New Director Here. Please share Tips/Advice. at DVinfo.net

Gavin Thomas · January 27th, 2005, 11:42 AM

hi there.
new director here. i am dedicated to getting into the movie production business as much as possible, please could people share their tips and advice to myself and others that read this thread.

Thank You.

Richard Alvarez · January 27th, 2005, 11:54 AM

Gavin
First bit of advice - this forum is already loaded with tips and stories of past experiences. To make the most of mining this lode of valuable information, make your questions as specific as possible and don't be afraid to use the search function first!

Welcome aboard.

Rob Lohman · January 30th, 2005, 05:36 AM

Are you talking about making projects yourself or getting into the
UK or US movie business (as a JOB)? From what I understand the
single most important thing for the latter is networking and getting
to know people and so forth.

Gavin Thomas · January 30th, 2005, 06:00 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : Are you talking about making projects yourself or getting into the
UK or US movie business (as a JOB)? From what I understand the
single most important thing for the latter is networking and getting
to know people and so forth. -->>>

Hi. I am talking about getting into the movie business as a JOB yes. From what i've seen by watching the extras on selected dvds its' handy to have made a short film. Getting to know people is important yes but the question goes how do you get to know them (contacting them).

Regards.

Rob Lohman · January 30th, 2005, 06:07 AM

That is the real problem indeed. One way is through a forum like
this and helping other indies out (to build a resume and get to
know people). Do you want to work in the USA (not easy!) or in
the UK?

Gavin Thomas · January 30th, 2005, 06:48 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : That is the real problem indeed. One way is through a forum like
this and helping other indies out (to build a resume and get to
know people). Do you want to work in the USA (not easy!) or in
the UK? -->>>

From when i've been looking at the point of that film-makers don't actually work in the UK, there like all over the USA etc, etc, yes if i had the chance for a big break in the UK i would try to get it, but theres thin lines in the UK if you understand me i would proberly get a better chance to in the USA but i understand the fact it would be extermally difficult too start, so for this moment in time i will have to stay within the area of the UK.

Regards.

Rob Lohman · January 30th, 2005, 07:13 AM

From what I understand (of course I'm not overthere) the UK has
a pretty large film community with several Hollywood productions
using facilities there every year. I would definitely try the UK.

The problem in the USA is that you can't just go there and work.
If you go (as in a vacation) you can stay 3 months, but you are
not allowed to work (you can't get a social security number etc.).

You need to get a greencard to be able to work and live in the
states. However this is not easy to get. There are a few options
(marrying someone overthere, having family (parents or children
are basically the only option), buying or starting a company (takes
quite a lot of money!) or winning one in the greencard lottery).
Unfortunately, the easiest option (greencard lottery) was not
available to UK people for DV-2006 (which ended early january
2005). DV-2007 starts at the end of the year and things might
change (although I wouldn't count on that).

So all in all your best bet would be to try it in the UK I'd say. The
first order of business would be to find out where all the action
is happening (ie, the Hollywood in the UK) and try to find out what
the major companies are and keep an eye out if they are hiring.

Sometimes you may be able to get a job there for something you
already do or something else than film work (ie an office job) and
gradually move into another field within the company. Or they may
be looking for assistants and if you don't have a job now or can
take a leave from it you can help out and work your way up.

There are heaps of people from the UK on this board and helping
them out on their movies might get you in touch with other people
etc. In the end it is a pretty small world out there and lots of people
know a lot of other people. If you talk passionately about your
film work it may lead to things as well, who knows!

Regardig your being a director. That's basically not going to happen
with a company unless you've already proven you can do this. The
only way you can prove this is do it a lot yourself (indie work) or
work your way up (what I was talking about above).

It isn't like in the regular world where you can study for something
and start at that field directly. It seems like in the film business
you need to start low and work up, just too much money on the
line to have a first time directory screw up, you know?

Gavin Thomas · January 30th, 2005, 07:45 AM

First too start off, best thanks on the information you mentioned. I can say that i wasn't actually aware filming was going on within the UK which of course is fantastic (hense why i mentioned about the US).

I totally understand the fact that i, myself couldn't just jump into being a director (although it would be nice i am aware theres little chance.)

As for if i'm currently in a working job at the moment my reply to that is i am not employed at the moment.

Regards.

Rob Lohman · January 31st, 2005, 06:45 AM

There is a lot of stuff going on in the UK. I went to IMDB and took
at look at which companies worked on James Bond's Die Another Day:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246460/companycredits

Such interesting companies as:

Cinesite
Double Negative
Framestore
Mill Film
The Moving Picture Company

Cinesite and Mill Film (The Mill) are very well known movie companies,
on the list above they've worked on titles like:

- all James Bond films
- Band of Brothers
- Alien versus. Predator
- Entrapment
- Girl with a Pearl Earring
- Harry Potter series
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
- King Arthur
- Batman Begins
- Bridget Jones
- Chronicles of Riddick
- etc. etc.

Keep in mind that lots of work on those films where on special or
visual effects, color correcting etc. etc. But I do know a lot of stuff
is being filmed over there as well.

I'm not too sure how much films are fully being made inside the UK
with a UK director etc., but I can imagine stuff like that happening
as well.

At first I would try to see if I can locate some local (!) film magazines
that list what everybody is doing and for which companies etc.

p.s. as a note: every year the largest film/tv industry happening
in europe is IBC (International Broadcasting Conference) here in
Amsterdam. This is always in september and might be an interesting
event to attend, to see what is out there (although you won't
really find production companies, more gear, visual effects, audio
and tv companies etc.). www.ibc.org

Also, if you take an account with IMDB Pro you can also see what
is in production etc. (not sure how detailed it all is, since I don't
have an IMDB Pro account) There is also a free trial account.

Gavin Thomas · January 31st, 2005, 08:26 AM

Thank You!. (I) should of named this thread "first time film-maker" my bad.

January 27th, 2005, 11:42 AM	#1
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	New Director Here. Please share Tips/Advice. hi there. new director here. i am dedicated to getting into the movie production business as much as possible, please could people share their tips and advice to myself and others that read this thread. Thank You.

January 30th, 2005, 05:36 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Are you talking about making projects yourself or getting into the UK or US movie business (as a JOB)? From what I understand the single most important thing for the latter is networking and getting to know people and so forth. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 30th, 2005, 06:07 AM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	That is the real problem indeed. One way is through a forum like this and helping other indies out (to build a resume and get to know people). Do you want to work in the USA (not easy!) or in the UK? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 30th, 2005, 07:13 AM	#7
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	From what I understand (of course I'm not overthere) the UK has a pretty large film community with several Hollywood productions using facilities there every year. I would definitely try the UK. The problem in the USA is that you can't just go there and work. If you go (as in a vacation) you can stay 3 months, but you are not allowed to work (you can't get a social security number etc.). You need to get a greencard to be able to work and live in the states. However this is not easy to get. There are a few options (marrying someone overthere, having family (parents or children are basically the only option), buying or starting a company (takes quite a lot of money!) or winning one in the greencard lottery). Unfortunately, the easiest option (greencard lottery) was not available to UK people for DV-2006 (which ended early january 2005). DV-2007 starts at the end of the year and things might change (although I wouldn't count on that). So all in all your best bet would be to try it in the UK I'd say. The first order of business would be to find out where all the action is happening (ie, the Hollywood in the UK) and try to find out what the major companies are and keep an eye out if they are hiring. Sometimes you may be able to get a job there for something you already do or something else than film work (ie an office job) and gradually move into another field within the company. Or they may be looking for assistants and if you don't have a job now or can take a leave from it you can help out and work your way up. There are heaps of people from the UK on this board and helping them out on their movies might get you in touch with other people etc. In the end it is a pretty small world out there and lots of people know a lot of other people. If you talk passionately about your film work it may lead to things as well, who knows! Regardig your being a director. That's basically not going to happen with a company unless you've already proven you can do this. The only way you can prove this is do it a lot yourself (indie work) or work your way up (what I was talking about above). It isn't like in the regular world where you can study for something and start at that field directly. It seems like in the film business you need to start low and work up, just too much money on the line to have a first time directory screw up, you know? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 31st, 2005, 06:45 AM	#9
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	There is a lot of stuff going on in the UK. I went to IMDB and took at look at which companies worked on James Bond's Die Another Day: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246460/companycredits Such interesting companies as: Cinesite Double Negative Framestore Mill Film The Moving Picture Company Cinesite and Mill Film (The Mill) are very well known movie companies, on the list above they've worked on titles like: - all James Bond films - Band of Brothers - Alien versus. Predator - Entrapment - Girl with a Pearl Earring - Harry Potter series - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) - King Arthur - Batman Begins - Bridget Jones - Chronicles of Riddick - etc. etc. Keep in mind that lots of work on those films where on special or visual effects, color correcting etc. etc. But I do know a lot of stuff is being filmed over there as well. I'm not too sure how much films are fully being made inside the UK with a UK director etc., but I can imagine stuff like that happening as well. At first I would try to see if I can locate some local (!) film magazines that list what everybody is doing and for which companies etc. p.s. as a note: every year the largest film/tv industry happening in europe is IBC (International Broadcasting Conference) here in Amsterdam. This is always in september and might be an interesting event to attend, to see what is out there (although you won't really find production companies, more gear, visual effects, audio and tv companies etc.). www.ibc.org Also, if you take an account with IMDB Pro you can also see what is in production etc. (not sure how detailed it all is, since I don't have an IMDB Pro account) There is also a free trial account. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 27th, 2005, 11:54 AM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Gavin First bit of advice - this forum is already loaded with tips and stories of past experiences. To make the most of mining this lode of valuable information, make your questions as specific as possible and don't be afraid to use the search function first! Welcome aboard.

January 30th, 2005, 06:00 AM	#4
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : Are you talking about making projects yourself or getting into the UK or US movie business (as a JOB)? From what I understand the single most important thing for the latter is networking and getting to know people and so forth. -->>> Hi. I am talking about getting into the movie business as a JOB yes. From what i've seen by watching the extras on selected dvds its' handy to have made a short film. Getting to know people is important yes but the question goes how do you get to know them (contacting them). Regards.

January 30th, 2005, 06:48 AM	#6
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : That is the real problem indeed. One way is through a forum like this and helping other indies out (to build a resume and get to know people). Do you want to work in the USA (not easy!) or in the UK? -->>> From when i've been looking at the point of that film-makers don't actually work in the UK, there like all over the USA etc, etc, yes if i had the chance for a big break in the UK i would try to get it, but theres thin lines in the UK if you understand me i would proberly get a better chance to in the USA but i understand the fact it would be extermally difficult too start, so for this moment in time i will have to stay within the area of the UK. Regards.

January 30th, 2005, 07:45 AM	#8
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	First too start off, best thanks on the information you mentioned. I can say that i wasn't actually aware filming was going on within the UK which of course is fantastic (hense why i mentioned about the US). I totally understand the fact that i, myself couldn't just jump into being a director (although it would be nice i am aware theres little chance.) As for if i'm currently in a working job at the moment my reply to that is i am not employed at the moment. Regards.

January 31st, 2005, 08:26 AM	#10
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	Thank You!. (I) should of named this thread "first time film-maker" my bad.