Are we still making films?

Nathyn

Nathyn

Low Budget Ninja
Is it my imagination or is the User Film section seriously dull? I mean it seems that with the introduction of all this new tech people are out shooting (I'm hoping), but not telling us about it, not documenting and not interacting with the other filmmakers. Sometimes people post seeking criticism and even help and go ignored. This almost never happened back in the day. (Most times the person does get an answer). And with the new User Film section rules and all I would think more people would be taking advantage of it (Kickstarter threads aside). I mean what happened to the in depth journals of a filmmaker's in getting their film made and out to the public? Maybe it's a perceived thing on my part. But if you're making a film you should document your progress. The more films and variations of the process, the more learning occurs.

Examples of Great User Film Threads:

STRICKEN
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=161662

DEUCE OF SPADES
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=160032

SURVIVAL
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=205858

A DIM LIGHT
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=166624

-Nate
 
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Absolutely. We've got one day left of shooting before MARIANNE wraps. Got a thread going in the 7D forum. I've asked moderators a bunch of times in PMs to move it to a better location, but so far it hasn't though.

Oh well. If anyone's missed it, here's a direct link to the thread.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=197722

New updates coming soon btw. Got some really juicy casting news to drop, but I'm keeping that low profile for another week or two.
 
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is great work by the way, Jawa. But it does seem the HDSLR people (and others) are posting separately in their sections, but the User Film section is for User Films including those shot on HDSLRs and there's real benefits to posting there that are new to DVXU if you've check out the User Film Rules (Not so new anymore, but still new to you if you haven't seen them) provided you work within the guidelines. I've been trying to point out to people that they've overhauled that forum. Many of us could be really jumping on it.

The beauty of the UF thread is it compacted all the DVXU projects into one forum. Like I don't do much surfing in the HD/SLR thread because I don't own an SLR (My Kodak Easyshare does video but nothing you could use) so I totally missed this project. In fact I actually said in the thread, "How did I miss this" then I noticed the link was to the HDSLR forums. The user films form is for all movie projects short and long form. You should ask a mod to have you film put in the User Film section.

-Nate
 
I finished a film in May (long short) and just wrapped another Sunday. I've never frequented the User film section. I don't care to brag about my films, and frankly can't show the films because they are all headed out to festivals and there are often rules about that.

I've rarely commented on others' work because frankly I find people don't take criticism well, and get personally offended if you say something less than complementary. Those who are doing good work, know they are. Those who really need the feedback are often those who can stand the least to hear it.

I know when my movie sucks. I know if it's decent. One day, I hope to make a good one.

Best of luck to all the filmmakers on the path.
 
I've rarely commented on others' work because frankly I find people don't take criticism well, and get personally offended if you say something less than complementary. Those who are doing good work, know they are. Those who really need the feedback are often those who can stand the least to hear it.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. That's exactly it. I used to comment in the UF section, taking a great deal of time to analyze and comment and really making an effort to give detailed feedback. More often than not, in response I'd be flamed by the offended filmmaker - even if I was like 95% positive, with 5% suggestions of what could be improved. When that happened too many times, I gave up. And I don't plan on returning to that section. Who wants to put out a lot of effort only to be viciously attacked as a thank you? Until people change - and they never do - that section is doomed. If you are serious about reviving that section, the mods should implement some rules, among them: "if you solicit people's opinions, but cannot take criticism, then don't post to this section asking for feedback", and then enforce it vigorously. But that is not going to happen, and serious people are not going to bother participating - life is too short, and we all got stuff to do; nobody needs the aggravation, since it's a favor and not like we're getting paid for it. PerroneFord is spot on.
 
90% of the post in the film section are already completed films with users looking for feedback, which isn't what the section is about anyway. The few who tries to update their progress just stops because after a few posts it's pretty obvious that they're just talking to themselves, and that's not fun. Without the participation of other users, there's no point in doing updates.
 
I'm not one to let the actions and attitudes of other people affect how I conduct myself. Why should I let someone's pissy attitude ruin my day? :)

When I have my next feature rolling forward in a substantial way, you can bet I'll be posting in UF sharing every bit of knowledge and experience I can.
 
Zak Forsman said:
I'm not one to let the actions and attitudes of other people affect how I conduct myself. Why should I let someone's pissy attitude ruin my day? :)

When I have my next feature rolling forward in a substantial way, you can bet I'll be posting in UF sharing every bit of knowledge and experience I can.
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Zak,

You're in the business and understand the criticism is a part of the fabric of what we do. You're also good at what you do because you've run that gauntlet a bunch of times. Thin skinned newbies NEED to hear how hard it is. They NEED to understand that in order to improve they have to get honest feedback from people who've walked that same road.

But there are some amazingly thin skinned people in the world these days. Heck, you can barely have a difference of opinion these days without someone getting mad. You tell them the sky should be more cyan, they say deep blue. Then proceed to tell you how you don't know squat about movies, even though they're doing their first project with their new camera, and you've showed at a dozen festivals.

So yea Zak, put your work out there. I'd love to see it. Might even go to the UF section for that.
 
Well...I haven't really made anything yet but when I do, take note that I want all feedback, especially from vets like you all. What doesn't kill me, will make me a better filmmaker.
 
ultimately, i do think it's impossible not to take criticism personally on a film, especially when we put our heart and soul into it. initially, I'm very sensitive to how my movies are received, but I quickly shrug it off. no reason to let that weight ruin your day. what I've found to work well with regard to negative criticism is to engage the critic in a positive way, sharing insight, holding a conversation, never being defensive, and often I've succeeded in turning a critic into a fan when they realize how much thought went into the choices they initially found fault in. And more importantly, by setting the tone for the thread you will be rewarded by fruitful, insightful dialogue from the members here.

I want to start a thread for my next film so bad, but's it's too early. Just writing it now. The title is ARC LIGHT.
 
I have a thread going for my feature. But really, we are not letting a whole lot of information out yet until we are certain of how we are going to proceed with marketing and distribution of the film. And that likely will not come until like next Spring.

Oh yeah, and I have a very very busy life. Between the film and software and a couple of other things going on, it's really hard to find the time to talk about what's going on. Honestly I don't know where people find the time.

Maybe we will have more towards the end of the year, but right now, I'm just working a lot.

I have certain individuals from the board I will go to because I believe they:

a) Will genuinely give honest feedback.
b) Know what they are talking about.

But we're holding some of it closer to the chest until we're really ready to put it out there.
 
PerroneFord said:
But there are some amazingly thin skinned people in the world these days. Heck, you can barely have a difference of opinion these days without someone getting mad.
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Well, I can't disagree here. People do get annoying sometimes. I think everyone's too "politically correct". Everyone MUST be offended, versus simply discussing something. But that's almost the whole of America today.

Zak Forsman said:
I'm not one to let the actions and attitudes of other people affect how I conduct myself. Why should I let someone's pissy attitude ruin my day? :)
Click to expand...
And I would go out on limb to say the people who leave the UF section because of these little skirmishes are just as thin skinned. I can understand the irritation but we were all newbies once and some of us had to learn to take criticism. And I haven't really had this issue so it could be in the way some of us give criticism. I mean there's an actual sticky about giving criticism in that section.

Zak Forsman said:
When I have my next feature rolling forward in a substantial way, you can bet I'll be posting in UF sharing every bit of knowledge and experience I can.
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I think this is the attitude one should have. I know several threads that get tons of views but no one says anything unless the thread is old and it's that thread's regulars.

Huy Vu said:
90% of the post in the film section are already completed films with users looking for feedback, which isn't what the section is about anyway. The few who tries to update their progress just stops because after a few posts it's pretty obvious that they're just talking to themselves, and that's not fun. Without the participation of other users, there's no point in doing updates.
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But that's exactly my point. People stop updating because no one responds. Those people obviously want responses. And if someone gets upset, like Zak says, that's their business. You said what you needed, so if the person doesn't take your advice at least you responded. Let them fail or succeed accordingly.

coddida said:
Well...I haven't really made anything yet but when I do, take note that I want all feedback, especially from vets like you all. What doesn't kill me, will make me a better filmmaker.
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This is what I mean. You're a new guy, looking for help, the UF section is idea for you.

-Nate
 
PerroneFord said:
I finished a film in May (long short) and just wrapped another Sunday. I've never frequented the User film section. I don't care to brag about my films, and frankly can't show the films because they are all headed out to festivals and there are often rules about that.

I've rarely commented on others' work because frankly I find people don't take criticism well, and get personally offended if you say something less than complementary. Those who are doing good work, know they are. Those who really need the feedback are often those who can stand the least to hear it.

I know when my movie sucks. I know if it's decent. One day, I hope to make a good one.

Best of luck to all the filmmakers on the path.
Click to expand...

Perhaps this should be a sticky post at the top of the User Films thread.

Sums it up pretty good.
 
PerroneFord said:
I finished a film in May (long short) and just wrapped another Sunday. I've never frequented the User film section. I don't care to brag about my films, and frankly can't show the films because they are all headed out to festivals and there are often rules about that.

I've rarely commented on others' work because frankly I find people don't take criticism well, and get personally offended if you say something less than complementary. Those who are doing good work, know they are. Those who really need the feedback are often those who can stand the least to hear it.

I know when my movie sucks. I know if it's decent. One day, I hope to make a good one.

Best of luck to all the filmmakers on the path.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Right on spot.
 
I mostly post about the film to get some information about it out there.
For one thing, it's obviously better to have some word of mouth going before you hit the festivals, although filmmaker forums isn't the best place for that.
More importantly though, I think it's good for everyone to know what's happening in the indie world, and DSLR feature films is a big part of that at the moment. That's why I started this thread, hoping to list as many of them as possible.

It's good to see there are at least 25 other films being produced and shot with DSLRs besides the one we're doing. LA CASA MUDA has already been announced at the Stockholm Film Festival in November, and I'm totally checking that out, especially after having seen the trailer.
 
PerroneFord said:
I finished a film in May (long short) and just wrapped another Sunday. I've never frequented the User film section. I don't care to brag about my films, and frankly can't show the films because they are all headed out to festivals and there are often rules about that.

I've rarely commented on others' work because frankly I find people don't take criticism well, and get personally offended if you say something less than complementary. Those who are doing good work, know they are. Those who really need the feedback are often those who can stand the least to hear it.

I know when my movie sucks. I know if it's decent. One day, I hope to make a good one.

Best of luck to all the filmmakers on the path.
Click to expand...

Loki said:
Perhaps this should be a sticky post at the top of the User Films thread.

Sums it up pretty good.
Click to expand...


Doc Bernard said:
:thumbsup: Right on spot.
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The only issue I have with this is that is dismisses a genuine motivation for our more skilled, more knowledgable, more ambitious and experienced filmmakers who have had success in building an audience by using it as a venue to share what they've learned with the community. User Films is there for aspiring filmmakers to get feedback, yes. But in my opinion, it's at its best when someone is traversing new ground and generously sharing that experience with the rest of us. We could all stand to learn more about how to attract other people's money, casting stars and working with their agents, hiring professionals, working with guilds and unions, and more.

Starting a thread for no other reason than to garner attention is lazy and rarely, if ever, pays off in a meaningful way. If you REALLY want to get people's attention, you have to be selfless. So first ask yourself what's motivating you. The truth of the matter is that our most successful threads in UF were from filmmakers who started a thread in order to give, give, and give some more. Our least successful threads have been started by filmmakers politely begging to receive, and nothing more. I think the takeaway is that if you create value for the people visiting your thread and give them a compelling reason to engage with you (education, advice, anecdotes) you'll find yourself surrounded by people genuinely invested in what you're doing... much more so than if you'd just posted a link to your vimeo upload or kickstarter campaign asking them to do you a favor. start a thread that's going to do them a favor and they'll love you forever!! :)
 
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