Tell me of one aspiring filmmaker that does not wish to direct his first feature film! Now I'm not here only promote my work, but to continue to show aspiring filmmakers that anything is achievable... yes even a no budget feature film. We all feel it. that over whelming desire to break free of the short films and really dig into the creation of your first feature. And this my friends by experience is not the "director siting at a chair getting fanned and served coffee" situation. No one will just hand you money especially when you have little to show or in some cases nothing at all. In 2011 i decided to leave the medical field and become a filmmaker? Why well because I'm freaking nuts that's why, and noting interests me more than the world of visual arts and creating something from nothing. When i first started film class in 2011 i was just a mere student with the only experience in film was 2 years of acting school and small acting gigs luckily one being a featured extra next to Jim Carry and of course watching movies all the time. I enjoyed acting simply because of seeing how movies were made. But my desires of learning this skill took me to a completely different level and obsession. I did as most filmmakers do, go out and buy with what little money we have a used computer for editing, some cheap sound equipment from eBay and minimum gear. After filming my 1rst short only 1 month into my 1rst semester, which i will post on the screening section of the forum, I decided to write my 1rst project feature film. Something simple that I can use to learn and make all my mistakes in. Of course like many newbies i asked for help, and even tried to get a little money. The one i asked to help me edit wanted to get paid, and quite a bit. The sound guy i asked agreed to help and bailed out on me 1 day before the shoot. pretty much the entire 3 man crew bailed leaving me to face a full feature alone. Only 2 options at that point were given to me... either quite or face this project alone without the slight idea on how to begin. No help... no problem. My only learning tool was my abstract short made with a bunch of test images. I used this short experimental art abstract film to learn how to edit, do sound and even direct my 1 actor. I made the decision on starting the production of my 1rst feature quickly after and after 1 year of hard work my no budget feature film was completed. Filling a 500 seat theater and wining me the best director in Miami in 2012.
Even though this is a shorter story on how this film was made, my only advise i can give and do give all the time to aspiring filmmakers when i teach them film making in one of the classes i volunteer in is this:
1.) Forget the reality about film making. We all know the reality is no money no production. or no money... no help... no movie.
yes its hard without a budget, but this should not impair you of making your movie. Find a way, used what you have and have access to. If we always think about the reality then we become too caution in taking the risks that can push us forward.
2.) Learn everything!! No one will edit your movie without a budget. Unless well they are your friend and you have developed a team. So learn Final Cut, Avid, or Premiere. Learn your camera and lenses. Learn how to used your recorder and mic properly.
3.) People will try and stop you from achieving your goals. Once you acknowledge this then push this energy aside.
4.) Pull the cart yourself, don't wait for anyone. Start your project... momentum will follow and people will come. 6 months into production after i started posting stills i must have gotten over 50 emails asking to help me. i said no! I started this alone i will finish alone.
5.) Use what you have and work your ass off!
6.) Make your own props.
7.) Embrace the Money Wrench!! always Always Always plan B all your shoots. I filmed 52 scenes for "5th of a Degree" and there were 104 obstacles to overcome. Damn near 3 in every shoot. Indie film making is no were as organized as Hollywood productions. And even those have obstacles. Organize and plan B. If you get shut down in one location have already a second one available.
"DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Yes there will be those obstacles that will mentally break you down and give you that thought of "what the F*K am i doing?" Man up!!! and move on to the next scene. it will not get filmed by you bitching and complaining. Go somewhere private if you have to break down. Let it go, get your self together, wipe the tears and get back to work.
8.) Stay humble, I dealt, and we will always deal with diva actors. Control them in a humble way especially when you are not paying them. Easier to catch bees with honey than vinegar.
9.) Understand your actor to the fullest. How can you direct an actor if you don't fully understand them? Learn what makes them happy, learn what makes them furious, learn what makes them tick. Believe me this will help. even if the actor has little experience. I brought out the devil out of my actor in a scene by using something that i learned from him during an extensive conversation prior to a scene.
10.) Never ever start something and not complete it. Doesn't mater if you are hating the project, complete it! The worst feeling in the world is wonder "what if"? And one of the questions an investor will ask is "what have you done? What other features have you completed?
11. Be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifices. Yep say bye bye to that social life. Until you finish that project you pretty much will eat, sleep and live for your project. Any distractions can really hurt your completion of the film. Remember this is a feature and depending on the content will depend on how long it will take to complete. On top of everything be prepared to sweat blood!
12. VICTORY!!! you completed your film and now your doing your premiere. Oh man this feeling is like no other! And this is the feeling you need to focus on when you start your project. Walking your own red carpet, seeing all the people around you that are here for you. Its an unexplained feeling.
13. Do it for yourself and no one else. Its your first film, make all the mistakes and cover as many as possible. This will sharpen your blade for the next. And make you into that film making bad-ass that you know you can become. After all this is done, your next challenge will be even greater but a little better prepared. Remember you never stop learning.
I have learned so many things even from my own students. AMAZING HUH? Don't give up! your human but our most powerful tool we have is our minds. Use it!
Well can keep going with this but i rather hand the count over to all of you to add. Much love and Keep it up to all the aspiring filmmakers in this forum!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCih_8jXj8g
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
Even though this is a shorter story on how this film was made, my only advise i can give and do give all the time to aspiring filmmakers when i teach them film making in one of the classes i volunteer in is this:
1.) Forget the reality about film making. We all know the reality is no money no production. or no money... no help... no movie.
yes its hard without a budget, but this should not impair you of making your movie. Find a way, used what you have and have access to. If we always think about the reality then we become too caution in taking the risks that can push us forward.
2.) Learn everything!! No one will edit your movie without a budget. Unless well they are your friend and you have developed a team. So learn Final Cut, Avid, or Premiere. Learn your camera and lenses. Learn how to used your recorder and mic properly.
3.) People will try and stop you from achieving your goals. Once you acknowledge this then push this energy aside.
4.) Pull the cart yourself, don't wait for anyone. Start your project... momentum will follow and people will come. 6 months into production after i started posting stills i must have gotten over 50 emails asking to help me. i said no! I started this alone i will finish alone.
5.) Use what you have and work your ass off!
6.) Make your own props.
7.) Embrace the Money Wrench!! always Always Always plan B all your shoots. I filmed 52 scenes for "5th of a Degree" and there were 104 obstacles to overcome. Damn near 3 in every shoot. Indie film making is no were as organized as Hollywood productions. And even those have obstacles. Organize and plan B. If you get shut down in one location have already a second one available.
"DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Yes there will be those obstacles that will mentally break you down and give you that thought of "what the F*K am i doing?" Man up!!! and move on to the next scene. it will not get filmed by you bitching and complaining. Go somewhere private if you have to break down. Let it go, get your self together, wipe the tears and get back to work.
8.) Stay humble, I dealt, and we will always deal with diva actors. Control them in a humble way especially when you are not paying them. Easier to catch bees with honey than vinegar.
9.) Understand your actor to the fullest. How can you direct an actor if you don't fully understand them? Learn what makes them happy, learn what makes them furious, learn what makes them tick. Believe me this will help. even if the actor has little experience. I brought out the devil out of my actor in a scene by using something that i learned from him during an extensive conversation prior to a scene.
10.) Never ever start something and not complete it. Doesn't mater if you are hating the project, complete it! The worst feeling in the world is wonder "what if"? And one of the questions an investor will ask is "what have you done? What other features have you completed?
11. Be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifices. Yep say bye bye to that social life. Until you finish that project you pretty much will eat, sleep and live for your project. Any distractions can really hurt your completion of the film. Remember this is a feature and depending on the content will depend on how long it will take to complete. On top of everything be prepared to sweat blood!
12. VICTORY!!! you completed your film and now your doing your premiere. Oh man this feeling is like no other! And this is the feeling you need to focus on when you start your project. Walking your own red carpet, seeing all the people around you that are here for you. Its an unexplained feeling.
13. Do it for yourself and no one else. Its your first film, make all the mistakes and cover as many as possible. This will sharpen your blade for the next. And make you into that film making bad-ass that you know you can become. After all this is done, your next challenge will be even greater but a little better prepared. Remember you never stop learning.
I have learned so many things even from my own students. AMAZING HUH? Don't give up! your human but our most powerful tool we have is our minds. Use it!
Well can keep going with this but i rather hand the count over to all of you to add. Much love and Keep it up to all the aspiring filmmakers in this forum!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCih_8jXj8g
).
