Inspiration

[Rankles]

Where did the inspiration come from for your best film ideas?

Do they kinda spawn out of a lot of recent movies you've seen or stories you've heard? Things you've witnessed?

[GREATwarEAGLE]

Im not really interested in escapism. Nothing at all wrong with it. I like watching escapist films, but at this point in time, have no interest in making them.

And my reasons for filmmaking arent because "I wanna make movies." It used to be, but then I realized that its more like it happens to be the medium I find best for me to say what I wanna say. So Im no longer anxious to get a camera in my hand and be a part of every film set that I can. In other words, its not just the "idea of making a movie" that gets me going anymore. Its "saying what I wanna say" that I now find invigorating.

My ideas are all roughly social or political commentary. Not political in the sense of government, but the politics of work, school, relationships, etc.

So, basically, my inspiration is the problems that all those things have and if they affect me. The trick is, when turning that stuff into a story, I dont take it too seriously, I maintain a sense of humor, I try not to make it "preachy" and I try to raise qusetions rather than give answers. I try to make it thought-provoking, but Im not at all trying to change the world.

Dont get me wrong, I think filmmaking is exciting. And I respect all that goes into it, but if I was forced into a life-long career making films that I DONT WANT TO MAKE, even with state-of-the-art technology, I'd probably put a gun in my mouth. [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 11, 2003 10:50 PM: Message edited by: GREATwarEAGLE ]</font>

[Kev Owens]

Ideas just come- things I've seen, heard of, read and ideas that I just make-up.

One thing I was recommended to do and I would recommend it to everyone else- is to keep a notebook to write down any ideas that you get. Not just story ideas, perhaps just a strange situation or a moment. Amazing how sometimes an idea comes that you believe to be unforgettable, and... what was it again???

Whilst fleshing out a story then these ideas help enormously. Works for me anyway. [img]cool.gif[/img]

[james2183]

Middle of the night when you cant sleep and your mind wanders. Thats when the cool ideas come out of left field.

[eidde]

Hello

I guess it depends how adventurous you are.
I used to get most ideas by getting stunningly pissed with smart people and gabbling about anything - then ideas flowed.
The hard bit is writing it in a coherent style - making it make sense or mean something - unless its not meant to mean anything.
Its also difficult to make it honest I think, that comes with practice and skill. Be as Honest
to yourself as you can. Write from YOUR point of view, not someone elses, why try to emulate someone else? (even if you admire them) Its your life, your experiences.
Travel a lot.
Jump on a bus to somewhere you've never been before. Stay in a YHA or BandB for the weekend.
Watch people. Overhear conversations. Talk to bar staff, talk to homeless people, old ladies who run BandB's,Aussie backpackers (loads of them around!)- Steal a car. Write about it.
Dont hang around 'people who are the same as you'
for a few days.
Live a little and write about it from your point of view.
Read Science magazines, study biology, Do Volunteer work, watch bands, dig a hole, fill it in again, go for a 3 day bike ride, climb a tree....
Im not joking.
Carry a notebook - goes without saying really.

[twister!]

In the words of the most successful fashion designer in British history, Paul Smith:

"You Can Find Inspiration in Everything*:
(*and if you can't, look again!)"

[thelaughingduck2001]

My first screenplay was kinda' born out of my trying to create a Travis Bickle-like anti-hero-A character who the audience could indentify with.

However, reading the script I'd say it was more influenced by one of my earlier faves-Tim robbin's Cadillac Man!!!

[russtymettle]

<font color="orange">I've only made one very short film so far, and that was a tribute to the old black & white films (so I guess that's where I got my inspiration from). I'm planning another movie for the new year, but it's nothing serious, my projects will be getting bigger and better in time though.

My main inspiration is Jackie Chan, I look upto him in every way!</font>

[twister!]

Hi russtymettle, just a little query - why post in orange text? Maybe you're trying to be individual and I don't want to cramp your style - but, actually, it's not very legible - especially when it's on grey. Just a suggestion...

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 17, 2003 05:05 AM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]</font>

[russtymettle]

<font color="orange">Well.. I started writing in orange soon after getting the internet (yes, I guess for individuality). It has kinda stuck and become my trademark on other forums and stuff.</font>

But I can always make exceptions for this forum. I know what you mean about the light orange on light grey. [img]tongue.gif[/img]