If you have the will, then stop talking and make them.

I say, write an idea, start filming, and welcome to the most rewarding field I believe is out there!

Matthew Sconce

The best way to get started is to direct.

Here's MY suggestion. Find someone with a video camera - it doesn't have to be top of the line. Find a script - I suggest starting with One Act plays: they usually have few actors and only one setting. I suggest Albee's The Zoo Story - but there are thousands to choose from; ask at your library.

Find actors your age and skill level. If your school has a drama department there will be plenty of wannabe actors there. If not, check near by towns to see if there is a small theater doing plays. Sometimes when you start looking, you get surprised.

Read the play with the actors and your camera person. As they read it think of shots you?d like to see: what?s important at each moment.

Then shoot it. I suggest Zoo Story because it takes place outside - you can shoot on the weekend in a local park.

If your first one sucks - make a second one. If that one is terrible make a third one. If your first ten movies aren?t as good as you want them to be, make number eleven. Make a short movie once a month - a different play each time - for six months. During that six months people will see you're serious and more and more people will want to help. You will learn more by doing this than you would reading 20 books and taking 20 classes.

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

Should i hire a camera man, why not just be behind the camera myself?
do most directors hire camermen, how does the cameraman know what to shoot, its not his vision....?

quote:

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Originally posted by BkLyNbNcE
Should i hire a camera man, why not just be behind the camera myself?

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You can bring on a cameraman or not. There are no rules. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing.

quote:

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Originally posted by BkLyNbNcE
do most directors hire camermen, how does the cameraman know what to shoot, its not his vision....?

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Yes. Most do. Take a look at the credits of most films and you'll see a director of photography.

The way the cameraman know what to shoot is the director talks to him. Movie making is a collaborative process. Many people work together to bring the directors vision to the screen. A good director knows how to direct people - not just the actors, but the entire crew.

The director doesn't need to push the dolly to get his vision.
The director doesn't need to record the sound to get his vision.
The director doesn't need to make the costumes to get his vision.

As a director you sit down the with the cameraman and discuss how you want your movie shot. If the director is confident in the talent of the cameraman they will work together to get the best shots. If not - time to find a new cameraman.

A great director surrounds himself with great people.

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