SHORT FILM IDEAS PLEASE!!!!!

[N. Foster Tyler]

There is nothing at all wrong with using someone else's ideas..........if they 'connect' with you on a certain level or levels. How often does that happen?

What FutureFilmMan did was blindly throw out a request for 'any' ideas that we might have. Anything at all. That shows a definate immaturity on his behalf as a filmmaker. It indicates that he is so desperate to make a film of his own, no matter what it's about........the problem is, he doesn't have any ideas. He's still asking.

Ideas are the easy part of filmmaking. They do not cost anything. Actully putting the movie together through rehearsals, shooting, cutting, music, sound design, distribution, etc, is the hard part.

Filmmaking is a day to day struggle. The least you can do for yourself is make a film that is important to you..........not just from any old idea in hopes that people will think you are cool.

-N. Foster Tyler

[shakespeareskin]

N. Foster tyler.....what's the deal? The original post stated that he had ideas but they were for feature length projects. he simpily asked if anyone had ideas for a short. From this you mock the peson, and thier abilities. Why? not everyone is here cause all they are doing is making movies in the hope of breaking into the biz. some a re just starting to play around with the camera and want to learn more. I think what we need here is more ENCOURAGMENT for new talent, and less cutting people down because they may not measure up on someone elses "artistic integrity" scale. To everyone out there, have fun with the camera, learn to like it and then move into sending a "message" with your films if you want...or just make your friends shoot milk out thier nose from laughing....neither effort is less valid than the other.

[Matt J Heaton]

Very well said!!

[N. Foster Tyler]

I'm sorry, I just cannot agree with that. Kids are going to do what kids are going to do, but believe me motherfucker, there IS a price to pay. It's ruining cinema.

Pretty soon there will just be no more room left for honest, intelligent and original work. Ah....who wants that anyways, right?!
It doesn't seem like anybody here is interested.

PS- Please stop asking me, "What's the deal?; What's your problem man?", etc, etc. You know where I stand. Respect my opinions as I respect yours. We may disagree, but lets not fall to the level of the drooling retards that some of you so obviously are.

-N. Foster Tyler

[Matt J Heaton]

Whos a retard? I'm sure you think I am one. But what have I said? I stated my opinion which is just what you defended yourself on. That is also what others have done.

Filmmaking isn't divine work. Lets not get delusions of grandeur.

[Ravenhill]

You guys aren't going to like this but...I'm afraid I have to agree to an extent with N.Foster Tyler.
There does seem to be a lack of fresh ideas out there at the moment and writing isn't something you can just play by ear.
As a writer I have, on occasion, asked other people for ideas. I've been given a few, thought about them, then made a bit of a mess of them. If the basic premise of a short film isn't your own how can you really expect to 'know' the characters and what they wish to achieve? Surely the only way to really produce something that you believe in is to invent it yourself?
True, people can be inspired by an already existing work, but the impetus must be your own.
Admittedly, there are people out there who make a living from writing screenplays based on a previously written play, novel, whatever, but that is their forte.
If by reading a few sketchy outlines, you are inspired to write something of your own devising, then that is valid. But unless you have a passion for a story it is very difficult to do it justice.
Great caution must be exercised when asking for ideas.

Finally, lets not all get our knickers in a twist. Film is art, therefore it is mysterious and obeys no known laws. We should all avoid trying to pigeonhole what the 'correct' way is to make a film, write a film, whatever. I am aware that I seem to have done exactly that thing in the above rambling, but all I'm doing is offering my opinion. We all have the right to do that, so lets not gang up on any one person and, similarly, lets take it easy on the petty insults.

And so it came to pass that an air of quiet contenment and mutual respect settled once more upon the guestbook.........

[N. Foster Tyler]

Matt: I just believe that film is important, as all art is. Even more so, and on many levels. While most people enjoy looking at film solely as entertainment, I do not. Film as entertainment is usually film in it's weakest and most diluted form. Believe it or not, I actually find real enjoymment out of the works of filmmakers such as Kenneth Anger, Peter Greenaway and Atom Egoyan. To me, it is highly enjoyable and fascinating to be challenged on an intellectual, intelligent (and emotional) basis in cinema. As a student of cinema (and filmmaker/critic), I just so happen to take film seriously.

Original films that have an intelligent voice entertain the hell out of me! It pains me to witness so-called filmmakers make films just for the sake of making films and entertaining thier friends. That's not very interesting. Thier work is dull, flat and takes up too much space that should be reserved for much better work. I guess it's the public's fault. They are the ones who applaud this trash.

N. Foster Tyler

[shakespeareskin]

A. don't call me a mother%$cker. if you are unable to carry on an intelligent then please don't try.

B. Obviously several people here feel the same as I do when it comes to your posts...rants would be a better word. you seem to think that your opinion is always the right one and that anyone who thinks differently is somehow mentally challenged.

C. Respect is earned, not granted on a whim. if you want to be treated with respect than you need to start treating others with the same respect you want for yourself.

[Shabaz]

lets try and understand something here, its a short film made for fun and learning more about what works and what doesnt in film. i doubt he thinks hes gonna win an oscar with this movie. (ever seen the cult favorite, Meet the Feebles or Bad Taste by peter jackson? those movies were made for fun by him and his friends. now they arent only cult favorites, but because of them Jackson has been put in charge of making the Lord of the Rings trilogy)

i agree with you that people should be more original in their ideas. and that comes from experience. how the hell would you expect a beginner (you were one of those too at one time) to go off and make Exotica as their first movie?

lets grow up a little bit please. your acting like a teenage junior in high school who likes to pick on the freshman.

yes we all would like to make a stunning film noir with imaginitive sets and characters which sends a deep and provocative message about society and life. but, christ, does that have to happen everytime you pick up a camcorder?

you go on talking about film and cinema like you made fucking Days of Heaven or Hard Eight. you take filmmaking seriously? well poop and popsicles for you, i take it seriously as well. but that doesnt mean i go bashing every new filmmaker out there for not making "Badlands", "Salaam Bombay" or "The Steel Helmet" on their first try.

FFM is making the movie, he may make it as good or as bad as he wishes, its not your concern. if the film is made for the sake of making one, it will show, and the movie will go nowhere. but if it is made well, then there is chance that it might get noticed. FFM asked for ideas for a short film, SO WHO GIVES A FUCK? what the hell does it matter to you? if you have any ideas to share, then do. if you dont and would like to share your views on filmaking, lets do it in a more decent fashion instead of being so rude. otherwise you come off as being a bitchy little wannabe yourself, which im sure your not.

if anyone will be ruinig cinema its not people like him, its oversensitive reactionaries like yourself.

i also respect and admire film as an artform very much. but telling someone in the way that you have to not bother with filmaking for something like this is preposterous.

Shabaz

[Matt J Heaton]

Don't get me wrong. My favourite films are not the mindless entertainment type.

"Original films that have an intelligent voice entertain the hell out of me!"

Me too!

But I do see a place for what is purely entertainment. I'm sure if people wanted to see these itellectual films they would overtake the 'trash' at the box office.
But I'm sure the average person would be bored by your choice of film. Thats the way it is.

Your beef seems to be with mainstream Hollywood, please don't attack beginners. You don't even have to watch these films. You won't even know they have been made.
How are films made to entertain friends taking up too much space?