Making Movies Is Like A MMA Fight
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009
by Sid Kali
Slice of Americana Films
Making your first movie is like a drag out fight where you're nose will get bloodied and you'll learn what real humility means. To move from a story idea to a finished movie you can show is an accomplishment at any filmmaking level. I write, direct, and produce smaller budget movies under the Slice of Americana Films flag. Like most indie fueled production companies we don't have large budgets to work with and cannot afford to hire known actors.
Mark Bosko (film rep) sums it up crystal clear, "MORE THAN 8,500 INDEPENDENT FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS WERE MADE LAST YEAR...Less than 500 found meaningful commercial distribution." Unless you're one of the few first time filmmakers who lands a major studio deal chances are your movie will go need to compete in the direct-to-video market. Many movie viewers have nothing good to say about direct-to-video releases. They're used to splashy big budget Hollywood movies or so called "indie films" with name actors in them. As an aspiring indie filmmaker you need to know one thing. After working hard to finish your movie there will be viewers are going to comment it sucks and you suck.
Which is very cool, because when you make movies you're putting you and your movie out there to be commented on by viewers that are taking time to watch your movie. Don't take it personal and get standoffish. Because you'll stop reading comments and could miss out on some solid criticism from a viewer that will help you make a better movie next time out. Some filmmakers have the attitude they make movies for themselves, damn the viewers if they don't get it. I have the opposite attitude. I make movies to entertain viewers best I can.
Working outside of Hollywood I think a indie produced movie that can secure a direct-to-video release is a major success story. A lot of smaller budget film shoots fail at different stages or never get distributed. I try to avoid using the term "independent film" because some movies made for a million or more are considered "indie" in some industry circles. I prefer using "smaller budget film." The smaller budget film community who work with budgets from $10,000 to a $150,000 is where making that first movie can be disastrous. It's usually due to a lack of experience, money, time, or unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved with limited resources.
Before making my first movie Consignment I thought I knew what to expect from reading mainstream film books. I learned the hard way that I knew a fraction of what it takes to make a smaller budget movie (having read books on making movies Hollywood style). Most mainstream film books did not speak on what it takes to make a movie outside of Hollywood. Looking for more information I started to read no budget or guerrilla filmmaking books. These spoke much more to me as a independent filmmaker, but were too extreme. I wanted to find a happy medium that work with my budget.
Bottom line is nobody sets out to make a movie and fail. Making a smaller budget movie is not for everyone. It may sound exciting and glamorous at the start, but those feelings quickly fade as the amount of work gets overwhelming before you even begin to shoot. After a couple of well meaning production meetings and cast rehearsals, some people will drop out of the movie when it becomes clear the time and energy involved. That's just the way it is. During Consignment we had to re-cast the female lead 5 times, the last being on the first day of shooting. It's called rolling with the punches.
People will drop out because they landed a bigger part, higher paying gig, or lost interest in being involved making a smaller budget movie. There is no glitz, star power, or money to burn when making a smaller budget movie. It comes down to a group of hungry actors and crew that want to pay their dues. Surround yourself with people that share your passion and drive to make movies. Everyone needs to make a living, but until Hollywood calls you have to show you can make a movie. I've taken so many lumps chasing my dream it inspired me to write a book that can help that people aren't Hollywood or guerrilla filmmakers.
Sid's book The First Movie Is The Toughest is a powerful resource for for aspiring screenwriters, directors, and producers along with the casual reader with their own great story idea for a movie. Every chapter has solid information that will help you avoid many common problems and save you money through every stage of production from script to distribution.
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