If you're into horror, it's probably mostly a matter of making a movie that people want to see. If you can do that consistently and get them out into the world, you can try to work up from there.

Hey, I wouldn't say good stuff about yourself and I certainly wouldn't call yourself "The next big thing in film-making". People have a habit of contradicting everything. Should you say that you are amazing, even if it be sarcastic, people will go to the ends of the Earth to find flaws in your movie and downtread it. However, if you say that it's an 'OK' movie but could do with better props and actors people are most likely to offer compliments and talk about how much they enjoyed the movie, they would also feel more inclined to want you to succeed.

Anyway, sorry about the rant but are you planning on streaming any of your film on the internet?

___________________________________
You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

The guy that made that Jlo/Ben Afleck movie is Kevin Smith - you might have more talent than him. If you do, then I wonder - seriously - why you need to do a remake. Is there any reason to do a better version of Tobe Hooper's movie?

Have you thought about doing what Tobe Hooper did? Make an original horror movie for very little money? A movie that will show YOUR talent and not just how well you copy someone?

I would like to see this remake you did.

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

Gigli was directed by Martin Brest.
Jersey Girl was directed by Kevin Smith.

JLo was almost entirely cut from Jersey Girl because of fear that people were just sick of the two of them.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

My advice to the original poster. If you are 16 you should continue making movies and learning your craft for another two years at least. You might be the second coming of Orson Wells but nobody would notice because they'd be destracted by your age.

Use the time to hone your craft. By the time you are 18 perhaps you'll have a film that can win a film festival.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

hi

i don't want to sound cocky or anything, but i just really feel like film-making will be my future, i made my TCM remake because of my fascination of the movie, i think the way Tobe Hooper got TCM going was fantastic, and that would certainly be a way i would like to break into film-making, but i know so little about how to move forward in it for example, where to go to advertise my assistance to anything. i would put my film on the net but i have a 56k internet connection so a 40 minute film isnt going to take 10 minutes!!

"The next big thing in film-making"

Well, Tobe Hooper didn't copy someone else's work. He want to show his own style. Breaking into filmmaking is hard enough without trying to do it by imitating the directors you admire.

My suggestion is to make a really good, short film (say 10 minutes) that shows your own unique style. At that length you should be able to enter a lot of film festivals - that's a great way to move your career forward. Or make a really good feature (at least 90 minutes) just like Hooper did and contact distributors of horror films. There are a LOT of them out there looking for great films.

hey guys lets all calm down, i'm young here, yes in the future i will look to make my own films but the TCM remake was for personal reasons, its enjoyable to look back on.

When you say go show it to film distributors (at of course a small level i understand) where exactly can i find these

"The next big thing in film-making"

With all due respect, we are all calm. You asked to be pointed in the right direction, all of us have offered calm, helpful advice. I'm sorry you felt things were getting out of hand here.

i apologise, i just felt i was being attacked

"The next big thing in film-making"

Now don't take this wrong, but...

If you have a thin skin you're not gonna make it when people start to criticize your work. And everyone will face criticism at some point, some of it can get very personal. YOu will find folks hedging their words hoping not to cause offense and even well intended critiques will become castrated and useless.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Well, I hope you stick around CP4L. This is a good board with people willing to help. But they will also be honest in their opinion. I'm not sure how you thought my advice to create something original was as attack. I didn't mean it as an attack. It was just my opinion.

If you are more comfortable doing remakes of movies you like then you can ignore my advice. But please don't take it as an attack.

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

ok guys were settled, i do respect everyones opinion, and i'm open to any criticism.

I feel that for a few more years i would like to learn more about directing i frequently watch different horror movies to learn from, and with TCM i felt i should have a go. I have a friend who is fantastic at screenwriting and at the present moment, he and myself are in the process of trying to make a new horror film, something on the lines of a religious maniac, who gathers people in a wood to 'sacrifice' them to god as they have committed 'sins'. Now there is a lot more to it than what i have just said, i was just then putting it in a nutshell for you all

Now i may adapt because i feel it is a little like SAW.

Thoughts?

"The next big thing in film-making"

Hello.

Horror is in my opinion one of the easier genres to break because it has a loyal indie/underground following who will happily search the Net for new stuff.

You need to just get yourself out there, and the Net is the cheapest way, having a 56k is no excuse, you must be able to find someone with a broadband connection, set yourself up a Myspace Film page, load up some shorts (40 minutes is a bit of a useless length unfortunately, neither a feature nor a short, 10-20 mins is great for festivals and the Net, save up bigger ideas for a 80+ minute feature), network and make friends.

Also check out these two UK sites and sign up for their bulletins, good way to meet people and get involved with other projects; shootingpeople.org and talentcircle.co.uk

Good luck

Steve
www.coffeefilms.com
www.myspace.com/coffeefilms

Steve Piper
Coffee Films
www.coffeefilms.com
www.myspace.com/coffeefilms