Of course it's possible.

Shooting and acting all by yourself would be quite a
challenge. I would love to see it when you're done.

quote:

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Originally posted by YikezItzAmy

?font=Script MT Bold??/font=Script MT Bold?

Is it? Because (LONG STORY) I'm pretty much a loner at school, I have friends, but I don't hang about with anyone at break or lunch. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, I'm fine because I go to clubs but on Mondays and Wednesdays I walk about by myself 🙁
Also, my friends have their own lives and they don't live in my area so I rarely see them. I spend my weekends filming lot of random things such as my dog, or I edit movies I've made previously. I see my younger cousin every now and we make films together but I'm on my own for most of the time. And I'm an only child.
I have an amazing new idea for a movie and I was going to write the script today, but I'm the only person in this movie.
Is it possible to make a short movie with only one person? I was going to write, produce, shoot, film and act.
I was just wondering if you've ever made a movie by yourself?
🙂

Hey my name is Amy, I'm 15 (16 in 2010) and I love making films. Right now, I'm just into making short films with my friends but I may advance on to longer films. I've been interested in film-making since I was 8, and I really want to be a director, or something to do with film when I'm older. My idol is Steven Spielberg - I look up to him, and he is my inspiration. I'm in my school's Film Club and I really enjoy it! Well, that's all you need to know about me, bye! : )

Current Productions:
Overkill - Pre-Production/Filming
Cast:
The Killer - Amy (me)
Lauren (official name tbd) - Lauren

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Hi, Amy!

Without knowing exactly what your situation is, it's hard to offer advice, but I think that if you let others know that you're producing a movie, you'll be pleasantly surprise by the volunteers who show up to help. A lot of times, when people are a bit younger, they aren't yet that vocal about their interests, particularly if it seems like no one else is into them. But making a movie requires the skills and talents of many different kinds of people. There must be someone in your town or school who is interested in photography, so he/she would likely jump at the chance to be your Cameraman. The local theater group with adults and kids would likely want to get involved if there are good parts for them. If you need special effects, there's bound to be someone who likes to build things at home who would love the chance to put their hobby to good use on a movie.

You can certainly try to make movies all on your own, but usually, because filmmaking is so interesting for a lot of people, you probably won't have to. Work on writing a really great script first. If you need help, ask around for the great writers in town or in school and I can almost guarantee that you'll get volunteers to help or at least some ideas to weave into your story. Once you have that script, then it's a matter of "breaking it down" into the elements you need then finding people who want to help do those things. If your school and/or town has a newspaper, put a small advert in letting people know about the project. Create a website that explains it and the kinds of things and people you need. Post fliers around town and in school. Talk to everyone you know and spread the word and your enthusiasm.

A project can grow pretty quickly once word gets out and you'll find yourself turning people away. So, make movies by yourself if you'd like to and it's possible, but there's no need to limit yourself as long as you're willing to go that extra step and organize a project that is interesting and practical for others to join in on. And, if it all turns out good enough, you'll be ready to make another one very soon. That's how successful careers begin. YOU make it happen and soon enough, you won't just have new friends, you'll have a company and a catalog of films that could very well lead you to a real career.

Good luck!

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

I think I've made about four films, all under three or four minutes in length, with just myself, and a camera on a tripod.

quote:

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Originally posted by Joe Meils

I think I've made about four films, all under three or four minutes in length, with just myself, and a camera on a tripod.

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How do you balance yourself on the tripod? 🙂

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

Hey Amy, you just need a tripod and some fine editing.

Dmitri.Maksim?gmail.com

It is definately possible to make films alone but it's not nearly as fun. I know it's hard to make friends sometimes but I'm certain if you reach out to people you will have a lot of fun and a bit of help.

quote:

---

Originally posted by YikezItzAmy

?font=Script MT Bold??/font=Script MT Bold?

Is it? Because (LONG STORY) I'm pretty much a loner at school, I have friends, but I don't hang about with anyone at break or lunch. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, I'm fine because I go to clubs but on Mondays and Wednesdays I walk about by myself 🙁
Also, my friends have their own lives and they don't live in my area so I rarely see them. I spend my weekends filming lot of random things such as my dog, or I edit movies I've made previously. I see my younger cousin every now and we make films together but I'm on my own for most of the time. And I'm an only child.
I have an amazing new idea for a movie and I was going to write the script today, but I'm the only person in this movie.
Is it possible to make a short movie with only one person? I was going to write, produce, shoot, film and act.
I was just wondering if you've ever made a movie by yourself?
🙂

Hey my name is Amy, I'm 15 (16 in 2010) and I love making films. Right now, I'm just into making short films with my friends but I may advance on to longer films. I've been interested in film-making since I was 8, and I really want to be a director, or something to do with film when I'm older. My idol is Steven Spielberg - I look up to him, and he is my inspiration. I'm in my school's Film Club and I really enjoy it! Well, that's all you need to know about me, bye! : )

Current Productions:
Overkill - Pre-Production/Filming
Cast:
The Killer - Amy (me)
Lauren (official name tbd) - Lauren

---

I say go for it! You'll find that you'll make friends in the process as well. All you need is a camera and a good idea. You'll see that lots of people have done it and have their videos on youtube. Once you've created a couple short films, others will want to work with you. Good Luck!

Filmmakers, resources, and equipment for barter.
http://www.hollywoodgreenbook.com
Practical Networking for the Entertainment Industry. Free!

i once made a movie where i played the guy, alejandro, and his girl, susie. it was fun because i was able to play around with editing so that i was in the shot as both people at the same time. it was a lot of work though. finding people to help out is so worth any effort.

quote:

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i once made a movie where i played the guy, alejandro, and his girl, susie. it was fun because i was able to play around with editing so that i was in the shot as both people at the same time.

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Very cool. If I knew how to do cloning, like I do now, I would have started out making more stuff like you describe! (Ha ha!) We're constantly doing things like making 6 guys into 12 guys, etc. Here is a shot of .....6 guys. ?url? ?/url?

I made a movie where I was 3 people, but not in the same shot, plus my friend, Chris, shot most of it. Yes, you can set up a monitor (for framing), play the star and the shadowy figure on the other end of the phone, and make a movie by yourself. But, only do that because you want to do it that way. (Like as a fun challenge or first experiment.) As someone pointed out, a lot of people, even total strangers, would love to be in a movie. Try asking and you will be surprised.

I suggest that you keep your first story or two very simple, so that you don't need a lot of people, but rather a friend or two. Once you make a first movie that is fun to watch, people will flock to your productions.

Hey, I know what you're going through with this, but if you can take the step to ask around, that will help you even if you end up not getting people for the film. It will really help you to develop being assertive.

If you don't get anyone to help, then you could consider doing some stop motion, claymation , or something else that doesn't require actors. You could also look into finding cool stories around town and doing a documentary. That would also help out with practicing how to network. Good luck!

I made my first film (just to test out the camera and get the feel of it) by myself. I also didn't have a tripod or lighting. So I used my hand as the actor lol. After I made this movie, I realized how important it is to have other people to film with because without anyone, filming is a lot tougher. Start socializing more and meeting new people. You'll be surprised at how many people want to be in a movie, and you can always go to the local theater.

Hey Amy, it's totally possible to do what you're asking about, and it's also possible to find people that would help out. Spend some time reading about a filmmaker named Sadie Benning, who became a pretty famous art-filmmaker in the '90s, when she made a bunch of short films on a really cheap camera starring herself and toy cars and stuffed animals and stuff, sometimes with a friend, mostly in her bedroom.

I think the key is to think about what you can do by yourself and then think about what movie to make based on your "limitations". Being creative is the key.

Hey Amy, I agree with what all the guys have been saying. I believe that Shane Meadows made films by himself, so it is possible. You should though try and use some people as you then build up relationships with people. I made a short film once with my brother (he acted, I directed and shot the thing). Wanted to kill him at points, but it was a worthy experience.

Mike C is right, though, if you are going to go down the solo route then think up an idea whereby you will be able to shoot it yourself. Don't limit yourself to making solo films. Making films is a collaborative art and people might come up with ideas that you never would have dreamed of.

All the best.

I'll reiterate that you canNOT make a movie all by yourself... unless you plan on turning the camera on by yourself then running out in front of the camera to act the scene with no one else in frame then run back to turn the camera off again. Then, once your "one man" play is finished, YOU take the footage and cut it all by yourself and create a soundtrack all by yourself and distribute it all by yourself. When you're done with that, you'll have a movie with a camera that doesn't move that has shot the same Actor (YOU) in every shot delivering monologues to no one at all (or to animals, I suppose).

OR, if you plan on creating an animated story of some kind.

Otherwise, you will ALWAYS have others involved at some level. As Orson Wells said it best, "A writer needs a pen, an artist needs a brush, but a filmmaker needs an army."

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