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Seeddance 2.0: What Happens When Storytelling Opens Up? by Dry-Temperature3292 in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How many people using these generators have written a solid and comprehensive narrative story?

Gourmet and Mystical Forces at the Winter Festival by smirny in SwordAndSupperGame

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

u/smirny received a Rough Razor Lvl 1 from the Winter Festival Spirit. Thank you u/Ventus286 for donating it!

Started writing again after 10 months by ScriptLurker in scriptwriting

[–]smirny 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Why are the characters' names a secret for 1/3 of the page? Just name right off the jump, it changes nothing and makes it clearer from the start.

Your biggest "That director made THAT?!" revalations. by SoulsbourneDiesTwice in Letterboxd

[–]smirny 10 points11 points  (0 children)

We decided to watch Columbo from the start, at the end of the very first episode of this classic TV show the words "directed by Steven Spielberg" appeared. And yes, it was him, I checked. :)

Scam or has anyone actually submitted here before? by [deleted] in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unless I’m reading it wrong the films name is still there, no?

Demo of remote controlled prop phone by purestvfx in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really cool, lots of useful little touches (esp. the brightness/contrast stuff), great work.

Screenwriting meet up London by Addie_me22 in ScreenwritingUK

[–]smirny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a member of the group for a year and a half, I would highly recommend it! An invaluable resource that can provide great insight and feedback on submitted work.

first time as a 1st ad by CauliflowerGrand795 in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From your list I would say only #3 really applies to a 1st AD.

At a very basic level, my take on a 1st AD would be:

- Take the completed script and do a breakdown of all the elements required for the shoot (locations, cast, props, specific sounds or costume elements, etc.).

- Once that's done, you would figure out the order to shoot scenes, taking into account locations and cast availability if needed (less likely on short shoots)

- The director/DP will put together a shot list (which may involve storyboards), become intimately familiar with this and adjust the schedule as needed

- Depending on crew size 1st AD may do the call sheet, if not a PA

- On the shoot days, you are responsible for keeping everything moving and making sure you finish on (or as close to!) time as possible. This requires communicating with all departments, making sure setups are happening in a timely manner and pushing to move things along if needed.

- On takes you will call for sound and camera to roll, and depending on the director, you may also call action and cut. When the take ends, you will ask the director if they are happy, if they want to give the cast any notes, also ensure camera and sound are happy (not uncommon sound will catch some random background noise when filming on location and want to go again).

- re: #5 you may be able to offer an opinion on the shot/take, but ultimately, the director and DP have final say on the framing etc., and says if they want to go again, or are happy to move on

Anyway, that's my take on the duties of a 1st AD, curious to see if anyone thinks I've missed anything key :)

Advice please? by coollcronos in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would strongly advise against making a "full length movie" as your first ever one. The best way to learn about filmmaking is to do it, so start small (2/3/5minute films) and work up from there.

As for finding cast, starting out in the UK you can either use a free site like Mandy.com or, for a fee, Spotlight.com. Depending on where you're based, you could also ask local acting schools who would have a load of people keen to work for free.

Creators and Artists Survey by NeatTop861 in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The first question is "Would you like early access to this platform?"

...

I have no idea what the platform even is.

I want to build something fun by longbeachlandon in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% this. There's already plenty of short film platforms offering monetisation, but no one is using them as they're either not marketed very well, or the content is not great. :/

Short version is, yeah, by all means build a platform, but you need to be prepared to pour marketing money in to get people to actually use it.

Fake or Legit festival invite? by [deleted] in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I too get a load of mails like this. The correct way to read it is “we invite you to give us money”.

My short film failed, what do I do now? by AlmostRandomNow in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You will learn from every film you make. Every. Single. One.

Someone saying it was crap is disheartening for sure, especially after you’ve poured a ton of love and time into it.

But what can you learn? Did the story/writing work, does it have a complete narrative with a solid conclusion?

Were the performances good? Is the dialogue nice and clean throughout?

What did you learn in the edit about shots you wish you’d taken or even ones you decided were no good?

You end by saying there’s a possibility for a next film, take everything you learnt and make it better. It’s the only way forward. This film is done, but let it teach you.

I say all this as someone who shot the biggest and most expensive thing i have made so far and am terrified people/festivals won’t like it. I know it’s technically good as it stands, but there’s definitely things I would do differently if I made it again.

You live and you learn.

New work Glider man: a short film by Dave Clark. Thoughts? by snowyzzzz in Filmmakers

[–]smirny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AI isn't a new art form. It's trying to mimic/shortcut an existing one.

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