Overall impression

One thing I find really helpful, make a list of everything that you didn't pull off on the last film you worked on, and work on those specifics the next time around. If the actors are weak, find ways to direct them better, if the writing needs work, team up with a screenwriter or take the time to go through multiple drafts.
 
tommyinla said:
But it definitely helps to have other people be critical about your short. That's how you grow as a filmmaker...
Click to expand...

Well said....I have found in my native art form, music, that the only way to break through some barriers was to have outside critiques of my work brought to me in an environment of trust and nurturing and laid bare. There are things I never would have heard in my own playing if others hadn't pointed them out because I am so close to what I'm creating much of the time.
 
Criticizm is a great thing. Infact even though I write and direct my own scripts I send the scripts to 3 different people to give me feed back on what they think. And trust me they are brutal... but sometimes you have to be... then it is up to me if I take their advice or not.

The problem arizes when there is criticizm with out a reason... such as "Hey your film was bad" ok.... so why.... or "Hey I loved your film" great... but what did you love about it...

I noticed this when I submitted to the on the lot competition... Everyone was either really negative or super positive but no real constructive criticism could be found.

Either way... feel free to criticize my film "The Spy Who Fed Me" and dont worry about being brutal.. I love the criticism... just be sure to explain yourself... or give suggestions on how to fix what you did not like..
 
tommyinla said:
I want to work with Larry for the next fest... :)
Click to expand...


I'd re-consider that if I were you. I've now written 4 scripts and consulted on a couple others....and NONE of them have made it to the actual fest. It must be some sort of curse


(this smiley doesn't go with anything I just said...it just looked cool, so i thought I'd use it ;) )
1181429621.jpg
 
Nah, the only way you can guarantee your material will get made is to make it yourself, and even then there can be cirucmstances that come up, which you can't control. Poor Leonardo Gardini, in the DramaFest, had all of his scoring opportunities drop out ... and he's super talented ... just the way the dice rolled, unfortunately.

You've got some good writing skills, Larry, so I'd be the first to promote you as a writer that people should tap into if they want a skilled writer on their team!

Here's another idea: Charge people a $250 (or more) writing fee that is FULLY refundable, once you receive your copy of the DVD, or they at least make it into the festival. That way, they've got some cash on the line to help encourage the film gets made, yet at the end still had a FREE writer out of it. If it doesn't get made by X date, then you also got some compensation out of at least doing something, but would otherwise have had nothing to show for it.

I don't know ... just brainstorming as I type, knowing in advance the edit feature isn't working right now, lol. :grin:
 
To me the huge problem occurs here . . . I think writing a script, and then dealing with the sometimes vast chasm between what's on the page, and what actually ends up getting on tape is what disappoints most.

My original SpyFest script was a great read. A real page-turner, so I was told. But what I wrote was far too difficult (read, "expensive") to shoot. Even relatively simple stuff is hard to get "right." In my SpyFest entry, Alejandra's romp though the Metrorail at Union Station was perhaps, at best, 50% of what I had envisioned.
 
Also, someone touched on this somewhere here already, but let me underscore it here. Get people who genuinely DON'T LIKE YOU to review your work. If they like it, you KNOW it's good. I use this tactie at work (where there's an ample supply of people who don't like me). Very effective, and at times, very sobering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top