WIZDOM: Will Smith's Attitude

I won't lie, many years ago I used to hate on Will Smith. (Surely, I'm not the only one that originally dismissed the bubblegum rap of Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff as the corny work of two flash-in-the-pan rap hacks, am I?)

If you asked me to bet which of the rappers on the scene 20 years ago would end up being the most successful, well-balanced, savvy and end up commanding the highest paycheck of the bunch... I would have never put my money on Will Smith.

Fortunately, Will Smith always bet on himself and never believed a word that any hater uttered against him (least of all some skinny pimple-faced junior high school nerd). He never believed it was impossible to transcend his shortcomings and rise above people's low expectations of him.

How did Will do it? Like any successful person, he started with his MINDSET. Here's a great sampling of clips from throughout Will's career that show the consistency in his wisdom and attitude towards life. Listen and learn...

*Thanks to Down and Dirty DV fan, Veronica "V-Chip" Hines, for originally posting this clip on FB.

How to Change the World...One Person at A Time

I started Down and Dirty DV as a way to share my little bit of guerrilla knowledge and insight with those who are walking the same filmmaking path I began almost 20 years ago. I've discovered along the way that moreso than filmmaking even, I really enjoy teaching, inspiring and encouraging others to make the films in their head.

As I wrote in the introduction to The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide, I believe in it's best form documentary has the power to change the world, not necessarily in big sweeping ways, but in a thousand little but very real ways- one-person at a time. (The only way anything ever really changes in society.) I believe this is doubly true of teaching and I often get emails from former workshop students and readers that affirm this idea.

Most recently I got an email from new filmmaker, Susan Shaw, who attended an all-day series of workshops sponsored by Panasonic that I gave along with DP/camera guru, Bernie Mitchell, at the B&H Event Space. Unbeknownst to me, that day changed her life.

In the space of less than a year, Susan went from never having made a film to directing her first short, an experimental documentary entitled Michael's Snow, getting it on the big screen at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival ...And to top it all off she just received an artist's residence in Vermont to work on her next two films.

Most humbling to me though, she credits the info she received at that day of seminars, as well as what she learned in The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide and on this blog with educating and inspiring her to make that first film - and now two more. Her case-study is the very definition of what I mean when I say "Shut Up and Shoot".

Read Susan Shaw's full blog post about that fateful day in her own words HERE.

If you want to see for yourself what got Susan so fired up to go out and make films, every seminar I gave that day at the B&H Superstore Event Space is now available with expanded content in the new deluxe 6-DVD Set of Indie Film Bootcamp, plus this set includes 3 more seminars from my fellow indie filmmakers, Pete Chatmon and Benjamin Ahr Harrison.

I try to not just offer straight filmmaking instruction, but go out of my way to give you the inspiration and practical filmmaking wisdom that you also need to ultimately succeed. And yes, it is possible that at the very best it could just end up changing your life...

You wouldn't be the first.




*If you have a story of how any of Down and Dirty DV's workshops, podcasts, or other products have helped you, I'd love to hear from you too. Drop me a line here.

A Great Doc About Docs

As I blog this I'm engrossed in a great documentary airing on The Documentary Channel...about making documentaries of all things. It's entitled Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (2008) and it's totally got me jonesing to go out and shoot a new doc right now. If you are stuck on a doc project and need some motivation or inspiration to get it going again, you should definitely give it a peep.

It's a series of interviews with a dozen or so of the most influential doc makers on the planet including Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, Jennifer Fox, Albert Maysles, and many many more. It's a great little slice f film school and inspiration as these world class docmakers share everything about their approach from how they use the camera, to developing relationships with subjects, to how they use sound.

I don't see it listed as airing again until Saturday morning, June 6, but this one's worth owning of you are a serious docmaker. It's the kind of flick I can see watching a few times a year to refocus and reignite my film passion. (American Movie is the other doc that does that for me in a weird sort of way.)

Anyway, peep it out and let me know your thoughts. I've gotta go bang out some treatments now! My head is exploding with ideas

Best Double Down Film Show Ever!

Last night’s show was great and went right to core mission of The Double Down Film Show - to help you succeed and stay inspired as you make your way in the film and tv industry. We had more people in the chat room and listening in LIVE than ever before. (Truth is we were just getting warmed up and could've easily gone another hour!)

Listen to the show for yourself on the player below. Here are just a few comments we got from listeners already:

“GREAT JOB MAN !!!!!!!! I listened to the radio show and ya said the truth”
- Eric Arriola

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the show is excellent. I also know that I don't have to tell you that I really enjoyed listening and will continue to listen. It's very motivating not only to film makers, but entrepreneurs, artists, designers and dreamers. I really enjoyed it. You two are top notch. Thanks for sharing the wisdom."
-Lenny Mayers

"Your blogtalkradio presentation was awesome! I can't wait for the next 20 lessons."
-Amanda Guest

“Nice show, I listened in. Keep up the good work :))”
- Jacqueline Cofield N’Namdi

“Great show tonight, Anthony. Each one, teach one in full effect- beautiful, just beautiful.”
- Kia M. Neal

“Pete that was AWESOME. I got a chance to listen tonight…..Thank you and Anthony so much. I am fired up, inspired and just so open to the many possibilities. As you say Onward and Upward….Continued blessings to you!!!!!!!!!!!!”
- Richarda Abrams

To get the complete breakdown of our “20 Filmmaking Lessons Learned the Hard Way” you’ve gotta join the DOUBLE DOWN FILM COMMUNITY. This will be uploaded to the site later today exclusively for our members, as well as my and Pete's “Recommended Reading List”!

Announcing The Double Down Film Show!

In our ongoing effort to better serve our fellow filmmakers, Down and Dirty DV has teamed up with Double 7 Film to bring you yet another new FREE filmmaking resource...The Double Down Film Show.

The Double Down Film Show is an hour long experience of "real talk" about what it takes to get your project from script to screen and establish a career in film and tv.

Every Wednesday night myself and Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film will deliver all of the production, technology, business, and motivational support that filmmakers need to achieve their filmmaking dreams.

Each week our guests include entertainment celebrities, leading industry thinkers, and hustlers on the rise. You are all invited to participate by calling in with your filmmaking questions, career concerns, and with questions for our guests.

We've all gambled on our own careers and dreams, but now it's time to double down, baby! We'll show you how every Wednesday night, so place your bets on The Double Down Film Show!

Time: Wednesdays - 9pm to 10pm

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to on your computer or phone live every Wednesday at 9pm:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

Click the play button below to listen to our inaugural episode.
(*There is about 30 secs. of silence at the very beginning of the show, so be patient.)

American Cinematographer Gives Down and Dirty Props

"As one might guess from the emphatic title of his book, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide author Anthony Q. Artis is more than just a filmmaker, teacher and writer — he’s a sort of DV evangelist, a man on a mission to educate everyone about the benefits of digital production and postproduction."

- Jim Hemphill,
American Cinematographer Magazine

Since he described me (accurately) as a DV evangelist, let me give you a brief guerrilla sermon...

"The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide" which began as a little self-published B&W guerrilla book that I wrote during my subway commute has already received more attention and positive reviews from all over the world than I could have hoped for, but the one I just got today is particularly special because it comes from one of the most respected magazines in the industry - American Cinematographer.

Way back when I first unveiled the very first version of this book at Sundance some 3 years ago hustling it out of my backpack as I walked up and down the steep Main Street hill in Park City I was so excited to finally see people's reaction to something I had put so much of my heart into. Not unlike with filmmaking, you bust your ass, your wallet and your brain for a long period of time never really sure if people are even gonna "get" your vision- or even worse if they are gonna think it sucks.

In as much as people may think I exude confidence, the reality is that I am just as insecure and unsure as the next person...I just don't let those feelings stop me. I can't afford to and neither can you as an aspiring filmmaker. Whether you are making a movie, writing a book, or starting a new company, any serious achievement will involve a constant head game that you have to win.

As filmmakers we are all aware of the pitfalls of budget, inexperience, faulty equipment, etc. But we rarely consider the biggest pitfall of all - the negative voices in our own heads. (I like to think of them like that line from the Exorcist that goes something like, "The Demon knows your weaknesses. He will mix lies with the truth to confuse you". I take that line as a metaphor for those voices of doubt in all our heads.)

I can't count the number of times I wanted to quit, thought I was wasting my time and money, was rejected by someone I really wanted to help me with the project or was just worn the hell out from hustling and trying to maintain a life outside of the project. Understand that these doubts ARE the very first tests. It's all part of the process. It's where 90% of the people with visions are shut down before the vision even sparks. I suspect there are hundreds of would-be indie hits, #1 tv shows, or even bonafide Oscar contenders half-written, half-shot, half-edited in closets and paper piles all over the world...dreams deferred.

I submit the below review from a American Cinematographer as proof that those voices are all full of shit and that if you have a film, a business, a book...any major personal achievement that you want to get off the ground and bring to completion- you've gotta do your damnedest to protect that vision from your own self doubts, because you truly never know how people will react to your vision unless you complete it and get it out there.

And in the best case scenarios you'll discover what I discovered in this process - completing a major artistic vision ain't easy, but it ain't impossible either. People with far less brains, talent, and character than you and me have successfully completed their visions. In my experience as an educator and film consultant, the biggest thing stopping us is usually us.

Pick a specific goal, ignore the negative voices and never stop moving towards it (however slow or meandering a path you have to take) and you will ultimately achieve it. Here's the proof:

American Cinematographer's Review of
"The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide"

Episode #5 - Show Notes - Adrian Belic Interview

Episode #5 was the first video podcast featuring an impromptu interview with documentary producer/director, Adrian Belic. Last year at Sundance I approached Adrian at one of the documentary seminars about scheduling an interview after I overheard him giving some passionate filmmaking advice to two other docmakers.

He was too busy to schedule an interview, but said we could knock one out right then. A few minutes later, we sneaked into a corner (okay it was basically a storage closet) and shot this impromptu interview. (Hence the lack of lighting.)

If you don't know who Adrian Belic is, he and his brother, Rocco, made the Oscar-nominated and Sundance Audience Award-winning doc, "Genghis Blues", which is about a blind blues singer that learns then excels at the rare art of Tuvan throat singing then goes on to the far reaches of the Republic of Tuva (near Mongolia) to compete in an annual Tuvan throat-singing contest. Adrian's most recent flick making the festival rounds is, "Beyond the Call". It's about a small group of doctors who risk life and limb to administer aid and healthcare to some of the most dangerous parts of the world.

So many people become jaded so quickly in this business. As soon as they achieve some success, they forget what it was like to be that hungry kid with a camera and a dream. So, it was refereshing to meet someone who's been in the film game so long, but hasn't lost their passion. In fact, talking to Adrian was like talking to a new film student, with the major exception that he actually knows what he's talking about.

Anyway, if you liked the little snippets of the video interview in the podcast, there will be longer versions of all the interviews in our upcoming instructional Guerrilla Filmmaking DVD which will hopefully be dropping this Spring or early Summer. There are also more video podcasts on the way soon. Mad thanx to Frank Monteleone of Full Armor Productions who did the animation and editing for the video podcast.

The Secret to Guerrilla (Or Any Other Kind of) Success

This is one of those "duhhh" bits of advice, but it nevertheless seems to elude many indie filmmakers on a regular basis. What I am about to tell you is life advice that you will find helpful in getting any number of things or outcomes that you desire. It has served me well since Junior High School and I've never regreted applying it to any given situation. Are you ready for this bombshell? Here goes:

Whenever seeking the help of another person or organization you should always try to create a win-win situation that will benefit both you and them.

That's it. That's my mind-blowing filmmaking revelation. Let me elaborate. (I promise, I'm keeping this post short.) Too often I am consulted by young filmmakers who plan or are in the process of approaching some organization or person to get some thing for free. It might be an equipment donation, a free location, a sponsorship, an introduction, etc.

(PHOTO: One of my guerrilla allies, Director/Producer Pete Chatmon, of the upcoming film "Premium". I help Pete's company Double 7 Films with some of their video and production needs and he helps me with business consultations and introductions for the Down and Dirty DV Project. That's Win-Win, Baby!)








A classic amateur guerrilla mistake is to assume that somehow these people will, out of the sheer generosity in their heart, want to help YOU with YOUR project. The reality is that people want to help themselves much more than they want to help someone else. That's just human nature. Always has been.

How often do you go around looking for ways to help other people that doesn't benefit you? (FYI- Doing it just to feel good about it counts as a benefit.) We'd all like to help other people more and in more ways, but we are so pre-occupied with our own needs and problems that we have little extra energy to devote to efforts that solely benefit other people. The most stable and productive partnerships are all win-win. Win-win situations are how you form allies in filmmaking and life. And you need allies for both.

Assess your skills and resources, then assess the people who are in a position to help you further your project and figure out what you may be able to offer that they might need. All you have to do is put yourself in their shoes and pretend you are them listening to your pitch from their perspective then ask, "How will this benefit me?" (not you-me, but you-them).

If you train yourself to look at any given situation from the other person's perspective, you will almost instantly know when you are wasting your (and their) time and you will be able to anticipate where you will get resistance to your requests and how to best overcome it before a single conversation has even taken place.

Approach by focusing on mutual needs. Never pitch something as a favor.

Unless someone owes you a favor, this is a turnoff. By the same token, don't contact someone out of the blue with your idea for how you can do them an unsolicited favor, because they will likely be suspicious and question your motivations. They know you want something in the end and they will just tune out your pitch until they know what it's going to cost them. It's like when a cheery telemarketer calls to tell you that you've just won a "free" trip to a resort and starts telling you about the lovely amenities before telling you the real catch.

Instead, just be honest and approach with a realistic and thought out plan for how you can both help each other. Explain what you need from them and explain how it will benefit them. People respect this kind of honesty and it will take down some of their defenses since they already know what you want and they see that you've taken their situation into consideration as well.

There will be cases where you seemingly have nothing to offer someone, because they have considerably more resources than you already. You should certainly still ask, but don't waste a lot of time begging for things or pleading to convince someone of how great your project will be. Instead look for more suitable people to trade favors with.

(My long time allies, Rebekah and Christie, who run Filmtrix.org gave me an interview for the Down and Dirty DV Podcast (coming soon) and I'm giving them some additional promotion. That's Win-Win, Again!)

Some typical trade offs in guerrilla filmmaking are:

Locations - Exposure
Crew - Experience
Talent - Demo Reel
Equipment - Credit or Experience
Crew (your film) - Crew (their film)
Products - Product Placement
Food - Credit or Exposure
Professional Services - Points on Film
Post Production Services - Points on Film

And the list goes on and on.


Don't look for handouts. Look for allies.

You may be able to scrouge up one or two handouts here and there, but an ally is a powerful long-term resource that will serve your objectives long into the future as you serve theirs. You absolutely can't make a film without them.

And that's all I have to say about that.

-Ant.