Your First Film? at DVinfo.net

Anthony Vincent · November 26th, 2007, 12:49 PM

For those who have filmed a short or feature or some sort of movie, what was your first experience like? What advice can you share.

Andy Graham · November 26th, 2007, 03:22 PM

lol i think you've opened pandoras box with that question!

my biggest bit of advice is plan EVERYTHING and when you've done that........plan some more, i think it was hitchcock who said "if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail"

Andy.

Dylan Pank · November 26th, 2007, 05:34 PM

My first movie was shot on Super 8 (no I'm not that old, it was pretty retro even then). It was pretty painless but it was just me as crew and three friends for actors, no sound or lighting to worry about. Though I have to admit I didn't know how to achieve the things I saw in movies. I don't really have much advice to impart from that, most things I learnt on subsequent films, though looking at it now I wish I'd had someone to scream "Lay off the bloody zooms" at me at the time.

My first proper film (i.e. with a crew and with a script that wasn't being made up on the spot) was made at university a few years later and if I have one piece of advice it's keep working on the script until you're really happy with it, and read it to loads of people and get as much feedback as you can.

Simon Gee · November 26th, 2007, 06:10 PM

Just done our first short...in a 48hour film marathon...
http://www.vimeo.com/400252
amazing experience and fun.
Plan, think, plan
Audio essential to get this right
Keep it simple...
Plan some more
Have responsibilities there was only 2 or us but it still made a difference
Have a length you will work to...edit with a feel for the nd result not the shots you neccesarily liked.
If its an intensive edit ( i think tere are lots of benefits on this)...have coffee breaks and review after a break...you'll spot stuff better.
Good luck have as much fun as we did...
oh and any comments on our film appreciated!
(48 hours-shot on JVC HD7 with brevis 35mm adaptor, using onboard mic!!, edited in Vegas)

Bruce Foreman · November 27th, 2007, 12:25 AM

Why post a link if it's protected so we can't see it?

Ron Little · November 27th, 2007, 11:18 AM

My first move was a huge learning experience. It was a monster flick shot on many locations with hundreds of extras and a cast of about twenty. It took a year to finish and another year to bring to market. It has been distributed in US and abroad . And considered a major failure by most everyone involved. I experienced every emotion you can have during the process but I look back and say it was fun and I would like to do it again.
I started off as a stunt man then actor and ended up as second unit director and helped in Post.

Besides planing which is a given I would say that having a good director is a must. He must be able to let those who can act. And draw a performance out of those that can’t. He should be supportive and firm and willing to see a diamond in the rough. He should have the ability to listen to cast and crew and consider other peoples input and yet be firm in his decisions. Making a movie is not a one person endeavor it is a melding of all involved.

Simon Gee · November 27th, 2007, 03:29 PM

duh-eerh is that better?
http://www.vimeo.com/400252
...find this whole tinterweb thing very difficult since we converted over to gas from solid fuel

Paul Mailath · November 27th, 2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Little

Besides planing which is a given I would say that having a good director is a must. He must be able to let those who can act. And draw a performance out of those that can’t.

That's quotable - it's going up on my wall.

Bill Kendall · November 29th, 2007, 05:45 PM

I also made my film on Super 8. It took 9 months to complete using all amateur talent. Cost about $300, mostly for film. Editing is a real challenge with Super 8 as sound and picture are separated. Video is great. You can see my film at http://www.revver.com/watch/393480/starstrike/

Nathan Brendan Masters · December 1st, 2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Graham

lol i think you've opened pandoras box with that question!

my biggest bit of advice is plan EVERYTHING and when you've done that........plan some more, i think it was hitchcock who said "if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail"

Andy.

Yep. Ditto. This cost me about $5,000 to make. Planning wasn't everything but it was a lot. May not be the greatest but we accomplished everything we set out to. Actually got a few good reviews.
http://www.createspace.com/Customer/...1&rewrite=true

-Nate

Les Hamilton · December 27th, 2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Little

My first move was a huge learning experience. It was a monster flick shot on many locations with hundreds of extras and a cast of about twenty. It took a year to finish and another year to bring to market. It has been distributed in US and abroad . And considered a major failure by most everyone involved. I experienced every emotion you can have during the process but I look back and say it was fun and I would like to do it again.
.

What movie is this? I'm curious enough to check it out.

David Fleming · December 27th, 2007, 01:18 PM

While you are busy planning and then planning some more, a great idea is to try and help out on other peoples projects. By volunteering to carry heavy stuff around the set you will get to see what other people are doing right and wrong and quite possibly meet some new friends that can help you out when the time comes. While you are there I would stay focused on that project and not be talking up your own.

Competing in a 48 hour film challenge in your area is also a good way to force yourself to complete something from start to finish. Even if its not that good, or you don't even finish, you will have uncovered some of the trouble spots your proceses. This is also a good networking opportunity.

Nathan Brendan Masters · December 27th, 2007, 03:15 PM

Ah, the good ol' 48 hour film festivals. Most of the people who help out on my films are students. A second year film student tends to very very knowledgeable on camera movement and a first year student (or even one who hasn't gotten to touch the camera yet) will be very glad to learn. All you have to do is direct and tell them exactly what you want. I normally handle the camera when I'm not in a scene. Shooting indy B action or horror films are a pretty fun way to learn too. You can see the final fruit of our labors here: http://www.tcmech.com as I think we had way too much fun with this project. The beauty of this is we actually got a few decent reviews (only one bad one actually). I will say this, keeping tight reigns on the little money you're working with is also super important.

-Nate

November 26th, 2007, 12:49 PM	#1
Anthony Vincent Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 47	Your First Film? For those who have filmed a short or feature or some sort of movie, what was your first experience like? What advice can you share.

November 26th, 2007, 03:22 PM	#2
Andy Graham Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanark,Scotland Posts: 736	lol i think you've opened pandoras box with that question! my biggest bit of advice is plan EVERYTHING and when you've done that........plan some more, i think it was hitchcock who said "if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail" Andy. __________________ Actor: "where would that light be coming from?" DP: "same place as the music" -Andrew Lesnie-

November 29th, 2007, 05:45 PM	#9
Bill Kendall Tourist Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 3	First Film I also made my film on Super 8. It took 9 months to complete using all amateur talent. Cost about $300, mostly for film. Editing is a real challenge with Super 8 as sound and picture are separated. Video is great. You can see my film at http://www.revver.com/watch/393480/starstrike/

December 27th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#13
Nathan Brendan Masters Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago, Il. Posts: 85	Ah, the good ol' 48 hour film festivals. Most of the people who help out on my films are students. A second year film student tends to very very knowledgeable on camera movement and a first year student (or even one who hasn't gotten to touch the camera yet) will be very glad to learn. All you have to do is direct and tell them exactly what you want. I normally handle the camera when I'm not in a scene. Shooting indy B action or horror films are a pretty fun way to learn too. You can see the final fruit of our labors here: http://www.tcmech.com as I think we had way too much fun with this project. The beauty of this is we actually got a few decent reviews (only one bad one actually). I will say this, keeping tight reigns on the little money you're working with is also super important. -Nate Last edited by Nathan Brendan Masters; December 27th, 2007 at 03:21 PM. Reason: added the last sentences.

November 26th, 2007, 05:34 PM	#3
Dylan Pank Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 611	My first movie was shot on Super 8 (no I'm not that old, it was pretty retro even then). It was pretty painless but it was just me as crew and three friends for actors, no sound or lighting to worry about. Though I have to admit I didn't know how to achieve the things I saw in movies. I don't really have much advice to impart from that, most things I learnt on subsequent films, though looking at it now I wish I'd had someone to scream "Lay off the bloody zooms" at me at the time. My first proper film (i.e. with a crew and with a script that wasn't being made up on the spot) was made at university a few years later and if I have one piece of advice it's keep working on the script until you're really happy with it, and read it to loads of people and get as much feedback as you can.

November 26th, 2007, 06:10 PM	#4
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	Just done our first short...in a 48hour film marathon... http://www.vimeo.com/400252 amazing experience and fun. Plan, think, plan Audio essential to get this right Keep it simple... Plan some more Have responsibilities there was only 2 or us but it still made a difference Have a length you will work to...edit with a feel for the nd result not the shots you neccesarily liked. If its an intensive edit ( i think tere are lots of benefits on this)...have coffee breaks and review after a break...you'll spot stuff better. Good luck have as much fun as we did... oh and any comments on our film appreciated! (48 hours-shot on JVC HD7 with brevis 35mm adaptor, using onboard mic!!, edited in Vegas)

November 27th, 2007, 12:25 AM	#5
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Why post a link if it's protected so we can't see it?

November 27th, 2007, 11:18 AM	#6
Ron Little Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 627	My first move was a huge learning experience. It was a monster flick shot on many locations with hundreds of extras and a cast of about twenty. It took a year to finish and another year to bring to market. It has been distributed in US and abroad . And considered a major failure by most everyone involved. I experienced every emotion you can have during the process but I look back and say it was fun and I would like to do it again. I started off as a stunt man then actor and ended up as second unit director and helped in Post. Besides planing which is a given I would say that having a good director is a must. He must be able to let those who can act. And draw a performance out of those that can’t. He should be supportive and firm and willing to see a diamond in the rough. He should have the ability to listen to cast and crew and consider other peoples input and yet be firm in his decisions. Making a movie is not a one person endeavor it is a melding of all involved.

November 27th, 2007, 03:29 PM	#7
Simon Gee Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United kingdom Posts: 51	duh-eerh is that better? http://www.vimeo.com/400252 ...find this whole tinterweb thing very difficult since we converted over to gas from solid fuel

December 27th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#12
David Fleming Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 42	While you are busy planning and then planning some more, a great idea is to try and help out on other peoples projects. By volunteering to carry heavy stuff around the set you will get to see what other people are doing right and wrong and quite possibly meet some new friends that can help you out when the time comes. While you are there I would stay focused on that project and not be talking up your own. Competing in a 48 hour film challenge in your area is also a good way to force yourself to complete something from start to finish. Even if its not that good, or you don't even finish, you will have uncovered some of the trouble spots your proceses. This is also a good networking opportunity.