I have mentioned before the power of the internet when it comes to learning about filmmaking. The video I have to share today is a perfect example of that idea. Previously, in order to gain this type of exposure to a set and an in depth look into job of the 1st assistant director, you probably had to go to film school and gain an internship. Now all you have to do is use a search bar of find a link to a video that someone has posted. It's easier than ever!
I'll keep the commentary short and sweet on this post because the video is rather lengthy, and I'd rather you spend your time watching it than reading my opinions on it. I'll let you form your own opinions. However, this does directly tie back to my post about Film School becoming irrelevant. It wouldn't hurt to glance at that before or after the video, it should help bring everything full circle. Film School: Irrelevant?
My last couple of posts have been about DIY filmmaking, and how film school is becoming more and more irrelevant as the years go by. One big hurdle of creating movies yourself, is CrowdFunding. If you want your movie to be seen, you need distribution. Distribution cost money. But before you get to that point, you need to make your movie. Even if it's a low budget, DIY film that you wrote in your basement; you still need funding.
For filmmaking to become a career option for DIY-ers, it needs to be a well made movie. Which isn't ever cheap. It'll most likely cost more money than you have lying around waiting for you to spend it. That is where CrowdFunding comes into play. CrowdFunding is a way of creating a budget for something that you can't fund yourself.
It works on the basic principal that if enough people donate a small amount, you'll end up with the bigger number that you need. This is accomplished by creating publicity around your idea, and promising perks to the first ones that donate. Or even a perk system based on amount of donation. For example- If you donate $20, you'll receive a signed movie poster upon completion of the film. This is becoming more and more popular for inspiring donations, and it seems to work pretty well.
There are many other tips for starting your CrowdFunding campaign, that are outlined in the Film Courage video below:
I can't recommend this video enough. 25 Filmmakers on one word: CrowdFunding
In my last post, I mentioned the uproar in DIY filmmaking. Many people are writing and shooting their own ideas. With the help of new technology such as smart phones, GoPro's, DSLR's, and drones. But there are still the few young kids who discover it early on, should they go to Film School? If they have all of the technology readily available, is it worth the cost of tuition?
No.
Film school used to be necessary to learn about film, without the access to internet or cheap equipment. But now kids can create their own films and gain experience by themselves without paying an arm and a leg to go to film school. The biggest benefit to Film School is networking, and using professional equipment. But if someone were genuinely interested in filmmaking as a career option, they would probably find a way to accomplish this without going.
Facebook and YouTube have the biggest impacts on learning the art of filmmaking without going to school.
Facebook: Link yourselves to other people who enjoy filmmaking, join a group, learn and grow together. You don't have to learn from your own mistakes if you learn from others'. The benefits of having a support system of knowledge is incredible.
YouTube: Videos. You can watch videos. (Duh, right?) But a lot of people don't realize how many DIY tutorials and filmmaking tip videos are available on YouTube, accompanied by reviews and hands on tutorials of any equipment you might buy. The possibilities are endless when it comes to learning from the search bar.
Below I have linked an interview segment with Robert Lawton (CEO of CrowdSource Studios) in which he comments on this subject:
Every year, more and more people are becoming interested in filmmaking. Which only makes sense, considering the increase in available technology to the average citizen. You can even make a movie on your smart phone for $100 or less. Granted, not everybody who has jumped into the Filmmaking world over the past 10 years has produced quality films. With that being said, there are inevitably more quality independent/DIY films to discover.
Allow me to explain:
Think of it in terms of the US scholars compared to the scholars in China. You can't say that any one student in China is smarter than any student in the US. So why is China leading in Honor students?
Concentration.
Not the concentration that gets you through a paper at 3 A.M., but the concentration of numbers. China has more honor students than the US has total students. So obviously when the population is higher, there will be more of a wide array to chose the best from. Which increases the concentration.
This leads directly back to filmmaking. The more people that create, the better the general pool of quality films will be. Especially with indies gaining such acceptance, and of course the possibility of a new cult classic. This poses an interesting question though. Does DIY and indie filmmaking benefit the exposure of Hollywood films, or endanger the long standing filmmaking powerhouse?
This question is briefly addressed in the following interview through Film Courage:
Takeaway from Professor Robert Gurst:
Inevitably something will change, it's a matter of when.
DIY movies are more personal.
Audiences have a hunger to return to emotional links.
DIY returns to 1895 experimental filmmaking.
Believes it will benefit Hollywood in the long run.
Before we get into the specifics of the film industry and first hand accounts of certain positions held on set and in the studio, I've constructed this post as a quick crash course would be helpful to lay foundation for those of you who may be new to the world of film.
Look beyond the film:
When we watch movies, we are focused on the story, characters, and actors who play those characters. Which is exactly what the filmmakers expect from an audience. But there is something that is even more interesting than a good plot or great acting; the people that stand behind what the camera captures. Depending on the size and budget of the shoot, there can be a few people, or even a few hundred people. Their job is to make the final product as close to the Director's vision as possible, and it takes a lot of teamwork to do this. Everyone plays a small part, and those small parts come together in the end to make us believe in an entirely different world or bring a story to life visually. It truly is one of the most complex and time consuming forms of art.
Jobs on the film set:
The amount of jobs on a film set is incredible, each job has someone that has specifically dedicated themselves to that task. Below is a link to a PDF file that depicts a majority of the essential roles and a brief description of each one.
Filmmaking dates back to the 1890's, with the introduction of the motion picture cameras and the emergence of companies who would start to use the new technology. However, Hollywood motion pictures came a little later. The first Hollywood motion picture was made in 1910, with sound being introduced in 1927. It's quite an understatement to say that we have come a long way with the technology used and techniques employed to build a story into a moving image.
For a more visual representation of the evolution of film, here is a quick video that depicts the life of filmmaking thus far.
I am currently a college student in Kansas, majoring in Mass Media with an emphasis on Film & Video. I have always had a passion for filmmaking and being behind a camera. Activities that I enjoy include hanging out with friends, reading mystery novels, catching the latest movie in the theater, and making short films.
About the Blog:
This blog exists to bring a unique perspective into the film industry. By reporting on new developments and interviewing people currently holding jobs in the industry, I hope to educate and provide advice to anyone who has a passion for filmmaking. I will also talk to younger people who have a desire to work in the industry, and find out the steps they are taking to plan for a career in film. Much like those younger people, I too hope to be involved with filmmaking as a career. This blog will also serve as an educational tool for me, and I look forward to learning with you along the way!
