Hello,
I guess I fall under the category of "wannabe," as I studied art/photography in college. I've done the whole art show thing for several years, have even sold some work ... but I find I have something more to say ... that I can't say with the still image alone. For the last several years, I have wanted to use my "eye" along with my passion for writing and social issues to enter the documentary film genre. With that said ...
I am 40, a mom, a wife, etc... with no time for film school, but tons of self motivation and passion. Is it possible to simply teach oneself through reading and doing??? I know there will be varying takes on this subject, but am up for feedback.
Thanks,
Terri
I personally think film school would be useless. It's not just that i generally dislike film schools but you would be fine on your own.
Form the sound of things if you have done photography you already know alot about the technical side of it (though reading some books would be recomended) and filmschools dont really teach the art side of things so much, besides i believe that directing stile and that side of things should always come from the director and shouldn't be taught.
Just spend a few months looking around the internet at forums like this one and disscussing things and you will know all you need to know about filmmaking for a starting director.
Make Love Not War!
Make Love Not War!
quote:
i believe that directing stile and that side of things should always come from the director and shouldn't be taught.
Possibly, but there's a huge amount of basic technical stuff that a director ought to know which can easily be taught. I'm still amazed, for example, by the number of 'directors' I edit for who don't even know about crossing the line, or don't bother to work out the shots they want before they shoot their movie, and basically just film actors acting in front of the camera in a random selection of shots that they expect to edit together into a wonderful movie.
Documentary directing is harder in some ways and easier in others: amongst other things, harder because you don't just have actors who'll follow your script (though an awful lot of what you see in documentaries _is_ staged), and easier because you can get away with a lot more in the edit. So I'd suggest reading a book or two on the subject and then just doing it: find a subject you can make a documentary about for no money (e.g. a hobby you or your kids have, or something like that), and then shoot it as a semi-serious project.
Write at least a basic script for what you want to cover so you know the kind of shots and interviews (if any) you need. Shoot the footage, get hold of an editing system, and cut it together... and keep working until you do have something that cuts together :). Even if it's not TV standard it will teach you an awful lot, and, if it's any good, you can always try entering it into a few festivals.
