Doing everything yourself SUCKS!!

Richard J. Johnson

Richard J. Johnson

Joystick Member
Having almost completed my first feature length film, I now know why a good crew is a godsend. Although I have learned a lot and it was a great learning experience. I just don't see why anyone would WANT to be the Director, Editor, Sound designer, Composer, Gaffer, Special EFX guy, Lighting guy, Taxi service, craft services, etc. It is just too much.
I think directors should know something about all the aspects of film making but they should hire professionals to do certain things. This is my first one and the next one will probably be the same but I am going to try my hardest to get a budget for a decent, reliable crew with experience. It would save me so much time in the editing room. And each moment away from my babies is gut wrenching for me.

Sorry, just had to vent. But I will never give up. I love it too much.:grin:
 
Filmmaking (with very few exceptions) is a collaborative process, why so many "filmmakers" (ones on internet forums at least) can't seem to grasp that concept is beyond me.

It's also the reason I prefer making films with other people's money!
 
I totally agree that filmmaking is a massive team effort, I'm wondering if with the modern tools in the digital age has cut down on that number?
 
That's a very good question Anhar... I'd wager that it has... but not as much as one would at first think... because of all the new elements of production that technology has brought us.

At the highest level... I suspect that the number of skilled people required is up... and at the middle to lowest level, it's down.

About making films by yourself: The worst decision a filmmaker has to make is "Will my project suffer because I made all the choices, did all the work, and spread myself too thin? Or will my project suffer more from bringing unqualified people onto the team?"

(If everybody could build a Fat Monster in their own town they'd be set... but I've been trying for nearly 4 years now and truly GOOD people are hard to come by.)
 
Anhar Miah said:
I totally agree that filmmaking is a massive team effort, I'm wondering if with the modern tools in the digital age has cut down on that number?
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I doubt it....its just paved the way for more collaboration and more elaborate methods of networking. We now seek out and solicit individuals for help for different reasons, but the core process of creation and execution are, I think, inherently still the same.
 
I just shot my new Watchman short entirely on my own. Every single facet.
I would LOVE to have a crew, it just wasn't in the cards this time.

I wouldn't think of doing a feature without one though! This was tough enough.

Mike
 
MattinSTL said:
GOOD people are hard to come by
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I've been thinking about this too, I'm surprised at the zero to few industry certifications that exists for the Filmmaking sector.

If you hired a plumber or electrician you could always check that he is qualified by some institution, but with filmmaking its all to losely defined (just my view).

Or are there certifications I'm not aware of?
 
I recently shot a music video with a full crew for the first time, DP, grips, gaffers, AC, cameraman, the whole deal, and to be honest, after doing everything myself for the past few years, I was almost bored. I had to force myself to pay attention to what was going on sometimes and felt disconnected from the proceedings, as though the images we were making weren't really mine. Strange, huh?
 
MattinSTL said:
GOOD people are hard to come by.)
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True, and I think that balance is a big part of the process. Willing and unqualified vs pay me/find me but I'm good.

That can shift a little though once you establish a reputation, at least locally. We made a concerted effort on our last project to get it out there among the local population. The film was 40 minutes and it was pretty darn good in terms of story and technical delivery, and the acting was great. Word got around.

Add that to the fact that when we started developing our current project we did it in a very professional way, and now we have experienced actors and crew asking to be a part of it. Many let us know right away that they were willing to work far below their standard rates to be involved in a "project like this". A few even said that they would take a deferment on their whole fee.

But yeah, doing all the jobs teaches you how hard it is. Dividing your time like that doesn't really teach you much about each craft though. To do that you are better off taking those jobs on other people's projects.

Let us know when it's done though. I'd like to see it.
 
Adding more people to the project doesn't eliminate the headaches just makes different ones......
 
That can be true to a degree since larger shoots get more complicated, but it really depends on the people. It is a great feeling to hand over certain aspects of production to people you can trust so you can focus on what brought you to the party in the first place.
 
MattinSTL said:
About making films by yourself: The worst decision a filmmaker has to make is "Will my project suffer because I made all the choices, did all the work, and spread myself too thin? Or will my project suffer more from bringing unqualified people onto the team?"
Click to expand...

what is even worse is trying to do everything yourself and then realizing you are the unqualified person. :thumbsup:
 
ugafan said:
what is even worse is trying to do everything yourself and then realizing you are the unqualified person. :thumbsup:
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I cannot believe that has EVER happened to anyone around here, but yes, if I try very hard, I could almost see where that would be a horrifying realization for someone to come to. :beer:
 
I love having a good crew. It means you can focus on your actors and get great performances. And if everything is running smoothly you can go for those gravy shots. So far I've had the most fun when I had the right people on set and I delegated the more menial tasks and spent my time really working with my actors.
 
Batutta said:
I recently shot a music video with a full crew for the first time, DP, grips, gaffers, AC, cameraman, the whole deal, and to be honest, after doing everything myself for the past few years, I was almost bored. I had to force myself to pay attention to what was going on sometimes and felt disconnected from the proceedings, as though the images we were making weren't really mine. Strange, huh?
Click to expand...

Video director and ATL director Chris Robinson has been personal friend for almost 20 years. And when I go to his sets it seems like he does not really do much (compared to what we do). But I guess that is the goal right? To have everyone else do the heavy lifting so you can concentrate on the vision. I was there for the $1000.00 videos when we carried and set up everything for him, now you can't touch a Chris video for under $200,000. and he Does not touch a single light. That would be strange to me at this point. I guess it boils down to trusting those around you.
 
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