Where do I go from here? Advice on how to progress?

DDillingham

DDillingham

Member
Hey guys, I've been on this forum for years, active off an on. I had entries in Zombiefest and Sci-FiFest under the user name "Zombiesquid" (2:35AM and 2012:Cyborg Apocalypse).

I've been doing little projects here and there over the last few years, nothing serious. I started getting more into music videos recently and I shot and directed one not too long ago that ended up on MTV for a while. That was when I was living in a mid-sized metro and had more connections and knew more people than I do now.

I've sort of reached a point where I just don't know what to do...

I've moved back to the small town where I grew up due to circumstances that I won't bore you with and am basically stuck. I can't get any gigs, can't find anyone to work with, the few gigs I HAVE managed to get have fallen through or I've been ripped off. I don't even have a day job right now. Basically, I got zilch going on and don't know how to get the ball rolling again. I don't know how to get myself more involved film and production since there's really nothing happening in this region and I don't have any connections with anyone in the industry. I can't even work on my own projects right now since there's no talent pool to draw from.

My goal is to get myself into the position where I can make a living from doing production work, and ultimately I'd like to be directing features.

ANY suggestions or recommendation are very much welcome.

Thanks for listening.

Doug D
 
DDillingham said:
I've sort of reached a point where I just don't know what to do...
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Hi Doug, actually you're probably not all that unique, we all have your problems to one degree or another. Do you have a video camera and editing equipment? I bet there is a dynamite documentary right under your nose. Find someone that will let you follow them around with the camera 24/7, I bet you can amaze us all with the results. Follow yourself around ... do a doc titled ... "How to do a doc in this hick town". Do a doc, "Living in a dead end hick town". You are sitting on a Gold Mine ......

the few gigs I HAVE managed to get have fallen through or I've been ripped off.
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this is the kind of stuff, that if documented would make entertaining viewing. etc. etc. etc. I wish I was in your shoes!
 
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I'm not trying to minimize your frustrations. Many of us know how you feel in some way.

But there is always a talent pool to draw from. Look harder and be more open-minded. It's true that a small town will not offer the depth and breadth of people you find in a larger city, but there are always people who want to do something creative. You just may have to be more flexible. Post flyers in local schools and churches (even if the town is so small there is only one of each). Bring your gear to the next social, school, or church event and set it up like you are shooting. When people come up to you and ask what you are doing, let them know you are looking for people to collaborate with. Cameras are magnets, and every community, no matter how small, has people that want to be in front of them. Maybe it won't be "your" projects for a while. Maybe you will have to help people with their stuff first. That's a great way to get people invested in what interests you.

What part of the process is most important to you? Writing, directing, audio, lighting, editing? You can write with no one around. You can shoot images and try and edit them in to a cohesive form.

"Getting gigs" can be tough. But you can make your own. It's true that they won't pay, and you may need to do something else to pay the rent for a while. But keep the creative wheels turning. I couldn't stop writing and developing concepts if I was living in a cave. My batteries would die eventually, but until they did I would be shooting the shadow puppets I would make on the wall.

If you really love this stuff, nothing will stop you.

Everything is an opportunity, even if it doesn't feel like it. Keep at it. It may turn out to be the most creative and valuable portion of your career.
 
I do have some equipment... A DVX, tripod, my desktop editing PC, and a couple of lights with softboxes.... and a fog machine! I've been thinking about doing a doc for a while, just haven't really settled on a topic.

I've tried to deal with some of the people around here who want to be on camera but it's pretty much been a bust. I mean, I can appreciate that someone is interested in acting and actually has the gumption to get in front of the lens... But at the same time, all the willingness and dedication in the world isn't going to change the fact that someone is an embarrassingly bad actor who sounds like an extra from the Andy Griffith show with a mouth full of marbles. I know, I know, I can't really have high expectations in a place like this. I'm willing to work with just about anyone. I just worry about having everything I put out there with my name on it making me look like a dumb yokel from Bumblestick USA, you know?

Thanks for the input guys, I really do appreciate it. I'm not giving up by any means. I may use this time to write write write and get some of my ideas on the page for later development when things are looking better.
 
Go where the work is.

Which, from what you say you want to do, sounds like Los Angeles or New York City, if you want to be where the hunting is best...
 
Sad Max said:
Go where the work is.

Which, from what you say you want to do, sounds like Los Angeles or New York City, if you want to be where the hunting is best...
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Oh yes, that's definitely my long term plan. I'm just not in the position where that's a possibility right now. If I were offered a job or something in LA I'd figure out a way to be on a plane tomorrow, but as things currently stand I don't see that happening any time soon. Is there some sort of Broke Filmmaker Who Wants to Move to LA and Get His Foot in the Door charity fund that I could apply for...? :undecided
 
DDillingham said:
Is there some sort of Broke Filmmaker Who Wants to Move to LA and Get His Foot in the Door charity fund that I could apply for...? :undecided
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Yup. It's called waiting tables and/or brewing coffee. Doing anything is better than doing nothing, even if it isn't industry related. The technical side of filmmaking is learned, the creative is derived from experience. So...go experience something :)
 
Hey, whatever it takes, right? :) I see you're in Austin, Taylor. I've always heard there's a great film scene there and have considered it as a destination before.
 
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