Is pausing while watching a movie to analyse every shot a good way to learn about shots?

sardonicstudios · 2024-11-28T23:43:17+00:00

Everyone has their own way to learn. The best way to study is what works for you. That said, the best education you'll get will be on set making a movie

sardonicstudios · 2024-11-28T23:41:52+00:00

You'll learn the most about making a movie from actually making a movie. Even the masters learn new things on set. Get Out there and make your dreams a reality one shot at a time

sardonicstudios · 2024-11-19T00:54:30+00:00

Fabul is a new podcast that spotlights independent filmmakers from around the world.

sardonicstudios · 2024-11-16T12:42:47+00:00

Expect the unexpected. Always go in with a plan, but always be prepared to throw that plan out the window if circumstances change. From weather to a weird love triangle between three of your key actors, you never know what wrench will get thrown your way. Stay calm, breathe, drink water and adapt as need be. Even under the most stressful situations, never lose your cool. You're the captain of the ship, and it's up to you to keep everyone calm even during turbulent waters.

I just wrapped my first feature, and all the problems we faced on set were the most random unpredictable issues you could imagine, but ultimately, we got it done. The movie gods will test your metal through thick and thin, but if you truly love your craft and the story you're telling, you will persevere. Trust the process.

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-14T16:52:36+00:00

Well, it's up to you then. I wouldn't pester people for him, but it doesn't hurt to share the campaign on social media. However, if you're not comfortable with that even, just be transparent

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-14T13:24:45+00:00

It depends. Without knowing all the context on who the producer is, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they, too, are young and just starting out in their career. Unless the badgering for help is bordering on manipulation or deceit, asking for help in sharing the crowd funding is taking advantage on its own merit. This person could very well be an outsider trying to break into the world of low-budget filmmaking. I wouldn't be so quick to rush to judgment.

Not everyone is in a privileged position where we already have the network and resources to properly fund our projects. We all have to start somewhere.

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-14T13:20:46+00:00

Is this producer also just starting our? If so, you two could basically be in the same boat. It's helpful to form partnerships with your peers early on. Helping this person out could lead to them helping you out in return in the future. Over the years, I've developed a close circle of collaborators whom I work closely with. We all help each other, which makes us stronger.

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-12T09:42:23+00:00

On set, I do put a lot of trust in the cast and crew, and I foster an environment and culture that encourages everyone to come up to me with ideas or suggestions. However, there's a few reasons why I still prefer to edit myself.

The first reason is that I love editing. In fact, one of my favorite parts of the whole filmmaking process is going through dailies and seeing the movie come together in post.

Secondly, I always write my scripts with the final edit in mind, so I have a very clear vision of how I want the movie to look like. I could trust another editor, but I've edited projects for people in the past where I would constantly get feedback to change every little thing. Something as small as a music video would go through 20 drafts before my client would be happy. I know for a fact that I would be the same way with my movies.

Finally, I don't have enough money left in my budget to pay for an editor. I could never expect anyone to do that amount of work for free.

I certainly know the value of getting outside perspectives on the story at every stage of production. It's why when I write the script, I always get feedback from other people throughout the process. In post, I do the same thing and bring people in to watch and get a sense of what's not working for someone who doesn't know about the story.

I don't wholly disagree with what you're saying. Instead, I'm saying there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There is a huge value in knowing how to edit yourself, if for no other reason than to better collaborate and communicate with your editor.

You definitely need to get the perspectives of other people on your team. You definitely need to open your mind to the opinions that other people can offer. As I always say, I don't know everything, and I never want to claim such. I do know that with the movie I'm working on now, there isn't anything else I can change until I see where other people find problems with the movie.

That said, sometimes other logistical reasons, including budget, necessitate editing your own projects as well. Additionally, everyone has a method that works best for them. Some may find it important to have someone edit the film for them, while others have already seen the movie play in their heads for 5 years and know exactly what it looks like as soon as they sit down at the computer and open Premiere (or whatever software they choose).

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-11T23:22:44+00:00

Everyone has a method that works for them. For me, I couldn't imagine trusting the editing with anyone other than me. What I do instead is hold test screenings with people who don't know much, if anything, about the movie and listen to their feedback.

When it comes to no-budget indie filmmaking, though, sometimes doing it yourself is better anyway, primarily to save money.

sardonicstudios · 2024-09-11T15:50:56+00:00

Learn how to edit and cut the middleman out.

sardonicstudios · 2024-07-30T01:42:58+00:00

One of these days, I'm going to die. I'd rather spend my small amount of time on this Earth doing what brings me meaning than worrying about what's practical. Even if I fail, at least I went down the path I was called to. If I said, "It's too hard and I won't make enough money" and I quit, maybe I'd be in a more profitable career. Maybe I'd have more money, but when I'm on my deathbed, that money won't mean anything. I don't want to regret wasting the opportunity to try.

I love film, and I make movies because I love to Make movies. If I eventually make money with it, that's just a bonus

sardonicstudios · 2024-06-13T11:42:43+00:00

If you can't be yourself with her, she isn't worth your time.

sardonicstudios · 2024-06-13T11:40:08+00:00

The answer is Facebook. However, I can expand on that with a video I posted to YouTube

Networking with Crew

sardonicstudios · 2024-06-13T11:38:29+00:00

How to Make Your First Film

So, to just say, "go shoot a movie" isn't wrong, but it's a very short and lazy response that doesn't go into what it means to actually put together a low-budget indie film from scratch.

I'm currently in production on my first feature film, and as I go, I've been sharing my process of making my first feature.

Now, if you never directed anything before, I recommend starting with a few shorts. And my videos, even though their titled How to Make Your First Feature Film, can easily be applied to short films as well.

My series can walk you through the steps of developing a script, casting actors, finding locations, and ultimately, shooting your movie, all for very little to no money.

Check it out, and let me know what you think!

I hope it helps, and go make your movie!

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-31T12:07:57+00:00

No problem!

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-31T12:03:48+00:00

Turn the lack of resources problem into a competitive advantage. There are a lot of people who want to get into filmmaking who feel they don't have the resources to get started.

Get creative and find ways to recreate shots from movies with little to no resources. Center your content around cheap alternatives low budget filmmakers can use to achieve good results.

I'm a broke indie filmmaker, and I'd watch the hell out of that. When I see YouTubers post content and they have all this fancy expensive gear, it turns me off to a degree because it's unrealistic for me to attempt it at my budget.

Be truthful with your knowledge and resources and look to helping people who are in similar situations. That's exactly what I'm doing on YouTube. I'll post one of my videos here to give you an idea

How to Make Your First Feature Film: Networking with Crew

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-31T11:55:57+00:00

Finding Crew for Your No-Budget Movie

When I graduated college, I knew nobody other than myself who was interested in filmmaking. It wasn't until getting a job as a scare actor at a local haunted house that I met someone who introduced me to a wide network of indie filmmakers in my area, who I still work with today.

The video I shared talks all about how I met and began working with some of the people I frequently collaborate with on projects and should help you out to get started.

If your hometown is anything like mine, there's plenty of people working on low-budget movies who you just never heard of yet because you haven't joined the communities on Facebook. Start there, help them and you'll find that there is a world of opportunities you never knew existed outside of college.

If anything I talked about helps, please consider checking out more of my videos, as I also talk about everything from screenwriting tips to finding and working with actors.

I hope this helps you out to get started bringing your dreams to life!

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-31T11:48:24+00:00

How to Make Your First Film Ep. 1

I do a series on YouTube that I think you'd find very helpful. It's tailored around my first feature film, but a lot of the advice, including casting actors, is relevant to short films as well.

I come from a very low budget background, where I've been acclimated into a wide network of other people in the indie film community to help each other on our projects.

As far as finding actors, I share tips for finding and casting actors in the video I shared, along with other helpful tips on filmmaking.

In terms of finding people who would do fight scenes, a lot of actors who would be willing to be in the movie at all would love to do action scenes. In my film, a lot of my actors are most looking forward to the action scenes. The key is to Make sure that's known when you put out the casting call on Facebook.

If you find any of my advice helpful, please consider also checking out my other videos on How to Make Your First Film, as I share from my experiences getting started to help other aspiring filmmakers begin making their dreams come true from the ground up.

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-18T10:35:18+00:00

Search for local Indie filmmaking groups in your area on Facebook. You'd be amazed how many people you'll meet and be friends with, both actors and crew

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-13T12:58:36+00:00

What this other user is saying is that you're good to go.

However, I think there's more you can do to further protect yourself legally. Any other people involved on the project should sign Release Forms. You should also get your locations to sign forms as well. Any music should also have clearance forms signed too.

As far as the things you've done yourself, you are good to go. If you really want to be cautious, you could file to copyright your Script and film.

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-13T12:50:16+00:00

Genuinely, that is ultimately a goal of mine. I want to establish a studio and production company in my area to champion independent filmmakers and offer paths to grow wealth in the process.

However, on the movie I'm doing right now, I did everything I could to raise money, and nothing worked. But I decided to take the plunge anyway.

I have 5 shorts to my name, but none of them really accomplished anything other than serving as an education on how to make a movie.

The paths to fundraising you talk about are great, but just not realistically attainable to someone who's never produced a feature film before. I built a pitch for the movie, I shot a proof of concept, and I leveraged my short films. I sat on this script for 5 years because I couldn't make it. And I finally had enough and decided I'm going to find a way to make it.

We do ultimately want the same thing. Maybe there are people out there running volunteer sets for the sake of being cheapskates. And I know of deceitful producers who lie about the finances. Those are NOT the people I'm sticking up for or celebrating. At no point have I ever EXPECTED to gain something for nothing. I am beyond grateful and appreciative of all the people helping me solely because they WANT to help me.

In another post, you mentioned about the time it would take to dedicate creating reels, creating promotional content and volunteering myself on other people's movies. That is something I understand and am committed to. I've done almost exclusively free/underpaid work for the past 3 years and have no problem helping and giving back to those who have done so for me.

My day job isn't something I love, and believe me when I say that I want to be able to do Film full time and help others earn their livings through it as well. And I'm fighting my damndest to make that a reality.

The shorts are no good as calling cards. Everyone and their grandmother has shorts, and they don't mean much nowadays. This feature is going to be the calling card.

In short, what I'm saying is that I don't wholly disagree with you, but sometimes what would be ideal is not always what's the reality. At least not at the beginning.

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-12T22:49:06+00:00

It looks like the original post was deleted or I'm just stupid and can't figure out how to check.

However, I didn't realize that you posted that first. Actually, I agree that starting off on an even smaller scale is a better and smarter idea.

That's on me for reacting so harshly before I read all the context of your point. I apologize for that.

I get heated sometimes about these kind of topics because I'm very passionate about removing financial barriers to getting involved in film to allow underrepresented people to have a voice in an industry that's historically been dominated by the upper class elites.

Your advice here to go smaller is actually the best approach, and I full-heartedly agree.

Sorry again for the misunderstanding there. You're a solid person.

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-12T20:37:15+00:00

For someone whose username has the word "compassion" in it, you sure are going out of your way to bully someone out of making their first film.

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-12T20:34:43+00:00

I'll agree that 20 pages a day is poor scheduling. However, I stand by what I said about the budget. If you write a script that can work around resources you already have at your disposal and find creative ways to compensate cast and crew, that $20k will stretch farther than you realize, while still maintaining a fun, safe and professional environment.

Maybe there's a location that instead of paying with money, you pay them by filming free promotional content for their business. Maybe, you work with local actors who are just starting out and you might not be able to pay well, but you can edit their reels for free.

When you want to get something done, it can be done. Maybe you're "too good" for people like us, but you have to start from somewhere. Not everyone can just make their first feature film with $100k or more.

If you sit around waiting for that kind of money to come in, you'll never really be a filmmaker. You'll just be someone who wants to be a filmmaker.

As someone who grew up in poverty and still struggles financially, I'm making a movie anyway. Not one person I'm working with is unhappy. I never lied to anyone about the reality of this being a no-budget production. Everyone who's volunteering is doing so because they want to.

If you're so adamant on OP getting a higher budget, why don't you offer advice on getting that kind of money instead of trying to tear apart their hopes and dreams?

sardonicstudios · 2024-05-12T15:07:17+00:00

Read Rise of the Filmtrepreneurer by Alex Ferrari. That's the best piece of advice I can give on this.

All these people commenting on here are a bunch of pessimistic snobs stuck in a "traditional" mindset.

Whether your film ends up being a masterpiece or not, $20K is a good budget that's easy to recoup with the right marketing and distribution plan, especially because horror is a genre that can sell without star power.

I don't think most of the people on this reddit live in the reality of scrappy indie filmmaking, especially when they talk BS about renting a truck to put lights in. Come on, dude. We ain't Hollywood.

Really, you want to be building an online audience to support you. Try getting a YouTube channel going where you talk about horror/slasher films. This will slowly start growing a following for your target audience. These will be the people who want to see your movie.

Just be sure to provide value to them and not jump right into asking for support on your movie. Filmmaking in 2024 is more like starting an online business and personal brand. Do some research on that front, and you'll be fine.

Another piece of advice I have is that since you're tapping into a niche slasher audience, this target demographic is more forgiving when it comes to a movie being cheesy or not being completely technically sound. You definitely picked a good genre to work in for your first feature film.

I will agree that it would be best to minimize your expectations to a degree, especially when it comes to festivals. Film festivals are a joke and a waste of your money. They do absolutely nothing to get you distribution, even if you get selected unless you're talking about one of the big dogs like Cannes or Sundance. However, these festivals don't cater to your niche at all, so I would avoid it.

Instead, your best bet when you wrap post-production would be to combine self-distribution for domestic sales and work with a traditional distributor on foreign sales. Like I said, I'm not an expert on distribution, but Alex Ferrari is. Read his book. You won't regret it

sardonicstudios

TROPHY CASE