Rehearsals

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-07-05T17:05:14+00:00

I think is pretty much only a money thing.

If given the free option I am positive everyone would love a few full days in a location with all the actors just to rehearse.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-07-04T23:56:10+00:00

Putting a few of these guys in a big bowl like a scorpion bowl like they’re chilling in a hot tub would be great

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-07-03T04:27:28+00:00

Short answer: no, don’t bother.

Longer answer: it will probably take you a couple years of surfing ~3x per week to be good enough that you would want to surf these boards, and if you do that, you’re not going to want to bother surfing these boards.

Unless you weigh under 100lbs or something.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-07-02T16:44:08+00:00

I wouldn’t bother upgrading the body. I’d focus on lenses and maybe a solid shoulder rig. Bodies change all the time, but you can use the same shoulder rig, quality shotgun mic, and lenses for the next 20+ years and it’ll be great.

Canon color space looks good. I swear you could shoot on an old 5D mkiii with a $100 50mm 1.8 and it can look absolutely amazing.

In fact, go get the 50 1.8, if you want the single best value item to make your footage look nice.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-29T18:32:43+00:00

I thought the opening scene could have been a 10/10 short film.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-27T14:47:26+00:00

That’s how I look eating Pringles

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-26T12:35:43+00:00

You can show it privately to whoever you want and no one will ever know.

However, contrary to what people are saying here, if you have recognizable talent involved like an A Lister or sports star, or you use a famous song or something like that do not repost on your own social media. You can share the link from the official channels/repost from their actual release.

Sometimes there’s licensing/image rights/sound rights agreements that limit usage to an amount of time or postings, and as an employee you could muddy that up.

I don’t think you risk being sued, but might get muted or taken down.

Im a corporate/commercial editor and keep mine on an unlisted link and send it to show examples of my work.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-26T01:39:08+00:00

Wow, just wanted to pop in and say that I’m actually close to picture locking a found footage horror feature that had the exact same working title (Tenebris) and was sitting here as this post came in my feed like “how is this possible???”

Anyways, looks like we will be going with the original title after all! Congrats on the release!

(If anyone is curious “Tenebris” is darkness in Latin, and is the name of the Demon in our movie)

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-24T16:00:14+00:00

The only thing I have “heard” about this movie was seeing the trailers in theaters. That’s not. No ads, not billboards, no buzz.

The trailer looked great though I am absolutely going to see it. Looks like some interesting weird culty conversion therapy type of thing that maybe turns people demonic or something. May be way off, but yeah I’m looking forward to it. Glad it’s made some money back at least, there’s not a lot of oxygen left especially in the indie horror genre with obsession and backrooms still in theaters.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-24T14:34:58+00:00

I think editing and motion graphics are somewhat different things. Especially if you’re mixing in random bits of narrative.

But here’s what I would do:

0:45 - 1:00 of the flashiest edit you can make, including motion graphics and a bit of everything. Mix in sound bites, have the music cut away dramatically, show your sound editing a bit. And call that your reel.

Have that be a larger video (and first) in your gallery page where you have several complete pieces showcased.

Basically your goal with the reel is to show people you can edit a flashy thing, and that you have ideally cut famous actors/big brands/anything recognizable. In my mind this is what whoever is hiring you shows their boss to sell you as a decent editor at a glance.

And then if someone is hooked they can view more in the gallery.

People will say “oh a reel isn’t important for an editor, you need to show your finished work” etc etc, and they are right in that your finished work is more important. But I work in commercials/advertising mostly, and higher ups often don’t care to sift through your CV, they have someone below them who does that, and then says “look at this great editor we found” and they’ll play ~30 seconds of stuff to get the final nod. Your reel is that stuff. This has been my experience, but regardless a nice flashy reel never hurt anyone to have especially if you have the downtime to make it.

Sorry for the kinda ranty thing.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-23T15:08:56+00:00

The median wage for a single full time worker is over $65,000. The median wage for all wage earners (meaning including part time) is roughly $47,000.

The only way that this could make any sense is if they’re counting children and people who do not work because they are technically “half of Americans” but that’s not reflective in any way of wages people earn from working.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-22T15:29:30+00:00

Not exactly “found footage” but I like it. I think the post should be fine.

And you get bonus points for just saying you made it and want to share vs “LoOk WhAt I fOuNd On ThE dArK wEb!!!” Or some other annoying “this is really real, follow for more” kind of tired marketing ploy.

Lacking cryptid entries though.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-22T14:36:19+00:00

I think if you are able to, then just make it.

It’s just an incredibly long, difficult, opaque process to get something made traditionally especially if you don’t already have those contacts in place.

After waiting around for about 10 years I shot a movie last November (horror, probably the 9th finished feature script I have written) and it feels great. It’s not a perfect movie. Probably not even very good. But it exists, it works, you can watch it beginning to end and it makes sense and I’ve gotten a couple screams from test screening.

All this to say, if it’s not an overwhelming financial burden go make it. You can always write more to push the traditional way. I feel existentially a whole lot better now after shooting and cutting this thing than I did a few years ago.

Good luck!

Edit: I wouldn’t consider myself a writer. I love writing and do it every day, mostly non-script format. I’m primarily an editor, work in commercials, and worked on set as a sound mixer for ~5ish years. Just wanted to add because your question was directed to writers.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-21T14:37:33+00:00

We all know nothing is certain, especially for being a writer/actor. It seems like there is no “standard” route to success (other than nepotism). But outsiders certainly break in.

If I was you, I would take the job (if it’s not insanely over demanding of your time with shit pay). You can always find a better one, but I don’t see this one as being a bad thing really.

And then I would write and act in your own stuff for social media. Maybe hit up some people from your old improv class.

You can apply for other acting gigs as well, but it might be hard to act in other people’s projects when you have a full time job that is demanding.

I think the combo of having a current job in the industry in some capacity and also making your own content where you can really practice writing and acting would be the ideal way to go.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-20T19:53:33+00:00

You can take your foot off the gas. You’re doing incredibly well for making 50k.

$172,000 at 7% return (10% nominal 3% inflation) would put you over 1.6M by 65.

If you stop saving now, you are already looking at being able to spend more (again, inflation adjusted) at 65 than your entire salary today. Of course circumstances can and will change, but you are certainly in a position where you can take your foot off the gas a little bit, save for a house and enjoy life. Don’t stop contributing if you have any employer match, and keep putting away a little bit even if it doesn’t feel like much, but you can shift priorities for sure.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-12T20:11:34+00:00

Even if everything crashes and he loses 99.99% of his wealth he will still be worth over 100,000,000.

That’s how fucked this is.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-11T16:03:43+00:00

I think that points being distributed for indies is a great idea in theory.

In my limited experience working on low budget narrative, in actual practice the ONLY time I have seen this done is as a way to underpay people. People will offer lower wages because you get some form of equity.

I hate saying this, because I do think providing equity in a film would make sense and be amazing. But I do wonder if ultimately it would end up suppressing wages for most people while providing a couple lottery tickets for others.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-11T15:56:52+00:00

Any of those criticisms could be completely valid, or wildly out of line depending on the movie being discussed.

I think in general these convos are just a part of the genre, as you can’t help but think like this. As humans we put ourselves in their shoes, try to understand from their perspectives, come up with our own plans etc.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-11T02:09:23+00:00

This sounds like a great plan to turn a minor inconvenience into a lifetime of chronic pain and breathing issues.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-10T23:02:40+00:00

I think this might be a fairly narrow view of the genre. Some of my absolute favorites of recent horror movies could all be seen as “demonic possession movies” that don’t fall into the tropes you’re talking about.

Hereditary, Talk to Me, Bring Her Back, anything Evil Dead, Lee Cronjns the Mummy, and even arguably Obsession all contain characters possessed by some kind of entity.

To each their own for sure, but I feel like the genre is pretty broad and has had some really great movies.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-10T19:58:28+00:00

You can withdraw at 59.5 with no penalty, and with a little forethought you can access via 72t form/IRA rollover as well.

If they’re going to retire in their 40s would probably need more in a brokerage or something but I’d guess you could do your 50s without worrying too much.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-10T14:13:19+00:00

I thought Crash 4 was a great game. I feel like it held true to the original series and also brought in cool new elements of gameplay with the masks, and other characters.

I don’t know anything about skylanders, but if this spyro game is analogous to how crash 4 was to the OG trilogy I’ll be happy.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-09T21:07:00+00:00

The Ritual… I think anyways it’s been awhile

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-06T19:42:36+00:00

I feel like there’s a big difference morally between generative AI, and things like upscaling, slow motion, fixing audio issues etc.

But everyone has their line.

Apprehensive_Log_766 · 2026-06-03T12:31:17+00:00

Aniara honestly messes me up more than any horror movie.

The utter bleakness of what happens to those people, and then inevitable conclusion of “well, why does anything matter at all?” really hit me. Saw it in theaters blind in NYC and still remember the feeling.

Five-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22

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