wondering if anyone knows...

M

mts4243369

Active member
Hey there I am 14 (i'll be 15 in August) and I love movies. I love to make them, to edit them, and everything about them. I have even made a commercial for a nearby health club run by HFC (Health Fitness Corporation). And my dream is to become a director. But unfortunately there are a lot, a lot, a lot of people out there that are already directors, and to make it you have to have something that makes you better than the next guy. So, I already have 2 commercials under my belt (for the same company [not a TV commercial...used for big conventions and lots of events...]) and a WHOLE BUNCH of school work. And I was wondering if anyone knew about any thing that is in need of a director...or more so, one that I could "intern" on and get a feel for what Big professional commercials are like and what it takes. I would love the opportunity to do so (In the Dallas/ Fort Worth area of Texas...or anywhere nearby!!)

Thank you all so much for everything you do
 
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Okay, looks like nobody wants to chime in on this one, so I'll give you my 2 cents.

Best bet might be to produce your own film projects. Short films in the beginning, so you can learn the ropes and develop your skills. I've actually got a short film script that features a cast made up entirely of people your age. It could be done on little or no money. One location, and sort of a funny twist at the end. I'd be happy for you to produce and direct it if you're interested. I'd even be willing to offer advice and consultation on the producing side -- via email.

Drop me an email at chapelgrovefilms@yahoo.com if you're interested. Good luck!
 
Once a week or so there is a production report in The Hiollywood Reporter...if you want experience on a big set you could call the productions in your area that are either in pre production or preparation...ask them if and when the are crewing up...I know people that get PA work that way...I know that it is not directing but it will get you on a big set...other option, as mentioned, would be to create your own shorts...there are countless festivals that are also interested in student apps...gives you a few options...

Good Luck,
Stan Harrington
www.xristosproductions.com
 
Pick something and focus on it, IMO. I do a lot of videography & camera work freelance, but when it's my short or I'm to direct actors, I hand off the camera and might assist with lighting, etc but really I put as much as I can in the hands of other people. Of course they have to know what they're doing, but the less you saddle yourself with, the more you can focus on the acting and that's what's really gonna *sell* your work. If you can do that, you're golden. Really, the big problem I see w/ many directors I work with is that they micro-manage and that's the assistant director's job.
 
mts4243369 said:
and to make it you have to have something that makes you better than the next guy.
Click to expand...

Don't try to to be better than anyone, just be yourself. One thing you should focus on (and very few people even consider this) is your voice as a filmmaker. When you have all the technical stuff down, try and focus on who you are, and what you want to say with your films. I remember when I was 15, I discovered Quentin Tarantino, and every short filmI wrote at that time was a complete mock-up of his style, and of the crime genre. I wasn't myself because I didn't know who I was yet. Five years later, I'm still pretty young, but over time, I've slowly been figuring out who I am and what kind of films I want to make, and that's honest, sincere, and realistic films. And my point is not that you should do as I do and make the films i want. That would go against my advice. JUst figure out who you are, and don't only focus on the technicalities and jargon. Tthere's a lot of young filmmakers who speak in this director jargon, and it seems so phony to me. It looks more like kids playing filmmakers, rather than actually being them. Don't get caught up int he image of the director. Again, just be true to yourself.
 
You're not too young to start your career. Look on Craigslist.com in your area and check the crew listings for jobs. Most out of Craigslist will not be for pay, but you will get experience. Experience = resume. Better resume/work = better jobs.

I'm just about your age (15) and I am a camera operator and a wedding videographer to make money for my own shorts. Seems to be working out OK.

By the way, I usually try not to do any of that, "I'm 15 and look what I've done!" kind of thing. If I don't say that I will feel very sanctimonious.
 
Started in the trade when I was your age too. Still doing it, after all these years.

Some words to a beginning film maker:

Keep a cool head about you when all others are losing theirs.

Don't forget - people can never be perfect. But things (for example, movies), can get pretty darned close to perfection. Never work a person like a thing, but by the same token, if your name's going to be on it, don't stop working at the thing until it's absolutely the best you can do.

That means:
Practice, practice, practice. That's the only way to get really good at anything. I can load film blind, deaf and dumb, in a sandstorm, earthquake, hurricane, typhoon, no matter. Been there, done that, at least dozens of times, usually a lot more. My loads have been perfect for decades. As have my exposures. Get it so that you don't have to think about it, but don't forget about it, ever. Take pride in your craft, look to it, and let the art develop as it will if you have your craft down so polished, so fine that you see right, clear, straight through it.


Stick with one camera rig and really know it very well. This is your stock in trade and you owe it to yourself to find out as much or more about your rig, your axe, than anybody else, living or dead, knows. Even if your gear is cheap, treat it with respect and if it breaks, replace it and treat the replacement with respect. That means keep it clean, presentable, serviced, protected, insured, and ready to go.

Put only so much money into your gear -- and then try your damndest to have it pay for its own upkeep and expansion/ modernization from the jobs you do, by setting a little aside for your equipment fund. These are your tools of the trade, and it's an investment that should yield some kind of return. After all, you're in it for a living, no?

Make movies, as often as you can, for money or not. Don't let that matter. Don't ever forget the joy of making them. Naturally, if you're making movies for love, don't choose dross stories. You've already dedicated your life to doing this, don't throw it away.

You'll probably start out as most of us did, by copying everything in sight.
Well, copy from the very best.
Check out the best directors, DPs, editors, composers, writers, designers.
Then make up your own mind which of those, if any, move you the most, and make your own list of who you personally think are great.
Think about why that is.
Try bits of scenes that moved you especially, see what made them so great.
See if you can make a scene that's half as great.
Then better than half...

Don't forget that if you are doing this right, at the end of every movie you make, you'll be better.

That means that you'll be looking at the start of your own project going "could have done better"... and that's natural.

The dissatisfaction means you'll carry on learning, getting better.


I'm not going to say "burn your negatives and start over each year" (like my old mentors said) but do put them away and start afresh. Especially the ones that people love the most, including you. Get over them, move on. That way when you get the occasional duffer (and we all do), you'll be able to walk away from that too, and carry on.

Sometimes, we can be too clever for our own good.
By this I mean that if we do this hard enough, for long enough, one day the law of averages will catch up with us and we'll have a total clanger of a day. Nothing goes right, total catastrophe everywhere. It will happen if you do this for long enough.

When that day comes, as it surely will, you'll be asking yourself why you ever thought of doing this at all. Whatever possessed you to think you could ever be any good at it?

That's your smart guy talking. Way too smart.
What you have to do, on that day, is to be dumb.

The dumb person goes "I am a film maker, and film making is what I do. I am a film maker, and film making is what I do. I am a...."

Kinda dumb, huh.
But the dumb person then puts one foot in front of the other and keeps going.
The "smart" person quits.

At the end of the day... is another day.
It could well be as bad as that day, but, if you've done your homework and you've put the hours into your craft, chances are you'll not get caught like you were again.

But, see, the smart guy, at the end of the day, has quit.
And the dumb one?

So watch out for being too smart. You need all types in this trade, outside and inside.


Finally, the day you think you've made the perfect film is the day you start to repeat yourself.

That's probably the day to move on to another challenge.

HTH
 
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