Inspiration from an old source

disjecta

disjecta

Lucky Duck
This is from Robert Rodriguez's 10 minute film school. It's been quoted to death but I can't help feeling inspired by it everytime I read it. So here it is again....just a kick in the ass for everyone:

"So you want to be a filmmaker? First step to being a filmmaker is stop saying you want to be a filmmaker. It took me forever to be able to tell anyone I was a filmmaker and keep a straight face until I was well on my way. But the truth was I had been a filmmaker ever since the day I closed my eyes and pictured myself making movies. The rest was inevitable. So you don't want to be a filmmaker, you are a filmmaker. Go make yourself a business card. Next."
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

Reminds me of I guy I knew once who was a biker, but only as much as his wallet dictated. We would all get pissed off and ask him where his bike was and he would simply say "In the future"

Great Quote Disjecta!
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

I don't know; I feel wierd saying I'm a filmmaker even though I spent 14 hours shooting on Saturday and another 6 or so in post on Sunday. Always sounded so cavalier to me.

"I'm a filmmaker."

Then again, I can paint okay but that sounds weird too

"I am an artist. "

LOL
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

I agree it's a weird to say I'm a filmmaker since I don't have any real finished project yet :D
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

I'm a lion tamer--here's my card! ;)

I think there should be at least some minimal criteria to call yourself a filmmaker. How about as long as you're currently in production on a project (even if it's your first), or if you've made a film within the last 2 years? Or if you're already known as a famous filmmaker even though you live on a private island near Tonga and haven't made a film in 13 years.
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

[quote author=Barry_S link=board=Offtopic;num=1107804002;start=0#6 date=02/07/05 at 17:35:07]Or if you're already known as a famous filmmaker even though you live on a private island near Tonga and haven't made a film in 13 years.[/quote]

See? That's what I mean!
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

Its all just words anyway... John, Cavalier is really a mid priced chevrolet. If we are all using DVX's none of us are "really" film makers, and even people like Eminem are considered "artists" today. So, to change the original quote, go get yourselves a business card that says: " I hate to sound like a cheap chevy, but I'm a video maker, in the same vein as Eminem"
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

My favorite saying is:

Don't bite the hand that.......

no.....

Measure once cut........

nope.....

Always wear clean........

ummm.....

The newlywed wife found out quick
That her groom had been born with no.....

definitely no.....


never mind.... :-/
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

I'm an independent filmmaker. I make narrative, audio-visual presentations of my own design and execution.

End of story. ;D
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

In Dov Simens book "From Reel To Deal" he says to not call yourself a "filmmaker", but to say you are a Producer. And then when they ask what you have produced you say the following:

"I have several projects in varying stages of development"


;D
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

i sort of agree with barry. but then i wonder where the line in the sand is drawn. perhaps two arguments should be separated. one being: do i have the requisite credentials in a professional field to call myself a such-and-such? and the other being: do i take my desire to do such-and-such seriously?

i feel these issues are related in some way, although differently in each person.
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

Of course I know most of you are being facetious but the point of calling yourself a filmmaker is more of an attitude than anything else. There are many people who spend half their lives sitting around wondering how to get started.

...and as for the "If we are all using DVX's none of us are "really" film makers" comment - don't even get ME started. :D
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

For a while. I sort of distanced myself from identifying with RR (within myself, not any public declarations), but a couple of weeks ago re-read his book, and just recently watched all the extras on Once Upon A Time In Mexico, and I gotta say, the man is a patron saint for our kind. The inside look at Troublemaker Studios (mostly inside his home!) was friggin inspirational.

RE: To Filmmaker or not to Filmmaker -

I refer to myself as a Movie Maker. It's format agnostic, and sits nicely in the soul. Course, I dont really go around making public statements about it, but it is indeed accurate for me to do so. Though I havent submitted any works for public consumption and scrutiny as of yet, I have made several movies. They often suck, but theyre movies and I made em!

I dont have a business card stating such, because I have zero intention of putting myself up for hire in that regard, but I am printing up some wedding services cards! But in the end, to each his own and whatever you feel comfortable with. More than anything, whats important is how it makes you feel about yourself and what helps you to feel the proper level of motivation. Screw it, I'm going to make myself some Movie Maker cards too, for the sake of having fun with myself!
 
Re: Inspiration from an old source

this is a fairly supportive community, this site. i think if anyone here says "hey I wanna do this" there will be plenty of people willing to help. no one's going to stop and say, "hey, wait a minute are you a filmmaker? because if not you can forget it!" i take it for granted that anyone patrolling this site already in some small way has taken a step towards that proclamation, "I'm a filmmaker." how far you want to take that is up to you. it would seem what drives the film industry as a whole is this endless quest for legitimacy. it breeds insecurity. or attracts it.
 
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