noticing a trend

Loki,
You're definately on to something about "getting it" now that you've explained it. From a photography background, I know all too well that some people have an "eye", and some dont...those who dont, dont get very far...
I guess the reason i sympathize with the confused population on this forum is because digital cinema is much more than simply having "it". All the bells and whistles are so complex and there are so many ways to do so many things. And on top of that, trying to fake a look only truly able to obtain on 35mm. I agree that the best way, hands down, is straight up experience. Asking how to get a filmic look is one thing, getting frusterated when you dont get an answer is another.
It might be discouraging to hear, but geez, if THIS discourages you, your going to have a rough time in this industry.
(ps. Loki, we have similar...pessimistic...ego-driven...views. If we ever teamed up on a project, we could depress a lot of people haha)
 
In Austin, I was the president of an organization called the University Filmmaker Alliance from 05- 06. Lilgryphmaster comments are pretty accurate as far as what I experienced in that club.

But it wasn't a negative. Rich kids bought fancy cameras and hardly had anything to do with them. Poor kids were jealous and felt they had more ambition to make movies. But in situations like this club, people join forces and film movies together. Often the guys who owned the cameras were more ambitious than the people without. They had cultivated resources and talents from exposure to the equipment. I think its pretty exciting actually, we had our own 48 hour filmmaking challenges (altho sometimes they were in camera editing within one night - or two week projects) and students would have to think on theri feet etc.

You can't be surprised that everyone wants to make movies. It was the same way with the novel. But what's fun about filmmaking is that its not introverted. It takes collaboration. So I say find the next guy who is about to give up on filmmaking and offer him your talents. Your resources.

It would be the same way if I "owned" a bunch of actors and had no camera. I would have to let them go one day. It takes a whole list of things to make a movie. A camera is perhaps the easiest.
 
well its not about "getting it" or "not getting it".

Some one here was talking about inexpensive gear prompting everyone to want ot shoot a film and be a director. Well, i think what happens is somepeople see the filmmaking process as a "glamorous" position, like "artists" were in the 70's.

The reality of of a serious director/DP/Set designer etc, is that the creation is only 30% of the work. the other 70% is spent on the phone, arranging logistics, ordering materials, contacting wardrobe, contacting set designers, coordinating efforts, filing taxes, filling out paperwork, pitching for equiptment, Meetings, meetings , meetings..... and then. after all that, if it all goes well and the projects is still alive, then maybe you get to shoot something. I thought at first by being a DP that i could get away form the "grind" of office work....... NOPE. im all up in the cliets aoffice every few days, or on the phone for 2 hours, discussing legal issues and logistics.

Its a REAL JOB. Kids in Film school, Repeat after me "Filmmaking IS a real job" Dont let your parents tell you youre wasting time, Etc....

I think the ametuer will only do as well, as how hard hes willing to work on the ohter stuff. Theres lots of talented shooters in the world, but not all can handle the business end ofthe Job.
 
Lots of good stuff here. I think that Matt makes a good point about some of us "old timers" seeing a lot of the same questions over and over. People just drop in, want a tutorial and move on. Do a search, it's all there. I've learned more from this site than any other single source on filmmaking.

Now, at the risk of getting philosophical:

There is a difference between getting an answer and learning a lesson. Would you rather know the answer to question 16, or would you like to learn the lesson so that you can figure it out yourself? Answers change, and only solve single issues. Lessons last a lifetime.

The lesson is that there is no "answer" on making a great film, except the one most people don't want to hear. Take your time, work hard, do your homework, be objective, screw up mightily, critique your work, then repeat.

If there is one single bit of advice I give consistently it is this: "If you want to be a good filmmaker, or make a good film, you have to be willing to do things you do not want to do"

Sometimes people ask me if I ever went to films school. I say "Yes, I went to GOYA G.T.L." they say they have never heard off it. I say "Get Off Your Ass and Get To the Library"

I know it can be frustrating to not get an answer. Just keep asking, keep looking and keep learning. That's what it's all about
 
Jim Brennan said:
There is a difference between getting an answer and learning a lesson. Would you rather know the answer to question 16, or would you like to learn the lesson so that you can figure it out yourself? Answers change, and only solve single issues. Lessons last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. The answer only helps you once. Understanding the reasoning behind the answer lets you get through every situation you encounter down the road.
 
Jim Brennan said:
Lots of good stuff here. I think that Matt makes a good point about some of us "old timers" seeing a lot of the same questions over and over. People just drop in, want a tutorial and move on. Do a search, it's all there. I've learned more from this site than any other single source on filmmaking.
Click to expand...
The ones that kill me are "What is the best boom pole for my DVX?". I am so tempted to tell them they don't make them for the DVX anymore, he'll need to get a different camera.
 
I want to play the guitar like Pete Townsend. I've never played the guitar before. Don't give me some BS answer like practice, I need to play like Pete right now! Could someone post a tutorial that will teach me to play like Pete? I have a gig on Saturday this is urgent!!!
 
It comes down to 3 things:

1) Gear that's good enough that it will potentially give you the results you're looking to achieve.

2) Enough experience with the medium and other aspects of filmmaking so that you're either doing it yourself or hiring people that are good enough and have enough experience to do it.

3) Talent. Without it, you're not going very far.
 
tommyinla said:
It comes down to 3 things:


3) Talent. Without it, you're not going very far.
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Talent is important, but I'd trade it for lots and lots of hard work.

And I would add a 4th item: Respect the medium.
 
well the thing about talent is it really doesnt mean someone with talent is inherently better. it just means its easier for a talented person to reach the desired result. of course i could never write music like mozart, but with a lifetime of practice i could write something that resembles music.
 
Actors? Not too versatile in my neck of the woods... but they're workable. (Did anybody see Hot Fuzz? The lead actors in Romeo & Juliet? That's what I'm thinking of...)

DP? That means something else here.

Lighting Guys? Stage experienced, maybe.

Sound Guy? He does wedding receptions.

Depending on where you live, you have to learn everything yourself and teach others, and it's a pain in the arse!

Did I mention that I'm 20 and I like to avoid paying people as much as possible? I don't have a producer, and my taste in movies isn't obscure enough to catch a local producer or get a grant from the arts council.

I avoid asking the "How do I get the film look" because I know the answer will be throw money at it and hire somebody. There are two solutions and neither of them are plausible.
 
But there are quite a few people out there that DO have talent. If you don't have it, you'll never make a great film. You can try as hard as you want, but chance are your result will fall by the wayside.

Look at the who's out there making films these days that get the exposure they (the films) do. All of the people involved have talent. Hard work is extremely important and I agree with Timur that if you don't work hard, talent won't get you anywhere.
 
sbryan said:
Actors? Not too versatile in my neck of the woods... but they're workable. (Did anybody see Hot Fuzz? The lead actors in Romeo & Juliet? That's what I'm thinking of...)
Click to expand...

That's why most films are shot (or planned out and shot elsewhere, of course) in Hollywood. Most of the professional film actors are in this area.
 
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