I'm no good...What they say is true...Independent features

I'm same age as you, I'm a cynic - So I always plan for the worst whenever I make a short film or any kind of "product", and I found that - people DON'T trust you, they think you're STUPID. They think you're a "dumb" kid. (Depending if your actors are older than you are not.) People are afraid to waste their time on something they are not getting paid a lot for. One thing I learned - when they get antsy. Take a few days and give them time off, and edit a scene you shot. one whole scene - and screen it for them.

and if it's good. They'll get excited :).
 
its funny you said that about the scene because i just did a test edit of a scene and sent it to my actors over the internet. Those who saw it really liked it and it got them excited again. And no I'm not paying my actors but I do buy them donuts every morning...bought a cooler full of drinks and order them pizza for lunch, also have some random snacks for them too.... I wish I could pay them but I dont really have any budget :(

and id love to post the clip but it happens to be the last scene of the movie and kinda give stuff away haha. If the movie isnt too embarassing maybe ill post the whole thing on here when im done
 
Nobody356 said:
Two cameras are important tho for dialogue in my oppinion. With two or more cameras you can get multiple angles and do scenes all at once. At least with the actors I work with, doing things all at once works betteter....the actors can play off eachother and create the feel of a conversation much easier. This might just be because most of my actors are theater actors :shocked:
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What is this non-sense? This 'Whoa is me' spew.

"I succckkk..."

"Laauugghh at meee"

"I'm dummbb"

You sound like Nancy Dawson.

First of all, I wouldn't even consider doing a feature without at least 3 of the following 4 following positions filled (dedicated)

Producer
DP
Production Coordinator
Assistant Director (1st A.D.)

That's just me. It takes some nerve to jump into a feature without experience but it's been done (Anyone remember Shane and Primer?) and let's hope you achieve your goals but you're right; it probally is going to suck; but the knowledge you gain will be extraordinary

2 Cameras? If your crying and moaning about it now, imagine throwing another camera in there; that would definatley create some complications; energy and time wasted.
 
Hey Nobody, where are you from? I'm trying to set up a filmmaking community of kids around our age in my area (there's not too many...not too many at all....50 maybe...4 of which have any knowledge of filmmaking beyond acting...). If you live somewhat close, maybe we can help eachother on our work. Right now, I've got a feature going, and it's going very well (slowly but surely).

A lot of people also told me to start with a short, but I can't ever get myself interested in a script to only be a short. I'll end up loving one line in the script. I'll build the script, add themes, make the plot more complex...Before I know it, it's a feature length movie.

One thing I learned was finish a script before anything. Think of how each shot will be executed and create a seperate list of possible problems as you write. You'll come up with (probably) a couple hundred. Pick the biggest of these problems (as many as you can considering the time available to you) and experiment with these first. I wouldn't even do any casting yet. You're not paying your actors, if they're not close friends (and I mean very close) they can easily lose interest in the project. Experiment with all the possible problems first. When everything goes well, cast and shoot as fast as possible (while still maintaining decent quality, of course). Be familiar with how you'll set up each shot. Before you go to sleep, draw diagrams of how you'll accomplish each task. Trust me, it doesn't sound like much, but when you're new it'll save you about 3 hours each day (I'm basing this on about an 8 hour day). If you want someone to say a line a certain way say something in a casual manner like, "That was alright, but try it like this (explain how). It doesn't really matter either way. It's just something I'd like to try. So we can see how that works and then we can try it again your way if you'd still like." That has never failed me...It makes the person want to try it your way and become less defensive. In one case, I even found the other person's way to fit more with the characters personality....Even though it didn't really matter ::winky eye::

Contact me on AIM at Burnababyforfun. It would be awesome to talk to another filmmaker my age (anyone else can also feel free to chat).
 
I'm going to echo something Barry_S said, namely that your ability to stay focused and display an outward calm in the face of complete chaos is paramount. Even if *everything* goes wrong, you as the director need to keep your composure. You'll get through it, you know you've learned a lot, and chances are that if you don't get it in the can, you'll forever regret it...

...so grit your teeth and keep moving forward!
 
John_Hudson said:
What is this non-sense? This 'Whoa is me' spew.

"I succckkk..."

"Laauugghh at meee"

"I'm dummbb"

You sound like Nancy Dawson.
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This is true, I've learned a lot from John over the years...(it has been years now probably)

The attitude in your post represents an underlying feeling of insecurity...and it'll come through in your directing...Trust me...I've been there and back and there again!! But all you can do is grab your **** and man up...Keep fighting! what you're going through is only the beginning...

of life, women, work, filmmaking...it's all the same...You just gotta keep plowing ahead...

Because all we do in life is learn how to live. In between is the magic.
Take confidence that you're 17, and making films...and that if you keep at it, you'll only get better...
But it's up to YOU...to have that confidence and show it...

Like John said, not coming here and us giving you praise and advice for being 17...We all need that sometimes...

but in the end, it's up to YOU!


(I gotta take my own advice.)
 
Nobody-
I'm about your age too, (16 and half actually) and I've been doing this whole film making thing for about 2 years now. Anyway, it's gonna suck. It always does but like everyone said, have fun with it. I just watched some of my old films that I thought were total **** but guess what, like Matt said, I learned from it, and if I use one thing I learned from my old mistake in my next film I feel like I've learned something, even if it has taken two years. We're lucky. For the next few years were at an age where our only real responsibility is school. I use all my free time for film and just do what I can.
As for features, -insert evil villian laugh here- I've got something up my sleeve for next summer that may or may not happen, but I've got to thank you because you just stirred up a great dialog on the boards. Thanks to everybody and for what it's worth, good luck
Peace,

-Harry
 
well im glad i stirred up a good discussion i guess. I really just wanted to talk about what was going on and let others learn from my mistakes and such. I know I have learned a lot from things others have posted and now that I have something to post about I figured I'd try and return the favor.

As for me whining, I don't think thats what I'm doing. Maybe it sounds that way from my post but I'm not the best in conveying things on a message board :( o well. And I know another camera would make some things more difficult but it would make other things soo much easier, especially for the actors I have. I dont really think I suck but theres a good chance my movie will, that doesnt bother me right now because I've accepted that and am just tring to do the best I can with what I have. Sorry if you guys think I' a whiney *****, I'm really not. I have a good idea of what I'm doing and I'm pretty sure my cast is at least reasonably happy with the job I'm doing

And John... I always respect your oppinions and I admire you so I feel kinda bad that I have none of those positions filled :) o well thx for the advice
 
This is a very good discussion. MattC's post inspired me.

As far as the whole learning experience, you'll probably learn more from making one full length feature, than you would from making 100 shorts. It's a whole different ball game, and the fact that you're still willing to tackle it, will make it even more rewarding.

Even though you KNOW it won't be your best piece, still act as if it were going to be. Do everything to the best of your ability, improvise, and most of all, get a reliable crew together... even if they are your actors who can double up as crew when they're not on screen.
 
Nobody356 said:
And John... I always respect your oppinions and I admire you so I feel kinda bad that I have none of those positions filled :) o well thx for the advice
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No no no

That's just me

Props to you for jumping into the water; I havent made a feature and am not sure my E.T.A. for doing so; still so much to learn and accomplish. My whiney comments? That's just me saying 'Put your head down and go head on into it' There is no time to complain and sides it'll just breed negativity.

I don't know; I always expect the worst so I can be pleasantly surprised.
 
Nobody356 said:
As for me whining, I don't think thats what I'm doing.
And John... I always respect your oppinions and I admire you so I feel kinda bad that I have none of those positions filled :) o well thx for the advice
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man, i love how i get no respect around here...I totally tried to give you a "pep" talk or whatever, letting you know you can do it if you believe in yourself...
Don't worry though, i don't mind that you hate me...or took what I said to be negative...everyone else does...
 
Hey, I come from a town (L.A.) where everyone calls themselves a 'filmmaker'. It's 99% bullshit; it's all talk. You, my friend, fall into the 1% making movies. Keep it up.
 
I had this same problem when I rushed into my first attempted feature. My solution was to rewrite the film to simplify the process. Less actors and fewer locations are a start. One thing you said though bothers me. You say "get ready to fail," but then you followed with " you will learn a lot." I think everyone will agree that if you are learning from it, you are never failing. I scrapped my first attempt and I wish I had just sucked it up and went with it. Now I'm getting ready to try again. The worst thing you can do is give up.
 
You just had a bad day, happens to everyone, even Spielberg (well maybe, ha ha).

You have to fight through it. Hardest thing you can try to do. Just keep fighting. I've had days where I thought I was going to shoot myself in the head but you get through it.

One of the hardest things as a director is keeping it together on those bad days, cause as the ring leader, you have to at least appear to have things under control or everyone's confidence in you will waver and it will get alot worse.

Stop worrying about sucking and just do the best you can. Your first is certainly not going to be your best work, but you have to start somewhere...
 
Keep up the fight! I am currently shooting my first feature as a director. There will always be unplanned near disasters that will happen. That is just part of it. What is important is how you handle it. The key to being a good director is keeping things moving. Keep your head held high till you make it across that finish line. Will there be things that you wished you could have done better? I'm sure there will be. I look at some of my stuff, and wish I could have shot it a different way, but you do the best with what you have to work with. Like cyclone said there are so many more people that talk about making movies, than actually make them. Good luck with your film.
 
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