If you haven't done so already, think about posting this at http://www.backstage.com/bso/index.jsp and http://www.cinematography.com. Also, put up a listing or ad at the local University in their newspaper, theater department, and "film" department. If your town has a community theater, put up a flier there as well.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by bjdzyak

If you haven't done so already, think about posting this at http://www.backstage.com/bso/index.jsp and http://www.cinematography.com. Also, put up a listing or ad at the local University in their newspaper, theater department, and "film" department. If your town has a community theater, put up a flier there as well.

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

---

Yeah, I joined Backstage last night with the very intention of posting this ad. I get to the last step of the "free" posting, only to find out they charge for ads posted. I will try the other site you suggested.

I have a few thought on this posting.

When posting on the world wide web its important to mention where
youre shooting. Dont make people email you before they find out
they cant possibly be in your movie because they live 1,000 miles
away.

Im someone who is often willing to work for free. What turns me
off is the promise of exposure. That makes me wonder if the
filmmaker really understands the business of indie features.
Because Ive been doing this for a long time I know its very,
very rare that cast and (especially) crew get any real exposure
from an independently produced feature. As a crew member I prefer
knowing there is a solid schedule, a passionate producer and
director and a realistic chance that the movie will be completed.

Which leads me to your shoot schedule.

You say youre starting in just over four weeks - starting Easter
weekend. What you dont say is how many days youre shooting. Do
you need a commitment every weekend in April?

Im a little iffy on the but if you have something better, I'd
be happy to go with that! line. I cant say for sure its a bad
thing. Im a camera owner and I even own some grip and lighting
equipment. That statement kind of bothers me.

Any thoughts on that, Brian?

You ask for a dolly grip. Does that mean you have a dolly and
track? You need very few crew. As a potential crew member I would
like to know if thats going to be your entire crew or if you have
all the other people already. I think you should mention that in
your notice. There are several, very important positions missing.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bababooey

I have no lighting or sound equipment. I do have a Canon HV-40, but if you have something better, I'd be happy to go with that!

---

Yes, this isn't a statement that indicates a very "certain" project. Ostensibly you're not selling the project or the merits of the project... as a Producer/Director, you're selling YOURSELF. People who are willing to donate their time, equipment, and potentially money (indirectly) want to know that YOU know what you're doing so being wishy-washy about any aspect of what you want to do won't attract the best people.

As for the technical aspects, as I've said before, while it's nice to have a camera that you own, molding your projects around the gear you have isn't necessarily the best strategy for a successful project and career. Instead, determine what you intend to do with your movie when it's done and be very specific and honest with yourself. Do you intend to just show it on YouTube? Or is it for the Festival circuit? Or do you want to sell it to Showtime or HBO? Or maybe you have ambitions to sell it to a distributor so it shows up on 2000 screens across the USA?

Decide what you want your movie to accomplish for your career. Answering THAT question goes a long way toward determining what camera you need (film, HD and which format of HD, animation, etc.) and what OTHER equipment AND crew you should have. AND, almost more important than anything else, knowing your schedule and where you'll shoot it goes a long way toward knowing your budget and THAT guides a lot of the ultimate choices you'll have to make.

And once you know those things, then you have some very specific details you can go out into the world with on your search for resources and people. And people who are agreeing to work for little or no money NEED to know what their time commitment will be. And when it comes to the equipment you need (per the end-goal for your project), when you're looking for donations or really good deals, then those who are letting you use that gear will feel a whole lot better when you approach them with very very solid plan that you present with confidence.

Yes, there is room for collaboration, such as finding a Cameraman and asking him/her what he/she thinks is the best format for the project just as you'll trust them to make the best choices for lighting, wardrobe, makeup, sound, etc. But you need to go out to them with a very specific plan FIRST and then be willing to adjust as the situation demands.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by bjdzyak

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bababooey

I have no lighting or sound equipment. I do have a Canon HV-40, but if you have something better, I'd be happy to go with that!

---

Yes, this isn't a statement that indicates a very "certain" project. Ostensibly you're not selling the project or the merits of the project... as a Producer/Director, you're selling YOURSELF. People who are willing to donate their time, equipment, and potentially money (indirectly) want to know that YOU know what you're doing so being wishy-washy about any aspect of what you want to do won't attract the best people.

As for the technical aspects, as I've said before, while it's nice to have a camera that you own, molding your projects around the gear you have isn't necessarily the best strategy for a successful project and career. Instead, determine what you intend to do with your movie when it's done and be very specific and honest with yourself. Do you intend to just show it on YouTube? Or is it for the Festival circuit? Or do you want to sell it to Showtime or HBO? Or maybe you have ambitions to sell it to a distributor so it shows up on 2000 screens across the USA?

Decide what you want your movie to accomplish for your career. Answering THAT question goes a long way toward determining what camera you need (film, HD and which format of HD, animation, etc.) and what OTHER equipment AND crew you should have. AND, almost more important than anything else, knowing your schedule and where you'll shoot it goes a long way toward knowing your budget and THAT guides a lot of the ultimate choices you'll have to make.

And once you know those things, then you have some very specific details you can go out into the world with on your search for resources and people. And people who are agreeing to work for little or no money NEED to know what their time commitment will be. And when it comes to the equipment you need (per the end-goal for your project), when you're looking for donations or really good deals, then those who are letting you use that gear will feel a whole lot better when you approach them with very very solid plan that you present with confidence.

Yes, there is room for collaboration, such as finding a Cameraman and asking him/her what he/she thinks is the best format for the project just as you'll trust them to make the best choices for lighting, wardrobe, makeup, sound, etc. But you need to go out to them with a very specific plan FIRST and then be willing to adjust as the situation demands.

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

---

Tough love, but much needed. Thanks.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bababooey

Tough love, but much needed. Thanks.

---

We only want you to succeed. The more people who make movies means that more people get to work on the cast and crew doing what THEY want to do for a living. Without quality projects that attract real money from investors, nobody works. Then they all stay home, can't buy presents for the kid's birthdays and then what would the point of life be? ?:D?

People don't just "get" jobs as Writers, Directors, Producers, Actors or anything else in the business. Everyone who is working went out and made it happen. And everyone who visits here and other filmmaking sites can too, but they have to want it bad enough. It means working hard at what you want to do AND learning as much as possible about the totality of the industry so you're aware of the obstacles that may be in your way or that you may be putting in your own way.

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by bjdzyak

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bababooey

Tough love, but much needed. Thanks.

---

We only want you to succeed. The more people who make movies means that more people get to work on the cast and crew doing what THEY want to do for a living. Without quality projects that attract real money from investors, nobody works. Then they all stay home, can't buy presents for the kid's birthdays and then what would the point of life be? ?:D?

People don't just "get" jobs as Writers, Directors, Producers, Actors or anything else in the business. Everyone who is working went out and made it happen. And everyone who visits here and other filmmaking sites can too, but they have to want it bad enough. It means working hard at what you want to do AND learning as much as possible about the totality of the industry so you're aware of the obstacles that may be in your way or that you may be putting in your own way.

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

---

Understood. I believe anything you or C.I. says, as you two sound like you clearly know the business very well. And I'm a 36 year old from Brooklyn. I can handle constructive criticism, and actually appreciate it very much.

Bababooey, I assume you haven't worked as crew on any "shot-on-the-weekend" features. Am I right?

quote:

---

Originally posted by certified instigator

Bababooey, I assume you haven't worked as crew on any "shot-on-the-weekend" features. Am I right?

---

Correct. I'm an industry virgin.

In that case, you really need to approach a cast and crew request from a
position you have no experience with. I've been on both sides - the
producer/director and a crew member.

As both Brian have already said, you need think of your cast and crew as
doing YOU a favor. Not as you offering them an opportunity. And I'm
sure you understand that asking people to give up every weekend for a
month is a HUGE commitment. Are you sure you can get this many people
to commit in such a short period of time?

When are your audition dates?

It takes me at least a month from the time the notice goes out to go through
the resumes, pick the actors I want to see, call them, set up auditions and
call backs, make the final decision and sign the contracts. And I've never done
that with a cast of 11 while interviewing crew at the same time.

You ready to handle several hundred resumes from actors?

quote:

---

Originally posted by certified instigator

You ready to handle several hundred resumes from actors?

---

A group of friends and I made a feature film while still in college years ago. We put a few ads in the University newspaper and several hundred people showed up with headshots in hand. The response was overwhelming and very unexpected in our little college town. We weren't prepared for that kind of response and it took a bit more time to find our cast than we had anticipated.

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