If you answered yes to the following then listen up and listen well because if your serious about starting into filmmaking you got to nail the basics otherwise it’s like trying to learn French but not bothering to know the verbs and tenses.
We’re going to start this week with a general overview of the mentality and commitment filmmaking requires which will inevitably be needed for filmmaking.
Get It Right or Don’t Bother
- Watch lots of Films
I know obvious right? It's still surprising to me how many times I have discussed films with young filmmakers and they have little knowledge or drive for films and have told me that they just don't have time to watch movies. I'm also often surprised at how behind they are on what is currently out there. If you want to be a writer, you read books. If you want to be a filmmaker, you watch movies logical, ya? And I mean all kinds of movies. Independent films to the latest blockbuster, watch movies you don't like as well as those you do Rom-coms (I know sick or what?) to the chilling thriller. And interpret yourself what makes a ‘’bad’’ film it allows you to gain an opinion to talk about with other filmmaking enthusiast.
- Be kind and rewind
When the movie is over, do you hit eject before the credits are even rolling? Stop! What you haven’t realised is that there is more to be learned on the second special features disc than right here on this Blog. Most DVD's contain special features on a second disc or a menu tab on the first disc including "making of" documentaries which describe in detail the work and methods involved with the film. Watch them. I am well aware you do not have the same resources they describe and they are professionals but adapt what you learn, information is a commodity and when it’s sitting there to be absorbed what’s your excuse?
- Embrace your limits
The limitations of the young filmmaker are discouraging at best. ‘’How are you supposed to make a good film with an old home movie camera and your friends? ‘’ I hear you ask, well as Robert Bresson said once, ‘’Someone who can work with the minimum can work with the most. One who can with the most cannot, inevitably, with the minimum.’’ Basically, quit complaining and get on with it. Borrow props (But make sure not to break or damage them) Be creative in your locations and use your friends for actors. They may not be the next Paul Newman or Meryl Streep but you’re no James Cameroon yourself……yet!
Rejecting is a cruel mistress
- I have an inside scoop for everyone on the film festival thing because I have entered with friends and independantly for three years now (And failed to get to win anything other than an audience award three years in a row). The thing is, realistically speaking, on average 80% of the movies submitted to a film festivals don’t win anything. This is put down to how poorly made they are or lack of creativity. They mostly come from filmmakers who did not put in the effort that’s needed or simply failed to create an original idea. It's like the contestants on American Idol that are just deluded, but they thought they were better than they were because their dad and sister told them they were. So if 80% of the movies submitted have 0% chance of getting in, then the other 20% are the ones that you actually have to stack up against. So If you're one of the 20% that put the effort in and the attention to detail in your movie, your odds of getting into a festival are closer to 100% depending on how much programming they need. If you are getting turned down again and again by festival after festival, consider that maybe your movie isn't as well made or imaginative as you thought and maybe it's time to go back and try again. However every festival you enter is a learning curve you must endure if you’re to improve and learn as a filmmaker, believe me I know.
- Remember, you suck! Well, at least at the start you do.
Let’s be honest, your first feature is at best, terrible. I know you’re now thinking ‘’If it’s going to be bad why bother?’’ I was lucky enough to make my first short film with two friends who had previous experiences in filmmaking and if it wasn’t for this I would probably be searching the internet for tips like this. Unlike, let’s say, the leaving Cert you get more than one chance at it to impress, in fact if your dedicated enough you’ll get a hundred chances to fail but that’s the point of your failures they’re not meant to discourage you they are meant to open your eyes to why you failed and what can you do to do it better next time. Like any art form, it takes practice and skill to do it well. Really successful filmmakers likely have some inherent talent as well. So now you have to ask yourself if you're ready to take it to the next level. Are you ready to really work as hard as you have to try to get better or do you just think of filmmaking as a hobby that you're not really interested in being commercially successful in? If completing a movie of your own is success enough for you, then congratulations. You're an accomplished filmmaker. But if you dream of seeing your movies on the big screen in front of a large audience, you're going to have to work really hard to do it. But stick with it, work hard and you can tell us all how hard it was when you give your Oscar winning speech.
Conclusion
This is what you’re up against as young filmmakers and unfortunately it doesn’t get any easier when you enter the serious business side of the film industry either. But we can at least get the best start possible for are selves by starting young. Join me next week for ‘’Filmmaking: So, what do I need?’’ as I go through the bare essentials for filming your first short feature.
Competitions For Young Filmmakers And Film
You could be the Cinemagic Young Film Critic of the Year. To enter the competition all you have to do is send a film review (not more than 500 words) on one of the films screened during Cinemagic 2010. There are a number of wonderful prizes to be won.
As part of Cinemagic Dublin we will be programming a short film competition that will see a young jury reviewing and critiquing new films from all over the world.
Very good advice! You should email Fresh and get them to link this post on their website - handy tips here.
ReplyDeletePS: Don't know about you, but I AM the new Paul Newman. This is handy information all young film-makers should bear in mind.