Joshua Rheaume

Hey I'm wondering if anybody has ever converted a still camera with a really nice lense into a video camera using a laptop (sorta like a really high end webcam)? Nomatter if you have or if you haven't done this, could you tell me if you think it can be done, and if so how? -Joshua.

I am working on a project that calls for a shot where my main character will drink from a bottle and her body will start changing, for instance her neck will grow much longer, her legs will grow longer and her head will grow bigger. How would I go about doing this? -Joshua.

In movies such as adaptation, Austen powers and parent trap, they have one actor play two rolls, and both characters may be in the same frame together. How is this done without giving an obvious green screened look? -Joshua.

You should shorten up the depth of field on these shots; let us know what to look at. Also do some color correcting on the test shots you have already composed, then show us them again to give us an idea of the mood your going for. -Joshua.

I was wondering if changing the shutter speed on a video camera would be like changing the frames per second on a film camera? I need to shoot some footage in a high speed so I can slow it all down in post without getting a blurry picture.

You are absolutely right! They did use film on almost all of their music videos. I'll have to check out that one with both film and digital. Thanks! -Daniel

Absolutely the wrong approach. You should be working a script down, not up. The ideas need to keep coming, thick and fast. There are too many 2-hour features around that have enough ideas for a 30 minute TV show. Go and look at some of Charlie Kaufman's work. (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) to see what I mean for richness of ideas. So, take your 40-minute idea (a boy's journey into insanity - I hope it's not autobigoraphical), and work it down to 20 minutes. See what you really need, and how you can sell an idea quickly and clearly. See what you can do without - things that don't carry the strory forward and don't let us learn more about the character. Then see what you can actually shoot. That depends entirely on the script. In the professional world, scrip assessors work through a script scene by scene to answer just that question. in their context, it's not just about how many rolls of film or tape, it's about how many extras, what locations, what needs building, how long to set up and shoot, and so on. In a purely amateur production, you still need to work through every scene to figure out how you can shoot it. Dominic, I know what your saying about those movies, even if you don't like the plot (witch I did) you still have to admit that you never blinked. In my particular case with this particular script I don't feel I don?t have enough material. I must have came off wrong in my post, I meant I have to many ideas for great scenes in this movie but it will take some more work to processes and write them all down. (I guess it?s just an overwhelming amount of work. not that there?s not enough of it.) (Another great movie that I feel captivates the viewer in the same way the movies you recommended would have to be Donnie darko. that and Edward scissor hands are the most influential movies to me.)

Wow, That?s true, interesting and very exciting. Thank you David. Question, is there any kind of microphone or item that can isolate a subject almost completely? Question, is it possible to make your own steadicam without spending allot of money? Would it even work well? Have any of you guy's made on yourself?

I have heard quote's by my friends and family during movies I hear quote's like "that actor is terrible" "the way those to communicate is unrealistic" "that scene was so UN original" But who's really at fault here? Could it be the actors are doing the best they can but the writer simply didn't capture a real scenario? could it be the writer was trying to get something unrealistic on purpose? And how do I make sure I get what I want when writing a script? Question #1 What are some good tips from someone with experience on writing a realistic scene, what are some trick's they have used in the past? Anyone feel free to post if you have a question, example, or answer

Dominic, This was just the boosting post I needed. (Thank you) as of now I have my parents to fall back on I don't have to pay for things such as rent, food etc. I can use that to my advantage, I have a source of income, and I can sell all kinds of things to make things work. People are practically begging to give me money, in fact there are to many way's to make money that's my biggest problem I want to do everything always. I only Have four more years to fall back on my parents before I leave this sh** hole and start a business (my life is planed out this site and all of you are one of the biggest parts of my planed out life, now what's my next lesson?) I apologize if I have sounded like a cocky full of himself jerk but the way I see it, the man selling nickels for a dime always makes the profit. It?s all an image.

Well said, that makes me think twice. Sorry about that david! Oh i'm learning.

Lamar, That's a really great idea. Thank you. I will give it a 15 minute shot!

David, your certainly not the first to tell me I'm to young to do this (that's why i resorted to this place.) and i can sympathize with people like you, but the absolute truth is if i don't get these ideas out of my head probably, i feel i seriously may become insane, and i know it sounds like a something right out of a grade A comedy script but as of now i can't be told what i can't do cause I'm not going to listen. I just need answers. i don't have time for road block's.

okay, It will take more work, but I can get this script up to 90 minutes. I know the answer is very broad, but now it being a 90 minute script what kind of a budget would you say I'm looking at? What kind of casting call can a 14 year old hold without looking like a joke? Before I get to into this, does the idea even seem like it will make a good movie or should I work on a new script? And last but not least I know as of now I seem very unprofessional, what are some good tips to make me look more like a pro?

sorry, here is the box cover.

Wow what a wake up call! Thanks for the input guy's, your a great help. How much money would you say a very amateur film maker like myself would need to make a 40 minute drama, about a boy's journey into insanity? (movie not yet titled) (box cover)

David, Thank you for your help. I apologize if I have been wasting your time with lousy questions, but if you don't mind I do have four more that I have been dying to get an answer to. #1, can a film camera get a grainy or "noisy" picture due to lack of light? #2, how can I get my movie in a festival such as sundance? #3, how do amateur film makers get to work with the pro's? #4, how do movies I have never heard about, without any famous actors/actresses get into movie stores such as "Hollywood video"? And once again thank you for your help, I greatly appreciate it. -joshua

I was planing on doing a shot with a man running away from a bad game of Russian roulette (leading to the death of his close brother) into the night searching for a bus. I was hoping to get kinda an eerie affect with the street light's, being the only real source of light (in the frame) I was also hoping to get the light from the street light's to shine on the wet street. (for a more dramatic shot). I am sorry if that didn't make much since, I?m just dreaming this up right now. you seem like somebody who has woken up smelt the coffee and still gone on to do wonderful things. thank you for your help. Joshua

:ph34r: so i'm in the dark, how do i shoot the scene without a grainy picture?