Justin Hayward

Get on that script!

Sounds just like me (filmmakers that want to be artists, that is...) If I'm totally honest, yes, I wish I was an artist, but you're right, "artist" is such a strong word, I would not apply it to a filmmaker like me. In fact, I really don't like it when the term "artist" is thrown around. I'm not an artist... maybe a craftsman... or maybe just an interested observer... not sure. But, I'm the first to admit, I'm no artist. Good point.

Truth is, those no-budget projects are probably no-budget because the project isn't worth paying for, which means it's probably not worth doing for free, because you probably won't want it on your reel, because it's probably going to suck. That said, it's really hard to move past that kind of stuff to "real" jobs, and, unfortunately, usually takes more than having a good reel. People want to think they're working with people that other people think are important people. In other words, you gotta have done something "cool." Like shot a Taylor Swift music vid, or a feature that was a smash break out hit from Sundance. Then you'll start getting real work. Before you get there, you just have to shoot as much as humanly possible and hope something lands. The real trick is to be bold, and stand out. I'm watching a DP friend of mine moving into "real" work, and it only took him twelve years of crew jobs, and shooting personal projects. But, they say if you're not willing to dedicate ten years of your life trying to establish a specific career, then you don't really want that to be your career.

I think he's talking about movies that hope to get a normal release of any kind.

He's still waiting for dailies. :D

There are no "producer" classes in film school, because every new film student would drop it after the first day. :lol: What's considered producing in film school is simply organizing a student film, which doesn't often include lawyers, but there is something to be said for securing a location, figuring out how to get talent, finding insurance if needed... things like that. And if you really want to be a producer, there will be no shortage of student films that will happily bring you on board if your only fee is "experience." But, come to think of it, you may be able to do that anyway without paying tuition. ;)

Sheesh, I just searched "blocking" on this website and found this fantastic quote from David Mullen,

Really fantastic point, Miguel. And that Bourne reference is perfect.

China balls are cheap and often work well to softly augment practicals. But like everyone has said, you'll need flags and black wrap to direct the light.

Wow. Haven't seen one of those in a long, long time. That's really cool. I remember there was a precision to stopping on the frame you want to cut that a space bar never quite got. But I'm sure that's all in my head.

It's these posts that make me late for stuff. Really nice.

Looking forward to it.

Pardon the language.

I find most AC's I work with are on board for anything as long as I'm articulate and prove to be competent. If I decide against traditional blocking with marks, they will be okay as long as I understand everything might not land perfectly sharp... which I do. Of course they could be snickering behind my back ;)

Have you considered the difference between being passionate, or simply being excited?  

I read this earlier today, before Adrian answered, and my first thought was this; the "good attitude" is there or he wouldn't be asking this question. Good attitude with a good work ethic will get you very far. So much of production is problem solving. If you are often the first to try to solve the problem, or even better, happen to be a good problem solver, as well as the first to try, you'll do well.

Why publicly blast this guy?

It took me about a minute to realize what that short was doing, and after that I laughed out loud all the way to the end. Really funny stuff.

This is the best beer commercial / music video / short film ever made and it's only a minute thirty! ;)

Pixar has some pretty amazing short films all under ten minutes. Plus, most film festival programmers will tell you to keep your short film under ten minutes for a better shot at getting programmed. If your short is 20 minutes, for example, then it will have to be better than two 10 minute films they were going to program because the block run times are limited.

Dude, I imagine the only thing everyone here can say is this, "likewise."

I liked it, nice job.

On the flip side, some people can't see their own work for what it is (And I'm not pointing at your work, Joshua. Just in general). At least if you can see something you did isn't great, you can try to figure out why it isn't great, and take steps to improve. Then when you see something you shot turn out great, it will send chills up your spine :) Of course I think it was Sydney Lumet who said a healthy level of self-delusion is critical. Otherwise we would be afraid to shoot anything.

Nice. I imagine it's pretty encouraging to be often referenced in the pop culture. Signifies influence. Super cool.

How about only "good" things? :)