Hello, I'm planning on becoming a FlimMaker and I have started writing scripts for small test films I will be creating? If you are a more experienced FilmMaker, could you give me some advice, sources where I can look back too, or just your experiences as a FilmMaker? That would be great. Don't care about that? We can talk here just about some the works you have made or are a WIP. I don't feel FilmMaking fits anywhere else in the forum, so I just want to sit and chat to everyone about what their thoughts are on the matter.
[QUOTE=Xyrec;45777597][url]http://facepunch.com/forumdisplay.php?f=75[/url][/QUOTE]
Wow? How did I skip over this? But isn't this for SHOWING YOUR creations? I haven't created anything. I really just want to discuss this topic with people more or less.
is FilmMaking like a trademark or something or are we talkin about generally making films
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45778286]is FilmMaking like a trademark or something or are we talkin about generally making films[/QUOTE]
We're talking about the concept of making films. Idk why I capitalized it like that, it just happened.
well you wanna kick us off with some direction?
FilmMaking™
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45779698]well you wanna kick us off with some direction?[/QUOTE]
Alright. Well I'm planning on making a youtube video called "The Cookie War". It sounds gay, but for a first film it is supposed to be a comedic set of fighting that ends up making you laugh. It will be filled with Visual effects as I am quite good at that as well. I will also be creating a youtube series which teaches new film makers the basics of special and visual effects. Tell me your story and what you would like to do.
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45781107]Alright. Well I'm planning on making a youtube video called "The Cookie War". It sounds gay, but for a first film it is supposed to be a comedic set of fighting that ends up making you laugh. It will be filled with Visual effects as I am quite good at that as well. I will also be creating a youtube series which teaches new film makers the basics of special and visual effects. Tell me your story and what you would like to do.[/QUOTE]
are you actually good at vfx, or do you think you're good at vfx
lots of people are the latter, very few are the former
[QUOTE=LordCrypto;45781119]are you actually good at vfx, or do you think you're good at vfx
lots of people are the latter, very few are the former[/QUOTE]
I'm decently good. I'm not the best, but as long as I put enough time into it, it will always end up looking super awesome and realistic. I don't stop working until I feel it looks awesome.
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45781230]I'm decently good. I'm not the best, but as long as I put enough time into it, it will always end up looking super awesome and realistic. I don't stop working until I feel it looks awesome.[/QUOTE]
Do you have some prior work?
[QUOTE=Loriborn;45782103]Do you have some prior work?[/QUOTE]
Indeed I do. Although most of them are small tests that are left over from me trying out new plugins for a program. Most of my good works have been deleted as my old computer is dead. I do have a small test of me using a few entities in a short piece of footage. If needed I can make something up sometime.
Whats the plot to... Cookie War?
[QUOTE=FreddiRox!;45782912]Whats the plot to... Cookie War?[/QUOTE]
It's a short film, like 1-3 minutes long. There is little dialogue so you can focus more on the stupidity of the fight and to emphasize their general stupidity. It starts of near a soccer field at a table. There is a plate of cookies and 4 people are at the table. The two seated in the back are background characters, but the ones in the front are the two mains. They all grab a few cookies, but the mains can't stop eating. In the end there is only one cookie. The two mains both grab the cookie and tug for. Then, while holding it, stand up and begin to stare each other down. To shorten this up, they end up fighting over the cookie in a variety of ways, it's just a rough draft, but here is the script. Also random objects are used in creative ways as weapons.
Edit: It may be hard to understand why some things happen due to you not knowing what the setting looks exactly like. I know where this is going to take place and where things such as trees will be placed in the setting.
[B]"
=========================-The Cookie War-=======================
*4 actors sitting at a table. ,'O', as shown. A plate of cookies is on the table, centered. Setting anywhere*
================================================================
Male1: *At one end of table* "eats a cookie."
Background Actors: *Behind table take on or two only.*
Male2: *other end* "grabs cookie as well and sniffs it. Nods in approval and eats it"
Male1&2: "Both start grabbing and eating all of the cookies."
*One cookie should remain*
Background Actors: *just chillin out
Male 1&2: "both, without looking, grab the final cookie. Than start to tug back and forth looking confused. Shortly after they look at each other, and look a tad angered but determined. Both stand up, still holding their end of the cookie."
Background Actors: "Look a little uncomfortable about the building tensions"
Male 1&2: "While looking crossed and staring each other down, they drop the cookie then lower their heads a small bit, and smirk. They take fighting stances."
*Name VS Name, Fight!, overlay appears then disappears.*
Male1: That cookie... "Flaring is nostrils, looks at cookie and back to Male 2 in his stance." Is mine!
Male2: You my friend. Are sorrily mistaken, my hand was on it first! "looking smug"
Male1: "Growls"
Male2: "Snorts" "Charges Male1, battle cry"
Male1: "Charges as well, battle cry"
*Choreography*
Male 1&2: "Bounce back away from each other, both had taken equal damage, heavy breathing" "soon after the fight continues as they jump over the fence onto the field for room, fight getting more intense"
Male1: "Gets in a lucky punch knocking Male2 over pretty far. He walk closer"
Male2: "Lying down from the punch, kicks Male1 in the balls and then sweeps him off his legs, making him fall on his face, and then preceeds to get up"
Male1: You little.. son of... Erggh! "Straightens out" I'm going t--- Cut Off.
Female Voice: -Name Here-, you're underwear is cleanly washed for camp!!!!!
Background Actors: "Laugh"
Male2: Mom cmon!!!!
Male1: Haha! You're such a loser!!!!
Male2: You wanna come and prove it, you... wiufenon, turd eating elephant fart!?!
Male1: "Stops laughing. Straightens his face out and punches
Male2 straight in the jaw knocking Male two over. Again"
Male2: "dazed on the ground"
Male1: "spits on Male2" Phttt, loser... "Attempts to walk away"
Male2: "Opens eyes, in front of him is a banana" Huh? hmm.. "Grabs it and gets up." Haha, now you're done!
Male1: "stops, turns head to side" Huhh--- Cut Off "Shot in the ass with the banana" --- Ow!! What the!! Owww! Ahhhh!!!!
Male2: Ah crap... I wanted a headshot! I have the aim of a storm trooper... Whatever! "Throws the banana at Male1, it explodes sending Male1 flying towards the goals, seemingly unarmed" HaHA!
Male1: Uhhh... Oww... Well, at least it isn't as bad as that time when me and friend tried to play frisbee...
*Change clips*
Male1&3: "In a field"
Male1: "Looks open for the frisbee, smiles and happily nods"
Male3: "Large smile, retardedly throws frisbee at Male1"
Male1: "Stands there and lets it hit him, it explodes and he flies away, screaming"
*TV Buzz*
*Change clips*
Male1: "looks over, he sees object but doesn't show object" Huh?
Male2: What? He's alive???... What's he doing... "With hand over eyes as if looking far out"
Male1: "Looks at object overly excited, w/out it being shown" I could rob a bank with this!
Male2: What the... OH NO "Steps backwards nervousely and slowly"
Male1: "Picks up log(Or a funny elongated object) and holds it like a rocket launcher, then laugh meniacly, cocks the rpg"
Male2: *shot from behind him* "Rocket is fired"
Male1: "falls over from force"
Male2: "turns and runs away" No. NO. NO!!! "Explodes and flies towards the table of cookies, lying somewhat dead next to it".
Male1: "Rests rpg over his shoulder, hand on hip" Ha! That should do it!
*Pine Cone falls in slow motion, voice whispers and says, "Pine cones are grenades..." In a wispy voice*
Male1: "Looks over at in slow motion, stance changes from an acomplished look to a frightened doesn't know what to do look" Noooo. "Face turns pale"
"Explodes and flies toward the table of cookies on the opposite side of Male2 looking half dead."
Tyler: "Groovely prances over to table and examines and sniffs the cookie and picks it up" It's a cookie!
Male1: Wait.
Male2: No...
Tyler: "Eats it and prances away"
Male1&2: "arms outstretched slowly lower" Aw..
*Screen goes black*
*Title appears - "Don't eat cookies kids. Cookies don't make friends... Oh and don't forget... "Whispered" Pine cones are grenades..., Screen explodes into next video*
"[/B]
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45783124]pain[/QUOTE]
No offense, but this is pretty terrible.
[QUOTE=Loriborn;45783362]No offense, but this is pretty terrible.[/QUOTE]
Edit: Oh and if you think it seems childish or somewhat, retarded?, I could say, that's the point haha. Check out [url]www.youtube.com/user/tvmaxwell[/url] they are funny but have more "retardedness" then anything I've seen and are quite funny.
Edit: On last thing. Explain to me what you think is wrong with it and how I can make it better please. I don't want you to just shut it down without an explanation. It's like saying you'll buy me something at the toy store just so you can get me to go to the dentist and not get me anything at all.
That's fine. It's mostly just a bunch of footage to test out how good I can create visual effects. When It's complete I'm sure you'll think much differently anyway. There are people that make similar videos if not the same, but make millions of views JUST because they are themed with Game of Thrones or LOTR. I have other scripts I am writing but they aren't for live action filming, but instead for animations I am creating. They are much more complex and has the ability to create a connection with the viewer. I would copy and paste it, but it is a written copy.
First are u like 14 judging by that script (if so well tbh good you are starting early) and secondly download Celtx (a good bit of writing software, you can easily get a properly formatted script from it) and take a screenwriting class (definitely recommend this, i did and it's really useful) or at least look up and research how to write a film, because your structure is terrible and incoherent. Read good scripts as well. Chinatown, No Country For Old Men are outstanding screenplays that convey the film perfectly and are great examples of good dramatic writing.
What is it you want to do? I'm assuming direct? Look around your area for filmmaking schemes or workshops (no matter which role you want to do as a career) Seriously do. They are amazing. Great fun, you'll meet people with similar interests and people interested in different departments, plus it will (i would hope) be run by filmmakers. About a month ago I was a technical tutor on a residential scheme and they seriously all loved it, they made friends, met people from the industry and got to talk with them, and made 2 really good films. I couldn't recommend searching for things like residentials, once a week courses, week long intensive ones, etc if you're a teenager. Such a good way to get started and meet people and build up a portfolio, making connections with industry people as well which will hopefully allow you to get on sets as a runner or assistant etc via getting to know these filmmakers.
Ps your film will be higher budget than you expect every time and im already seeing cost in that film as well as some difficult stuff (like how your entire film is a fight scene). I mean go for it cos you learn more and more every time.
As for criticism the premise is silly but like it's a super short comedy film so they usually are but the dialogue is consistently terrible, it's so tongue in cheek in a low brow way. It's cheap as hell and sloppy writing. It's deliberately bad and cheesy because good comedy is hard and you realised that, right? Deliberately bad is still bad, unless you're a fucking top tier writer. You ain't sitting on no Black Dynamite there friend (one if the best comedy scripts written and filmed) Be creative with your jokes and dialogue, I've seen all of it before a million times and it's never actually funny. It's cringey as hell. Comedy is one of the absolute hardest things to write and I'm not very good at it myself but I would recommend thinking about subtlety and the fact that you're actually making a film. I guarantee that if you take that concept and make it a wordless film it'll be FAR better than it is right now. Film is a visual medium. Tell your jokes through the camera and visuals, don't just make a 2 minute compilation of one-liners. Btw I genuinely think you should make it "silent". It will be easier to film and more effective when put together. Use camera movements, facial expressions, sound design etc instead of poor dialogue to tell your story. It will work better.
[QUOTE=mikeyt493;45783775]First are u like 14 judging by that script (if so well tbh good you are starting early) and secondly download Celtx (a good bit of writing software, you can easily get a properly formatted script from it) and take a screenwriting class (definitely recommend this, i did and it's really useful) or at least look up and research how to write a film, because your structure is terrible and incoherent. Read good scripts as well. Chinatown, No Country For Old Men are outstanding screenplays that convey the film perfectly and are great examples of good dramatic writing.
What is it you want to do? I'm assuming direct? Look around your area for filmmaking schemes or workshops. Seriously do. They are amazing. Great fun, you'll meet people with similar interests and people interested in different departments, plus it will (i would hope) be run by filmmakers. About a month ago I was a technical tutor on a residential scheme and they seriously all loved it, they made friends, met people from the industry and got to talk with them, and made 2 really good films. I couldn't recommend searching for things like residentials, once a week courses, week long intensive ones, more if you're a teenager. Such a good way to get started and meet people and build up a portfolio, making connections with industry people as well which will hopefully allow you to get on sets as a runner or assistant etc.
Ps your film will be higher budget than you expect every time and im already seeing cost in that film as well as some difficult stuff (like how your entire film is a fight scene). I mean go for it cos you learn more and more every time.
As for criticism the premise is silly but like it's a super short comedy film so they usually are but the dialogue is consistently terrible, it's so tongue in cheek in a low brow way. It's cheap as hell and sloppy writing. Be creative with your jokes and dialogue, I've seen all of it before a million times and it's never actually funny. It's cringey as hell. Comedy is one of the absolute hardest things to write and I'm not very good at it myself but I would recommend thinking about subtlety and the fact that you're making a film. I guarantee that if you take that concept and make it a wordless film it'll be FAR better than it is right now. Film is a visual medium. Tell your jokes through the camera and visuals, don't just make a 2 minute compilation of one-liners. Btw I genuinely think you should make it "silent". It will be easier to film and more effective when put together. Seriously.[/QUOTE]
Thanks actually I'm 15. Now listen real quick. I have never taken a writing class. What it comes down to is I look at youtubers who are funny and successful and I create a template for my videos using that. Now this video. I didn't do any of that. I didn't follow a specific pattern or anything. I never intended to. I may make it silent like you said. But I was going to use strictly Visual FX which I am good at and will cost absolutely 0 as I have the necessary programs. This is a large chunk of footage i'm using just as something I can use to test my digital effects. The dialogue is supposed to be sloppy as I don't really care for that. But, I'm actually thinking about refurbishing this and making it more professional and then produce it. All I'm looking for is to be a YouTube entertainer. Now I'm not saying me "refurbishing" it will make it perfect or super awesome, but it will make it decent and at least make a lot of improvement.
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45781107] Tell me your story and what you would like to do.[/QUOTE]
i'm studying undergraduate film at screen academy scotland, i focus on cinematography, i've got hands on experience with dslr, sony hdv, canon xf (by extension, C series) and arri alexa and i'm working towards shooting a short in magic lantern raw on my 6D at the end of september about a girl and wee balloon she loves
you can see one of my previous shorts here, this is the only time i've directed, it was for my finishing 1st year
[video=vimeo;94031402]http://vimeo.com/94031402[/video]
[editline]24th August 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45783498]Edit: Oh and if you think it seems childish or somewhat, retarded?, I could say, that's the point haha. Check out [url]www.youtube.com/user/tvmaxwell[/url] they are funny but have more "retardedness" then anything I've seen and are quite funny.[/QUOTE]
i didn't find anything on there funny at all
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45784470]i'm studying undergraduate film at screen academy scotland, i focus on cinematography, i've got hands on experience with dslr, sony hdv, canon xf (by extension, C series) and arri alexa and i'm working towards shooting a short in magic lantern raw on my 6D at the end of september about a girl and wee balloon she loves
you can see one of my previous shorts here, this is the only time i've directed, it was for my finishing 1st year
[video=vimeo;94031402]http://vimeo.com/94031402[/video]
[editline]24th August 2014[/editline]
i didn't find anything on there funny at all[/QUOTE]
It really must be your taste of humor then. They do the stupidest things that happen to surprise me and make me laugh. With what they do I'd believe that an audience wouldn't be always 100 percent for them. Anyway, like you said, I'm just going to say i THINK i know what you mean by cinematography. If I do, we're on the same page. I've been learning about camera angles, lighting and creating the correct mood or to set a nice theme in a film. I haven't used a professional class, but I like to watch [url]www.youtube.com/user/indymogul[/url] . These guys are really good at DIY fils for sure. Back to your films, I enjoyed then way it was played out and I think I understand what you were going for.
you think you understand what i was going for?
what was that then?
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45786458]you think you understand what i was going for?
what was that then?[/QUOTE]
You said cinematography? Can you by chance explain to me exactly what that is? And what I meant by, "i think i understand what you're going for" I didn't mean what the meaning of the film was. I meant i thought you made this to try to catch cinematic views.
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45786539]You said cinematography? Can you by chance explain to me exactly what that is? And what I meant by, "i think i understand what you're going for" I didn't mean what the meaning of the film was. I meant i thought you made this to try to catch cinematic views.[/QUOTE]
oh
[quote]Cinematography (from Greek: κίνημα, kinema "movements" and γράφειν, graphein "to record") is the art or science of motion picture photography.[1] It is the technique of film photography, including both the shooting and development of the film.[2] The cinematographer could also be referred to as the film director's main visual collaborator.[3][/quote]
you are, as a director of photography, reporting directly to the director and you're in charge of the camera department below you.
the director gives you cues in terms of colours, framing, distances, sometimes as much as focal length and lenses and film stock to some who just let you go free.
[editline]24th August 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45786539] And what I meant by, "i think i understand what you're going for" I didn't mean what the meaning of the film was. I meant i thought you made this to try to catch cinematic views.[/QUOTE]
what does this mean?
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45777617]Wow? How did I skip over this? But isn't this for SHOWING YOUR creations? I haven't created anything. I really just want to discuss this topic with people more or less.[/QUOTE]
Theres been a couple of threads in the photography section about cinematography. I suggest taking a look around there.
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45786725]oh
you are, as a director of photography, reporting directly to the director and you're in charge of the camera department below you.
the director gives you cues in terms of colours, framing, distances, sometimes as much as focal length and lenses and film stock to some who just let you go free.
[editline]24th August 2014[/editline]
what does this mean?[/QUOTE]
I don't know how to explain what that means
what's a cinematic view?
[QUOTE=codenamecueball;45786986]what's a cinematic view?[/QUOTE]
I meant capturing with correct camera angling and lighting to create a cinematic looking scene.
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45787088]I meant capturing with correct camera angling and lighting to create a cinematic looking scene.[/QUOTE]
...
that's not what it's called.
[QUOTE=LordCrypto;45787099]...
that's not what it's called.[/QUOTE]
Explain
[QUOTE=assass1ngamer;45787109]Explain[/QUOTE]
well for one you're never gonna get a "cinematic looking scene" without proper glass/camera
you're probably shooting on an iphone correct
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
