Will directing my own movie at age 16 help me in the long run at all?

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UncleKornicob

Member
Hey.
So I really want to be a director or producer. Its sad when reality hits you in the gut. Just like acting, the chances of getting to where you want to be is minimal. That doesn't stop me from striving and trying. I'm 16, and I am (and have been for 2 years now) completely obsessed with directing and thinking up screen plays. I feel as if I am I am a little grain of sand washed out by a giant beach. I hate when real aspiring teenage directors use the excuse "i'll just wait when I'm an adult to start" because I don't want to wait, I want to start now. I've done countless short sketches that are no more than stupid little comedy videos. I have this idea for a 30 minute movie, I feel as if it could be very well done. And I know there are countless little teenage kids that are all like "its my dreaam to be a director". But lets just say I did go through with writing up a screen play and getting a good cast and shooting a 30 minute movie and it happens to be very good. Would this help at all in the long run of my directing career?
 
It's the only thing that will help. You need to produce a body of thoughtful work. Improve your skills as you go. Learn to collaborate, give in, and stand your ground. Always stay true to your vision.
 
Yes, make the film. In fact, while you're planning your 30-minute movie, you should make a 30-second spec commercial, or a 1-2 minute short. The more films you can make, the better.

It is easier now to become a pro director than ever before. Cameras are cheaper, post production is done on a laptop, and -- hokey smokes -- you have the internet.

The most important thing you need to have a directing career is lots and lots of movies to show. If you start now, by the time you're 18 and can legally sign a contract, you could have 6-10 short films finished. Of that, the newest 2-3 may be something you're really proud of. 2-3 good films (made good by practice + trial & error) is enough to start a career.

Spielberg got the attention of an editor at Universal Studios with a few backyard short films. Then he made this 25-minute film on 35mm specifically to show to the head of Universal TV, Sid Sheinberg. That got him a seven-year contract directing TV and he was on his way.

Make as many films as you can. Shorter is better than longer, because you learn the most from finishing the film -- and shorter films are quicker to finish.

P.S. -- Don't let people who aren't directing their movies tell you not to make yours.
 
UncleKornicob said:
Hey.
So I really want to be a director or producer. Its sad when reality hits you in the gut. Just like acting, the chances of getting to where you want to be is minimal. That doesn't stop me from striving and trying. I'm 16, and I am (and have been for 2 years now) completely obsessed with directing and thinking up screen plays. I feel as if I am I am a little grain of sand washed out by a giant beach. I hate when real aspiring teenage directors use the excuse "i'll just wait when I'm an adult to start" because I don't want to wait, I want to start now. I've done countless short sketches that are no more than stupid little comedy videos. I have this idea for a 30 minute movie, I feel as if it could be very well done. And I know there are countless little teenage kids that are all like "its my dreaam to be a director". But lets just say I did go through with writing up a screen play and getting a good cast and shooting a 30 minute movie and it happens to be very good. Would this help at all in the long run of my directing career?
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Anyone can direct. The trick however is to surround yourself with people that are able to do the things that can't be done by just anyone.
The thing I've noticed amongst aspiring directors is a sickening lack of knowledge in the process of film production. I've been approached by aspiring directors in their 30s and 40s asking me to work as "The lighting guy" on their films, wanting me to carry out the creative work of the DP and the practical work of the Gaffer all under one title that isn't even a real industry title, while the directors themselves wish to be in charge of the camera work. So I politely tell them to go f*ck themselves (Except for when they're paying good money - Then I bite my tongue).

Know your trade and how it's carried out. Know what the people around you do and why they do it. If you round up a good producer, cinematographer, AD, a production sound mixer, and so forth (and know why you want them and what they do) - You will have all the parts in place that allows you to focus your attention to your work as a director. And don't think you have to work the camera yourself just because you don't have the money to hire a cinematographer/DP - Just like you're an aspiring director there are plenty (far less than Directors but plenty) of aspiring cinematographers, producers and what not that would be more than glad to join you - Just call out for them here on the interwebs or contact your nearest film school.

.. Oh and make sure you look up what a producer really does, because if you think that's a fun and creative job you're way off. I have the biggest respect for producers and what they do; because I could never manage all the budgeting, scheduling, contract-writing, assessing, arguing and stressing that they go through.
Producers are trained business professionals (The good ones at least), and they're trained business professionals for a reason.

[EDIT]
I'm not saying you can't just gather some friends and make movies for fun and that those movies can't be any good - But make sure you know the difference between a hobby production and a professional film production, or you'll be stuck on the shallow end of the pool with the kids for a long time. Knowledge is power.
 
I was in your shoes in high school. I'll share my story and maybe it'll help encourage you. My junior and senior year, making movies was all I could think about. I spent a prep period, an 80 minute class, lunch, and a few hours after school in the video production studio at our school, every single day. I made a short film for my senior project. This was in 2003 when all we had was standard def and Premiere 6.5
After graduating from high school, I decided that rather than going to film school, I'd be better served by just making movies. I proceeded to shoot over forty short films. Some were pretty good, others not so hot. After four years of doing that, I shot my first feature when I was 22 for $600. The movie went nowhere but I learned a lot about longform filmmaking. It was a $600 film school education. I followed it up with a $200 feature about parkour called "Leap". We had a premiere at a theater and were able to sell over 200 DVDs at $10 each. I took that money and bough a DSLR and we shot "Leap:Rise of the Beast". Total budget, including camera purchase was $2000. This film is now in select video stores nationwide alongside the likes of Jackie Chan and Keanu Reeves.
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Ten years ago, is this where I thought I'd be? Not even! I planned to be in LA and directing a $5 million picture by now. But now that I'm here, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I get to make movies because I like making movies. I enjoy all aspects of the creative process and by being independent, I still get to write, direct, run camera and edit. I wouldn't trade those jobs for a bigger budget.
I'd say yes. Just make a whole slew of films. Show them to people and get feedback. I wouldn't yet spend ten days shooting something. Do projects you can shoot in a day or two. I spent 8 days shooting my first short. After that, all my shorts were three days or less.
I always like seeing progression, so here's a short timeline of my stuff.

My first short film, shot while a senior in high school, 2003

And here's the trailer for my last feature.

I hope this encouraged you, at the very least it was fun for me to think about the last ten years. Good luck!
 
If the movie turns out great, then sure, being 16 makes for some easy publicity, and it will make a great first chapter in your biography when you're a world famous director :)

But more likely, it will be an ok movie with some good bits and some terrible bits, and its only long term benefit to you is teaching you heaps of stuff for the better movie you'll make when you're 17, and the even better movie you'll make at 18, etc.
 
Of course you should make it. Make as many films as you possibly can, it's the only way to learn your craft and get better. The real decision is whether or not you SHOW your short films to a lot of people. In the internet age there seems to be a belief that if you make it, you should put it online, but I think this is not the wisest path. Never forget that Tarantino spent 2 years making a feature film and at the end decided not to show it to anyone, because he thought it would ruin his reputation. The very next year he made Reservoir dogs. So don't think of these films right now as for the outside world, think of them as you learning your craft.
 
Definitely start now. At 16 it is going to be easier to find buddies willing to be involved. Once your friends are older, have jobs and wives, few will be keen to help out and many of those will be able to reliably commit. As you get older free help gets harder to find.
 
I second the above and also say, go for it. Make movies now. While there is a lot to learn about professional movie making, and as noted above, what the major crafts are, there is nothing more important, IMO, than learning the very basics; putting together moving pictures and sounds, that you made, to tell a story. I would even suggest starting with very simple set ups, even as simple as a man makes a foul cup of coffee or repeatedly trips over a rake while trying his hand at gardening, or what ever. I would even suggest shooting a short foot chase, or even a scene out of a movie that you like. Anything, and then cut it together and see if the narrative flows, that you told the simple story idea you set out for. The essence of the art of filmmaking is editing. Start doing it now and you will lean the very basics that have to become second nature if you want to make fictional narrative films; stuff like screen direction/180 rule, relative screen size between characters, eye lines, the importance of getting coverage, timing a shot, cutting continuity/invisible cuts , what is a jump cut and when can they some times be used, and on and on. The rest of the craft of filmmaking, improved long form story telling, acting, cinematography, art direction, the creative use of sound, ect, can be learned, but they have to be built upon the very basics... learning how to edit together moving pictures and sounds to tell a story. Learning these basics now will help make your future films much better and make you a much more efficient filmmaker so that you can capitalize on incrementally increasing resources. Good luck. Go for it.
 
Any painter worth his salt started with a sketchbook, an idea and an urge. Any filmmaker today can start with a digital camera (any camera!), an idea and an urge. If you have it, go for it.

As long as you do not expect to produce the cinematic equivalent of a Caravaggio-painting as your "first" there is absolutely nothing you can do wrong - apart from not doing it. Take you pen. Make the first sketch. And welcome to the club of optical storyteller-loonies.... ;-)
 
Rolf Silber said:
As long as you do not expect to produce the cinematic equivalent of a Caravaggio-painting as your "first" there is absolutely nothing you can do wrong - apart from not doing it.
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This man speaks the truth. Do it. Then come back here, show us the result. Cop the criticism, learn a bit, do another one. Rinse, repeat.
 
Anyone can Direct? True.
Does this make them a good Director? Nope!

I'm in my fifties and am still rubbish at Directing - after being directed for such a long time, I know how it's done, I know the things that works and those that don't, and I understand actors. That said, I just don't have the Directing gene. If you have it, don't let technical issues get in the way - they're for others to solve. If you can visualise it in your mind, and get down on paper what this involves, I don't see age as an issue. I'd be happy to be directed by a 16 year old who had the right head on their shoulders, rather than an older eeejit who thought he could direct.
 
I can't thank you all enough for these honest and kind replies. I read and re read every single one. Living in an age of connectivity, its amazing how easy it is to learn. Just by taking a few minutes to write out what was on my mind, I was bombarded with replies from those who actually know what they are talking about, and have been through what I am going through. Its quite awing to me.

As I have stated, I have read what you all have said. As for most of you, you gave me the advice to create as much as possible. This is exactly what I do. You see, I create little videos on youtube, and over the months have gathered up a good audience. Its not about the audience, heck someone mentioned Terentino spent 2 year creating a feature, yet didn't show anyone. But an audience really keeps me on my toes, and encourages me to press on, and create.
I've never done anything serious though, which is something that I want to do.
I have this very good storyline that I feel could be one of those 8 point rated movies on IMDB. Yet I'm frightened, because in my mind everything is perfect, yet in reality, I know I will never live up to my initial expectations. This is what holds me back from creating something long, like a feature.
I just need to realize that the best thing I can do is to create, create, and create despite the outcome.
I will keep everything you have said in mind, and I think I have put a whole new aspect on how I go about filmmaking.
Thanks!
-Luke
By the weay, this is my youtube channel if you're interested. (www.youtube.com/unclekornicob)
 
I watched some of your clips, and here is what I have to say: You're sixteen. That's a good starting point anyhow. You shoot a lot of stuff. That's a fine beginning. And, given that I'm about 200 years older than you and from a different culture and language .... I find some of you stuff rather funny and it's - given the circumstances - well done. And that is a good result already.

Last proof for that may be pending yet, but it seems you even may have "funny bones". And that - if true - really is a gift. Protect it, develop it. You're on your way it seems. Good luck.
 
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