In this week's episode: I have a special guest who actually worked with Madonna, George Carlin and THE Stanley Kubrick!
This man has had an incredible career as a DOP and has just released his first feature film that he wrote and directed.
This is part one of a two part episode. Enjoy!
Today’s episode is for writers or actors that write and are thinking about self producing.
The lead actress on the film I am currently directing, is also first time film producer, wrote the script and she is the star of the film.
As many of you know I am passionate about helping actors and writers product their own projects though my self producing partner consulting program, and although Lita is not one of my students, her project embodies all the elements that I teach my students.
Today I talk about what I think the most important element is when producing your own project:
What story can you tell that will inspire people to want to help you make your movie?
Today's episode is super duper short but I thought I'd update you on what is happening now and give you two quick thoughts about preparing for your shoot in regards to working with your actors.
If you are a first time director and wonder how to work with actors, this super quick episode is for you! In a nutshell though, TRUST THEM!
If you cast your project properly you've cast actors that are trained and know what to do. Trust is everything! If you've cast someone more for their personality, trust that. We are shooting THE GOOD BALLOON in just a few short weeks and I can't wait to get on set. We have cast some super talented actors and even hired a YouTube sensation.
I LOVE DIRECTING! I really hope you are spending your day on projects you love as well.
If you are a First time director or producer and here a crew member say: don’t worry, we can fix it in post! WORRY!
Absolutely worry and do whatever you can to handle everything you can while on set.
Handling issues in post is expensive and does not always work out.
If you want distribution for your film you have to pass QC, one way to make sure that you do before you go into post production, make sure you record, shoot EVERYTHING you planned to while on Especially sound. Have multiple takes of important scenes.
I know as an indie filmmaker we are literally running against the clock with limited funds, but one way to get around this is to make sure to:
note your most important scenes, meaning, scenes the film cannot do without and make sure, that no matter what: you get the audio, room tone, and you have multiple takes, even if you think you’ve captured what you need, ALWAYS ALWAYS do one more take for safety.
I know that’s often not possible on every scene, so make sure to create a list, make sure your first AD knows which scenes are crucial. Because no matter what happens, there always seems to be some issue in the shot that everyone missed.
Happens ALL THE TIME. Do one more take for safety on those crucial scenes.
If you have a tired crew member say, “you can fix it in post”, remember, you are the one that has to live with these mistakes. Not your gaffer, not your sound guy, so get it while on set. Do whatever you have to do because I promise you, you don’t want to have to reshoot or pay a lab expensive fees to fix it later.
UPDATE:
If this is your first time checking in with Indie Film Tribe, welcome! As many of you know i’m in the process of getting my first feature film out into the world and
I am in the middle of deliverables for the film Elevate. I'm prepping for our next film festival. I am finishing writing my next feature script, I'm beginning prep on a short film that i’m super excited about but I miss my indie film tribe so I think for the next few weeks, let's just call these episodes mini spring/ summer sessions,
I'll be on every week, but just in bite size chunks, and I'll share my journey with you
Instead of waiting for it to end and then come back on. So instead of doing these epic 45 minutes episodes, in order to be more consistent, i’ll do mini episodes and today’s episode is all about film festivals and distribution for your first feature film!