I just started my first film. I only got the idea last night! I was digging through some old compositions from high school, and I came across one from my senior year. It deals with drunk driving, and it's really powerful! I have already started converting it into a script, and I have all major parts casted. (Basically got friends from my work at a cinema- everyone is really outgoing and many like to act) I also made a to do list...I have to get some funding, I need to see if my college will let me borrow a nice film camera, I have to talk to the police about sectioning off a road for me to do the crash scene, and I need to find a local bar that will allow me to shoot in it. I also need a junk yard beat up car, a tombstone, and a semi or something that looks like one. I should buy some lighting too, since I have none whatsoever, and the script is going to need it for special shots. I am hoping to complete the script by the end of June, and the production done by the end of July, post production by end of August. My main actor, though, is going to be out of town alot, so I am not sure how it will go. It'll probably be a bit delayed, unless I cast someone else as main character. He is really talented though, and I think he'd not only be perfect for the role, but he'd be fun to work with as well. We'll see how all the background stuff goes first, and then go from there, I guess.

Sounds like you're going to be busy. Just make sure you find out everyone's availabilities for the WHOLE shoot before you start. How long is the movie going to be?

-Chris

Well I haven't finished the script yet, and I have no time limits from anyone but myself, so I have no cluse yet really. I am hoping about 1/2 to hour long, though. I should really set a date for filming, and ask stuff around that...but there is so much I need to do first, like if I have money for it! ack, it's a huge undertaking! lol

Sounds like fun. Good luck.

i hate to sound mean, but do you know how often drunk driving is dicussed in a documentary format....its kind of a dull subject....we all kinda know we arent supposed to do it....but more power to you and good luck....personal expereinces can always differ from a public perspective

Ya, I've thought of that as well. But my film shouldn't be too boring. (Doesn't that sound encouraging?! lol) My movie is first of all, not a documentary. Second, it's going to be gothic chiaroscuro combo, combined with fast editing and flashback sequencing. Lots of dark scenes running through woods, deep shadows and fast switches from reality to flashback. (I am going to be very careful that these two look different so the viewer can tell without question) It should be pretty cool actually. At least I SEE it as cool. It might not end up so great in practice with my meager equipment and second rate acting. But I am not going to let that stop me! I should post it online when I am done so everyone can see it here.

I finally did get the script written! I eliminated the bar scene. I also made the ending happy, but when I looked it over again it seemed totally out of place, so I have to do a second draft. Which is fine. I am actually overall quite happy with it! It has a surprise ending.

Awrighty!~ I have now rewritten the script and the ending is perfect! I got alot more feedback for changes in a few spots to improve it even more, too. I also casted the final part. I finally descided to settle for a digital cam corder and special effects in Pinnacle to do the film as well. So instead of looking for funding, I am going to foot it alone and see how it turns out. I'm sure it'll be fine- the special effects seem adequate for now. Does anyone even read this?! Ah well, I like writing it all down anyhow...

Well, I personally don't like your idea and it sounds like you're using inferior equipment. And your signature annoys me to the point that if someone else hadn't already made fun of it, I would've.
On the other hand, you do seem to have a certain optimism for your project that plenty of people on here, including myself seem to lack, so keep that up at the very least.

elliott.

ok, well I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not Grim! Yes I have enthusiasm...I am the only one of three films this summer that my main actor was hired for that are actually getting done! I think it's important to have enthusiasm and goals, or nothing will get done.

Yes, I have inferior equipment, but that's because I have just started and have little money as a college student. Not much I can do about that and I must say that was probably the thing that bothered me most about your post.

As for my signature, I am a Christian and if people make fun of it, so be it! I'm not ashamed of my God.

In your first post you mentioned talking to the police about closing down part of a road for a crash scene... Trust me I have experience in this field (I shut down and entire 4 floor 45 000 sq.ft. building before) There is almost no way you will be able to do this (close down part of a road) for free... You'd have to pay for permits and then you'd have to pay for the cops to be there to be there to have the road closed down (and they cost a lot per hour). My dad runs a mechanical contracting company and I have dealt with several road closures... Turst me it is going to cost you a fortune to do so... But there is no harm in trying

quote:

Originally posted by Jackiepants:
I just started my first film. I only got the idea last night! I was digging through some old compositions from high school, and I came across one from my senior year. It deals with drunk driving, and it's really powerful! I have already started converting it into a script, and I have all major parts casted. (Basically got friends from my work at a cinema- everyone is really outgoing and many like to act) I also made a to do list...I have to get some funding, I need to see if my college will let me borrow a nice film camera, I have to talk to the police about sectioning off a road for me to do the crash scene, and I need to find a local bar that will allow me to shoot in it. I also need a junk yard beat up car, a tombstone, and a semi or something that looks like one. I should buy some lighting too, since I have none whatsoever, and the script is going to need it for special shots. I am hoping to complete the script by the end of June, and the production done by the end of July, post production by end of August. My main actor, though, is going to be out of town alot, so I am not sure how it will go. It'll probably be a bit delayed, unless I cast someone else as main character. He is really talented though, and I think he'd not only be perfect for the role, but he'd be fun to work with as well. We'll see how all the background stuff goes first, and then go from there, I guess.

I have a few suggestions that might help:

With the car crash scene-

1.Use an abandoned road of some sort. They are everywhere, you know them because they have signs that say "Road Closed".

2. You really don't need a junked car, just use your own car and just keep the camera angles tight so you can't see what the condition the car is in(your focused on the actor anyway). Add some smoke from a party fogger to add the "OMG I just got in a wreck" effect, that and some blood will get the audience believing. After shooting the crash scene on the next day shot go to a junk yard and find a car that's already been crashed, just make sure it looks similiar to the one that you used in previous shots.

3. Bar scene- why does it have to be in a bar? Not everyone get's drunk at a bar. Try making a nomal place look like a bar, not too hard to do. A short film I was in used an abandoned bar and just clean theh place up, the also added a red light for the background and a natural light for the actor's faces.

4. Definantly buy some lighting.

5. Most importantly your lead character needs to be there when you are, not you for him/her. Find another friend to do the part and make another role for the person that you like, one that doesn't require so much time.

Good luck and God bless!

quote:

Originally posted by graham:
i hate to sound mean, but do you know how often drunk driving is dicussed in a documentary format....its kind of a dull subject....we all kinda know we arent supposed to do it....but more power to you and good luck....personal expereinces can always differ from a public perspective

Well it is the person's first film. Sometimes we need to mimic to learn, but being creative is far superior, but in time it will be learned.

Hey thanks for the support, Inner!

Now to update once again...
I got permission to use the squad car from my friends' dad who is a police officer! There are restrictions of course, but not ones I can't work with. I haven't asked to section off a road, and I don't think I will. Especially not after reading Bird's post! I figured I'd have to pay the policemens' salaries but I never guessed at permits! Ah well...I was going to do it on a remote road somewhere instead, and then a few tracking shots in close up in a parking lot. Now I just have to find the right places! I am doing some scouting tomorrow hopefully.

Yeah it sucks having to work around my actor's schedule, but I need him. He's the best around and the only person I can see pulling off the acting job needed for this film. It will be extremely demanding.

I am going to get some lights from Wal-Mart tomorow because it's all I can afford But if I handle them correctly (and I don't need too many anyways)it should be fine. At least I hope it will.

I also called the Sheriff's department to ask to use a jail cell but I got put through loops! I finally got the correct number but they were closed and I have to call tomorrow.

I am going to try to rewrite the script tomorrow also.

Do you guys have any ideas for a title? The movie is based on the inner struggle with guilt of the main character in the killing of his friend. The original story I wrote (not as a script) was titled "The Day My Best Friend Died". It doesn't sound effective to me at all. James, my main actor, suggested "DUI" just the letters, to add the dark, creepy aspect that reflects this film. I like it, but I am not totally convinced yet. I have already pictured the cover with that title though...the gravesite with the big tree overlooking it, James' back to the camera, on his knees and head lowered as he faces the grave, everything dark and blueish, deep shadowing, and the DUI the main focus at the top in Chiller font. Let me know what you guys think, I really respect your opinions since you know filmmaking better than me

Hey I hope I didn't discourage you in my last post, I wasn't trying to shut you down or anything, I was just telling you straight up how it is.

As for the name of your film DUI is ok but only because it is short and people will remember it. The Cover idea was great, and I think you should still use it no matter what the title of your film is. The problem with DUI is that it doesn't say to much to people about the movie... I'm sure a lot of people may not even figure out what DUI means, and picture how annoying it would be if people say "hey that movie was great but what does the title mean?".

However at this point in time I am unable to make any suggestions as to what your title should be, but if I think of any I'll be sure to let you know.

Now for some random words

I wish you the best of luck with your first film, and if things don't work out just keep trying... I've had several films get cancelled or not go well and I've lost thousands of dollars. So no matter what, no matter how the film shoot goes or how it turns out, just keep trying. It takes a lot of practise to make a decent film... I mean I've been doing this for 5 years now and I still don't think I can make a decent film.

I do wish you the best of luck, and I would be interested in seeing your finished product in the future.

It seems like you have a number of scenes planned that are probably easier said than done. When I was making my first film, I wanted to do a night scene, but my mentor turned me off from that. It is hard (especially as a beginner was inadequate equipment) to get good natural lighting at night. You said there is one where someone is running through a forest at night... It will be hard to light that person while running (especially with trees in the way, you don't want to shine a light directly on the trees), and hard to film that person. If you are planning to run with the person, expect very wobbly and dizzying camera movement, since it's obvious you dont have the equipment to have it slide along with them. If you find a mentor like I did, he/she may be able to help figure out what scenes you might be in over your head in, and how to fix it. Good luck.

Don't worry Bird, you didn't discourage me! I can improvise the road, no problem.

Adam, I am actually not filming at night. I have heard the problems with it! Instead I was going to rent a professional camera and buy a day to night filter. Unfortunately I can't afford such a thing. So for now I am choosing to shoot in bright light. In the editing process I will increase the contrast even more and then tint midnight blue for the night scenes. I've already tested the results, and they are beliveable enough for me right now. As for the running shots, I want them dizzying. The more confusing the better in fact. The entire running sequence is to signify his emotions, his fight with memories- therefore the dizzying camera movement is actualy perfect. In fact, I am not going to focus much at all- just alot of fast editing and random camera shots of trees and such.

quote:

Originally posted by Jackiepants:
ok, well I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not Grim! Yes I have enthusiasm...I am the only one of three films this summer that my main actor was hired for that are actually getting done! I think it's important to have enthusiasm and goals, or nothing will get done.

Yes, I have inferior equipment, but that's because I have just started and have little money as a college student. Not much I can do about that and I must say that was probably the thing that bothered me most about your post.

As for my signature, I am a Christian and if people make fun of it, so be it! I'm not ashamed of my God.

Well, I guess what I was really trying to say is that even with a story I don't believe has potential and beginner's equipment, it's good that you're not getting neurotic over your flaws like plenty of people on here do. Plenty of people with better ideas and the same kind of equipment usually aren't that optimistic, but it's good that you are.
As for the Christianity thing, I think if you're serious enough to have it as your quote for this site you'd be better off having a movie dealing with religion. Even if it is Christian, I actually kind of enjoy movies about people questioning their faith (not that you question, still it sounds like something you know a little bit more about than drinking and partying) as long as it's not too preachy. At least it'd be better than a drunk driver movie (heck, I'd link to the one already on this site that sounds very similiar to this project if it was good enough for me to remember it's name.)

elliott.

I think my attitude is affecting my actors now, actually...I have several people now that want to help with building the stuff I need! I also have a party date set for the party scenes, and the host is excited too. The party is going to be a real party with alot of people that party regularly, so I think it should ba all right. I don't know anything about partying, but I have been learning from alot of my partying friends from work. They had alot of great advice for me for the party scenes.

And I choose not to make directly Christian films, because only Christians will watch them. Questioning faith would be relatively safe, I guess but I still don't want to really do that. Basically anything I write Christian will be opposed to by one party or another, depending on what choices I make the characters make in the movie. Drunk driving, as you said earlier, pretty much everyone agrees on. The way I choose to do it is much different than the typical drunk driving film. If it comes across the way I invision it, you may actually like it, Grim.

I like how you are thinking about how you should write and make movies... Not gearing your movies directly towards Christians will definatly increase the amount of people that you get to watch your films. I believe that is a very smart move... Still keep in mind that no matter what you do you can never please everyone and there will always be people that don't like your films.