What feeds your desire to make film? For most, its likely not the money. Most likely not the dedication, time and energy it takes. In fact the majority of people I meet in the film making arena are driven by the determination to create something they believe in via concept, script, short or feature. In that order. This is a collection of information gathered from several professional sources in and around the film making industry. Some are Actors, some are Screenwriters, some are Producers or Deal makers and some... are just plain knowledgeable.
Screenwriting:
Building yourself as a Screenwriter has many pitfalls, setbacks, burdens, time restraints and hurdles to get over AFTER the learning curve and before...your first read. Pending that grim reality check out what several people, who have made it work, did to get to film frame.
To build yourself as a writer from the ground up. Getting first gigs etc.
A no name, with no industry connections does what?
Our friend "Zuul" from The Bitter Script Reader, (a great blog for screenwriters) mentioned:
"Step 1 – move to L.A. Step 2 – meet people. Make friends in the industry. Yeah, you can try cold queries to try to get your material past the gatekeepers, but it’s a helluva lot easier to get a guy on the inside and use them to put your material in the hands of the right people.
This leads to Step 3 – have a damn good piece of material to show off when you do get in."
A young Director with his first studio feature 'Broken Roads' filming in July mentioned:
"Film school is a great resource. You should go. If you don't know where to begin, its nothing to do with the curriculum but the type of person you are. A discipline factor and some tools at arms reach."
- Director, Justin Chambers
What to do if you cannot re-locate:
"start busting your ass producing your own stuff." - Zuul, The Bitter Script Reader
Look at 'Clerks,' look at 'Blair Witch Project' or look at 'The Puffy Chair'. They were made for like $20,000 each but they could also have been made for $1000 y'know? - 'Kid In The Front Row'
Look at 'Clerks,' look at 'Blair Witch Project' or look at 'The Puffy Chair'. They were made for like $20,000 each but they could also have been made for $1000 y'know? - 'Kid In The Front Row'
"Write a script! Pick up a camera! Find some actors! Go shoot something. Sure, you can go to L.A. You can take whatever you love or hate about your life and your home town and make a piece of art. Show it in a way nobody has seen before. It doesn't have to cost anything at all. A good story is a good story whether it's in L.A., Nebraska, or a forest in Sweden." - Kid
"I won best picture at a film festival when I was fourteen, it was shot on mini-DV." - Justin Chambers
Imagine 'Clerks,' or the 'Blair Witch Project' being pitched as a script? Some projects have but one chance at making it to film frame...you. Justin Chambers was fourteen when he shot his first mini-DV project, which went on to win 'best picture' at a small film festival. Two features later and he is scouting location for his first ever studio Directing gig! Congrats Justin!
Imagine 'Clerks,' or the 'Blair Witch Project' being pitched as a script? Some projects have but one chance at making it to film frame...you. Justin Chambers was fourteen when he shot his first mini-DV project, which went on to win 'best picture' at a small film festival. Two features later and he is scouting location for his first ever studio Directing gig! Congrats Justin!
Although some just have the knack, 'The Bitter Script Reader' mentioned that
"A lot of writers are introverts, some perhaps lacking the communication skills and the authority necessary to deal with actors and department heads."
This being said and maybe being said about yourself, you can still manage to write, learn, create and adapt.
Maybe things will move slower for you but if the passion is there so is the drive. Remember, limited prospects often result in heightened temptation to become involved with many wastes of time and money disguised as tools. Which brings us to
Competition:
Competition:
"I’m not a big believer in competitions. I think most of them are a waste of money. It’s rare that a contest win does much to generate heat for a script, outside of perhaps the Nicholl or Austin. Even then, when I’ve worked for places that requested the Top 10 scripts in a particular competition, I’ve almost always been underwhelmed with the results." - Zuul, The Bitter Script Reader
"And then it's a progression. You might write a film that your next door neighbour directs; and it's picked as 3rd best film at a film festival in Harrison, Mississippi. And someone else in the festival wants to make a film and likes your work. So he gets you to write one. And then maybe three years from now he's making a feature, or maybe someone sees your movie on youtube and pays you a thousand dollars to write a low-budget rom-com to be made in New Zealand. Who knows! Follow yourself; follow your creativity, see where it takes you. But don't worry too much about it." - 'Kid In The Front Row'
Write everything and anything you can get your hands on! No job is to small. Follow through on your social media, Blog and even articles.
Distribution:
Many agree that various online platforms offer an easier showcasing-
"And then it's a progression. You might write a film that your next door neighbour directs; and it's picked as 3rd best film at a film festival in Harrison, Mississippi. And someone else in the festival wants to make a film and likes your work. So he gets you to write one. And then maybe three years from now he's making a feature, or maybe someone sees your movie on youtube and pays you a thousand dollars to write a low-budget rom-com to be made in New Zealand. Who knows! Follow yourself; follow your creativity, see where it takes you. But don't worry too much about it." - 'Kid In The Front Row'
Write everything and anything you can get your hands on! No job is to small. Follow through on your social media, Blog and even articles.
Distribution:
Many agree that various online platforms offer an easier showcasing-
"they’d face the same challenge in traditional distribution, so again it is going to come down to two crucial factors - having a good product and knowing how to drive the audience there."
- Zuul , The Bitter Script Reader
- Zuul , The Bitter Script Reader
Where your audience will be and the best available marketing is a crucial mix. You may not be able to get a deal with HULU on the first project but YouTube.com offers 15 minute lengths at the moment. It may be up to you to drive traffic to the vid but there is one, quick, no budget avenue.
"I think social networking plays a big role now." "as you near completion of the film, everyone will be excited because they love all your teaser trailers and behind the scenes footage." - 'Kid In The Front Row'
The fan pages, friends and buzz you have online plays directly into what kind of audience your distributors have to gain.
"Networking. Thats how anything sells. Somewhat exclusive information." - Justin Chambers
How would you attain connections in any trade, group or industry? Networking. If you can't network you will struggle. The more you network the less agony in your future. Period.
"I think social networking plays a big role now." "as you near completion of the film, everyone will be excited because they love all your teaser trailers and behind the scenes footage." - 'Kid In The Front Row'
The fan pages, friends and buzz you have online plays directly into what kind of audience your distributors have to gain.
"Networking. Thats how anything sells. Somewhat exclusive information." - Justin Chambers
How would you attain connections in any trade, group or industry? Networking. If you can't network you will struggle. The more you network the less agony in your future. Period.
Positive attitude:
No one is perfect! Some may tell you that your work sucks. In fact some of your work will suck. But remember, sometimes people who you ask to right you, will be dead wrong. Even ones you should normally trust.
My first script was done and I sent it to several people. One of which was a writing teacher... She emailed me a LARGE amount of notes all tearing my work to the ground, stomping on it and even lit it on fire...With her harsh words. In fact she told me to "throw it away and start on something new because a re-write would take to much time." Ouch...
Two weeks later it placed... My first script on its first draft, the one I was told to throw away... placed as a top ten finalist in its first competition.
After a rewrite I know that my script has an average of 18 'laugh out louds' (from 3 readers) and has placed in 2 more competitions. Even professionals can be wrong. Don't ever let people nag on structure or beats. Learning them is hugely important but as the words glued to my monitor say
"An argument could be made that new writers with structurally groundbreaking work move to the front of the line." - Script Magazine
The best advice I have ever come up with... "With a lot of ambition, even more dedication and Google search, you can learn to do anything." - Ben Racicot
That being said, READ about writing! Check out our good friends who are pushing VERY informative blogs on the subject. They have helped me and will help you as well.
'Kid In The Front Row'
'The Bitter Script Reader'
'Broken Roads' a Justin Chambers film
