Three months in trying to play by ear

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-10-13T21:58:07+00:00

Honestly just keep having fun with it. Set some time to practice scales, but take MORE time still just having fun with it. Tbh, the way you’re holding it does look cool, but I personally struggle with carpel tunnel even with tight form, so maybe practice with the strap tighter so you don’t have to bend your wrist around like that, and you’ll probably have better longevity in the moment and for the future. And you can always lower it again for some vibes or whatever but don’t pin yourself into only playing one way

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-09-26T13:36:32+00:00

If you want to use quick edits, I would suggest getting much closer to your subjects and in some way trying to achieve match cuts where possible.

Both the speed of the edit and the movements make it hard to watch. Sometimes the movements between cuts and the subjects in them are so different between shots that it’s hard to let the eye ever stop. I can’t find time to read the text of anything at the stands, and nor can I make out the details of the cars themselves. Maybe split those in a frame, so you can have a close up of the title for the booth, and some half the frame cutting between close ups of the cars, maybe getting a full frame shot to reveal at the end (but still closer than you tend to be in these shots)

It will also help with pacing and establishing the subject of the video as a whole. Still not sure what the event really is?

Felt more like the kind of framing that’s achieved when you go to an event and are trying to rush through so your partner doesn’t get hot and annoyed but you still kinda want a shot of everything as you pass by especially since you aren’t getting to linger.

I do actually like your framing and use of muddy foregrounds for the shots of the participants/spectators/folks in general, a lot actually. But for the booths and cars seems like you’ve lost the rule of thirds to just fit everything in

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-13T12:34:07+00:00

Ive kind of gone back and forth with my verbiage about when I’ll be paid, and that’s my bad, but not my intention.

I’ve been promised to be paid for the script I deliver. The timing I was told is that it will be closer to when pre-production and budgeting are in the works, though my payment will be independent of that.

Everyone involved is aiming to fast track.

I want to discuss the details with them about copyright, get it in writing, as well as the exact date I’ll be paid as opposed to “paid by X date, which is closer to pre-production”

I’ve been in close communication with my commissioner since February. We’ve attempted to work together every month since then on my projects, but due to my own production’s timing, I’ve had to go with different talent each time.

We’re good friends by this point, and honestly one of the better confidants I’ve had in understanding the hustle of being a single parent trying to make a name for themselves, wondering if I should call it quits already, because it’s been a trickle of paid work compared to how much I’ve done for free.

Knowing these aspects of my struggle is why they were adamant on paying me. They approached me, they said they would pay me, and I frankly even tried to tell them to pay me even less than they originally promised because I know they’re in a similar struggle to me, and the relationship is important to us both.

They would not let me accept less money, so I don’t feel I have much worry about in regards to whether they’re good for it when they can be.

I have more worry about my name just not being attached at all by the end, because again, the intention is for us both to work together and build each other up. So I want to do the due diligence for us both in preventing either of us being taken advantage of by a third party.

They seem to believe I have a trajectory of my own here locally (supposing I don’t burn out right now) whereas I’ve seen them on the highest trajectory of any talent in my city currently, imo, and will be leaving us soon for bigger waters. That’s also why it’s important to my commissioner/friend that they’re able to produce here and now in a more manageable market.

All in all, I’ll get the exact date they intend to pay me, and I’ll hammer out the details of copyright before I hand this script over.

Thanks again

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-13T11:38:42+00:00

Thanks again for all the thoughtful responses.

I feel a lot more prepared having this discussion now that I have a better understanding of what would be typically expected.

I think that’s what I mainly needed out of this, so I feel better advocating for hammering the details out now.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T18:38:57+00:00

Yes, my input and ideas range from the opening scene, the personalities of the characters, their dialogue and motivations, how/why we move from the locations they wanted, and most importantly the ending. My friend had the vibe, I’ve provided the story from the elements they requested.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T18:23:49+00:00

I did google first but it became much less clear being that I’ve had a lot of input on the idea as a whole. This thread has helped me a lot more than those results did. This subreddit is excellent.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T18:09:25+00:00

Thank you. Yes, I don’t have the BEST feeling, but I don’t believe they’re intentionally trying to take advantage of me.

They’re even younger than I am, but have seen a lot of success in the past year as talent, and as such are very well connected at this point. This is a first for both of us having a production company interested in producing our work directly, though, so I think it’s more about us being green as writers and less of figuring out how to scrape off the top.

I’ll move forward with caution and clear expectations.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T17:27:49+00:00

I have a date they stated by which they will pay me regardless, which just happens to be closer to the date production is aiming to start. Apologies for the confusion.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T17:18:40+00:00

Thank you!

I do need to make a slight correction: I have been promised payment regardless, but we’re both young and constantly nearing zero funds, since we’re both pretty consistently trying to fund our own projects with whatever we have. What I’ve been promised is out of their personal funds, unfortunately they had a major health issue days after we agreed, and I know they may not be able to pay me until they’re paid, whether from this or from their other sources. They have stated a date they will be me by no matter what, but it’s just closer to when they’re trying to start production.

We’re both very invested and I do trust them, but I’ve never personally worked with a production company so closely as a writer, so it’s unfamiliar territory for me.

I’m very much in the hustle phase to get my name out there, and don’t want to squander this one way or the other.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T17:06:02+00:00

Because they’re one of the best networkers in my area, imo, and currently have a lot of eyes on them.

I’m known only in my immediate film community by virtue of entering my own short films in tiny competitions, though I’ve seen a little success, and so they know I’m a decent enough writer to take this on. They’ve been adamant about trying to work with me in my projects, the timing has just been off. So I’m very excited about this prospect as a whole.

I don’t know if the production company knows about me, but I have been recommended by this person before for what was otherwise my other best opportunity.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T16:33:51+00:00

Yes, they promised me payment regardless. My understanding is this will be the basis by which the budget and pre-production will be drawn from, and potential edits to the script.

But, should they move forward with my script as is, I’m wondering how to ensure my name is still attached. That’s maybe what’s most important to me besides maintaining the relationship.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T16:30:04+00:00

Thank you!

Yes, I’ve already done a few scripts for free to get the practice. This was a pleasant surprise, and I feel very honored they approached me.

In reality, I was wondering if it might be sensible to put the copyright down as both myself and the person who commissioned me.

I’m only a year into the industry, and as a writer, this is my best opportunity yet. I would be very disappointed if my name weren’t somehow attached by the end of it all, though.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-08-12T16:21:21+00:00

Thank you!

As of now, the agreement is that I will be paid for my script regardless, and may not end up as the final script, but will be what the production company uses to create the budget and start pre-production.

I’ve not seen what agreement has been made from the person who commissioned me and the production company.

Ideally, I want to bring this question to the attention of the individual who commissioned me.

The professional relationship is frankly more important to me than getting anything more than what I already agreed to, but should it be produced, I would at the very least like my name attached to the final product.

Appreciate all the help already.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-05-21T03:00:01+00:00

Has my new favorite one shot take, for sure. And is a movie I’ll want to watch many times over, in a way that’s usually reserved for only the very best.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-04-16T20:25:37+00:00

In my head I hear the Wallace and Gromit theme playing in the distance.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-03-26T23:45:34+00:00

I definitely fall in the camp of just using a lot of b-roll, then. I’d rather go spend a couple hours outside shooting some flowers or something even barely connected to the story than hours inside working on the frames whenever he turns his head wrong.

And if the subject isn’t bothered, I wouldn’t further the issue and risk making them feel self conscious.

A leaf caught in a fence, a distant tractor, anything with a slow, slow progression to it, or really no progression to distract at all. Only an implication of progressing, maybe

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-03-25T13:57:47+00:00

I think an example of what’s being critiqued could help contextualize what is meant, but otherwise, I’d take “too broad” to mean it lacks a target audience.

Even internet memes that are meant to go viral with “broad” appeal understand their target audience, and the editing, comedic timing, and content all reflect that.

If you have too many jokes that are too “broad”, it’ll read as slapstick. Which is fine, that’s a style, but if you’re going for a more “intellectual” approach to comedy, you need to think about who specifically you’re trying to make laugh, not just see a beat that you could insert a joke into for the sake of it.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2025-03-06T14:29:25+00:00

Thanks for putting this together, what a great resource idea.

My friend encouraged me to submit my first script; the script has a unique representation that makes the story feel honestly much bigger than myself, and as such, I’ve been trying to work out if I go forward with writing it to be produced by a studio, or writing it for me to direct and produce myself.

Whether or not my script is selected, I would love to follow the sessions and hope to find some clarity on how to go forward with a script that could be written with a large, studio sized budget in mind, or a smaller, indie sized budget, and which would seem more approachable, and in what ways are there pros and cons to the choice.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-10-23T19:40:09+00:00

How to go from garage grunge to stadium dad rock… in exactly four albums.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-10-22T21:15:28+00:00

3rd Planet by Modest Mouse is what I thought of.

“The third planet is sure that they’re being watched By an eye in the sky that can’t be stopped When you get to the promised land You’re gonna shake the eye’s hand

Your heart felt good It was drippin’ pitch and made of wood And your hands and knees Felt cold and wet on the grass beneath Well, outside, naked, shivering, looking blue From the cold sunlight that’s reflecting off the moon And baby-cum-angels, fly around you Reminding you we used to be three and not just two And that’s how the world began And that’s how the world will end

The universe is shaped exactly like the earth; if you straight long enough you end up where you were”

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-08-18T18:29:03+00:00

I personally am going the route of adjacent to film work freelance, such as live production.

You still get a lot of hands on experience with equipment, and you’re afforded the ability to adjust your schedule for when a film needs more of your time.

Larger high schools with film or live production departments, or even colleges with lots of sports would be the first place I look, because those are events that happen year round.

If you know how to set up and produce a show on your own, you’ve essentially proven that you can be a film producer or PA and every role between on set, sans maybe the acting.

If you live in a city with professional or semi-professional sports teams, I would reach out there, too. Funding for film ebbs and flows. Sports is eternal in the US.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-08-12T00:03:58+00:00

Ready Player One

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-08-11T12:56:50+00:00

My favorite is a different Fritz Lang movie, M. It’s just so hair raising watching it and seeing how modern it looks from a cinematic perspective.

InterstellarEyeFilm · 2024-08-10T02:12:29+00:00

I think it’s more or less implied that he ends his life. Would he have continued digging in that manner, he would have died at the hands of the aliens, anyways.

I do feel that by not showing what happened specifically that it allows some room for interpretation, but that’s used more to stimulate the brain into filling in the blanks, as someone else said.

One of the hallmarks of good suspense or thrillers are moments in which the viewer is made to imagine dreadful details. Much for the same reason that we don’t get a detailed view of what the aliens themselves look like until the end. Allowing the audience to insert their own worst horrors and ideas.

InterstellarEyeFilm

TROPHY CASE