can work up to doing the things you once thought were impossible. Also if you direct your story well theres a good chance you can get it into festivals and maybe even get it picked up for distribution.

As for the right time for a feature, I don't know that there really is a right time, I think you have to make it the right time. I am working on a feature right now actually and I'm in the middle of pre production, and most people would probably laugh at me and say I was no where near ready for a feature. I'm 17 and still in hsghschool and havent made any shorts that I am really happy with yet(I have made a few music vids tho). It probably isnt the right time for me to even think about a feature but I'm doing it so I'm sure you can too. Even if it turns out poorly(mine probably will), at least you made a film and will be that much more experienced.
 
Nobody356 said:
I'm going to disagree here. I think that writing for your budget restrictions is very important at least in the beginning. If your goal is to be a screenwriter then things are different but if you want to direct, my suggestion is to write something you CAN direct. If you write something you can do and do well and you actually go out and make the movie you can always use it as an example of your work to get funding in your later projects and eventually you can work up to doing the things you once thought were impossible. Also if you direct your story well theres a good chance you can get it into festivals and maybe even get it picked up for distribution.
Click to expand...
And you can write to your resources. Have you got a great location? Write it in. Got a great actor? Write for him...
 
>I'm going to disagree here. I think that writing for your budget restrictions is >very important at least in the beginning. If your goal is to be a screenwriter then >hings are different but if you want to direct, my suggestion is to write .....

I disagree on your disagreement! Why impose limitations before you even get started? I've filmed a lot of things for first time writer/directors who had a great story but never thought they would be able to bring to the screen.

For instance...

Vietnam jugle location in LA? No problem. Hooked up with a location scout and found an overgrown river in San Bernadino with 30' vines and 12' bamboo.

F4 dogfight and crash complete with parachute and rescue helicopter? Done. Combination stock footage, stunt drop from a condor crane, and Poor Man's Process at an aircraft museum in SF (an 8 hour drive, but worth it). Again, advice and help from experienced SFX and Stunt guys made it happen.

Building explosion from a 2,000lb bomb? Simple. With the advice and mentorship of an experienced western director, we faked it with 2 grips and 2 buckets of dirt. That combined with Sound effects and editing sells it to everyone who watches.

All of that for a 30 minute student film shot on S16 with a budget of under 10k.

That made for a great short film, but had the writer/director settled for what he thought was possible for him, the script would have been BOOOORING! (or at least no where near as exciting)

My advice: write for story, if you have to scale back or replace action in produciton, then make the decision after you have a good story on paper.

-Jay
 
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Oh yeah, I have no problem writing to your resources, anything for inspiration. Just don't write to your limitations.

-j
 
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