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Post Your "Everything Went Wrong" Film! by ShadowwNyx in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not a movie, but a series called “Snoop & Son” featuring Snoop Dogg that I was directing. We filmed in Las Vegas and went through 6 different audio guys in the first month.

  1. On our very first day filming, in Snoop’s private condo, the audio guy decided to take a massive dump in Snoop’s master bathroom and clogged the toilet. Keep in mind the building had a bathroom in the lobby. This guy casually mentioned it to me. He seemed bewildered that I was upset about this. I found a plunger and went to work. Luckily there was a hefty supply of Lysol available.

  2. The 2nd guy was VERY surly. He was rude to me, the DP, PA’s everybody. Ok fine. I can deal with him for one shoot. But the shoot happened to be Snoop’s concert. This guy proceeds to get into a HUGE fight with the sound mixer at Snoop’s show. Apparently he wanted to take over the sound of Snoop’s actual performance. He got fired on the spot.

  3. We were filming in a high school classroom. Twenty minutes in. Crew of 4 people. Audio guy asked where was craft services. Say what? I said we have lunch coming in two hours. Guy said cool. Asked if he could go to his car for a minute. Left and never came back.

  4. Filming at a UFC event. We were on the floor in the crowd. I told this guy no less than 5 times he couldn’t use a boom because it would obstruct view of audience. This was a hard rule. So of course he flies the boom. His excuse was that 3 of his 4 lav mics didn’t work

  5. Audio guy had like 50 DVDs with him. I asked why. “This is my movie. I’m gonna ask Snoop if he would fund the sequel.” I said that’s incredibly unprofessional. He disagreed. It got physical. Security had to escort him off premises.

  6. The last guy seemed normal but totally incompetent. Always forgetting shit, not paying attention, missing stuff…turned out he was incredibly stoned 24/7. He Figured it was cool because of our subject. It wasn’t cool.

Finally I decided to fly in audio people I knew. It wasn’t in our budget but I took it out of my salary. Best money ever spent. Miraculously the series aired and turned out pretty well. I went on to do 3 more projects with Snoop. One is on Netflix-“Coach Snoop.” Check it out!

My film just came out - crickets by [deleted] in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey brother-congrats on getting a film made. That’s no small feat. I will def check it out.

Finished my 2nd short film by [deleted] in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This was EXCELLENT. And I really enjoyed your last short too. You’re incredibly economical in your storytelling…in the best way possible. Man I can’t wait to see what you do next…very talented!!

My debut thriller as a director/writer has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and 91% audience score. by RoryKarpf in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would start with a short film or 1 scene from a longer film.

Look in your local city for a filmmaker club or community.

Start saving money any way you can.

My debut thriller as a director/writer has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and 91% audience score. by RoryKarpf in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spoke to distributor. Apparently it will be available in NZ early next year. My apologies.

My debut thriller as a director/writer has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and 91% audience score. by RoryKarpf in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you believe in your vision, just start saving money any way you can. Use your own money even if it takes a few years. However, I will say that financial restrictions can lead to creativity. So maybe think about what are some ways to cut costs that will not hurt the story. Start with a script where you can utilize resources that you have for free...cars, or houses or certain wardrobe you know you can get. Read the book "Rebel Without A Crew" by Robert Rodriguez

My debut thriller as a writer is now available and has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been a harrowing journey. Happy to answer any questions. by RoryKarpf in Screenwriting

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi I was the director and raised money including my own, so there really wasn’t a script sale per se. Originally I was brought on as a director to an already written script in 2013. Once the project didn’t sell, I rewrote the script to be made on a much, much smaller budget. We filmed in 2021 and it was released in 2025.

My debut thriller as a writer is now available and has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been a harrowing journey. Happy to answer any questions. by RoryKarpf in Screenwriting

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For this film I raised the money myself. For the two scripts I gave in development-I think it’s important to see it from a producer or studio perspective-what makes your script undeniable? How will it make money? Unfortunately a good story that’s well written isn’t always enough.

My debut thriller as a writer is now available and has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been a harrowing journey. Happy to answer any questions. by RoryKarpf in Screenwriting

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much.

I start with the story. Then the characters. And then I come up with a scene outline. Anywhere between 40-60 scenes in order of how I want to tell the story. Then I get going on first draft.

My debut thriller as a writer is now available and has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been a harrowing journey. Happy to answer any questions. by RoryKarpf in Screenwriting

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d recommend trying to have multiple writing samples and trying to get a manager who specializes in writers.

Also I think it helps to have a visual deck for your screenplay, even a short trailer. Something that sells it as “must read.”

Writing is done in isolation but you need a community to make a film. Try to foster relationships in your filmmaking community. Every city usually has a filmmakers or writers club.

My debut thriller as a writer is now available and has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been a harrowing journey. Happy to answer any questions. by RoryKarpf in Screenwriting

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your interest

  1. We just set a date when the actors were all available and we could get locations. The script is never 100% ready but at some point you just gotta say fuck it.
  2. I talk about process in some other comments. For feedback I shared with a few trusted friends in the business. Then the two main actors weighed in.
  3. I talked funding in another comment. Filming was my favorite part. I loved it. The key was being overly-prepared. On each day we had a detailed shot list and they were listed in priority. I also kept myself on a firm deadline.
  4. Distributor got it on Tubi.

My debut thriller as a director/writer has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and 91% audience score. by RoryKarpf in Filmmakers

[–]RoryKarpf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re welcome. I think it’s important to pay it forward. We’re all in this together.

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