How do you find out how many times a film has been watched?

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

I was wondering because I thought it would be kinda nice to see how many people have seen my work.

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

You could ask me.

Which film is yours? (I can't tell from your Board name)

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

[This message was edited by Studentfilms.com on February 28, 2003 at 09:16 AM.]

Choice, but it's only been a few days so....

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

The Mind-

I watched your film... I'll give you some honest thoughts and advice. First of all I'm guessing you're pretty young, try not to get defensive but "hear" what I'm saying.



Ok, I felt that the subject matter was very trivial. This may be compel ling to a younger audience but it's really not the type of project that is gonna get you the kudos you probably would like from people in LA. I mean to most of us people over the age of say 25, this story line is old news (nothing fresh about it). One thing I see too often in student films is a subject matter that is too age specific (meaning it feels too young). It would be in your best interest to really try and think bigger (or deeper), try to think of a story that isn't so close to what is happening so cl ose to home [if you know what I mean]. Honestly it comes across as immature, and that's not what you want. You don't want people to immediately jump to the conclusion that you are young. Maturity as a film maker comes with time and an effort to grow.... Y ou'll get there, but start thinking in this direction now!


About the film specifically: Really, don't even worry about shots at this point, what's lacking the most is an interesting story. There were a lot of things that didn't work on this level (shot s etc.) but it's really beside the point. One thing I suggest you do in your next piece is loose the non-stop music. Honestly, the music really does not fit what's happening visually (that's why having a good composer to 'follow' and 'emphasize' th e mood is so important). Focus on a script with dialogue, we need to hear something. As is it comes across as half done with music slapped over the top (trust me, you'll look back in three or four years and completely agree with what I'm saying to you n ow) Um? what else.... "The opening sequence" It was way too long for a short. If this was a feature the movie would be, like, 6 hours long? You gotta get to the point, don't waste precious story telling time with pointless long sequences. Look at it this way; you as a film maker are put into a position of "having to" impressing an audience with a well told interesting story, or you don't have a job. You need to be able to think from both perspectives to offer something that appeals to at least handful of people (you could call this an audience ). I have seen shorts that tell a HUGE amount of information and really draw you in, in the same amount of time. Films that really go deep into "Character Development".


For your next project; go to a part of yo ur city t hat you are not familiar with and try to find someone/thing interesting to base your film on. Just observe! Watch the people, get a sense of what their life is about.. Now expand on the idea... what could be underneath all of this? It's up to yo u! You wil l see the beginnings of a story form before your eyes, now go home and fill in the holes as you write the script. . This is just an example. But you gotta "think out side the box" as they say, you gotta "think outside YOUR box". Show us a story we haven't seen, use your imagination. You can make the most mundane situation fascinating...


--------------



A few things to do & not as a younger film maker: (in no order of importance)

1) Don't write a script around guns
2) Don't not write a script
3) Don't do a film in bla ck and whi te (unless there is a specific reason)
4) Don't do a film based around high school
5) Don't do a film based around college
6) Don't do a film with gangsters
7) Try not to use friends and family as actors
8) Try to write a script out of your age range
9) T ry to write a script that isn't based on your surroundings (at all)
10) Don't do a film based around exploding blood packets
11) Don't hold a shot for ten years (it's a short not a feature)
12) Don't drag the opening credits out (g et to the point... or make a feature length)
13) Worry more about the script than the shot
14) Don't do a film with that uses the word f#ck more than 3 times
15) Be able to look at your film from an audience perspective (sure your grandma thinks you're a genius.... but are you getting too caught up in your editing tricks?)
16) If you're gonna do a comedy, make it funny
17) Don't get an ego till you have a deal and an agent (or two)
18) Listen to advice
19) Write... write... write... (this is the golden ticket... not editing skills)
20) Go make a great film.... something truly inspired and fresh!!!

[This message was edited by jay888 on February 27, 2003 at 07:57 PM.]

Thanks for input...really, I appreciate it. It's hard to take suggestion on this specific piece though. I really don't even like it, well I like it because I took time on it but it's nothing I prize. "Choice" was my first attempt at a narrative. It was made a year ago and I've now made several more shorts since.
This short had no dialogue because I was learning. I wanted to learn film in the order as it came in film history. From silent black and whites to talkies to musicals to controversial story in the 70's to special effects and the independent wave in the 80's-90's. This is one thing "young" film-makers do not see or understand. You as well I think but most "young" film makers see a black and white with no dialogue and scratch your heads in confusion. If you are learning start easy as far as technique goes.

As for the story...I really think it is universal, my opinion. It's more of a story than most Hollywood films I've seen this year at least. And by the way...I won't say it again...I could care less about LA, or Hollywood. I learn Hollywood but don't care to participate. I care about learning film as "FILM" not Hollywood or LA TYPE and STYLE of films. I want to be a teacher not the next Spielberg, we can move pass that blab now

I can't find an area of my local city(Seattle) that I'm not familiar with, I know it too well. My feature length script might be the story you speak of(more universal), but I can't make that right now for obvious reasons.
Thanks for your input though, and I look forward to reviews on my next few films coming to the site this next month(March).

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

MY LIST
1.) Start easy
2.) Write about what you know then move onto topics that need research
3.)Don't base your films off Hollywood...you'll look like a tool.
4.)Don't worry about an agent or money(PLEASE)
5.) Liten to advice, but be careful not to listen to people with no experience.
6.)Have fun
7.)Swear if it pushes the story
8.) Write like crazy
9.)Smile at your fellow film makers, cuz they won't at you.
10.) READ A FILM HISTORY BOOK! VERY VERY IMPORTANT, hell read 10 of them.

[This message was edited by THE MIND on February 28, 2003 at 02:08 PM.]

[This message was edited by THE MIND on February 28, 2003 at 02:09 PM.]

[This message was edited by THE MIND on February 28, 2003 at 02:10 PM.]

Too Long? Do you want feedback or what man? You posted so I'd assume this is what your looking for? "Thought out responses", No?

Abortion? What was so compelling about that? Please explain to me why I "should" find your story interesting. There was no "different perspective" it was just a girl trying to decide if she wants an abortion... um? what else?. It was very surface, not much depth to the story or individuals. One thing I did like about your flick is you tried to tell a story that was emotional.

What does you teacher think of it? That's fine that you do this for fun but by your comments I'd assume that you want to be "GREAT". Believe it or not there are some young guys doing amazing stuff.... they are few but they're out there.

BTW... Another music tip. Try to use music that is not so HUGE when the emotion is meant to be intimate. Can you see how that is contradictory and doesn't work?

You know what man, you (and many other younger guys) are too ready to dismiss anything remotely related to LA - Hollywood. The reality is.... 99% of "newbie" guys would jump at the chance to have their film picked up, or to have someone sign them so they might "now" have a budget (and a great "crew"). If you can find the financing to do what you want, have at it. You are obviously one of the very few that is not looking to be apart of this Hollywood world where every last person is an idiot (it's interesting how fast peoples perception changes once they are successful "HERE").

Do what you want, I'm just some fool...


Good luck!

PS.. Why would I take a look at your next film, my comments wont do you any good.... remember (?) I have no experience, and you don't care what people in LA think anyway...


Jayy

I was saying "my" post was too long not yours...read. I wasn't calling you a fool, I was calling a general person who has no experience a fool.

Thank you, don't write anymore about my films... you don't do films you do music. All you talk about is Hollywood. I swear to God almost all your post have the words "HOLLYWOOD" or "LA" in them, drives me crazy. What about Russian film makers? What about France? What about the 20's? What about Germany? What about China? I was trying to be a open for the longest time with your post, I can't anymore. Especially after a few weeks ago, with that babble about what Hollywood wants. You have presented yourself as one with a narrow perspective, you're not to be taken seriously.

I do want feedback but I'll let someone like Tizzy rip my films apart, he gives good constructive criticism, not Hollywood blab.

Goodbye

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

You got it...

BTW... How do you know what I've done? No, I haven't directed a film but I did 'almost' sell a script a few years ago. Yeah only 'almost' but still, it's something... I did it for a diversion from music (The premise involved the president, I went out with it right before the Clinton situation broke, so obviously no interest after that)

Anyway....