Author ironpony Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 Right now I have a temporary seasonal job that is mininum wage at the moment. Before that I had another seasonal job that was paying 18 an hour. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 (edited) Well L.A. is so expensive though, and I don't know what job will pay those bills, even with roommates. Can't I just make a feature film or make projects in a cheaper city. Why such an expensive city? Trying to make microbudget film projects in a very expensive city just seems oxymoronic to me, unless I am wrong? Plus I don't have a green card or visa so I am not sure how I can move to the US therefore. Edited April 30, 2021 by ironpony Link to post Share on other sites
vla1120 Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 10 hours ago, ironpony said: Oh well everyone seems to be getting out of L.A. and NYC now because of covid and the political situations, it seems movies are not being made there near as much as it use to be, or so I hear. I thought I would be better prepared for the failure if I only spent 40K. Also LA and NYC are really expensive to live in, so I would need a job that can pay for me living there, and I do not know what to do as a profession that would pay that high to do so. But also, I don't have a green card to move to either of those cities either. Oh! You don't have to be in LA or NYC. Many production companies are moving to smaller cities to do business and, from what I read, the same is happening abroad. Search which cities near you are best for movie making. You're right, COVID has adversely impacted the industry, but movies are still being made. Just get yourself as close as possible to the business in whatever capacity possible. Exposure and gaining experience are key. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 2 hours ago, vla1120 said: Oh! You don't have to be in LA or NYC. Many production companies are moving to smaller cities to do business and, from what I read, the same is happening abroad. Search which cities near you are best for movie making. You're right, COVID has adversely impacted the industry, but movies are still being made. Just get yourself as close as possible to the business in whatever capacity possible. Exposure and gaining experience are key. Oh okay, thanks, I can do that. I've been on some movie productions over the years in my city, as well as driving to some others that are a few hours away, here and there to get on sets. But I guess I just felt I was at the point where I should try to make my own feature film myself now, to try to break in with that, or at least I felt that was the best way to break in rather than rely on others to give me more of a break without ever having made a feature film. Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 19 hours ago, ironpony said: Well L.A. is so expensive though, and I don't know what job will pay those bills, even with roommates. Can't I just make a feature film or make projects in a cheaper city. Your Canadian dollars won’t go far in the US. $40,000 Canadian dollars = <$30,000 US dollars and that I can’t imagine will even begin to cover the cost of a movie. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Oh okay, so I am better of making it in Canada then you are saying? My one friend from Indonesia told me I should make it there, as the money will go a lot further, and was considering that as well, but thought the flights might cost too much maybe. Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 I think if you want to be taken seriously, you need to come up with an actual business plan. Otherwise, you are dreamer who is about to waste away the hard earned savings that your parents so wisely encouraged you build. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Well I think I need to enlist someone else and hire them to handle the business part of it. I feel I can do a lot better on the technical side of filmmaking, but if I could hire someone to handle the business side, that would be the best perhaps. I think I am more of a technical filmmaker than a producer/business marketer. Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 3 minutes ago, ironpony said: Well I think I need to enlist someone else and hire them to handle the business part of it. I feel I can do a lot better on the technical side of filmmaking, but if I could hire someone to handle the business side, that would be the best perhaps. I think I am more of a technical filmmaker than a producer/business marketer. I fear that’s an easy way to be taken advantage of... you have to be very careful when you allow someone to control the business/money side of a business venture. You know, when we are young we all have dreams of things that we want to do. The reality is, we all have to find a job that puts money on the table. Those who are truly lucky manage to find a job that involves their interest or their passion. But many others, will chose a profession and pursue their interest or passion on the side. It’s just reality. Have you ever thought of a compromise? If you like the technical aspect of film making, try to get a job in the film industry doing this work? That way, you will do what you love and you can support yourself financially. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Oh well I like film directing and took a course in that, as well as read books in that. So I want to direct but it's hard to get a job in that when starting out and most directors direct a first feature themselves, without being hired it seems. Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, ironpony said: Oh well I like film directing and took a course in that, as well as read books in that. So I want to direct but it's hard to get a job in that when starting out and most directors direct a first feature themselves, without being hired it seems. Perhaps you need to do more than take a course. I imagine you will be taken more seriously if you get some experience and learn about the industry, starting at the bottom, and work your way up. Edited May 1, 2021 by BaileyB Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Just now, BaileyB said: Perhaps you need to do more than take a course. I imagine you will be taken more seriously if you learn about the industry, starting at the bottom, and work your way up. Just now, BaileyB said: Perhaps you need to do more than take a course. I imagine you will be taken more seriously if you learn about the industry, starting at the bottom, and work your way up. Oh okay, well I've done a lot of jobs so far such as acting in roles in movies, and I have done editing and sound recording on other movies for people. But I keep getting hired for those jobs. It seems that if I have acted, edited and done sound, that's all they want me for, and no one wants to give me any directing jobs, if those are the jobs I have started out in. I am not sure how to work my way up as director but maybe I am doing it wrong? Link to post Share on other sites
BaileyB Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Just now, ironpony said: Oh okay, well I've done a lot of jobs so far such as acting in roles in movies, and I have done editing and sound recording on other movies for people. But I keep getting hired for those jobs. It seems that if I have acted, edited and done sound, that's all they want me for, and no one wants to give me any directing jobs, if those are the jobs I have started out in. I am not sure how to work my way up as director but maybe I am doing it wrong? Isn’t working in the industry in any way better than not working in the industry at all? If you are getting hired for those jobs and they provide a living wage, then I would continue to explore that option. The reality is, I’m sure lots of people work in the film industry and very few probably get the opportunity to direct. It could take years before someone decides to give you a break, or it may never happen at all. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still work in the industry and make a living wage doing something that you enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 8 minutes ago, BaileyB said: Isn’t working in the industry in any way better than not working in the industry at all? If you are getting hired for those jobs and they provide a living wage, then I would continue to explore that option. The reality is, I’m sure lots of people work in the film industry and very few probably get the opportunity to direct. It could take years before someone decides to give you a break, or it may never happen at all. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still work in the industry and make a living wage doing something that you enjoy. Oh yes for sure I can still work in the industry, it's that that since I wanted to try a shot at getting into directing a feature film particularly, I thought this is the best way to do it, but maybe I am wrong. It just seems that feel I have been 'typed', so to speak, as in once you are an actor or editor, you will be always be and people only want me for those jobs. I can still do them, I just wanted to try a shot at directing, since that is what I wanted goal and passion wise. Link to post Share on other sites
Wiseman2 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 18 hours ago, ironpony said: I just wanted to try a shot at directing, since that is what I wanted goal and passion wise. Ok, start with making/producing YouTube videos. Get some of the kinks out without a big budget, rent some equipment, etc. Get some friends, extras, amateurs, volunteers together, pick a free locale and a theme/plot and see how that goes first. If you can pull that off and get a lot of YT hits, likes, followers, comments, etc. then you'll get real-time feedback. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 Oh ok I have done this as well and got feedback. But wouldn't a feature still be the next step? Link to post Share on other sites
elaine567 Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 7 hours ago, ironpony said: Oh ok I have done this as well and got feedback. But wouldn't a feature still be the next step? Not when the feedback was less than stellar. If people like your YouTube stuff they will probably like your feature film, if it is of the same quality and creativity. As you had no success at all on YouTube, why would you think you will have success with a low budget feature film? Fine if you have money to burn, but you don't. No success = a complete waste of money. You might as well make a bonfire of your $40K in the garden and save yourself a lot of bother and heart ache. Your next step is to try to make a YouTube film that some people will actually like. If a surgeon cannot master removing tonsils, his next step is not hoping he can perform a heart transplant... 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 Oh okay, so if I were to make a video for youtube that had good feedback, then I should spend the money for the feature then? Link to post Share on other sites
vla1120 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 18 hours ago, ironpony said: Oh okay, so if I were to make a video for youtube that had good feedback, then I should spend the money for the feature then? Not "A" video for YouTube...if I were you, I would strive for a somewhat successful YouTube CHANNEL with MANY videos.....THEN perhaps you can think about a feature film (but even then, I agree that you need a sound business plan beforehand!) 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 Oh okay, but well I have some videos so far, but what would a lot of videos do, or what difference does that make? Are you saying I could get funding with more videos? Link to post Share on other sites
elaine567 Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 20 minutes ago, ironpony said: Are you saying I could get funding with more videos? You may get funding if the videos you have or make in the future perhaps, generated more likes... No-one is going to invest in someone who is making videos few people like. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 Oh okay. Well I am just afraid I may loose more money if I do it that way, that I will not gain back. For example, if I were to make say 10 videos at say $3000 a video, then that's 30K of mine spent on making videos. So the fear, is what if I do not get funding still, then that's 30K gone that could have went to a feature film budget. So a part of me feels maybe I am better off in some ways using my own money to fund, rather than spend money making videos, hoping it gets me more money, but going on blind faith that it will, when it may not, if that makes sense? Another thing is, I was told by another filmmaker that I worked for who got funding to make a feature that I am better off using my money own money, because the when she got it, the investors wanted to her to work within very strict rules, and there was almost no flexibility, where as if I do not have investors commanding me, you less rules to work under and more flexibility, in case you need it during production. Do you think she has a point? Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) I stumbled across a Sci-Fi channel on my ROKU device called DUST. They seem to host sci-fi short films for various makers/film producers. Maybe you could submit one of your short films to them and see if it could make some money for you?? You could use that money to fund other projects... Edited May 5, 2021 by a LoveShack.org Moderator removed reference to identifying information Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) Oh thanks for the idea! I thought my short film turned out poorly, and wasn't sure if I should show it, but I could and will definitely look into it! Thanks! Edited May 5, 2021 by a LoveShack.org Moderator removed identifying information Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) Keep in mind, that I am in the US... I don't know if the DUST channel is shown in Canada. I know Canada has ROKU, but I don't know what channels you have access to. If you get a chance and DUST is on a Canadian ROKU device, check out the other short films on there. Edited May 5, 2021 by a LoveShack.org Moderator removed identifying information Link to post Share on other sites
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