The Art of making the Movie

[Croftimusprime86]

As promised, I've posted my trailer for my indie debut no-budget feature. Check my page or search "Hemorrhage Trailer." And I shall repeat my personal opinion: Film school definitely helps, but it is not necessary to become a filmmaker. Passion is 100% though!

[Dirtyplanet]

I have just made a own movie (where i got two pink balls) and i had to somthing creativ with it. Im trying to get as many likes as possible in till 1 FEB! it took me like 4 houers to do. If you have the time ples check it out, If you like it give it a thumbs up. Search on "Pink reality veraANDjohn" Enjoy ;o)

(is it possible to get over 200 like befor 1 feb? specialy when this is my first movie ever made)!!!! "its hosted by veraANDjohn, thatswy its not on my youtube!! :o)

[Croftimusprime86]

So, if my point isn't clear enough for the aspiring 'filmies'; "Give yourself the best opportunity you can by any means."

Here's a shred of truth from my experience: I could not have made my indie feature -1/4 as good or 1/4 as cheap- without my education. I would have spent too much dough, too much time and had a shit product to show for it. For an example of this see Tarantino's "My Best Friend's Birthday."

This is not to dissuade anyones efforts, just realize what you have to 'pay' for it.

[Croftimusprime86]

Lawyer, Chartered accountant, any field of medicine, the list goes on. If you want a job straight out of school pick a trade. If you want to be a filmmaker educate yourself or go to school. The costs you incure in 'finding it out yourself' may be less than film school, but time is also a factor. If you want it bad enough you'll risk debt. Sorry to hear your education didn't meet your expectations.

[Croftimusprime86]

@MrPerdition 5 people are working above the line. Now, keep in mind it's been 3 years since grad. You realize 90% of people working above the line today only do so in their late 20's to early 30's (and that's young). Any occupation with demanding skillsets requires time, money or both. Anyone that thinks they'll be a director right out of film school is delusional. Tell me one competitive profession that doesn't require immense investments in time or money.

[Croftimusprime86]

For aspiring filmies, "Register 7 scripts w/ WGAw asap. It's about $20 a pop, no experience needed." It'll lend you some e-cred. All seriousness tho, you don't NEED film school but it certainly helps, contrary to belief. Ex. I cut a Kottonmouth kings promo for a producer i met through film school - 3 years later and he's producing my 4th script (2nd produced). If anyone wants to know some tips on making your first feature film, PM and I'll share some insight!

[MrPerdition]

@Croftimusprime86 & when you're fortunate enough to get 'picked' to direct one of those scripts like you're script was 'picked' I'll PM you myself. However you put yourself in a position to be fortunate with your efforts, that's why people move to L.A., New York, Vancouver, Austin, as well as going to Film School. To be around people who love the craft & are working to be in the industry. Question, how many of your classmates are working today ABOVE THE LINE?

[MrPerdition]

@MrPerdition Odds are most of the aren't. Odds are most of them weren't on scholarship. Odds are they're still working in the industry. Odds are they make a decent living but could do without a debt of head. While my comment that sparked this exchange is very focus in solution, I've elaborated the point I was trying make well enough. Getting what you want to know & where you want to be cost & hopefully time effectively. I went to film school, I don't feel its anyway as relevant when i went.

[Croftimusprime86]

My point is, the best film school is film school. The best way to make a movie is to make a movie. The best way to direct is to direct. No secrets there. I've done all of the above. Don't fool yourself into thinking that 'film school is pointless' AND don't fool yourself that 'you need film school.' Give yourself the best opportunity to succeed that you can. Film school or no film school. And brandon4455, you're incorrect. Film school gets you NO job (but it may open a door).

[MrPerdition]

@Croftimusprime86 & if you're going to film school on SCHOLARSHIP, it is a great opportunity. But if not you're IMO for a person who wants write, direct, &/or produce films wasting your $ & your time. Film school made sense 15 years ago when you couldn't didn't have such a wealth of information & the ability to get in touch with people working in the industry. We have the web now, web forums, FXPHD, Dov Simens, the filmmaking book section @ amazon.com. No I'll spend 10 to 40k+room & board.

[Croftimusprime86]

@MrPerdition

Q: Have you gone to film school? I gather, 'no'. Film school is immensley overpriced, no question, but the fact is you learn a ton. Can you make it in the film business with NO schooling? Of course. But if you think a film education is a waste of money look at the saps making their 'first film's' and failing because they don't know what an F-stop was. If you got drive, you'll succeed (eventually).

[SolidSnake032486]

If you want to make films, make films.

[shiozza]

I didnt like from dusk till dawn and el mariachi

[MrEffectfilms]

@shiozza I havent seen from dusk till dawn, but El Mariachi was awesome.

[shiozza]

@MrEffectfilms actually i got mixed up with something else i havent even seen el mariachi but i know i didnt like from dusk till dawn, let us know what u think of it when u see it

[shitIMGOINGPOSTAL]

for me though, i have to go to college, so i might as well go to learn techniques on how to make films.

[CubeLuda]

I must admit, the whole movie was awesome intill the whole vampire thing came on. Believe me, they could have executed the movie differently, and turned it into a very good action/pulp ficton flick.

[aleksdirector]

I don't think they actully eksploded the store, because he said that they took the scene around 5 times or so. BTW: cool film

[barkly54]

wow that was some great work

[CubeLuda]

Jesus... Is that torintino??! Damn! His like a billion air after making resiovar dogs, true romance and pulp fiction...

How the hell was he convinced to play in a low budget movie? :D (even though it turned out great.)

[Mrpurpleonions]

@CubeLuda he wasn't convinced because first of all he wrote it and second of all robert and him are best freinds. think about it jackass ever heard of a movie called grindhouse? same situation

[CubeLuda]

@Mrpurpleonions

No need to be calling people jackass. And yes, after checking imdb, I noticed he wrote it.

Moving on, how do you know they are both best friends?

[Mrpurpleonions]

@CubeLuda sorry i had a bad day

[whitefoxfilms]

Cause they say so and are always making movies together.

[MeXMMA]

Pretty much just go out there and make movies. It dosen't matter what kind of camera you have. If you can your story from a old consumer camera onto a tv screen. You can make a movie. Yet if you have an enormous elaborate movie planned and can't seem to get the things, hold on to that movie and just go make another that you can.

My opinion entirely.

[Totalnonstopmma]

u can make amovie with anytype of camera. The key point is how you use it

[whitefoxfilms]

Amen, theres about 17 other things that are important in filmmaking and a high cost camera isnt one of them

[Woreyel]

you do need people though, people who are willing to work on the project, and if your living in a country town of 150 people, then you're not going to go well.

[whitefoxfilms]

Why not? I understand what youre saying though

[naguil20]

I'm graduating with a BFA in Film and Television and trust me...you'll want to learn some stuff in school before you go out into the real world now. But i guess, to each his own.

[brandon4455]

Everything you learn in film school you can pick up in a book.

The only job film school will get you is working on the set of someone elses project (if you're lucky, that is).

[WallyWadeMovies]

The same can be said about anything....except medicine. You really wont know until they put that body on that slab and then you cut away. If you go to a place like the art institute (depending one what your studying) you can get job placement. I say learn shit that is actually could help u in hollywood. Like CGI. I say a guy that knows that can handle a film and add more to it. But basic film techniques can be picked up. The bros that shot the matrix movies never had any formal film education.

[elayjc]

u sound like rodrigues, dont be a copy cat and develop ur own thinking!!

[whitefoxfilms]

elayjc, u sound like Rodriguez now lol

[bregowine]

@brandon4455 You know it's not a serious statement. Obviously, some may end up like that ("working on the set of someone else's project"), but I know others that went to film schools, even got MFA's and have made a living out of directing feature films and commercials. It depends on the person, not in the fact of studying or not in a film school.

[MrPerdition]

But would you say film school is necessary? Being a working Feature Film Director has to do with taste & getting the shots & you can learn both outside of film school. Filling your head with all the theory in the world won´t make a difference when it comes time to layout the shot. The only reason to go to film school is if you have no collaborators in your area & even then, take a month workshop @ New York Film Academy or Rockport Maine Workshops. Why spend $60,000 to find out you´re a gaffer?

[illapu05]

exactly i agree,  i thought about going to film school but not im just doing it on my own because i enrolled in a few classes and its dumb theory stuff

[WallyWadeMovies]

Instead of film learning i was always interested in effects. Photography stuff is a little tough at first, but you'll get the jiff of it in a while. I always thought that learning special effects can help. That is one improvement i've seen on Robert. Try shooting a gunshot scene with a $60 budget. It gets interesting. Fake blood, severed hand. Most of the things i want to do are outside conventional photography. And CGI stuff can help. Like a composite fire coming out of a window.

[wlandryii]

You are right, mrperdition the best film school is years of hands on film making. But "amazes" you? Really? Especially NOT getting a degree doesn't do anything special for you does it? Just my two cents is, it's in the passion and ability execute. Passion doesn't come from school but you still can learn other invaluable things as well as network.

[MrPerdition]

It amazes me that so many young people idolize Quentin & Robert & want to direct but for some reason they go to film school. Quentin never finished high school & Rodriguez dropped out of the University of Texas. The best film school is & and will always remain making your own feature film.

[Terry666Craig]

There's nothing wrong with idolizing Quentin& Robert and going to film school. Quentin had TONS of luck by getting the chance to direct a/ his first- feature film. And many good directors, like Martin Scorsese (one of the favs of Quentin), went to film school. It's really hard becoming a featurefilmdirector without going to film school.

[LocoEvilDabdoub]

There is no luck: just hard work in the search of the right, and trustworthy people you can not only call "friends", but also "teachers", and "colaborators", that will give you a chance to do whatever you feel you can do. Its pointless to follow the crowd, if you pretend to be a real artist.

[MrPerdition]

But would you say film school is necessary? Being a working Feature Film Director has to do with taste & getting the shots & you can learn both outside of film school. Filling your head with all the theory in the world won´t make a difference when it comes time to layout the shot. The only reason to go to film school is if you have no collaborators in your area & even then, take a month workshop @ New York Film Academy or Rockport Maine Workshops. Why spend $60,000 to find out you´re a gaffer?

[illapu05]

thank you someone realizes it...im currently in vancouver and they teach so much fucking theory in film its hilarious and pathetic, and on top of that its just documentary filmmakers....

[illapu05]

why is it so hard? yea in film school you build connections and stuff from networking but with all of the online stuff like youtube, and other websites thats film school right there, shit you can get jobs with music videos and with production companies just from craigslist, trust me its worked for me

[whitefoxfilms]

youre like the coolest person on youtube. Keep being awesome and dont become a douche like all the others out there. D'you make movies?

[MrPerdition]

@whitefoxfilms Trying to put together funds for a feature like everyone else. Canon 5D Mark II can shot 24p now so I don't have to save as much for renting a camera (body). No reason not to make a feature anymore.

[MrEffectfilms]

@MrPerdition What about people who dont know how to cut there film after its finished, or even those who dont know how to properly use a camera? Robert and Quentin make their films their own way, and just because someone goes to film school doesnt mean they cant either.

[MrPerdition]

@MrEffectfilms Just saying you have options other than studying theory for two to four years & then being given a piece of paper that isn't worth sh!t in the industry your going to try to get into. You can make learn filmmaking by making short films anywhere cheaply, not just in film school. Save your money for your feature.

[Croftimusprime86]

@MrPerdition

You know who else so many young people idolize?

Scorsese, Coppola, David Gordon Green, Wes Anderson, Darren Aranofsky, Lars Von Trier, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Joel Coen, Abbas Kiarostami, Roman Polanski, Andrei Tarkovsky, George Lucas, Ron Howard, David Cronenberg, Wong Kar Wai, Michael Winterbottom, Michael Haneke, Walter Salles, Robert Zemeckis, Judd Apatow, John Carpernter, Shane Black, David Koepp, Alexander Payne, Gore Verbinksi... should I go on?

[MrPerdition]

@Croftimusprime86 I'm sorry, are we commenting on a youtube clip that shows those directors? Because then this reply would make sense & you wouldn't look like a tool.

[Croftimusprime86]

@MrPerdition

Oh, my bad, I thought you were commenting on people idolizing director's that didn't go to film school and that film school was a waste. (Btw, Rodriguez WAS in film school, albeit not one of the 'majors'.) So enlighten me on your experience A: With going to film school and B: Making your feature film. Otherwise, stop shooting your mouth on things you know nothing about.

[MrPerdition]

@Croftimusprime86 Yeah it was your bad. & Rodriguez dropped out of UT. UT film grad, 2000. 50k in school halfway paying down. Written, registered & copywritten 7 screenplays. Working freelance on editing commercial & corporate spots. Oh & no I've never been hired on my degree. My reel & my references. To know what I learned in four years @ film school you can learn in a five months putting together a feature for five hundred bucks. I've asked this question Robert Rodriguez 5 years ago....

[MrPerdition]

@MrPerdition "If you know you want to write & direct movies, should you go to film school?" His answer???? "Hell no, man. You're wasting time." & guess what if your little cheap feature film you made for $500 bucks, you know what? YOU CAN STILL GO TO FILM SCHOOL! Or even better specific workshops to improve areas you lack. But you know where you stand & committing to 2 to 4 years to find out where you stand is IMHO a waste. Good luck to you kid. I'm done with this thread.

[Croftimusprime86]

@MrPerdition

Alrighty lol, have a read through my lasts posts, mostly the part of me saying, "Don't be fooled that film school is 'useless' or that you need film school at all." I'm advocating both, because both gives you the best opportunity to succeed. What leg do you have to stand on with 'making your movie is the best film school ever"? Have you made a feature yet? And thanks for the luck 'sir'. I can keep you posted on my feature, if I get lucky it'll be on the 2011 festival circuit

[Arthasofnorthrend]

@MrPerdition I would say I'm one of these folks, but I go to film school primarily for the college experience. cuz college is fuckin FUN

[Norsehobbit]

@MrPerdition yes, but, most people who try to do that don't do so well, so they benefit from a good education. very few people are blessed with true unadulterated talent

[ltum2]

@MrPerdition ....exactly. well said. i start mine in june

[EspressoPictures]

Robert Rodrigez! GReat@ One day I am gonna make a film with him man!

[spiderjimi]

what is this movie?

[LLMelvinL]

from dusk till dawn

[KristinOD]

I'm about to go to film school and I always watch the director's commentary. The 10 min. flick video went above and beyond. This one was good too - good information about camera angles in the gas station.

[illapu05]

you can learn more from the 10 min flick than what you will learn in film school