I have always loved making storys and watching movies, but I have just decided to choose filmmaking as a career path. I am a junior in high school and I need some advice, like on film schools, cameras and the probability of making a box office movie.

Huh?
Want you wont?

i was going to say that first you should probably decide if "box office" movies are your thing and or maybe independent films are more worth while; but my real 'advice' is to go pick up a camera, any camera (borrow one if you have to) and start filming. that's what it's all about, just doing it - which is where i often take a wrong turn.[...]

Okay, a couple things to start. First, as already stated, start shooting. They say we all have 10 to 20 bad movies in us, so get them out of the way now, while it dosent matter. If you wait until film school to try your first shoot, chances are, it will be horrible, it will be dissapointing, and you will quit. I hate to see that happen to anyone, especially with the resources avaliable. For several hundred dollars, you can own a camera, and a computer editing software, that will have you shooting, cutting, and showing your movies in no time. Get a camera, and keep it simple. Dont try and make a big action flick, dont make some stupid horror, slasher movie. Be Creative! You dont have Hollywood money, or resources. What you do have, is Imagination, and creativity. Strive to make something original. Make something people can relate to. A comedy about how crazy a highschool life can be, most can relate to, the guy with the knife, trying to kill everyone in the school, most havent had happen to them, therefore, they dont relate. Make it small, make it short. Tell simple, intresting stories that have short running times, and few players. Try intresting camera angles, and lighting. You learn from doing, so try and crank them out. Remember, there probablly going to be bad. Take advantage of a site like this. Watch as many movies as you can. Note what works, and what dosent. If a shot was cool, what made it cool? Was it the lighting, the camera angle, the editing?
Finally, go to your local chain bookstore, and buy a book called, "Rebel without a crew" by Robert Rodriguez.($12.95) He is the director of films like "Desperado" "Dusk Till Dawn" "The Faculty" and "Spy Kids". Before that however, he made his first feature. "El Mariachi" for $7000. It was shot in Mexico, it was an action movie, it was shot on 16mm film, and it created a buzz that began a studio bidding war over who would sign him. The book chronicals how he did it, and what happened along the way. This book is a MUST HAVE for ANYONE intrested in being a film maker. Read that book, and no one will be able to tell you that you cant make it. Every time I seem to loose steam, I read this book, and get fired up all over agian. Best of luck, and I look forward to seeing some of your work. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might have.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

absolutely, that book is truly amazing. i believe there is a sequal to that book, for the movie he did for hbo called road racers or something to that sort. have you heard if it was any good?

http://www.floppydiskent.com

I did see something about it, but havent yet found a copy to purchase. I heard it wasnt quite as good, but I'll judge for myself after reading. Dont forget, the 3rd in the "El Mariachi/ Desperado" series is coming out next year, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico". Its got quite a few big names in it this go around ( Johnny Depp/ Mickey Rourke) as well as the usual old faces. Buzz is that it blows Desperado away.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

You can get "Rebel Without a Crew" on the Recommended Books section of the site.

http://www.studentfilms.com/film_books.htm

It is a great book.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Or.. try your local library. So often this area is overlooked. Most rent out DVDs and Videos these days as well. Free movies to watch!

Wow your right. I haven't pretty ever considered a library when I needed a quick reference... thanks =) hehe. (I'm not being sarcastic either hehe)

-adam

Just so you know, you don't NEED to g to film school. IM a junior in High School and I know I won't ever go to Film School. Im just going to start raising money and then start making my own independant films. Were starting ourt first one starts in like 2 weeks. Good luck kid. It's gonna be alot of fun.
Danny

All good advice you should take in. Film makers handbook should be your first book.

remember this: Your young, make movies, watch all types of movies, read about movies..and lastly..Get a real job or your gonna starve..less you come from a rich faimly..in which case...can I borrow 20 grand?

"The worst times in life happen the moment before the dreams come true"

Check this out:

I too am a junior in high school and have since freshman year won several film feastival awards. And if there is one piece of advice I could give you, it would be research.

Research, research, research. If you do not do any research, then you will learn nothing and go off to film school to be just as good as anyone else. Go to the library, bookstore, and the interet to find any and all info on film production. I recommend you picking up "The Film Director" by Richard L. Bare and "Film Directing Shot by Shot" by Steven d. Katz.

Truth is that without much experience in shooting movies in high school, you might be at a disadvantage when going to film school

BUT,

Even though I have spend thousands of dollars on my passion for film (computer, camera, etc...), I have realized that one does not need all this stuff, just a simple camera and a passion for film.

joel dunn
(popkorn55@aol.com)

First you have to have a passion for films. If you don't watch alot of movies than you wont be very good in the film industry (no offense to anyone). Pickup a camera, if you dont have one borrow one. Don't go out a buy a camera unless you have to. As for budget, remember a movie can still be good with a low budget. Let me give you an example, if you havent seen El Mariachi watch it. Robert Rodriguez made the movie in 7 thousand dollars! Come on catering for an a hollywood movie costs that much. The movie was a big success. How did he make the movie in such a low budget? Well he didn't even have a camera of his own. He borrowed a 16mm camera from one of his friends. Definitely don't buy a 35mm unless you are rich because they cost a shit load. If you have a 16mm you can also blow it up to 35mm. Anyway Rodriguez made the movie with his friends, so he didn't have to pay for any actors. After he completed the movie he borrowed an edited boothe and sent it out to all the big Hollywood Studies. He eventully got a deal with Columbia movies and they bought it for 2 million dollars. I mean wow, he made the movie for 7 grand and made 2 million for it. This movie was also got his name in Hollywood. Another thing to do is if you are a Independent Film Maker send all your movies to film festivals, if you win one alot more people might fund your movie expenses or a studio might pick you up. If you get a chance search for Robert Rodriguez 10 minute film school. He sort of explains how to do everything if you aren't going to film school or what not. But I highly recommend if you ar ethat serious about film you should put yourself through film school. No one in Hollywood will take you serious unless you do (with exceptions of course) As for a camera if you really need one people have recomended that K3 camera to me, 200 dollar 16 mm camera (its windup though) GL! Anymore questions email me Killscene@yahoo.com

if you are sure you want to venture into a career path of hard work, dedication, and total commitment toward the art, then i wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.

but take it slow. make sure you know what you are doing.

try this.

make a movie.

find a home movie camera(mini DV, Hi-8, anything), write a story(a short one) about 5 minutes, and go and shoot it with some friends as actors.

if you do not have any editing equipment, find some, or edit in camera, as you go. JUST GO OUT THERE AND DO IT.

if you loved the experience, the work, and the end product, great!!

start researching film schools. which are near your hometown? what alumni have graduated from them and are now you idols. research the faculty, the facilities, the equipment, the cost of attendance, etc. do it now though so by the time you graduate you know.

determine what field you like. do you like to act? to direct(be sure), to edit, to shoot? what about movies facinates you? then decide what school, according to that criteria, is the best for you.

but for now . . . go out, shoot, direct, act, edit, because until you actually do it, you will not know what you want out of film.

also, maybe start shooting still photographs that tell a story. it is cheap and inexpensive and if you can plan and shoot that, then you are better prepared for motion pitures. ok?

i hope my advise helps.

I have to say, don't suscribe to the robert rodreigez school of film making. He is inspiring yes, but technically the film cost more then 7 grand. All robert actually figured in was the cost of film. Not the gas, not the food...the picture actually came out to 13 grand all in all with contributions from friends and faimly. Now he never made a final print...if you want to show at the big fests and many level 2 fests you need a print...thats about 10 grand...

I say buy, or borrow the camera, forget about contests and just shoot what you like. Want to learn bad film making? watch modern movies.

"The worst times in life happen the moment before the dreams come true"

I am also planning to make movies for a living. I found that some of the comments on this topic have been very helpful and inspiring. Thank you all.

PS. Check out the beginning of my screenplay at scriptbuddy.com. (This site rocks) Go to published screenplays and look for "The Boxer" by Rossco. Feel free to leave any feedaback.

Thanks again. Goood luck to everyone.

Rossco

quote:

Or.. try your local library. So often this area is overlooked. Most rent out DVDs and Videos these days as well. Free movies to watch!

You only find lame movies at libraries, like "Dead Poet's Society" and "The Gods Must Be Crazy II"

I don't know if this has been added, because I quit reading half way down... so excuse me if this has been mentioned previously-- and realistically by someone here more intelectual.

When shooting, listen to what your actors say. Lot's of times they'll give there ideas on what should be going down. Now, admittedly, most of the time these idea's are crap! But the moral is, if you listen to them and occasionally do take a theory or three, they'll start thinking they are an important cog of your production. They'll listen more, and be more willing to do things efficiently.

Just so you guys know a little more info about Rodriguez's second book. I actually was able to get a copy of it (after being on the amazon waiting list for like 6 months and paying $40 for it) and I would say it is not necessarily as good as the first, but it is almost like an epilogue to the first. Basically in the book Rodriguez actually works with a full film crew, and you see how much he struggles working with certain people, whom he affectionately calls saboteurs (like his DP). It's a good book to read and can help you understand why Rodriguez has stuck with his small film crews on his later movies.

O, btw if you are interested in the Hollywood aspect of movies, I would recommend staying up to date with industry business news. I personally like to watch Sunday Morning Shootout on AMC and read the daily news on IMDB.