You really want it?

[Filman]

Let’s talk about making a hit-movie for no money. It happens, so it is possible.

I’m politically pursued, so I can’t be making movies. It would be noticed and I’d be locked up. It is my reality and am trying to get around it but can't. What I have been doing is teaching myself how to write scripts. And I tell you, that is the part that takes a long time to learn, because you need life experience. But here’s the point: besides from the writing, you can learn everything fairly quickly. So, if I would be dreaming about a career as a director I would look up a writer who can write a killer script that is shot pretty much entirely in one apartment. Something very simple, but powerful that works with very few characters. Especially when the story is simple the director will be declared as a genius, especially as it was all shot without a budget and it works. Think Reservoir Dogs, for instance.

Other reasons: Producing doesn’t break anyone’s neck if it’s all shot in one apartment, no energy lost on crowd-funding, no shooting permits needed, the apartment is like a studio etc, so you invest all you have on shooting and getting everything out from your actors. With this kind of focus, you’d make a whole team of amateurs look like professionals. Right or wrong?

Let me tell you, I’m pissed as hell for not being allowed to live a normal life, so as a revenge and a fuck you to the politics I’ve been thinking about a program to help unknown movie makers come out with a bang. Therefore I’m asking for your opinion about what I say above. Would this sound like something that could work for you?

 

[ItDonnedOnMe]

Especially when the story is simple the director will be declared as a genius, especially as it was all shot without a budget and it works. Think Reservoir Dogs, for instance.

Reservoir Dogs had a $1.2 million budget.

With this kind of focus, you’d make a whole team of amateurs look like professionals. Right or wrong?

Depends entirely on the skills of your 'amateurs'. That term covers a lot of ground. If you mean people with little or no experience then I'd say it's unlikely.

Even if you have just a single location, you need someone who knows how to light that location well. You need someone who knows how to compose compelling shots. You need someone who knows how to record solid location audio. The most amazing script in the world won't matter if you don't have actors who can bring it alive in an engaging way. Once you've shot it you'll need a strong editor to bring it all together, etc. It doesn't really matter if all those people are professionals or amateurs - either way they must be able to execute properly and well or it's not going to be very good. Most of the people who can do all those things very well are professionals, at some level.

Therefore I’m asking for your opinion about what I say above. Would this sound like something that could work for you?

It's pretty much the standard advice that's been given to independent filmmakers for years. Focus on having a compelling script. Simplify your script as much as possible, down to a single location if necessary. Make the most of whatever limited resources you have available to you. I'm not really sure what you're proposing that's any different than that. A lot of people have done, or are currently doing, something very similar to what you've described.

And, of course, lets say you follow this plan and manage to pull off a great film - how is anyone going to know about it? Do you just go the traditional route of submitting to festivals and hoping to be 'discovered'? The problem with that is that once you're at the high-end festival level where there's even a chance of that happening you're competing against a lot of other good films. What is it that will make your film stand out from the others? What is it that makes your film "come out with a bang"?

 

[sfoster]

Let’s talk about making a hit-movie for no money. It happens, so it is possible.

I’m politically pursued, so I can’t be making movies. It would be noticed and I’d be locked up. It is my reality and am trying to get around it but can't. What I have been doing is teaching myself how to write scripts. And I tell you, that is the part that takes a long time to learn, because you need life experience. But here’s the point: besides from the writing, you can learn everything fairly quickly. So, if I would be dreaming about a career as a director I would look up a writer who can write a killer script that is shot pretty much entirely in one apartment. Something very simple, but powerful that works with very few characters. Especially when the story is simple the director will be declared as a genius, especially as it was all shot without a budget and it works. Think Reservoir Dogs, for instance.

Other reasons: Producing doesn’t break anyone’s neck if it’s all shot in one apartment, no energy lost on crowd-funding, no shooting permits needed, the apartment is like a studio etc, so you invest all you have on shooting and getting everything out from your actors. With this kind of focus, you’d make a whole team of amateurs look like professionals. Right or wrong?

Let me tell you, I’m pissed as hell for not being allowed to live a normal life, so as a revenge and a fuck you to the politics I’ve been thinking about a program to help unknown movie makers come out with a bang. Therefore I’m asking for your opinion about what I say above. Would this sound like something that could work for you?

I'd like to come out with a bang

 

[Filman]

@ItDonnedOnMe
Okay, good. Thanks. The skill level and the marketing is your main concerns. Exactly how I see it.

Keep in mind: This is for film makers who are serious about getting a career and ready to go. Now first: Having a hit movie is their main goal, but at this point they are first of all interested in shooting a solid movie with as little problems and conflicts as possible. Why? Because, that is the best possible practice. And there is serious hopes that the movie will do great, too.

About marketing. I’ve planned it like this: This is a long term project (and also big name writers will probably join if it continues). As a first movie comes out that is solid enough to get a bit of name for itself, another will be made using the same trademark. Meaning, suddenly these movies will have a reputation and will be selling themselves.

 

[Filman]

@sfoster
I know you a bit from your project and you have the right ideas. Just need to practice and then you’re there.

What you should do is to have a great solid script. First you shoot a test movie in your apartment. Make a storyboard for one scene only. Check if acting is right, if camera is right, lights are right. Practice more, until everything looks like a hit movie, then shoot the whole film. Re-shooting is never a problem.

 

[Sweetie]

The skill level and the marketing is your main concerns.

Quality and market are very important. Also important with your method is how to keep it engaging, new, fresh and interesting for the audience. With every man and his dog trying to do exactly what you're trying, it's hard to be fresh and new. If you can answer that, you're golden.

As a first movie comes out that is solid enough to get a bit of name for itself

Unfortunately you're oversimplifying the marketing issue. Making the movie is the easy part. Getting people to watch it is where it becomes tricky if you don't have a 8 figure marketing budget. You could strike it lucky, have all the stars align and a studio picks up the masterpiece and markets it for you.

Re-shooting is never a problem.

From my experience, re-shooting for no-budget films is a problem, especially if they weren't planned/scheduled. People move on, find other projects, schedule conflicts happen. The larger the cast and crew, the more likely this will happen. For a single location shoot, with a small crew and a few actors, this will be easier to do. I'm talking from experience on this issue. Your mileage may differ.

A big part of the problem of no-budget filmmaking is where you need the technical experience and who you get to start with. The less experienced your production team, the more experienced your post production team team needs to be. Everyone wants the most experienced people on their team, but the truth of the matter is if you're not paying your team properly, there is little incentive for experienced professionals to join and stay on your team. This leaves you to deal with less experienced people or students, in which decrease your chance of success.

One thing I do agree with your observations. Story and script is key.

You're right though. It does happen, again and again and again, so don't let anything discourage you.

 

[Cracker Funk]

This origin of this thread feels rather condescending. Screenwriting is incredibly difficult to master, this is true. But if you think everything else can be mastered fairly quickly, that's just because you've never tried it.

 

[sfoster]

What you should do is to have a great solid script. First you shoot a test movie in your apartment. Make a storyboard for one scene only. Check if acting is right, if camera is right, lights are right. Practice more, until everything looks like a hit movie, then shoot the whole film. Re-shooting is never a problem.

Well step 1 of the great solid script certainly is easier said than done.

Anyway I am shooting again this month, have a superhero action comedy in the works that will be amazing. I know that I need to practice more, I've only made two shorts and film making is a life time endeavor.

I'm more interested in what you're offering to help new film makers come out with a bang. Access to great screen writers coming on board? Then why would I need step 1 of having my own great solid script.

 

[directorik]

And I tell you, that is the part that takes a long time to learn, because you need life experience. But here’s the point: besides from the writing, you can learn everything fairly quickly.

You can learn everything (lighting, costuming, make up, special effects,
audio mixing/recording, color correction, script supervising, production
management, directing) fairly quickly? What makes you think this is
true? None of those things take a long time to learn? Why? Why does
learning to work with actors and crew and tell a story visually take less
time and life experience than writing?

You really think learning special effects is something that can be learned
fairly quickly? Why do you think that? Is it because special effects is easier
than writing?

And producing? You honestly think that learning how to produce is
something that can be learned fairly quickly?

 

[gorillaonabike]

Shoot a short, first. If your short is amazing then your feature will be amazing.

If you can't shoot a short, then you sure as h@ll won't be able to shoot a feature.

If you're in one of those 19th Century Berlin apartments then I wish you luck. They can be fabulous places but an audience will get bored of a single room unless you can put something in it which is incredible e.g. 12 Angry Men which is an incredible, one-room play and movie.

 

[Filman]

Thanks for the replies. Everyone seems to say that it takes those 10.000 hours to master every skill. Yes, I am keeping that in mind, too. I say "fairly quickly" about everything else than writing for one reason. I mentioned it already: For that you also need life experience. Sure, you need life experience as a director, too. Call me a liar for putting in some optimism and for saying to you that I believe in you.

Bottom line is, I'm offering this to help you if you think you have what it takes. Not saying it is easy. Only saying that this the best practice you can get unless Steven Spielberg is your dad and you have him as an personal assistant.

@gorillaonabike
Read my first post where I explain why I'm not shooting a film myself.

 

[directorik]

Call me a liar for putting in some optimism and for saying to you that I believe in you.

No one called you a liar. I didn't call you a liar. Optimism is wonderful.
When you say you can learn "everything" fairly quickly you are not
showing optimism you are denigrating the time and effort and dedication
it takes to learn other skills. If you want to show people you believe in
them I think you should show some respect to the time it takes to learn
all the other skills needed to make a movie.

so as a revenge and a fuck you to the politics I’ve been thinking about a program to help unknown movie makers come out with a bang. Therefore I’m asking for your opinion about what I say above. Would this sound like something that could work for you?

I love the idea of a program to help unknown movie makers come out with
a bang. I believe it takes time to learn the skills to make a great movie.
That's my opinion about what you said. A program should focus on developing
those skills and not be about learning fairly quickly. Too many people want
to "come out with a bang" but are not taking the time to learn the craft.

Perhaps rather than a program to help unknown movie makers come out
with a bang you could think about a program to help unknown movie makers
learn the craft of making movies.

 

[Filman]

What I'm doing in this thread is inviting film makers to think: "if I now was offered a script with that killer potential, would I have the technical skills to handle my part in the team and be part of coming out with a killer movie?"

When I add that the chance to get that script is there, the hard workers will instantly work even harder to get themselves ready. Some will freak out, because they have a too long way to go to see themselves succeed very soon. They obviously know that they need to spend more times with the basics. That's why one part of the program is this: Shooting a test scene. That will tell you if it is wise for you to shoot the whole movie right now or later.

 

[ItDonnedOnMe]

I'm not really clear on what's going on with the script in your scenario. Are you saying you have this script, and you're looking for someone... I mean, 'giving someone the opportunity' to shoot it? Or is this part of your program, where you'll somehow gather many of these killer one room scripts in one place and offer them to people to shoot? Are the test scenes some sort of contest where people vie for access to the killer scripts? How are people to know just how 'killer' these scripts are without seeing them, so that they'll be motivated to do a test scene?

 

[directorik]

What I'm doing in this thread is inviting film makers to think: "if I now was offered a script with that killer potential, would I have the technical skills to handle my part in the team and be part of coming out with a killer movie?"

Okay. This got lost on me when you stated "besides from the writing,
you can learn everything fairly quickly".

That's why one part of the program is this: Shooting a test scene. That will tell you if it is wise for you to shoot the whole movie right now or later.

What you say you are offering is not any different than any film class;
shoot a movie (or "test scene") and use that to improve. Many filmmakers
don't need a program to shoot a "test scene" because they are self
motivated. But perhaps your program will be great for those who need
outside motivation.

I, too, am not clear what you are offering. Are you offering your script
to people so they can shoot a test scene? Do you have a script with
killer potential to offer? Can I read it?

 

[WalterB]

...............

I’m politically pursued, so I can’t be making movies. It would be noticed and I’d be locked up. It is my reality and am trying to get around it but can't......

How did you manage to get that status in Germany?
I can only think of a few acronyms that can cause that: NSDAP, SS, Stasi, RAF or IS.

You do't have anwser this, btw.

I'm more curious whether you can lift a bitof the veil and tell something about the story you wrote.

 

[Filman]

Story I wrote, eh? I’ve done the writer’s test in this program. To be a writer on this program you must pass a test. My test script is about guys who are gangsters to afford to be musicians.

The trademark for the program is: Different Men Priorities that make women proud to be women. Men do what one shouldn’t do, and the women next to them feel they’re the better sex.

Meaning these are guy movies, but using the trademark one can make the gangster story unusually appealing for women. That’s what I’ve done.

But this thread isn’t about a script. It’s about the program where film makers are offered the opportunity to get a script written as a custom work for their needs. In other words they are expected to say what locations and personal strengths they have in advance. Then the script will be custom made for that.

If they’ve been ambitious for a long time they’ll suck all the potential out of it and those heavy career doors will start to open.

Politics
I’ve stumbled into the world of corruption and torture.

 

[directorik]

But this thread isn’t about a script. It’s about the program where film makers are offered the opportunity to get a script written as a custom work for their needs. In other words they are expected to say what locations and personal strengths they have in advance. Then the script will be custom made for that.

So in this program filmmakers will give you locations and their
personal strengths and you will write a script for them. A script
with killer potential that will help the filmmaker come out with
a bang.

Is that right?

 

[ItDonnedOnMe]

Story I wrote, eh? I’ve done the writer’s test in this program. To be a writer on this program you must pass a test. My test script is about guys who are gangsters to afford to be musicians.

So I'm still not clear - what program? I thought this was a program you were planning to create. If that's the case, and you thus created a test for writers, and then you say you passed your own test... seems a little odd.

The trademark for the program is: Different Men Priorities that make women proud to be women. Men do what one shouldn’t do, and the women next to them feel they’re the better sex.

Meaning these are guy movies, but using the trademark one can make the gangster story unusually appealing for women. That’s what I’ve done.

I'm honestly not sure what you're talking about here at all. Are you saying all the scripts will follow this theme?

But this thread isn’t about a script. It’s about the program where film makers are offered the opportunity to get a script written as a custom work for their needs. In other words they are expected to say what locations and personal strengths they have in advance. Then the script will be custom made for that.

So are you the writer? What kind of experience, track record, etc do you have that will convince people your script will be any better than what they could create on their own? If it's not you, then the same question applies to whoever is going to do the writing. Are you just going to make a bunch of scripts available for people to read and choose from?

If they’ve been ambitious for a long time they’ll suck all the potential out of it and those heavy career doors will start to open.

So that sounds kind of convenient - you write a script for them, but if they're not ambitious enough to "suck all the potential" out of it then it's not your fault if it doesn't "come out with a bang". What if your script isn't very good? How do you (or the filmmakers) know how much potential it actually has?

 

[sfoster]

So I'm still not clear - what program? I thought this was a program you were planning to create. If that's the case, and you thus created a test for writers, and then you say you passed your own test... seems a little odd.

A man should always pass his own tests before administering them to others