Three things every filmmaker should know

[sergykal]

MODS: Sorry, I didnt realize I couldnt redirect people to my blog. Here are my thoughts:

1. The idea. This is the most important thing for a movie. Idea for your film is like a foundation for a house. Without a good idea you movie will not be good. The idea has to be well structured as well. Movies are about ideas and how this ideas structured. Thinking outside the box about your movie’s structure will allow you to make something unique and interesting. The idea then will have to be translated into a script, which has to be good as well; then the script will have to be converted into a shooting script (see #3), and it has to be good as well.

2. Actors. No, your sister or your sister’s BFF is not one of them. Find quality aspiring actors in your neighborhood’s theater, or media production class in community college. Actors are what translates your idea into a movie. Characters come to life, believable true-to-life characters, that the audience will identify with.

3. Cinematography / sound. You’ll have to know a bit about cinematography, photography, composition, light, etc. Don’t concentrate too much on the equipment. Use what you have - the point is to make films, to practice, and to have fun. Its OK to save up for a camera, but use what you have (or someone else has) now. There are a lot of books, where you can learn the theory, then will have to apply these concepts in practice.

 

[Taylor Rudd]

Plan, shoot, edit.

 

[sergykal]

I guess that works too Taylor But you can plan, shoot, edit all you want, but if the idea is bad its not going to make for a good movie.

 

[ChrisHurn]

Here at DVXUser I think people know that pretty well - that first you must have a great idea. This stuff has been talked to death. But actually I think it goes a step further than that. It's not just a good idea. Because let's face it - there are many films out there with the same basic idea, with completely different deliveries. I feel that we need to go past just the idea, the strucutre, the elements all in place and really search deep for the personal touch. That's what's really lacking with most independant, student films, etc that I see. It's like listening to a band trying to be the Beatles...they've got the sound sort of, they've got sort of catchy tunes but it's not raw, it's not honest, it's really just trash. So you can have the best idea in the world but without the tears behind it it's a waste of time. Now a filmmaker who has the passion, the honesty, and is able to actually put all into a structured, dynamic piece of work - that's somebody who's worth putting your money on.

I'd rather watch a film about a ball bouncing around by a guy who is in love with balls, who can't get enough of them, who cries every time he sees one, than a big structured good idea without the honest touch. I think the best films come from people who are in love with their story, but not so much that they can't be analytical about it too. There's a magic spot right in the middle somewhere.

 

[Eric Boellner]

I'd rather watch a film about a ball bouncing around by a guy who is in love with balls, who can't get enough of them, who cries every time he sees one, than a big structured good idea without the honest touch.

Hmm... wow. My immaturity is getting the best of me...

 

[ChrisHurn]

:grin:

 

[maranfilms]

The problem is everyone thinks they have a great idea, so this is very subjective. I might come up with an idea you hate, some might love it. How you execute this idea and transform it into a film is a different matter all together. This is what seperates the boys from men.

 

[sergykal]

Yeah, that was a good one Chris... about the guy who's in love with balls. But seriously, you are right. There's no set formula, the passion has to be there. Personally i would not be entertained by an example you mentioned, and not because of the guy and balls, but its just not good entertainment. Like i said there's not a set formula, but a few things that I mentioned that make a great film. And the passion has to be there from the beginning, no doubt about that. I worked on a feature last year with a great team of people who were passionate about filmmaking, but we didnt get it right on with the 3 things I mentioned earlier, and the film shows it. Now we learned on our mistakes and will make another feature!

 

[sergykal]

I suppose you right, maranfilms, but there are universal idea concepts that "talk" to variety of people. Experimental or avant-garde films are ok in my book, but they have zero commercial success. I want to bring my ideas (and director's ideas) to mainstream, so that the film gets maximum exposure and has a chance to influence people's minds, not just my friends and their friends praising some blurry art film. Not knockin art films, but it is what it is.