Im so overwhelmed

Saharanturtle

Saharanturtle

Active member
I want to make movies but I don't know how the hell I can do it seeing how I'm an amateur. I feel overwhelmed because what I want to do is write and direct, but if I want to make my own movies at this stage, I also have to be the cinematographer, editor, vfx guy, colorist, and the editor.

It's going to take me ten freaking years to make my first short film if I have to learn how to write, light, edit, score, direct and grade

Help....:/
 
Have you tried finding a film-making group in your area? Student film-makers? I know an armorer in your area. He's a great guy. You want me to put you two together? If anything, he has contacts to other film-making groups to help you out.
 
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Chill my man

THis is the University of DVX.

You are in a good hands.

Yes, start learning your craft, but network as well.
 
Well, didn't wait for your response, saharanturtle. I already reached out to him and directed him to this thread. He is a member here.

See? Ask and ye shall receive. We look after each other here.
 
You can always look at it from a glass half full perspective, seeing that as an amateur you have the opportunity, freedom, and flexibility to try all of those things to see what you are good at and what you are most interested in.

For some inspiration, watch this:
Sundance 2010 - Frozen - Intro and Q&A - Adam Green (SPOILERS after 8:15 mark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yex-UNT1wZc&NR=1

Check out F.C.Rabbath's youtube channel - he's a very good amatuer filmmaker:
http://www.youtube.com/user/fcrabbath#p/u/2/ENXSPZONDK8

For some basic books:
The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script [Paperback]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0AGFNKM67JF78QXS8XFC
 
Hey, in general it seems to me that writers are most in demand for "first" projects... find any small make-a-film festival (48 hour films, e.g., or DVXUser fests) and I'm sure there will be all kinds of gear heads and director-wannabees that are desperate for a script.
 
J.R. Hudson said:
Chill my man

THis is the University of DVX.

You are in a good hands.
Click to expand...

Too true, too true...:)

We can help with everything.....:happy:

howtoincreasebreastsize.jpg


Just ask.................
 
Saharanturtle said:
It's going to take me ten freaking years to make my first short film if I have to learn how to write, light, edit, score, direct and grade

Help....:/
Click to expand...
I think you're under on your estimate. You should probably add another 10 years to learn location recording, set design, hair & make up, craft services, producing, grip & electric, best boy, costume design, art direction, and a bunch of other jobs.
 
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Start with a small project, something doable. One of the 'problems' with having a passion is that it can push you too far past your limitations. Start with a very, very, very simple story, learn by rote all the old adages (plan your work-work your plan, etc). I've been in the video business for over 30 years, am transitioning my company now into a small indie film studio. Video and film are completely different skill sets, here I am with 30+ years with a camera in my hands, discovering that I am a complete newb. Every time I have gotten into trouble, it was when I thought I knew what I was doing -- my old habits kicked in to cover for new habits not learned.
The world is littered with films that were either not finished or were finished poorly. We don't need any more of those, but we could always use more good, well-told ones. However simple your story, tell it well and we'll love you for it. Good luck!
 
Doc Bernard said:
Well, didn't wait for your response, saharanturtle. I already reached out to him and directed him to this thread. He is a member here.

See? Ask and ye shall receive. We look after each other here.
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Thanks doc, appreciate it. One question, what's an "armorer"?!?


milksac said:
I think you're under on your estimate. You should probably add another 10 years to learn location recording, set design, hair & make up, craft services, producing, grip & electric, best boy, costume design, art direction, and a bunch of other jobs.
Click to expand...

Nah, those things aren't that important :D loll


NVentive said:
Start with a small project, something doable. One of the 'problems' with having a passion is that it can push you too far past your limitations. Start with a very, very, very simple story, learn by rote all the old adages (plan your work-work your plan, etc). I've been in the video business for over 30 years, am transitioning my company now into a small indie film studio. Video and film are completely different skill sets, here I am with 30+ years with a camera in my hands, discovering that I am a complete newb. Every time I have gotten into trouble, it was when I thought I knew what I was doing -- my old habits kicked in to cover for new habits not learned.
The world is littered with films that were either not finished or were finished poorly. We don't need any more of those, but we could always use more good, well-told ones. However simple your story, tell it well and we'll love you for it. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Will do. I was thinking that my first short should be like 4-5minutes long but I think I'll bring it down and make something that's only 60-90 seconds long that way I don't kill myself on my first project and end up with a piece of trash because I tried to do too much


ullanta said:
Hey, in general it seems to me that writers are most in demand for "first" projects... find any small make-a-film festival (48 hour films, e.g., or DVXUser fests) and I'm sure there will be all kinds of gear heads and director-wannabees that are desperate for a script.
Click to expand...

I think you're right, right now the plan is to study script writing and editing, than when I'm fairly decent at editing or find someone to edit my videos/films I'll move on to learning about cinematography and directing
 
Sometimes an armorer is a guy in a basement who makes chainmail and platemail suits for SCA afficionados...
 
That's true, ullanta! In Doc's context, it's people like me and him who provide firearm props and related gear.

Turns out my indie film work is really ramping up- there are a number of folks around the Washington DC area that do student, hobby, and limited budget indies.

Probably the fastest track I can think of is to go help on a few projects that somebody else is doing. This is how you grow your network and gain credibility. My own path started with a single indie sequel, and now I'm working with four different projects. On one I'm the overall properties master, not just the guns. I've also done some dialog coaching and script supervising, so there are any number of ways to be handy on set- just go with your strengths, or interests.

I know a quite young guy who started off last year as a PA and fill-in DP on that same indie sequel, and this year has been the DP on two projects, as well as co-producer, and is also getting some good notice. In fact, it was he that reached out to me for weapon props on his first DP project, now in post. It's amazing how fast you can make a name if you want to.

So, the point being, once you're established within the community and know people you have the opportunity to bring them in on your own projects.

Anyway, contact me if you feel like it. My profile page might have a Hotmail address, or get to me through Facebook as shown in my sig.
 
You may want to check and see if there is a community college near you that offers video production courses. Or if you local cable company has a public access program. This will get you access to equipment and other folks that are out to learn also. My advice is to get a camera, any camera really, and a simple NLE for your computer and make a short film. Then learn from that and make another one that is better... lather, rinse, repeat!!! The basics of writing and directing can be learned on very simple equipment. I also would also suggest that you not neglect learning how to edit. In my opinion, the essence of the art of cinema story telling really is editing. Writing, directing and editing are a continuum of the same thing.... storytelling.

Good luck.
 
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@David

I think I found a place like that near me (public access tv station). I'm going to work on writing a small script than going to them and see if they can help me get it made. Will definitely study editing after I get decent at writing scripts/stories

Thanks!



@Jr

That's what I was seriously considering, waiting a couple of years till the technology on these things matures a bit. I heard these dslr's were good in low light, so I tried to shoot a short film in my room in the dark with my new 5D and was terribly disappointed

here's a screen capture:

black_screen.jpg



maybe its sensor is defective or sumtin?!
 
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