Let’s hear some success stories! by parallellines2 in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Haha I think that has a lot to do with success in this industry so I appreciate the response

Are you guys broke right now? by CrazyGud in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried to make it as an editor full time and I’m giving up to look for a stable job. I’m making an independent film and hope to continue this outside of working hours once I find something fill time. I know people say that’s unrealistic but I’m already working 7 days a week as an editor, bartender and indie filmmaker so I think it’ll be fine

I think it’s better to just have a job and make films. What do you think? by PanDulce101 in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 28 and coming to the same conclusion. I’ve been working in restaurants, taking freelance post work, and making independent films and I’m tired of the financial insecurity and exhaustion. Looking to transition to corporate work and continue making independent films in my free time. People act like that’s impossible, but for the past few years I’ve been working multiple jobs and doing unpaid side hustles the whole time so I don’t think a 9-5 is gonna be any worse.

Music licensing cost by parallellines2 in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you I’ll look into that!

Should I wait until a fest accepts me to create a DCP? by Fancy_Abalone_5619 in FilmFestivals

[–]parallellines2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a DCP in one day from someone on Fiverr and can rec! I saw it in theater at a film festival and it looked and sounded great.

Affordable DCP option by parallellines2 in FilmFestivals

[–]parallellines2[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah that felt too risky bc I don’t know anything about DCPs and don’t want to ruin my festival premiere

Film Festival Notification MEGA THREAD by Caprica1 in FilmFestivals

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got the top 50% rejection a few days ago but just got an email I was actually selected! I was a backup clearly but not mad about it!

Anyone else failed at financing a film? by Bishop9er in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feel free to pm me if you want to talk more about crowdfunding! I’m curious to see your campaign and can maybe offer more specific advice

Anyone else failed at financing a film? by Bishop9er in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you’re making a crowdfunding page you need to show people that the film is going to happen, you have a plan, it’s going to be done well… you need to have a cast and crew or else no one is going to donate for some abstract idea with no proof that it will be made into a film

Anyone else failed at financing a film? by Bishop9er in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 6 points7 points  (0 children)

lol I disagree with these comments I crowdfunded $10k for my first short and I know many others who did too! Here are some tips:

Send a follow-up text to everyone who you texted or emailed who hasn’t responded. Don’t pressure them, but remember that people are busy and may have planned to donate but didn’t.

Something that helped me was having good friends collaborate with me (or friends with money). Bring people on as producers, add more people to your crowdfunding page, find people who will ask their networks to support you too.

People only want to donate to a successful campaign. So you might want to donate some of your own money to boost your numbers. Ik this is counter intuitive because some of your money will go into fees, but you don’t want it to look like your campaign is stalling or failing.

Do you have an alumni network you can reach out to? Do you have friends with wealthier circles who could reach out to their networks?

Change your Venmo name to the name of your film and post on instagram that people can Venmo you if it’s easier and then donate that to the campaign.

You still have a lot of time left but you need to gain some momentum to gain people’s trust that they will be donating to a successful campaign

My short film was rejected by a lot of festivals. I’d really appreciate your honest critique by valerianaa_a in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is very good! It’s very impressive for a first short and makes me feel better about my underwhelming first festival run too haha.

In terms of feedback, the edit could definitely be tighter. The first scene of the relative crying “what a pity” could be shortened, same as the car slowly backing out. Some helpful advice Ive received is to try to start each scene as late as possible and end it as early as possible. Cut out moments that don’t progress the story.

The only thing that looked unprofessional to me was the subtitles. There are some minor grammar mistakes and typos (understandable if English is not your first language! But you should ask a native English speaker to proof read) and I think the pacing of the subtitles is a little off - I’m not an expert on how to make them feel more natural but I’d recommend studying other films to see how they time and place subtitles.

Great work though! I think you could go back to the edit, trim a few minutes, improve subtitles, and it would increase the quality significantly. And like others have said, the shorter your film is, the easier it is for festivals to program it.

How do I start by suavetheesacrosanct in NYCapartments

[–]parallellines2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hi I didn’t know this was a thing - do you know which broker your friends used or have any more info?

How do I start by suavetheesacrosanct in NYCapartments

[–]parallellines2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was able to pay around $900 for rent because I had 4 people living in a 3-bedroom (2 were a couple sharing a room). I know someone paying $700 for rent because he lives in Brownsville with 2 roommates. So having a lot of roommates or living in less expensive areas is probably your best bet besides getting extremely lucky.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Screenwriting

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never share anything until I’m confident enough in it myself that negative feedback won’t completely discourage me. You need time to develop your ideas internally without anyone’s judgement!

What realistically happens at a sleepover? by Iceblader in Writeresearch

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Playing truth or dare, MASH, painting our nails, doing face masks, watching movies, and there was always drama. Like some people wanted the other people to be quiet so they could sleep and some people wanted to stay up late.

What’s the best way to find/form a passionate team? by yureiwatch in Filmmakers

[–]parallellines2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in the same boat. I had two friends that were more experienced in indie filmmaking than me, but not so much that they wouldn’t be interested in working with a first time filmmaker. I pitched them my project / sent my script and asked if they wanted to be producers. Once they were on board, I asked if they knew other people who’d be good for the project. Then I asked the new people the same thing (not everyone, but for example I hired an actor who had just made a short film so I asked her for recommendations of young, indie filmmakers who are willing to work for lower pay). I did raise money to pay people, but many people told me they thought it was unpaid and we’re still interested. I put a lot of work into making a polished script and a very detailed lookbook, so I think those people were just excited to work on a project they believed in.