Buisness/Life goals...

P

Palace Films

Active member
Hello everyone,

I am writing in hopes of learning more about each one of you aspiring filmmakers out there. Those who take this seriously and want to make this their lifes work. I want to know what everybody is hoping to accomplish by shooting digital. What are you all aiming toward? Hollywood? Independent? Commercials? Money? Just fun? etc.

I want to know what everyone's opinion is on choosing digital filmmaking as a career.

I will be honest in saying I have seen some GREAT stuff shot on DVX 100, HVX200, and XL2's but nothing has been STELLAR. I have seen some ATROCIOUS film footage that almost makes ME embarrased to watch it. Now, I am NOT knocking these people down, I am simply saying that some individuals show their lack of knowledge or passion when it comes to digital filmmaking.

My focus and goal in creating digital films is to basically create films that RIVAL those of film. I am speaking only in terms of quality of production. Video quality, sound quality, editing and cinametography. Story is the main thing in creating films because every film has something to say, but in order to tell that story the way I am sure everyone intends to but can't 100%, we have to manipulate this medium in such a way where people can genuinelly say "Wow! that must have cost a million dollars!" or "Wow! What films tock did you use?" then WE have done our jobs as filmmakers.

I want to hear your thoughts and opinions on this!

Thank you for your time,
Palace Films
 
Palace Films said:
My focus and goal in creating digital films is to basically create films that RIVAL those of film.
Click to expand...

isn't that everyones goal?

I don't think its want people to hope to accomplish shooting dgital....most people shoot digital simply b/c its cheaper....and by cheaper I mean WAY cheaper. Anyone can pick up a digital camera and start shooting. And thats where all that crap comes from. Most people prolly don't plan ahead...they just wing it...and then go onto forums..and post it with the title "My first movie" when it was probably their tenth crappy movie, they just want people to go easy on them. I'm also getting sick of "movies" with bad actors. bad actors ruin the movie for me way before a bad story or bad sound does. Sometimes I see bad acting and I'm wondering if its the directors fault. Either give better direction or get some else who can act, b/c your girlfriend can't.

I've made crap too...and I can say its really b/c I didn't put that much work into them.But I've really been focusing on different meduims too. Actually I just got back into filmmaking after being obsessed with 3d animation for about a year and a half. while I was studying animation I got inot other forms of art as well. And now since I've recently got back into filmmaking...I feel much more prepared.

Anyways I got way off topic I think..I needed to vent I guess... back to the original topic.

I'm not sure what I'm really aiming towards. I'm going to try a few things and see where they take me. I still got 2-3 years of college left which I want to enjoy as much as possible. As long as I stay happy and artisticly challenged, then I'm good.

Now I'm gone and I'm not sure still if I even answered the question.
 
Great post Bsmith. Glad we're on the same page! Honrestly though, you would be surprised about everyones intention. You would think that creating digital fims that rival actual film would be a lot of our goals, but a lot of these people are just doing this to do it. No substance with their material.

But I have to admit, lately I have seen more quality work from a lot of you!

Let's hear some more thoughts!

Peace,
Palace Films
(Will post some material soon)
 
I'm trying the digital filmmaking route as well.

The only model seems to be you create a good film, maybe get buzz at a film festival and the Almighty Hand of Harvey Weinstein offers you a deal. Then the indie filmmaker becomes the mainstream filmmaker.

Seems there are other paradigms - in the age of movie downloads and burning your own dvds, are we still so dependent on the big distribution deal?

I'd be happy to get the big deal and live in a big house in LA. But then aren't you competing with 9 billion other guys for the same pie? What if you could make a comfortable, if not luxurious living right where you are, selling good but low budget films, with some event videography?

A guy I do film with went to see Bruce Campbell speak, and mentioned how we do our own little digitial films.

He said, 'Great! Good luck! Don't go to Hollywood! They don't want to hear your original ideas!'.

Other note-
I've certainly made crappy movies, posted them and had a new hole ripped into me. You know what I did? I took all that criticism and made a new film (sometimes I've remade the same film) and fix the errors I've made before.

I think the idea you'll just make your first few films, and they'll be great, and you'll just burst on the scene and be hailed as a genius is a unrealistic.

Careers are rarely built by one big success after another - they are a long process with highs and lows. The real test is not when you succeed, it's when you fail.
 
Actually, I don't want to make "movies" at all! I'm a long time commercial photographer (stills), and what I want to do is expand into the industrial/training/ educational film market. I'm just getting started in this aspect of the business, but I envision that most of my products will be delivered on CD's or DVD's for playing on my client's computers.

Pretty boring by dramatic film standards, but it's what I like to do!
 
Tom, how's the building of your industrial/training/educational business going? I've been working at making a "place" for myself in that area but have to admit, I'm a little frustrated at the moment. Marketing myself is not my best skill so if you are having success at getting your name out there, I'd love to hear what you're doing.

Markus
 
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