New film-makers...

[emjen]

If I write I want it to mean at least something, I want the viewer to think about it.

But if I film I usually want the viewer to laugh. That's just for now. The next project will be a bit of both, so I'm getting there.

[Littlerich]

The first film I shot, "Attack of the killer teddies" was a bit of fun over a weekend using my dad's camcorder... There was no script, no planning and we made up the plot as we went along.

HOWEVER, I took this tape, (which was basically rushes), to a TV company, and with this, I managed to end up working with them. They could see the film was terrible, but they also realised that if I had access to better equipment, trained crew, etc, then I could do something better.

From that, I've gained experience working in TV which a CV on it's own wouldn't have got. So, even if you shoot without planning, you can use it to get somewhere you DO plan to be.

[clay b]

I think most people at least have a dream (maybe its not even a vision) of what they want to do. But in order to get there, you have to **** around with your camera to learn the basics.

[Kev Owens]

Was his name Hans Moleman, perchance?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">lol, "Aargh, my groin!!!"

Miker, I'd agree it is one way of learning, but wouldn't that learning be far more efficient and better quality if there were a goal involved?

[belovedmonster]

Alex you can try and take the high road if you want but the fact remains even if it was an attempt at creating a debate rather than the blatent stab at video it appeared to be... then all you are doing is bringing up the god damm exact debate you try to bring up in every post of yours...

can we not discuss movie making in terms of narrative and themes... more general stuff like that instead of this constant debate over which medium to use. I appreciate that you love 8mm and thats fine but im sick of it being rammed down my throat all the time asif it vastly better than video and we all have to account for why we use sh1tty video.

You could of mentioned how you did time lapse stuff and how you were just messing about essentialy with no clear goals and that it won you awards. That alone would of been a good piont in light of the actualy topic here... newbies having goals and vision... you could of even gone on to say its a shame that people with video cant really learn how recording frames and how that sorta thing works... but you had to add a dig at video, which doesnt contribute to the debate at all.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 11, 2003 07:28 AM: Message edited by: belovedmonster ]</font>

[miker]

Originally posted by Kev Owens:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Was his name Hans Moleman, perchance?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">lol, "Aargh, my groin!!!"

Miker, I'd agree it is one way of learning, but wouldn't that learning be far more efficient and better quality if there were a goal involved?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think that once you get past the hosepiping stage, then having a goal in mind becomes the natural extension.

My 'goal' originally was to make abstract art on super8 - but I had nothing in mind other than 'playing' with the medium.

My goal now is to get Crooked Features out of production **** . I haven't touched a camera in months. And I'm more likely to be involved in an edit or sound design on other people's projects.

When you're starting out (and after 10 years it still feels like I'm starting out!) the important things are to enjoy it, learn from it, or get paid for it. If you can manage one of those three, you are ahead IMO. Those are goals in life, not in filmmaking.

[eidde]

The workings of cause and effect apply of course.

Everything begins with the will.

The will to do is the initial conditions.
The effect is the result of acting on the will.

If the will is lacking, or directionless then the effect (and hence results) will be lacking and directionless, and ultimatley dissapointing.

If life is a performance art, no matter that you are improvising, no one improvises from a completely blank sheet, a little thought is always required. It is satisfying when you witness that thought sculpted into a reality.

The alchemy of film making can only be improved on by applying the will. Even the DADAists appreciate that structure is nessescary, even if it is there only to be destroyed.

Go! Hosepipe!

But apply your intention before hosepiping, rather than excuse it after the event.

[Alex]

Originally posted by Littlerich:
The first film I shot, "Attack of the killer teddies" was a bit of fun over a weekend using my dad's camcorder... There was no script, no planning and we made up the plot as we went along.

From that, I've gained experience working in TV which a CV on it's own wouldn't have got. So, even if you shoot without planning, you can use it to get somewhere you DO plan to be.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It sounds to me that by shooting with a title in mind, you did have a goal.

Congrats.

[deanl]

Hey there.

You guys always talk about Film making in a real cold and mechanical way...

Some of the threads on here lately have been like reading huge chunks of text copied right out of books.

Sure there have been a whole bunch of interesting conversations. But there seems no heart in anything being discussed. It's like a competition to prove who's the biggest intellectual.

From the first thing I EVER did to the thing I'm about to do... It has ALWAYS been about fun and enjoyment. About loving doing it. About enjoying the process.

Just enjoying what you're doing and enjoying watching other people enjoying what you've done...

I get the feeling too many people on here spend more time trying to make sure what they do is "important" before even thinking about anything else.

It's like the direct opposite to the often slammed "Dumb Hollywood Machine". It's the Pseudo Intellectual Art House "crew".

Now I like to think I could choose a cool middle ground there. But push comes to shove. I know what group I would rather be in.

Granted everything I'm saying now could be complete *****cks. I don't know any of you guys. I haven't really seen any of your stuff. But I get the feeling everyone is too busy following a text book and a set of "rules" to even consider making something just for the **** of. Because you had a "cool idea" Because you think it would make people smile.

I just don't think that every shaft of light in a shot has to have connotative meanings in relation to the protagonists inner most feelings.. And that every decision has to have major reasoning behind it. I would rather follow my heart over a book any day of the week.

If that means my movies "**** ". Then so be it. At least I had a good time.

Of fuckin course a newbie can pick up a camera without having a "vision" or a "goal". And THANK GOD they do.

Erm... Right. Not sure where all that came from... Or if it even makes any sense.

Sorry for the rant.

Despin out.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 11, 2003 11:20 AM: Message edited by: Despin ]</font>

[twister!]

Very good points, Despin.