Do you have a film in you? In other words, do you have an idea for a script? If you do, start writing it. Before you start paying for a film school, try and learn as much as you can for free. Use Google ("movie script writing" "free filmmaking course" and similar searches). You'll be surprised at the amount of information you'll get. Look through this forum as well. Your question has been asked many times (in fact, probably twice a month), and answered, often in great detail, with lots of tips, good links, etc.

There are a few veteran participants in this forum with a wealth of knowledge and professional experience, in addition to patience and energy to answer this question every time it pops up. They may even chip in here. Even if they do, I'd still suggest looking through some previous threads under 'Noob Questions'. Look for posts by Brian Dzyak or Certified Instigator, among others.

Welcomr to filmmaking.net.

I never even graduated from high school. I dropped out six weeks
into my senior year. My GPA was 1.4. My high school didnt offer
film classes and I didnt even have the internet for research or
cheap video to start with. I had to start shooting on film. But
unlike you, I had no feeling at all that I was meant to do great
things. I only wanted to be in the entertainment business.

There is only one way to start in my opinion. Make a movie and
then make five more.

Some people are more comfortable waiting until they can take a
film class. You may be that kind of person. So save up, wait the
month or two and take those workshops.

Or just make a movie. Its not easy and it might suck.

Vasic asks the right question. You need to answer it. Not for us -
for yourself.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

And to get you started (if you're ready to answer that question), download and install Celtx from www.celtx.com. This is a free software package that will give you an incredibly versatile tool for writing a script and preparing a movie for production (considering it's free).

Excellent posts, thank you for the help.

I have ALOT of ideas for films to the point where I can actually see the scenes play out in my mind including the dialogue, shots, and everything except the actors faces. I'm still technicaly a creative writing major and I have dozens of story concepts. My ultimate goal is to become a film maker, but I would love to be a screenwriter or staffwriter.

And you're right, I should have done more research on the forum b/c I see that there's alot of people here like myself. Certified Insitgator I really liked your post, gave me hope and more confidence that I can do this.

I was also surprised at the amount of instructional videos on Youtube. I'm getting that script software when I get home. At first I thuoght film class/school was the only way to really get started, but now I'm thinking I should just get my camera and start shooting so I can at least get a feel for directing. In reading biographies of many great directors, that's what they did.

Thanks again for all your help and I'm sure you guys will be seing ALOT more of me, hopefully I don't get too annoying?:p?

Tryin' to live the dream, any advice?

quote:

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Originally posted by About2Break

Tryin' to live the dream, any advice?

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Yep. Learn everything you can about the REALITIES of the BUSINESS as you practice the "craft" that you want to pursue.

Most film schools teach a lot of theory and may tell you about the alumni who are now "successful" in order to attract new students (read: customers). But what they rarely explain is that very few in those classes ever truly get to become Directors or DPs or whatever other "top" job they want to have.

I always "chuckle" a bit whenever I see someone say that they want to be a "filmmaker" because that word doesn't really get to the heart of what that person SPECIFICALLY wants to do. Pick something and work hard to BE that. Writer? Director? Producer? DP? Production Designer? etc.....

All of the people on the end-credits ARE "filmmakers." That's not just a word dedicated to Directors.

So, be specific and honest with yourself about what it is YOU truly want do. And then learn all you can about that job and the realities of that job, taking care to sift the rhetoric and "dreams" from the real information. There are a lot of schools and books and DVDs out there that merely "feed" the dreams of aspiring "filmmakers" without telling them the realities. Their goal is to make money from enthusiastic, energetic, naive young people... not to help them.

So, take care in where your help and advice comes from.

There is no age-limit on when you can break into the movie-business, but as with anything, the older you get, the harder it becomes because of other commitments and financial obligations that you take on. So whatever you do, do it sooner than later. Take those risks because you have less to lose now than you will in five or ten years.

There's a lot to learn on this website already. Just browse through the variety of topics and read the threads from people just like you. Then visit other sites as well where real professionals congregate and read what they have to offer (lists of these available at http://www.realfilmcareer.com in the Forums section). Take time to go to local production companies and talk to the people there. Find freelancers around you and volunteer to help them just so you can learn and observe what happens on real sets.

There is a lot you can do for very little money, but it takes effort on your part to get out, find the information (the GOOD information), and meet people who can help you make a real living doing the thing you want to do.

Good luck!

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

Brian,

Not to pick nits, but I was always under the impression that the term 'filmmaker', as used in the common vernacular of today, referred mostly to writers/directors. In other words, when we read some news article about someone, and they are referred to as a 'filmmaker', it would always be some director or writer/director. The business and the industry has quite a few of those who hit the 'Hollywood jackpot and got a break with their first movie, which they almost always wrote and directed (and sometimes even shot and edited) on their own. Eventually, in their career, they got to a place where they can afford to get professionals to (re)write the script, take care of photography, editing, etc. In general, though, I don't remember anyone in the mainstream media ever referring to a screenwriter, editor or a cinematographer (not to mention production designer, sound designer...) as 'filmmakers'. My daughter's classmate's father is a successful screenwriter (sole writing credit on several major Hollywood comedies); when I asked him "so you're a filmmaker?", he said, "Oh, no, I just write movies...". In other words, when general public (and even some in the business) thinks 'filmmaker' they usually think Tarantino, Rodriguez, Ed Burns, Tim Burton, Cohen bros, Oliver Stone, Woody Allen... Especially early in the career, so many of them got the start by writing and directing their first shorts and features.

It seems that the industry has two types of people in it: those few who hit the jackpot (writers/directors who independently shot something and got noticed), and the rest, who chose early on what particular aspect of moviemaking appeals to them the most (editing, cinematography, production design, directing, screenwriting, acting...), focused on it, learned about it, volunteered on various productions and worked hard to better themselves and get more and better work. As they say, half of all the waiters and waitresses in Manhattan are actors, and half of all waiters (and many waitresses, too) in L.A. have a script ready for production...

Am I wrong about this?

quote:

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There is only one way to start in my opinion. Make a movie and
then make five more.

...just make a movie. Its not easy and it might suck.

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+1

And on top of that, don't worry if it sucks!!

Obviously you'll want to put every ounce of yourself into making it as good as it can be. Learn everything you can about the "best" equipment and "best" techniques. Go to film school if you have the time and money, but don't let your lack of "the best" stop you from just making that first film. Use crappy equipment and crappy techniques if you have to, but GET THE FILM MADE.

In the long run, the education from making this first film will be far more valuable than the resulting film itself (and more valuable than all the equipment and education you can buy). 1% of the energy that goes into the job of "filmmaking" goes into "art and technique". The other 99% goes into "figuring out how to get stuff done in less than ideal conditions". The best and only way to learn this ever important 99% is by doing it. You will learn SO MUCH during the making of that first film (and the second... and the fifth). You will HAVE to learn things in order to complete the film. You will also have to collaborate with people who have more experience than you do and you will learn from them as well.

The other great news is this: Once you have made your first film, you get to call yourself a filmmaker! (Maybe you don't get to call yourself a "good" filmmaker yet, but that will come!)

Doug Gallob
Composer/Sound Engineer
http://www.aural-hygiene.com