HBO Gets Down With the Git Down

Apparently some of the major media outlets have taken note of my recent rants about how old media needs to transform itself into new media and retool their models or perish.

No doubt due in large part to this blog's massive influence on Hollywood taste and decision-makers, HBO has fired off a bold new shot in the old vs. new media wars.

Never shy to blaze a new trail, the smart people at HBO have switched up their game again, to debut the season 2 premiere of their hot new comedy series, "Flight of the Conchords" a full month early on the comedy website FunnyOrDie.com. The series premiere will show on HBO starting January 18th.

The very laws of nature are such that all things, mass media included, must eventually evolve or die. HBO has wisely chosen evolution.

Bold and well done, HBO. Maybe your colleagues will take note as the pink slips continue to roll in.

Watch the full season 2 premiere episode of "Flight of the Conchords" right now, right here!:

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

Happy Spouse 2.0 Day

One of the things I try to do with Down and Dirty DV is try to talk and school filmmakers about the things that no one really told me about, but yet are still critical to the filmmaking process like building business relationships, self-promotion, managing your own head, etc.

There’s a lot of information out there about the tangible aspects of filmmaking- shutter speeds, microphone properties, etc. But many of the things that I have observed that can really put the brakes on people’s film careers are much less tangible.

One such subject to be aware of (if you are so fortunate) is your spouse or significant other. Not that dissimilar to cops and doctors, this industry takes a very heavy toll on personal relationships, because we are often unavailable for the everyday things like dinner, family gatherings, or just simple daily household minutia.

We work on projects that take up all of our time, mental energy and drain our emotions. And apart from that, these same projects often require us to spend a lot of time away from home and damn near every dollar we have pursuing our dreams.

The end result for those of us with wives, husbands and partners is that there is often a “film widow” (or widower) somewhere in the background who sacrifices a great deal to help us realize that dream.

And the f-ed up part about it, is that so many of us are so caught up in our visions that we fail to even recognize the huge role their sacrifices play in allowing us to live out our dreams (or at least pursue them whole-heartedly).

So it was with some pleasant surprise that I noted a NY Times blog article earlier this week that stated that today, December 12th is Spouse 2.0 day, a day for Internet Start-Ups to remember and honor their other halves toiling to hold down the fort, the family and often the finances that are keeping our dreams afloat.

Eventhough Spouse 2.0 Day is for Internet Start-Ups, I think filmmakers fall into the exact same category and that we should all appropriate this day to honor our better halves with a gift, date, or just our whole presence (mental and physical) and stop for a minute and say thank you for holding us down.

Hey, I’m full of as much macho bravado as the next guy, but the honest truth is that I couldn’t do all the things I do – blog, podcast, shoot, write books, consult, run this business if it weren’t for my wife Sonya who also works full-time, but takes on the bulk of the responsibility for our household from cleaning, to the bills, to the kids. She sacrifices quality time with me, so that I can share my knowledge and talents with the world.

So this is just a very public shout out to her and a reminder to everyone else out there hustling to make their dreams come true that somewhere in the background, if you are lucky, there is someone else who loves you enough to put up with all the B.S. that comes along with a career in the arts and we shouldn’t take those people for granted, because they are one of the pillars that we lean on to get us through.

If you are with someone and you are blessed enough to have their full support in your crazy-ass artistic endeavors, as I do, then take some time this weekend (and a few more through out the year) to just stop and BE with them and let them know how much you appreciate them, because without that support of our other halves, our artistic efforts are doomed to disappoint.

I love you, baby. Thanks for having my back all these years.

-Tony

Instructions for Spouse 2.0 day

This Online Show is Worth $100,000

Game Changer: "The What the Buck Show" generates $100,000 in online advertising on YouTube for it's creator, Michael Buckley.

Making Real Money on YouTube

Photo: Christopher Capozziello for The New York Times

Only several hours after I posted yet another sermon on the coming changes in the media landscape and how we all need to be exploiting them, I just read this New York Times article on how Michael Buckley along with a small group of saavy new-age media makers are making real money through YouTube's partner program which pairs advertising with original content.

And when I say "real money" I'm talking up to 6 figures. $100,000 generated entirely online with nothing more than a clear thought out WELL-EXECUTED vision carried out with "a $2,000 Canon camera, a $6 piece of fabric for a backdrop and a pair of work lights from Home Depot".

I don't know what you are making at your current place of employment, but I bet it's not close to that. ( And if it is, I bet it involves a lot more hassle, long hours and considerably less fun.)





Read the Article for yourself. This isn't some far off fantasy just in MY head. This is a new reality right here and now, baby. Ladies and gentleman, the game has indeed changed.

The only question is will YOU be a player in the NEW game or are you gonna let the Golden Age of New Media just pass you by? There's only one answer if you're Down and Dirty...

"Hell's no!"

-Ant.

Dr. Horrible Changes Up the Game

Back during the writer's strike, bored TV wonder boy, Joss Whedon (creator of such modern cult classics as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and "Firefly") created a whole new show while he waited for the writers, producers, and studios to get their acts together. The end result is the quirky new property known as Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, a 3-part mini-series musical. See clip below:





While the show starring a singing Neal Patrick Harris (you know the guy from "Dougie Howser, M.D.") as a wacky evil doctor is a matter of taste, what I find most notable about it is the primary means of distribution...online via Hulu.com and iTunes which grew an audience for surprise - A new DVD release!

I said it years ago when I started this blog and wrote my book and I'll say it again...the media landscape is changing. The power is shifting in our (content creators) direction little by little.

The big media companies are still in a little denial, but the gatekeepers of traditional media are slowly (dare I say quickly) loosing their iron grip on distribution. Via web 2.0 sites like Hulu.com, iTunes, and others, everyday filmmaking Joes can find and grow a receptive audience...and sooner than you realize there will be more viable options to actually turn a buck on our own work without any approval or involvement at all from the major media outlets.

As I write this there a number of devices and services in action and being developed that will be able to pipe your content direct to viewers computers an yes, now, even directly to their televisions. (See our previous blog post on the new generation of "black boxes".) Look around you. Pick up a paper. Traditional media dismissed the Internet for a little too long and now they are getting their asses spanked for it.

My strong advice is to start studying and experimenting with these new services and online distribution models and building your own devoted audience now before the majors get their act together and find a way to box you out. (Most of these services are still free, believe it or not.) The old excuses of gatekeepers blocking your project no longer stands up.

Now it's up to us to research, be saavy, and move first to seize these incredible opportunities to skip all the middle men and take our filmmaking careers into our own hands. And God-willing, if we do really start building large audiences and making money, the big media conglomerates will come to us...or better yet the big media conglomerates will BE us. It's already happening, people. It's just gonna take awhile for the mainstream to realize it.

Again, all you need to do for evidence is to look back at the record labels vs. digital downloading, newspapers vs. websites, network tv vs. cable...They all laughed at "the new kid on the block" and now that new kid is eating their supper. It's real simple- get with the new, or go out with the old. This time it's our turn, baby. And you can tell 'em I said it.

Peace, Love and Video
-Ant.

Career Seminar @ DCTV This Week

This Friday night December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm I will be returning to one of my favorite filmmaking establishments in New York City - DCTV a.k.a. Downtown Community Television (DCTVNY.org). If you are anywhere near NYC and in the documentary scene…you need to get down with DCTV if you aren't already.

I think this organization is a “must join” for any serious documentary filmmaker in the city. They provide equipment rentals, multi-level classes, editing facilities, and great panels and master classes, including one with yours truly this coming Friday night.

And the best part is that it's a non-profit operation, so everything is completely affordable, goes to help fellow filmmakers and the people and warm energy in that place are incredible. They have Open Houses several times throughout the year and classes and seminars all year round. They also have an excellent free filmmaking workshop for teens in NYC.

I will be presenting an inspirational and one-of-a-kind seminar on breaking in and making a way for yourself in the entertainment industry. Let's be real- there is crazy competition in this industry. It's not enough to just be good at what you do and it's not enough to just "know somebody".

How does one break into showbiz? How do you get that first entry-level job? And what do you do once you get it? You need to come up with proven and bonafide strategies to infiltrate- then rise up where you want to go in this industry or you're gonna waste a lot of time just spinning your wheels in circles.

In this unique seminar I will discuss:

• Filmmaking Training Resources
• Getting Ya Mind Right
• Film School vs. Self Teaching
• Moving to L.A.
• Industry Job-Hunting
• Local Fimmaking Resources
• My 5-Phase Double-Secret Strategy for Moving Up…Anywhere

SNEAK PREVIEW AUDIO CLIP:
"The Qualifications to be a Filmmaker" (.mp3)

Click HERE for more info, directions or just cop your tickets below:

$30/DCTV & Shooting People Members
$35/Partner Organization Members (IFP, NYWIFT/CWNY)
$40/Non-Members

Ticket includes a copy of The Shut Up & Shoot Documentary Guide – a $35 value!

(And if you already have the wonderful book, use it as a fabulous gift to a filmmaking friend this holiday season!)

Purchase Tickets here:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49369 or call 1-800-838-3006.

Brown Paper Tickets is a fair-trade, low-fee ticketing company, and is the only place to purchase tickets to DCTV PRESENTS Screenings & Events.

December 5, 2008 - 7:30pm

DCTV | 87 Lafayette Street | New York, NY 10013 | 212-966-4510 | www.dctvny.org

What Type of Filmmaking Info Do YOU Want?

Check out the latest review for Down and Dirty DV's runaway hit film book, The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide, in the current issue of MovieScope magazine.

Thanks again for everyone's continued support of Down and Dirty DV. Your purchase of our premium products allows us to put out even more FREE resources like this blog and our podcasts.

Well, that book is history now. It's been written and released into the Universe. Now it's onto the next ultra-practical hyper-illustrated film book, The Shut Up and Shoot Filmmaking Guide which will focus on narrative production techniques and practice. If all remains on schedule, the new book will drop late Fall 2009.

I don't write these books fo me, but for you- new and old digital filmmakers with limited resources- otherwise known as The Down and Dirty DV Nation. So my question to all of you is:

What type of practical, hard-to-find, valuable, time and money-saving information would YOU like to see in the upcming Shut Up and Shoot Filmmaking Guide?

Holla at me with your ideas by leaving a comment below or feel free to email me at anthony@downanddirtydv.com.

If you are not on our FREE mailing list yet, make you sign up in the red box on our blog to recieve special offers and discounts on the new book as well as the first in the series and very long-awaited-almost-done-but-not-quite-yet instructional DVD on location audio recording.

Let a brotha know and I'll put it in there.

-Ant.

Spooky D.I.Y. Bullet Holes

Halloween's always been my hands down favorite holiday. It's the only one that's pure fun. No required gatherings, no gifts to buy or return, no long ceremonies...just people of all all ages dressed up and having (mostly) innocent fun.

When I was 9 my father bought me a deluxe special FX makeup kit which introduced me to the wonderful world of liquid latex special effects. I didn't have much patience or money for liquid latex to use in the various scar and bullet hole molds that came with the set, so I began to experiment with ways to make realistic wounds faster, cheaper and better.

As promised just (barely) in time for Halloween...I'm giving away my personal recipe for creating really cheap, easy and realistic bullet hole FX.

This is an early sneak preview from the upcoming narrative filmmaking book, "The Down and Dirty DV Filmmaking Guide", dropping from Focal Press next winter. Enjoy...

Click HERE to download the secret recipe as a .pdf file (20MB)

...With a little modification, pretty much this same technique can be used to create all kinds of realistic looking wounds...gashes, cuts, open sores, flesh wounds, deep scrapes, festering boils, warts, vampire bites, werewolf wounds, and mongoose scratches...that's all I can think of at the moment, but you can break out the liquid latex and make-up and use your own imagination.

Happy Halloween everybody!

-Spooky Ant.

Where the Hell's Ant-ny Been?

I just wanted to drop a quick line to let everyone know that I still love y'all, but had to slow down some on podcasts and blogs, because of the birth of the newest Down and Dirty DV hustler...Miles Quentin Artis. This is my second son and between my full-time day job at NYU, freelance projects and family my ass is on lockdown.

Anyway, things should be settling down sometime soon, so I'll be back in the mix soon enough. I'm gonna be dropping a tutorial on DIY SPFX bullet holes sometime before Halloween.

You know, I like to keep things here practical rather than personal, but so many of you have sent your well wishes and it's been so long since I've posted that I've decided to share with you the birth of my latest son, Miles Quentin Artis.

Enjoy "The Story of Miles" and stay tuned for more guerrilla film tips once I start getting some sleep again...

-Ant.

Client's Corner - Ian Hutchinson

Many people confuse the terms "Down and Dirty" and "Guerrilla" filmmaking as somehow being inferior or half-assed filmmaking methodologies or philosophies that compromise quality and professionalism.

These are the very same type of people that marched the well-uniformed British Army in straight orderly lines across open fields while a ragtag bunch of American patriots whipped their ass with rusty muskets while wearing plain clothes and hiding and shooting from behind any available rock, tree or gulley.

It's not really these people's fault, they just have very limited imaginations, so they don't get it. It ultimately may take a few musket balls in the head and bayonets to the groin to make them realize the potential effectiveness of superior guerrilla tactics that don't depend on overwhelming numbers, superior weapons or endless resources.

As I see it as a bonafide DV Evangelist, guerrilla filmmaking (when done right) often takes MORE careful planning and execution to make the very most of limited resources. Every move has to be thought out, every contingency planned for, and every dollar stretched to make it up on the screen.

Sneak Preview
Down and Dirty Filmmaking: Guerrilla Tactics for Professional Results DVD


Down and Dirty Filmmaking DVD - Guerrilla Special Forces from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

(*This full 1hr. 22min. Seminar DVD will be available soon on this website.)


So to the Down and Dirty guerrilla filmmaking philosophy is not about being cheap and taking shortcuts that make things easier and compromise quality. Rather, it's about being ultra-efficient and using creativity, labor and planning to make up for your lack of resources and find a way to match or emulate the big budget filmmakers with half the money and crew.

The video below was done by talented animator/filmmaker Ian Hutchinson, one of my very first consulting clients. I helped Ian figure out where to put the (very limited) dollars in the budget for this project, so that they would have maximum impact onscreen.

People always ask me things such as should I rent a stedicam? A 35mm lens adapter? A Red Camera? A jib?...and my answer is different for every case, because it always depends on the COST vs. VALUE that that element brings to a particular project. In this case the big ticket item was a Steadicam operator and it was money well spent to execute the concept.

So don't get it twisted, I'm not a proponent of cheap and quick...I'm a proponent of effective and efficient. Peep Ian Hutchinson's video, Chocolate Pom Pom, below and see what can be accomplished with a small budget using creativity, hustle, an smart planning...

Chocolate PomPom
by animeboy46