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"My Life As a Teenage Filmmaker"

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.

You know, I always read this thread every time you update it and find it interesting, however I rarely offer any feedback. Mostly because you don't seem to need any kind of guidance as you're doing bloody brilliant for yourself.

Might I add how refreshing it is to see someone recognise what they want to do and get up off their ass and have a go at it that sitting and moaning it's too hard. Well done you.

The local director I was speaking to at the party emailed his friend about me and he got in touch the other day. He's also a director but mainly wants to get into animation. He's looking to get a few projects off the ground and is looking for writers for a cartoon series he's developing. Sounds promising. Think I'm going to be meeting up with him in the near future to discuss ideas.

Got an invitation through today for the screening of the first film I worked on. It's at the same venue as the last one then onto somewhere else to get drunk. Should be great as I really got on with the cast and crew of this one. Plus it's a feature film unlike the last one which was only 10 minutes long.

The production companies site has been updated with both production and film stills [URL]http://www.creativegold.co.uk/Films.htm[/URL]

I'm also a bit annoyed as I noticed a previously unread Shooting People newsletter had a crew call for a short film shooting in Oxford tomorrow. I got in touch but was pretty sure I would be too late. Haven't heard anything yet so I'm guessing it's not going to happen.

Well I do a bit of Am-dram for a local group. Have done it on and off since I was a kid. Being an extra just seems the next logical step. I only do it as a hobby, and that's all I want to keep doing it as.

I'll have to have a look at that site.

Time being I'm not looking to start working on any films. I've got one in the real early stages of writing, but that'll be a while off yet. The feature I've written already ended up being a bit too complex for the type of budget I would be working with. At the moment, it's my animation that's top of my list. Soon I should hopefully be setting it up as a web comic while I raise the money and find the right person to animate a short piece with.

But yes, when I do start filming (or if I hear of anyone looking for extras) I'll let you know.

Is this the type of thing you'd like to get into too? Even if just for a hobby. You should check out the Shooting People site and get yourself signed up as a part-member. It's free that way and you get to see what's going on in your area.

Sounds like you're well on your way :-)

Any need any *ahem* extras? Not for animation, obviously. That wouldn't work. But... well, you know what I mean.

Cheers for your support guys. It’s great to have people read these posts through and reply so positively. It’s really encouraging.

Right, last night went very well. 15 films were shown in total, all of them gold. They were all made in the South and it just shows how much interesting talent we have in this country. Documentaries, dramas, comedies, animation, everything. One of them even had an ex-Home and Away actor.

Afterwards it was off for drinks. Had a bit of meaningless chatter with the crew from my film but that soon faded out as we never really connected (like I did with the first crew). After already cashing in my free drink voucher, I went and bought some more drinks at ridiculous prices.

I got talking to a local director and his mate about the films we had worked on and what was in the pipeline. After speaking to him about my cartoon he told me there was someone who I should speak to. Unfortunately he'd already left, so instead he gave me his card and said he'll put me in touch with him. When it came time for them to leave, he introduced me to a voice actor from one of the documentaries. Again we talked and I ended up taking his details for when I'm ready to go into production on my animation. We then went and talked to three ladies from Screen South (the organisation that helped fund and organise the films) and I got another card and was told they may be able to help me out with some funding.

Today I work up without a hangover, a VHS of the film, two cards, and a phone number. I think it went well.

*claps*

Keep keeping us updated.

Only just spotted this thread, but it's a damn good read, and well done to you for following your dream.

Good luck tonight!

Oh, and that web-site looks good, I may have to register....

Right, not much has been happening film wise lately as I've been stuck in another retail job. But yesterday my contract ended and I am kind of back in the game.

Tonight is the screening of the second production I worked on 'Plenty of Spoons'. As well as this, fourteen other short films will be displayed. Looking forward to seeing the film and my name on the credits for the first time. Afterwards there's network drinks. Now fourteen films with an average of around ten crew members means they'll be plenty of people to mingle with and perhaps hook up with on a project.

I've also really been getting into my cartoon idea. I've got the main characters worked out and a healthy list of episodes and jokes to turn into full scripts now I have the time. I've also had the first of my characters designed by Doug Beck at Powerhouse Animation in the USA. He's worked on films such as Space Jam and The Prince of Egypt and the company worked on Clerks: The Animated Series. It's fantastic and much better than I ever expected it to be. I'm securing copyright today for the idea as a whole, so will be able to show you the drawing soon.

So I'm getting to see the fruits of my labour tonight and hopefully making some good contacts too and I'm getting to write and be creative again instead of slaving over customers. Excellent.

Thanks for paying an interest.

Well finished my second shoot on Thursday. It was a tough one. Everyone was very professional and do this stuff for a living so they expected very highly of me (perhaps too much at times). Great experience though and a fantastic cast including John Bennett. I was told he'd been in a lot, then today I checked out IMDB and saw why he got so much respect. My role was 'Camera Trainee' which pretty much speaks for itself. It involved a lot of carrying, setting up, and taking down. I was also the 'Clapper Loader' which meant I did the board at the start of each shot (there's a lot more to the job than you'd think).

Apparently the first planned route for the film is Sundance. I hope it gets in so, so much. We're talking the big time here. This is where all the key players will have the chance to see the film and there's a strong possiblity that I'll get a trip out there.

If Sundance fails, there's plenty more festivals to try. I know we'll get in somewhere as this is just such a fantastic little piece. It's called Plenty Of Spoons and is a 10 minute or so short. Hopefully you'll hear it's name again in the future.

Now I'm moving onto an editing project. Starting cutting together a behind the scenes documentary on the first film I worked on 'Jigsaw of Life' and soon I'm doing some music videos for the record company 'Big Scary Monsters'.

After watching the crews work, I've decided I don't want to be a camera or sound man and without a strong knowledge of them can't really become a director. My goal now is the writing side of things and also producing. I'm tempted to take a Raindance course on producing and am going to look into English (or something along those lines) courses at Uni.