Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

It clicked one day in a theatre. I use purple poly strops for dangling heavy items from steel beams and realised they’re ideal for going around the usual pillars we get in our old churches with lots of these supporting the arches and other overhead features. They usually have a proper top on which the timber or masonry sits and these strips can go around and be choked easily then with a normal shackle you can send 3mm cable across to the other side. First time I cut the cable and used the normal cable clamps but later I thread the 3mm cable through the shackle and drop it down and hang some sand bags on it at ground level. This easily puts tension on and the mic cables are taped to the catenary. The soft strops leave no marks even on old brickwork or plaster.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

you should post pictures, because when you say strop I'm imagining I'm at the barbershop getting a shave

Maybe you have different architecture. Around here I either get residential smooth walls and ceiling with no beams or modern offices with large open spaces and nothing structural to latch on to. It would seem to me a few c-stands would do what's needed quicker and more safely. But I'm still curious.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Paul, that's a clever idea to use what I would call a sling (a loop of flat woven polyester) around the supporting pillars in a church. Unfortunately the churches I'm thinking of don't have free-standing pillars in front of the nave; the transcept and chancel are one big open area). No pillars over the chancel or choir (those supports are part of the wall), so not a solution for micing the choir (or preachers).

However it would be a good solution for micing the pipe organ, assuming there are pillars at a distance where there's a good direct / reverberant mix.

I presume you do need a ladder to attach the slings to the pillars. So for recording in an unoccupied church, light stands might be simpler. But for recording in an occupied space, and keeping the mics out of the way, that's a great technique.

Yes, a few photos would be nice, if you have any handy.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Oh okay, well I did use the location on the weekend, but they still needed to cut it short for some reason. But I can still use locations over the weekends.

I can bring in actors from other cities too, if I have to. I just need more options I think.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

you need to find out their specific reason for screwing you. if you can remember any of them from past incidents, tells us and we might be able to tell you if it sounds like a bs excuse to get rid of you

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I really cannot remember the specific excuse. It had something to do with the business and his wife, but I do not remember the specifics at all. One time someone I know let me use their house but then I find out on the shoot day, the power had been cut because they were being evicted, they had found out, so that's one I remember.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Uh, WOW.

did you try to verify that or just take them at their word?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Ryan and the amateur movie "business". He has a long road ahead of him. Lesson 589,999 even free things have a price. l can only imagine all things that go over his head. If he only knew what he didn't know. Although they say ignorance is bliss.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Well I only had a limited amount of time to shoot before the power went out completely, so I figured I should use that time to shoot, rather than verify if it's true, thus if it is, I would have spent that time on investigating, and keeping the cast and crew waiting, instead of shooting.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Oh I see. I thought you meant the location owner/renter cancelled on you completely with that as the excuse. So did you witness the power actually going out then?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Oh sorry for the confusion. Yes the owner did cancel in the sense that we could only use the location for a much shorter shoot time. But the power did go out at the time that he said it was going to, yes.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I guess that could be legit. It’d take a pretty dedicated jerk to flip the switch on his fuse box to fake a power outage. Still, “power outage due to eviction” is a new one for me.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Ryan, I'm curious. Was the power outage in someone's home, or in a place of business?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I wonder how he never tires of it. Whatever the reason, it sounds like a scrappy existence. Every thing, from borrowed equipment, volunteer cast/crew, free locations... He's like a factory churning out endless questions and problems in need of constant help and favors.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I agree but at the same time I'm kinda jealous. Wouldn't it be awesome to run into nothing but problems and criticisms, and never have your fire burn out? Most of us should be so lucky.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Are you saying that by not having my fire burn out after this many problems, that I have a lot of patients?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I can't help but laugh at the image of the lights going out in the middle of filming a scene.
*sound of circuit breaker being thrown.

I still go back to thinking the true gold is all the unintentional humor of amateur indie film makers ala This is Spinal Tap.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

You should realize by now that nothing is ever simple with Ryan.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

And with so many people whizzing on his fire...

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Only if you're a doctor.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Another thing is, when it comes to shooting scenes that take place outside, how do you get enough time, since the sun will change in an 8 hour shoot, if I am to go over 8 hours. For those scenes, do you just have no choice but to get it all done in a shorter amount of time then?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

you plan your shots around the sun's position and what backgrounds you want...i.e. when sun is favorable for x shot, shoot that, when it's going to be favorable for y shot, you shoot that. You have to move fast enough to make that work. On closer shots on budgeted projects they can fake sun to a degree with powerful lights.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Oh okay, but if the sun changes position won't that change continuity in the lighting? Viewers have noticed lack of continuity in my lighting before, when shot changes, so wouldn't they therefore notice this as well?

Also, I did try this one and it didn't quite work, because the sun went behind the clouds as the shoot went on, and couldn't be used in a reverse type way for the later shots.

But even if it does work, the sun still changes color temperature throughout the day, so will that be a problem? Because even if you try to change with it in the camera, the are still differences in the color you can see.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Hey Pete, you laugh now but there could be money in that. I’m imaging a Comedy about how a group decides to make a movie. A conglomeration of various wannabes who set out with the glorious idea of making this film.

The flick would start out with a social group at a setting where, during a random discussion around a barroom corner table ( with typical jawboning) a few things are said where one thing leads to another and then there is this great idea that slowly comes together about making a movie. This is a group of “non professionals” but with various interests in acting, writing, and video abilities that begin to think “how hard can it be?” and they can pull it off. Ah, yes, it is low budget, after all, how can making a movie cost all that much money. Let’s do it.

Certainly, the scene at the house where, as was discussed in the posts above, would be a memorable part of the film.

I love it!

Throw in some cute chicks (actress wannabes) and some Epstein sex scenes (almost, but GP or Mature Audience rated) to make it more marketable (hey, sex sells).

Dang, this could be a good one.
On second thought, to hell with the house lights going out, lets just go with the Epstine thing!

As for the days getting shorter, that reminds me about one flick, I think it was “Dirty Dancing”, that took place at a New England or upstate New York summer resort but the actual filming, due to a late start, dragged on into the beginning of fall color so they had to spray paint the tree leaves to make them green.

With a Comedy one doesn’t need a “deep” plot so that would make it easier.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

These are issues that all dramas have faced over the years, This is the DPs job to plan out with you. There are various ways of overcoming it. In his commentary on "The Dualists" DVD, Ridley Scott gives very piratical advice on this subject.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Allow me to hijack and say I have already made this movie. I got to go to Slamdance to support it. Highlight of my film "career".

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

What a great movie. Thanks for sharing. I love how the date stamp remains on the same day. Funny thing, even though it's a spoof, I feel far more emotionally invested in the characters than someone else's movies. I assume you used the camcorder shown at the beginning to film it. So did you submit it to a film festival or did you not have the $25?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Thanks. I submitted it to MANY festivals, got into some, won a handful of awards. Slamdance was the only "big deal" fest I've ever been in and it was for this movie.

Date stamp was put in in post.

It was actually shot with the XL2 (same cam I filmed the "real life" scenes)...I just put it in 4:3 mode and dubbed it to VHS and back and forth several generations, desaturated in post to give it the genuine old school look. Maybe they have filters that can fake it well now but back in 2006 when I filmed this there weren't any (that I knew of).

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Josh - Very fun flick. The characters in the cast really fit their parts and the chick was cute. The ending depicting the guys going through their drug experience was interesting how you put it together.

Good idea dubbing back and forth to give it the “old school” look. So, instead of going with the best of everything cam at the time which, I would guess, most of us would probably do, you actually went the other direction … and got awards! Way to go!

Part of the comedy was the guy really turning the chick off and she kept trying to find a way forward. It's interesting how un-real that can be, and yet, it makes it funny.

Thanks for showing! Much appreciated.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Thanks. The XL2 was my only cam at the time so that's what I shot with.

I'd worked with the male actors before on other projects, still do with "Raptor". Woman is a professional actress who for whatever reason agreed to do this basically gratis.

End was supposed to be a very obvious homage to Requiem for a Dream (especially the eyeball shot). Probably more relevant at the time I made this 'cause Requiem was only a few years old then.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

There is one script I wanted to direct, where the it's a kidnapping hostage type thriller, and the whole story is set in a hideout. However, since I haven't been able to find a location owner that is okay with shooting an entire script there, I was advised to just look for an abandoned building, that no one owns, and just shoot there.

But I haven't been able to find any. I was told I was not looking hard enough, but does anyone have any advice, on where to most likely find abandoned buildings, that would be free to shoot in possibly?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Estate agents have all kinds of property.

I don't think there's such a thing as an abandoned building that no one owns. There are usually buildings that are sale for redevelopment, again estate agents usually know.

The local film commission may have a list of properties that are available as locations.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I think Brian is correct. Even if a building appears to be "abandoned" (i.e. nobody presently living there or otherwise using it) it still belongs to someone. If the owner stops paying real estate tax, the municipality may take ownership (but it does not become ownerless). The municipality may then try to rehab it and resell it, or sell it really cheap (to a new owner who optimistically wants to rehab it), or they may just demolish it (to remove the eyesore) and turn that land parcel into a community park. But some person or legal entity will own it.

I can't help thinking about insurance and liability issues. If I abandon a house and board it up to keep squatters out, I might also stop paying insurance. If you are then using it for a shoot, and someone is hurt, will you sue me? If your lighting burns down the house, will I sue you? Therefore, would I let you use it for a shoot? Not likely. And BTW if a building is truly abandoned, most likely the utilities are turned off. No electricity, no plumbing (no restrooms), no heat, etc. But plenty of rodents.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Abandon buildings. What could go wrong? I'm sure we'll find out.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Yeah that's true, about using an empty building, good points.

Another thing I am thinking about is being told to hire much more experienced actors... There are directors who have directed non-actors successfully in movies before, such as in the movies El Mariachi, and The Battle of Algiers, where it seems that a lot of the actors are non-actors.

How did those directors do a good job of getting good performances out of them, if they had very little acting experience, if anyone knows more about that?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

Perhaps they were good directors.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

So when others tell me to hire good actors, maybe it's something I need to do compared to other directors who are able to turn non-actors into good actors?

Plus another thing is, when you listen to what Robert Rodriguez has to say, he didn't have the luxury, of having to shoot for 12 hour days to keep making the peformances better. He had to work on an extremely tight schedule, with very few takes, so I am wondering how do you do that and still get good performances, if he was in the same boat as me and could not shoot for long days like that?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

If you read the whole book I swear he also says he made a movie a day, every day of his life, since he was about 12, learned to edit by dubbing between two vcrs. Have you made a movie every day of your life since you were 12?

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

No I haven't done that so I will have to learn to direct non-actors differently than him of course. However, I don't recall him ever talking about how he gets the performances out, as he always seemed to talk about all the technical side of things more so, rather than the drama.

Re: Do I tend to overthink things in filmmaking?
 

I haven't seen El Mariachi in a long long time but I don't think it's known for particularly great acting. Maybe serviceable or barely serviceable at best.

My point was you were asking about tight schedules...he had like 10+ years of daily filmmaking to teach him about what shots he needs, what works, what doesn't, etc. which probably enabled him to shoot that fast.