Feature projects fall to pieces all the time. Even shorts do. What
you do is (to use an old American saying), get back on the horse.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
I have been in a few productions and one of the main reasons I am finding it hard to make this transfer is because not many people in New Zealand are into filmmaking.

---

I have heard that New Zelaand has a rapidly growing film industry.
That there are more movies being made there than ever. That more
and more indie filmmakers are sprouting up there.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
Secondly I don't have a lot of cash (I would be interested in meeting any producers).

---

I think a good idea would be to consider if you actually need
the money. Just like a short, features can be made for almost
no money now. I recommend that if you are adamant you can't
make it happen without cash draw up a detailed budget and see
where you would allocate money and approach the NZ film
commission for a small grant

I think you need to get out there and get some work experience,
even if this means working for free for a while. You need to build
up a list of contacts.

Excellent advice I read here recently.

Welcome to filmmaking.net!

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

Hello again,

So anyway the film could be difficult to make and I was just wondering if anyone had tips on how to achieve a classy look without the cash.

Also any tips on how I could make the transition would be helpful.

I have checked and I do require the money so any tips on how to accumulate this would be awesome as the Film Comission has shut up shop.

Cheers

Eledmondo

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com

Eledmondo,

So, you're wondering, how to achieve that "classy" look, without the cash? Well, as you already know, you simply can't get something for nothing, but there are ways to stretch the little that you have and make it look better than it is.

The fact that you're only 14 and have already made a short is very good. It indicates that you have the ability to follow through. Probably the biggest single reason why independent/amateur film projects fall to pieces is when the team loses motivation, due to poor planning. It tends to go like this: you write/rewrite/polish your script. You get your friends together; everyone is excited. They all chip in for the equipment/wardrobe/props/set dressing, etc. You decide to start shooting; you shoot a scene or two over the first weekend; you manage to shoot a little more over the next weekend, and as time goes by, participants begin to cool off, losing enthusiasm. Since there isn't a very clearly defined schedule (exactly what is being shot when), motivation to stick to the project is rapidly dissipating.

So, in other words, very, very careful planning is probably the key element that will keep the project together.

As for achieving classy look, it will likely depend on how much you can afford for your equipment. At your age, starting with your home camcorder and a cheap tripod is likely the only option. From there, you can explore creative alternatives. Proper lighting gives your video much more professional look. Volumes have been written on that, so look for some basics on how to light a set. You can also get some cheap work lights (at a home improvement store), and make bounce boards out of large pizza boxes and aluminium foil. Another element that enhances the 'production value' (i.e. the 'classy look') is camera motion. Professionals have dollies that run on tracks. If you can afford to build your own tracks and dolly (out of plywood and skateboard wheels, with PVC tubing for tracks), that's great; if not, you can try using anything on wheels (wheelchair, bicycle, skateboard...). The movement has to be smooth, though.

Probably most important thing that will achieve that 'classy look' is not even related to the 'look'. It is the sound. Camcorder microphones are simply way too inadequate for capturing good sound. Especially when you shoot indoors; if your camcorder is more than 1m away from the talent, you are capturing the room acoustics (reverberation, perhaps even echo), which simply sounds like home movies. Even a cheap karaoke microphone hooked up to your laptop (you can use free software 'Audacity' to record and edit audio) will produce much better sound, if that microphone is close enough to the talent. Fishing poles, broom sticks or similar can effectively double as microphone boom pole, just make sure there's no noise when you move it around.

A lot can be done in post-production to improve on your image, assuming it was captured as clean as possible. Same for audio. Even with iMovie (or Windows Movie Maker), you can do some basic things.

I'll go back to the most important point again: carefully plan everything. You aren't just the director to your movie; you are also the producer. There are many things to organise, and it will have to be you who will think of them all and organise them. Working with a large team means checking with every single team member to make sure they all have available free time when you want to shoot. Don't plan one thing after the next; plan the ENTIRE film shoot in advance, distribute the schedule to everyone involved and make sure you motivate everyone to stick to that schedule. That way, only REAL problems can cause the schedule to be changed (which is OK).

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
So anyway the film could be difficult to make and I was just wondering if anyone had tips on how to achieve a classy look without the cash.

---

Youre correct; the film could be difficult to make. They all are.

You can achieve the classy look buy using what little you have,
well. Making a movie that looks classy does not come from cash -
it comes from experience. Learn to use light well. You can use
standard, easy to find, not too expensive lighting equipment like
paper lanterns, work lights and even lamps in your home.

As Vasic pointed out, the audio is very important. Do not just
think of the "look", make sure you spend a lot of time and effort
on audio.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
Also any tips on how I could make the transition would be helpful.

---

I know most of us made the transition by essentially making a "short"
once or twice a month. In other words, shoot a weekend a month.
Follow Vasic's advice of planning well this can be done,

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
I have checked and I do require the money so any tips on how to accumulate this would be awesome as the Film Comission has shut up shop.

---

The New Zealand Film Commission is up and running.

What ways of accumulating money have you tried so far?

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

Hello,

Well I have been to the film commission they really liked my script but because of other ventures they were physically unable to fund my project. But also because i'm not 16.
Does age really matter after all I think it should only matter if you have the drive and commitment to see a creative work through.

I still have her first email on file it said:

'Hey there Edmond,

Thanks for your email.

I run the Fresh Shorts funding scheme which unfortunately has already closed for this year, so I wouldnt be able to help you with any funding this time.
I would however be able to take a look at your script, and give you some feedback.

Fresh Shorts is open to people who are 16-18 but only if they have a suitable film mentor (like your film studies teacher or something)

So I will read your script and email you with some feedback if you like?

Kind Regards

Lauren Grey'

In her second email did go on to say about looking for a sponsor. This is difficult though because as GST has risen to 15% confidence within the market has dropped.

Thank you for both of your advice.

Have you got any other ideas in mind for fundraising?

Cheers

Eledmondo

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo

Does age really matter after all I think it should only matter if you have the drive and commitment to see a creative work through.

---

Yes. Age matters.

I'm sure you would agree that most 14 year olds are
not ready to make a feature film. That most do not
have the drive and commitment you have.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
Have you got any other ideas in mind for fundraising?

---

Sure. But I have two questions for you:
What ways of accumulating money have you tried so far?
How much, exactly, do you need?

Hello,

I require $5,000 for the short (that is for the english assignment)

I also require about $30,000 (max) to make the feature film which will commence post the completion of the short.

I have tried the film commission and I have already made it clear I do not have a lot of my own money.

I have not tried fundraising because I do not think it would be a successful venture.

Also The feature film I intend on making post the completion of the film is a comedy/action film based on a very dull joke I was once told and around this is woven a series of stories.

Cheers

Eledmondo

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com

Just a few days ago, right here on filmmaking.net, you
said, "I recommend that if you are adamant you can't
make it happen without cash draw up a detailed budget
and see where you would allocate money." I think that's
excellent advice. Have you done that?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Eledmondo
I have not tried fundraising because I do not think it would be a successful venture.

---

If you feel fundraising would not be a successful venture
then why are you asking if anyone has ideas in mind for
fundraising?

I'm a little confused.

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

Hello,

Sorry for any confusion I have caused what I meant to say was that I have done fundrasing a few times in the past and it hasn't been that successful. But if I can think of no other alternative I will try fundrasing this is why I ask if anyone has any ideas.

I hope its clearer now

Eledmondo

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com

Hello,

Apart from Ideas of fundrasing.
I meant to ask how to deal with females during auditons and shooting as I usually only work with guys but I've decided in order to make my short and feature film better I need some variation.

Because come on Guy to Guy conversation is natural for me as I go to a all boys school but Guy to Girl conversation is not the same. I also worry because with most guys you just tell them to do this!and that! but girls are different. Do you have any advice on how to deal with the ''other side'' on set. Especially if stuff going on between female and male members of the project could harm it (e.g. relationships, break ups and mucking about with each other and not working, e.t.c). I think setting down some rules would be good but this may not be enough.

Cheers

Eledmondo

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com

Ah, well. Single-sex education... bah, that's another topic for another time, haha. To answer your question:

"How do you deal with females?"

Girl's aren't different. You're talking as if girls are some alien species that speak an unintelligible language and will fester rampant social issues upon first contact. This is crazy man. I appreciate that you're young and are being schooled in an environment where you're segregated by gender, but your worries are really ill-founded. You've never been on a team, in a group, school band, or anything with girls? Putting two sexes in the same place doesn't result in incessant drama and, well, sex. It's just not how it is, mate. You really have nothing to worry about. Drama erupts out of difficult people, and people will be difficult regardless of gender.

I guess my point is, I feel that this is really less a film related issue and more a "where you're at in your life" issue. And I don't mean that offensively. If anything, my passionate anti-single-gender schooling stance is erupting here, but that's not your fault at all.

Talk to some girls man. You'll be better off down the road, in every respect. 🙂

----------
http://vimeo.com/corax

Corax,

He's 14. He goes to an all boys school. Girls ARE some alien species
that speak an unintelligible language and will fester rampant social
issues upon first contact. Hell, I often think they are some alien species
that speak an unintelligible language and I've been married.

Three times.

Elednondo, there is no way you can control relationships, break ups and
mucking about with each other and not working. Not at your age, not at
any age. You can set down all the rules you want, but boys and girls will
be boys and girls. I have been on pro sets with experienced professionals
and name actors and they get into relationships, break up, muck about
with each other and create uncomfortable work environments. They are,
after all, human.

So my advice is to not try to control the behavior of the boys or the girls
on your set. Just do your best.

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

Acting business is like no other creative endeavour in the world. When it is done right, it exposes way too much of an inner person. There is a reason why good actors have a hard time staying in committed relationships. Only if the characters they play NEVER get involved in relationships can they avoid that emotional minefield. If you are a really good and dedicated actor, and are playing a part with a complex human relationship with another person, the only way you can make it a convincing (and not fake) performance is if you try to dig up some real, genuine emotions from within you, towards your on-screen partner. I have seen so many people in such situation just invest so much of their emotions that they truly become attached emotionally to their co-worker.

Even if the emotions aren't real, there are so many other factors that make it challenging for an actor to stay focused on the work. This is why you, the filmmaker, must stay in control at all times.

When I was at your age, I had exactly no clue how to talk to girls. Now, in your first post, you said that you are shooting this movie for an English class. Does it mean that everyone in your English class will have to shoot a short movie? If so, that means that many of you may be recruiting/casting some girls (presumably, from some neighbourhood all-girl school). I don't know how are teenage girls in your part of New Zealand, but in my part of the world (where I grew up), most of the girls would be intrigued and quite curious about a prospect of acting in a movie. If you don't know how to approach them, you may not even need to do the initial talking. Find out if there is a way for you to post a casting notice on some bulletin board at or near their school. Make sure it looks (reasonably) professional. The notice should describe the movie, as well as list the (female) parts you're looking for. If you leave an e-mail address, you may be able to establish first contact that way, without the immensely awkward face-to-face communication which you seem to dread.

Once you start that communication, meeting in person should be much easier.

Thanks guys that was helpful and I have now gained a new perspective.

"Start small"

poreproductions.weebly.com