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For the last two months I’ve been living off a tiny, tiny amount of money. I decided to pack in my weekend job at Woolies and live this life. I can’t really complain about not being able to go out as much or buy any DVD’s anymore, as it was my choice. I decided to become a filmmaker.
After leaving college I was on a desperate search to find work in the harsh world that is the Media industry. I wrote off to loads and loads of companies asking for work or even just a short experience placement. Sadly I didn’t hear anything apart from a request for my show reel, which didn’t go anywhere. One of these companies was Creative Gold, a local video production business. While looking on their website, I noticed they were going into production of their first feature film ‘The Jigsaw of Life’. I hoped this would mean they’d need more staff, but they never contacted me.
Then one day while reading through a Shooting People (an online community for filmmakers) newsletter I noticed an advert for unpaid crew on a film…The Jigsaw of Life. I answered the ad and the next day was in the local Café Bonjour discussing the film. I didn’t want to take on too much responsibility and as of yet, I don’t have an area of expertise. So I was taken on as a Production Assistant. Here I am, eighteen years old and I’ve already achieved my dream…kinda.
The film was still very much in the early stages of pre-production so it would be a couple of months before my services would be needed. Around the middle of July I was called up and asked to come and help out with the auditions. This was a great experience in itself. Not only was I sat on the judges panel watching these actors, I was also filming them and read lines for a few scenes. I’m not an actor, I can’t act at all and I had to stand there, maintaining eye contact with these professional actors and having to give them enough to work off. Some of these scenes involved shouting and violence, so I had to also stand there and be shouted at and pushed around while still looking them in the eye. I also spent some time working the reception area, which was cool as I got to really talk to the actors.
Filming began on the 27th August but I was away getting drunk in a muddy field, sleeping in a tent, and watching some great bands at Reading that weekend. So I didn’t join the production until the following weekend. That Saturday my day started at 4am. Up before the sun, to be at the directors house by 5:30am. It was so early as we were filming at a pub and had to be out by opening time at 11am. After meeting a lot of new people and shaking more hands than I ever have in my life, we set off to start filming. My job as PA meant I’m the guy who does the stuff no one else can/wants to do. So the day consisted of me and my fellow PA, Pete, holding the boom (the long stick that holds the microphone), carrying and setting up equipment, and I took the role of an extra in one scene. It was a long shoot as we had a lot of scenes to cover, some of which took some working out including a fight where the bad guy ends up in a river. After filming, it was to the director’s fiancée’s house for a BBQ. My Dad came and picked me up and I got home just before twelve. It was the longest and hardest days work I’ve ever done and I wasn’t even being paid to do it! It sure was fun though and I now know it’s defiantly what I want to do with my life.
Over the next few weekends we filmed at Oxford University (just after Harry Potter was done with it), various fields, houses, and last week at a Polo club. Here we filmed a party scene where I was again an extra, but this time in the main shot standing behind the lead actor. Not too shabby. I even got the girlfriend in the shot too. The actors are all very cool and I’m sure I’ll call some of them up when I get the money together to make my own film. I’ve always seen actors as those annoying performing arts students who sing, shout, and constantly call attention to themselves. But turns out, they’re people too. It such a good atmosphere on set and most of the time we find ourselves sitting around talking about films and all kinds of stuff like you do with your best friends. We spend around twelve or so hours together a day, so we’ve all grown pretty close. Everyone’s there for the right reason. No one’s being paid, we’re all just there to make a film. It’s about the art, not the money. If it does ever make and money then we get a share of the profits, but that’s a long time away from possibly happening.
My job has also been to film behind the scenes footage and take still photos. I’ve filmed about three hours worth of footage and two hundred pictures. Pete (the other PA) was going to edit it all together and make a documentary for the bonus features of the DVD. But he had a fall out with the director (we haven’t been told why) and is no longer involved with the production, leaving me to do the editing. Kick ass. So now when the filming finishes on Wednesday, I’ll still be able to do something constructive.
I now need to get back to working a ‘real’ job which looks set to be my local Blockbuster store. I’ve been living off the bare minimum and have accumulated a £200 debt but it’s all been worth it. If I’d stayed in Woolworths, what would I have to show for it besides a discount card and a bit of spending money? From this film, I’ll have a finished piece that I can keep forever, show people, and be proud of. So many people want to do this kind of work and never will, so I couldn’t have turned down my chance. What better time to chase your dreams than when your young and have no responsibilities? I’ve followed my dreams and this is only the beginning.
So to all you people who would love to get involved with this kind of work, it is possible. It's going on everywhere, all the time. You just have to get yourself out there and find it. I now also have a book of contacts, which I'm sure we'll make it easier to find work in the future.
I’ll keep you posted on the film. We’re obviously hoping for a theatrical release but I think a straight to DVD is more likely. I also hear that if there’s no distribution deal, it’s almost defiantly going on the BBC. I hope for the best as the better it does, the better it is for me and all the others who have worked so hard.
After leaving college I was on a desperate search to find work in the harsh world that is the Media industry. I wrote off to loads and loads of companies asking for work or even just a short experience placement. Sadly I didn’t hear anything apart from a request for my show reel, which didn’t go anywhere. One of these companies was Creative Gold, a local video production business. While looking on their website, I noticed they were going into production of their first feature film ‘The Jigsaw of Life’. I hoped this would mean they’d need more staff, but they never contacted me.
Then one day while reading through a Shooting People (an online community for filmmakers) newsletter I noticed an advert for unpaid crew on a film…The Jigsaw of Life. I answered the ad and the next day was in the local Café Bonjour discussing the film. I didn’t want to take on too much responsibility and as of yet, I don’t have an area of expertise. So I was taken on as a Production Assistant. Here I am, eighteen years old and I’ve already achieved my dream…kinda.
The film was still very much in the early stages of pre-production so it would be a couple of months before my services would be needed. Around the middle of July I was called up and asked to come and help out with the auditions. This was a great experience in itself. Not only was I sat on the judges panel watching these actors, I was also filming them and read lines for a few scenes. I’m not an actor, I can’t act at all and I had to stand there, maintaining eye contact with these professional actors and having to give them enough to work off. Some of these scenes involved shouting and violence, so I had to also stand there and be shouted at and pushed around while still looking them in the eye. I also spent some time working the reception area, which was cool as I got to really talk to the actors.
Filming began on the 27th August but I was away getting drunk in a muddy field, sleeping in a tent, and watching some great bands at Reading that weekend. So I didn’t join the production until the following weekend. That Saturday my day started at 4am. Up before the sun, to be at the directors house by 5:30am. It was so early as we were filming at a pub and had to be out by opening time at 11am. After meeting a lot of new people and shaking more hands than I ever have in my life, we set off to start filming. My job as PA meant I’m the guy who does the stuff no one else can/wants to do. So the day consisted of me and my fellow PA, Pete, holding the boom (the long stick that holds the microphone), carrying and setting up equipment, and I took the role of an extra in one scene. It was a long shoot as we had a lot of scenes to cover, some of which took some working out including a fight where the bad guy ends up in a river. After filming, it was to the director’s fiancée’s house for a BBQ. My Dad came and picked me up and I got home just before twelve. It was the longest and hardest days work I’ve ever done and I wasn’t even being paid to do it! It sure was fun though and I now know it’s defiantly what I want to do with my life.
Over the next few weekends we filmed at Oxford University (just after Harry Potter was done with it), various fields, houses, and last week at a Polo club. Here we filmed a party scene where I was again an extra, but this time in the main shot standing behind the lead actor. Not too shabby. I even got the girlfriend in the shot too. The actors are all very cool and I’m sure I’ll call some of them up when I get the money together to make my own film. I’ve always seen actors as those annoying performing arts students who sing, shout, and constantly call attention to themselves. But turns out, they’re people too. It such a good atmosphere on set and most of the time we find ourselves sitting around talking about films and all kinds of stuff like you do with your best friends. We spend around twelve or so hours together a day, so we’ve all grown pretty close. Everyone’s there for the right reason. No one’s being paid, we’re all just there to make a film. It’s about the art, not the money. If it does ever make and money then we get a share of the profits, but that’s a long time away from possibly happening.
My job has also been to film behind the scenes footage and take still photos. I’ve filmed about three hours worth of footage and two hundred pictures. Pete (the other PA) was going to edit it all together and make a documentary for the bonus features of the DVD. But he had a fall out with the director (we haven’t been told why) and is no longer involved with the production, leaving me to do the editing. Kick ass. So now when the filming finishes on Wednesday, I’ll still be able to do something constructive.
I now need to get back to working a ‘real’ job which looks set to be my local Blockbuster store. I’ve been living off the bare minimum and have accumulated a £200 debt but it’s all been worth it. If I’d stayed in Woolworths, what would I have to show for it besides a discount card and a bit of spending money? From this film, I’ll have a finished piece that I can keep forever, show people, and be proud of. So many people want to do this kind of work and never will, so I couldn’t have turned down my chance. What better time to chase your dreams than when your young and have no responsibilities? I’ve followed my dreams and this is only the beginning.
So to all you people who would love to get involved with this kind of work, it is possible. It's going on everywhere, all the time. You just have to get yourself out there and find it. I now also have a book of contacts, which I'm sure we'll make it easier to find work in the future.
I’ll keep you posted on the film. We’re obviously hoping for a theatrical release but I think a straight to DVD is more likely. I also hear that if there’s no distribution deal, it’s almost defiantly going on the BBC. I hope for the best as the better it does, the better it is for me and all the others who have worked so hard.
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I'm back and extremely tired even though it was the shortest shoot I've done (seven hours or so). It was fun but very tedious as it involved a small amount of animation and a long action scene. I wouldn't have minded so much if it had been nice but stopping and starting every two seconds for a long time in the cold/wet isn't too great.
There was only six of us and I got on well with everyone in the brief time I spent with them. Unlike the last film, everyone was much more equal and I didn't feel too young or out of place. I spent a lot of time chatting with Graham (the guy who I've been emailing who was also helping out today). He was saying how much he liked my cartoon idea and was asking to see more of it. It's such a great feeling when someone else believes in your work and this was even better as he's an animator himself.
The film was kinda strange and could go either way. It involves a highwayman posing for a photo and then a sword fight taking place inside the photo, all done in the silent movie style. It's all quite strange and not too well thought out. Still it was something different to drama. People always say action is horrible to film and now I see why. There's lots of planning and setting up then a quick movement and CUT. And repeat. It was also quite interesting as we were filming on Super 8. It's a different type of film stock to those I've used in the past and cannot be edited like other formats. Everything had to be filmed in sequence and only one take was allowed. We couldn't cut out later or use different takes. This put on the pressure and we had to keep detailed records of shots and timing.
Ah well, another film to add to the CV and it may play well on the festival circuit. I haven't heard back yet about the science pilot filming in May but it's something I'd love to work on so I hope I hear soon.
There was only six of us and I got on well with everyone in the brief time I spent with them. Unlike the last film, everyone was much more equal and I didn't feel too young or out of place. I spent a lot of time chatting with Graham (the guy who I've been emailing who was also helping out today). He was saying how much he liked my cartoon idea and was asking to see more of it. It's such a great feeling when someone else believes in your work and this was even better as he's an animator himself.
The film was kinda strange and could go either way. It involves a highwayman posing for a photo and then a sword fight taking place inside the photo, all done in the silent movie style. It's all quite strange and not too well thought out. Still it was something different to drama. People always say action is horrible to film and now I see why. There's lots of planning and setting up then a quick movement and CUT. And repeat. It was also quite interesting as we were filming on Super 8. It's a different type of film stock to those I've used in the past and cannot be edited like other formats. Everything had to be filmed in sequence and only one take was allowed. We couldn't cut out later or use different takes. This put on the pressure and we had to keep detailed records of shots and timing.
Ah well, another film to add to the CV and it may play well on the festival circuit. I haven't heard back yet about the science pilot filming in May but it's something I'd love to work on so I hope I hear soon.
Double post.
Someone's been busy :-)
Yeah things have really started to pick up. It happened a bit like this last year (did the two films and got the first draft of my feature written) then I had to get back into unrelated paid work.
I figure I've still got at least a month before I'm back into work, so I really need to get working on some scripts for my cartoon (or possibly my second film). I'm also really hoping this science project comes through as it has the potential to turn into a paying gig.
I figure I've still got at least a month before I'm back into work, so I really need to get working on some scripts for my cartoon (or possibly my second film). I'm also really hoping this science project comes through as it has the potential to turn into a paying gig.
Well done for persisiting. Reckon you'd still be hanging on for something if nothin had come up for you?
I'm working a little in another media with my band [URL]http://www.purevolume.com/highdecline[/URL] trying to get gigs and stuff recorded. It's all fun :-)
I'm working a little in another media with my band [URL]http://www.purevolume.com/highdecline[/URL] trying to get gigs and stuff recorded. It's all fun :-)
Fantastic. I got an email yesterday from Adam Reed (co-creator of the excellent series 'Sealab 2021') who I sent a letter to two weeks or so ago. I asked for advice on getting my stuff out there and he sent almost two full pages of email back. He's told me a lot about presenting my pitch to companies, how to get my foot in the door, and how he got started. Some really useful stuff in there and I now kind of have a professional contact in the animation writing world. I've emailed back answering some of the questions he raised and included some brief details about what I'm working on. I hope I hear back soon as this guy could really help me out.
Here's a few things he said:
if you're a writer (and this is just one man's opinion) i wouldn't spend a lot of money on writing courses; my take on those is the "those who can't, teach" philosophy. one or two screenwriting or TV writing books will do the same, for a lot less money. check their reviews on amazon, or epinions. then, of course, you just have to sit down and write, like all the time. it sucks. i hate writing. well, i love it, but i also hate it. it's one of those... i forget what they're called. "something-something" relationships. oh. love-hate.
i have, in the past, written full sample scripts for pitches (in addition to the 6-8 page treatment), but i've moved away from this because if i've learned anything, it's this:
don't kill yourself working a million hours on something until somebody buys it.
the trick seems (to me) to be coming up with as kick-swear- a premise as you can, and then presenting it with broad strokes. you don't need to (unless you really want to) have every single detail of the show set in stone; the network execs are going to have (usually lame) suggestions about what the show should be like, anyway. and it makes them feel good to think they are creative, so we usually let them say something.
hope some of that was helpful. good luck with everything! and you're right, it is a pretty fun job.
Here's a few things he said:
if you're a writer (and this is just one man's opinion) i wouldn't spend a lot of money on writing courses; my take on those is the "those who can't, teach" philosophy. one or two screenwriting or TV writing books will do the same, for a lot less money. check their reviews on amazon, or epinions. then, of course, you just have to sit down and write, like all the time. it sucks. i hate writing. well, i love it, but i also hate it. it's one of those... i forget what they're called. "something-something" relationships. oh. love-hate.
i have, in the past, written full sample scripts for pitches (in addition to the 6-8 page treatment), but i've moved away from this because if i've learned anything, it's this:
don't kill yourself working a million hours on something until somebody buys it.
the trick seems (to me) to be coming up with as kick-swear- a premise as you can, and then presenting it with broad strokes. you don't need to (unless you really want to) have every single detail of the show set in stone; the network execs are going to have (usually lame) suggestions about what the show should be like, anyway. and it makes them feel good to think they are creative, so we usually let them say something.
hope some of that was helpful. good luck with everything! and you're right, it is a pretty fun job.
Paradox: wrote:
> I'm working a little in another media with my band
> [URL]http://www.purevolume.com/highdecline[/URL] trying to get gigs
> and stuff recorded. It's all fun :-)
Just checked it out. Not bad, the quality of the recordings not too great so I couldn't hear its full potential. Not really my taste in music but well done for actually seeing it through.
Have you played many gigs?
> I'm working a little in another media with my band
> [URL]http://www.purevolume.com/highdecline[/URL] trying to get gigs
> and stuff recorded. It's all fun :-)
Just checked it out. Not bad, the quality of the recordings not too great so I couldn't hear its full potential. Not really my taste in music but well done for actually seeing it through.
Have you played many gigs?
I sent out an email to various animation production companies accross the UK today and have already received two replies, both asking to read examples of my work.
Now it's the hard part, waiting for the response. I'm expecting two rejection letters but still, at least I know people are interested in what I can do.
Now it's the hard part, waiting for the response. I'm expecting two rejection letters but still, at least I know people are interested in what I can do.
Ah, a thread about film-making, eh?
[URL]http://www.youngheritage.org.uk/budleighsalterton/images/Raliegh3.wmv[/URL]
I made this about a year ago with a couple of friends for the local museam.
It's not great, given that we only had four days to write, storyboard, film and edit it before the equipment was packed up and sent off, but it was good fun and there are some good (as well as bad) ideas in there. Also bear in mind that some parts (such as the ridiculously epic credits), are obviously a joke, and the sound on this version is unfortunately out-of-sync.
Recently got myself a Canon 730i digital camcorder which takes DV tapes, and I'm doing some on and off filming of me and some mates free running around our local area.
It's all good fun, and directing/screenplay writing is something I'm definitely considering pursuing for HE. I have a friend who's doing a National Diploma in film-making for post-16, but I decided I'd like to do more general A Levels due to uncertainty.
[URL]http://www.youngheritage.org.uk/budleighsalterton/images/Raliegh3.wmv[/URL]
I made this about a year ago with a couple of friends for the local museam.
It's not great, given that we only had four days to write, storyboard, film and edit it before the equipment was packed up and sent off, but it was good fun and there are some good (as well as bad) ideas in there. Also bear in mind that some parts (such as the ridiculously epic credits), are obviously a joke, and the sound on this version is unfortunately out-of-sync.
Recently got myself a Canon 730i digital camcorder which takes DV tapes, and I'm doing some on and off filming of me and some mates free running around our local area.
It's all good fun, and directing/screenplay writing is something I'm definitely considering pursuing for HE. I have a friend who's doing a National Diploma in film-making for post-16, but I decided I'd like to do more general A Levels due to uncertainty.
For what it is and the the time/resources you had, it's not too bad. I've seen much worse.
Could have done with the ladies name on screen or said in the voice over but I don't want to sound like a tutor. Nice to see the usual student techniques of playing around with speed and transitions. Plus was that some of the glorious licence free music (I forget it's real name. The songs you don't need copyright clearence for) I heard?
To add to my earlier post - I've now heard from a third company. They've sent me the bible for one of their shows in development and have asked for episode ideas while they wait to see if it gets picked up by a channel. I'll give them one or two, then I'm asking for pay if they want more. I don't want to get screwed by them.
Could have done with the ladies name on screen or said in the voice over but I don't want to sound like a tutor. Nice to see the usual student techniques of playing around with speed and transitions. Plus was that some of the glorious licence free music (I forget it's real name. The songs you don't need copyright clearence for) I heard?
To add to my earlier post - I've now heard from a third company. They've sent me the bible for one of their shows in development and have asked for episode ideas while they wait to see if it gets picked up by a channel. I'll give them one or two, then I'm asking for pay if they want more. I don't want to get screwed by them.
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