NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=Directing;num=1098900497;start=15#19 date=11/02/04 at 06:20:25]It's rare that an inndie filmmaker has all of his ducks in a row.  It's more a question of knowing how many ducks are enough.[/quote]

And that, I think, is what separates those who are successful and those who aren't.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

And it can be a painful process at times. That's why I like sites like this one. Being able to draw on other people's experience is a great tool. The other aspect is your own experience. Having done only three shorts I am still very much a novice. But I've learned from each one, and they have gotten succesively better. Each has also increased in complexity, (bigger cast, more locations, longer script, etc) which adds signifigantly to the learning curve. But, in keeping with the spirit of this thread, I had a lot of help on the last one from more experienced people. The result was remarkably better. I don't doubt the importance of the 2 I did on my own. There were many lessons learned. But having people to draw from, right there on the set was a great advantage.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

I would love to have a crew who KNOWS what their doing. I sometimes would have like 10 people on set and only 2 would know what the hell to do. Doesn't matter, I having fun.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

post doesnt really make sense. it totally depends on what your film is. there will never be no film crew in movies. seriously, just look at how many people it takes- havent you seen the end credits? sigh....so many people go un noticed.

Do you think we're entering the age of NO CREW FILMMAKING?
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm in a bad mood this morning but thats just f*cking rediculous to me.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Directing;num=1098900497;start=0#3 date=10/27/04 at 11:56:29]It all depends on who you are and what you can do. Rodriguez says in his book "Don't have a crew -- they'll just slow you down, plus you have to feed them so they're expensive."

On the other hand, having the right crew is the greatest blessing you can have on a film shoot. Having trustworthy people taking care of their jobs frees you up to think about your job. I've done spots where I've been the writer/director/producer/DP/gaffer/makeup/wardrobe/props/editor... and I've done jobs where I've been just the DP. I'll guarantee you the footage looked a *lot* better when I was free to focus on just shooting.[/quote]


Great point. I think that a "Small" group of people who work well togeather in a Friendly atmosphere is superior to working in a large group. I'd be happy with even a 3 man crew if everyone had the same vision and energy for the project. ;D

*slaps himself* ack, I haven't even shot anything so I think I must be projecting my future wishes into my head.

--Bop
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

Nice evidence. ;D

I'll echo what was said above. I've shot where it was just me and the actors (had to mount the mic on the camera :() Then had times when I was Director/ DP and had a gaffer, a sound person and a camera assistant. The footage from that turned out much better.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

...i think that doing a feature without a crew is inevitably harder. the screenplay should be written expressly to be able to pull it all off. but its not impossible. ive done it myself. and plan on doing it again this coming summer. again the film was written to be able to pull it off, but i cant look at a film like "clerks" or "peices of april" or "lost in translation" for that matter and think that they would really require a crew to pull off if you just went at it from an angle that required no crew. theres always more than one way to peel the same apple, and as long as you plan accordingly for only one person peeling. you should be able to do it according to plan, and get the same end result. now if your doing "the lord of the rings" trilogy.. well then thats a different story. ..youll need a crew,, a very very very large one at that.

..anyhow, on a side ..but related note.. its my impression that most independent filmmakers fail at becoming anything more simply becasue they set their sights too high at first.. they want to make the next matrix.. or LOTR or star wars, or fight club. and what they end up with at best is a somewhat hokey B movie that goes nowhere. then they rinse and repeat a couple times, and eventually get frustated and quit because theyve still gotten nowhere. IMHO I think people need to be realistic about what they can and cannot do in their current position, and then take a look at what their options are. perhaps you can realistically make a hokie b action film.. or you can make a real knock out A+ simple love story or human story film.. comedy.. or other simple drama that doesnt require all the money, special effects, props, locations, elaborate and intricate camera moves, and all the other stuff associated with taking on a "larger budget and crew required" project thats likely really out of your means at the time.. most people would likely naively take the action flick road cause they want to make action films. I would encourage them to broaden their horizons a little and concentrate on doing something that will be succsessfull enough to earn them a real reputation, and enough capitol so that they can then look at their next film and have alot more in terms of realistic options for making a good film. and the next film even more options.
and then, when youve actually got the money and clout and experience to make the next summer blockbuster ..you wont find yourself sitting around trying to figure out how you can make it look like you blew up your moms car without bad cgi effects or getting caught playing with gas in her garage.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

There is no disgrace in offering points and credits and a chance to share in some infectious enthusiasm and creative energy. Everyone needs to feel they are contributing and that their work has value... and oh yeah, feed them.
 
Re: NO CREW FILMMMAKING - True or Not?

I started this topic just because most of my friend wannabe filmmakers are only waitning for THE BIG DAY. All they are telling me is that first you got to go to film shool, find connected guys, met this producer, learn how to write the script, network etc etc.

So, I decided to start shooting and I feel great. I see that this is very good way to START LIVING YOUR GOAL right now. Especially if you dont have time or cash for a film school. Same about the script - I just wrote one. It sucked. Wroted another - much better so I shot it. Looks good.

You know, of course you cant shoot the movie by yourself.
But if you love filmmaking you do some thing which sounds like nonsenes.

I m going for 5 days vacation to Vegas on Thanksgiving and not to "waste" time I am going to shoot the feature there. ;)
Right now I am doing "an excericse" with my friend. We are shooting a feature just me and her. We act, shoot, sound and light.

There is a very famous cinematographer attached to this project too.
His name is Bogen Tripod. ;D

I am not saying this is a way to make films. ;D But it is fun excerise before we will reshoot our feature in spring - right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top