On Set Experience: 1st AD

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?

Without further ado:

"Life Of A 1st AD"

Crowdfunding tips: DIY Filmmaking

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

Film school: Irrelevant?

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: