As most of you already know there is little, if any, glamor in filmmaking. (Fabricated studies have shown that for every 10 hours of ass-busting hard work you put into a shoot, there's about a minute of glamor somewhere on the back-end.)
Many times my students have complained about the difficulty, unpredictableness, and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants nature of making student film projects. And every one of them thinks it will be totally different and much easier when they get to "the big time".
I always tell them the same thing- no matter how big the budget, the difficulty and wild ride of filmmaking NEVER stop. Not for Francis Ford Coppola, not for Spike Lee or James Cameron either. Every minute you see up on the screen is usually hard fought on multiple levels- financially, physically, emotionally, logistically and technically.
Your best bet is to just plan well to anticipate and avoid problems, and then expect problems anyway. Accept them and deal with them, 'cause the sh*t never stops in film and tv...Not even when you get a job as a "big-time" news producer for CNN. So suck it up, and get used to the constant obstacles and adversity 'cause they ain't goin' nowhere...
Witness the behind-the-scenes of a simple interview for a major news network...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
It's All About Being a P.A. on the Next Double Down Film Show!
On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be breaking down the real skinny on working as a P.A. with our special guest, 2nd A.D. Jason Altieri (Ray, The Devil's Rejects, The Box) who will be sharing some of the many tips he learned the hard way in his self-formulated “P.A. Manifesto”.
Whether you want to be a D.P., cameraman or producer, your first job on a professional set will probably be as a production assistant. Film school basics and knowing how to coil a cable may get you on the set, but it’s takes a whole lot more knowledge and understanding to rise above the dregs of grunt P.A. and onto your desired career path in the world of filmmaking.
- What types of P.A. jobs can you get?
- How do you break in as a P.A.?
- What offenses will get you fired on the spot?
- How can you ingratiate yourself to the crew?
- What are walkie talkie best practices on set?
- What answer should you never give?
Tune in and move up the production ladder faster with the answers to all these practical questions and more on the next Double Down Film Show. Raw answers to real filmmaking questions, every Wednesday night. Listen and learn.
The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!
Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm E.S.T.
Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956
Listen To It Online Here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow
Thursday, December 3, 2009
'Avatar' Director, Stars To Talk To Fans In MTV News Live Stream Event - TODAY!
In little over two weeks, James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar," which the director has been working on since 1995, will arrive in a burst of 3-D-enhanced splendor. Before then, MTV News readers will get an unprecedented opportunity to pick Cameron's brain as we partner with Facebook to present "Avatar Live: An MTV News/Facebook Forum."This Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, [MTV] will stream this live online show, in which viewers get to interact with the folks in front of the camera, asking the questions they really want answered...
Click HERE to read the full article By Eric Ditzian on MTV.com
Then:
Click HERE to listen to the Double Down Film Show's exclusive interview with Avatar co-star Zoe Saldana who plays an alien in the movie.
Green Productions: A New Wave in Eco-Consciousness pt. 1
Green productions, or green film is a concept that has gained a lot of ground in the past few years. The idea is that a film or video production does not have to be as wasteful and environmentally damaging as they usually are.At first, your knee-jerk reaction might be “But green is so much more expensive and I am already on a shoestring budget!” Here is one solution that, while helping the environment, will also help your pocket!
Film Biz Recycling has committed itself for the past year and half to keeping leftover or unwanted prop, building materials and other waste from film productions from ending up in landfills.
On the one hand, FBR has a prop-house, located in Long Island City, where hoards of props are accumulated from film and theater productions large and small. The contents of their display room are for rent and for sale and include all kinds of one-of a kinds, antiques and knick-knacks. They get all these props by cleaning out film sets for a small fee and they can keep select props for re-sale.*
This helps reduce, reuse and recycle. If you built a set or bought a bunch of props, it is not only cheaper for you but also more green to ask the dedicated volunteers at FBR to come in and clean it all up. They keep what can be used and recycle the rest.
The catch? The catch is that they then donate most of the raw materials to charities
and organization’s*, give back 10% of any profit they make to the film industry to keep prop prices low, and help the environment. Can you really call that a catch?*CORRECTED DEC 10, 09.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Film Festival Guru Chris Gore on the Next Double Down Film Show!
On the next Double Down Film Show we'll be going over film festival survival tips for indie filmmakers with our special guest, Chris Gore. Chris is the founder of the Film Threat magazine and website and also author of the wildly popular film book, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, which has just been released in a new and updated fourth edition.
· How should you network at a festival event?
· What should you be prepared to do the moment you're accepted?
· Which festivals do distributors attend?
· What should be in your festival press kit?
WARNING: This particular conversation contains some adult language not suitable children under 18.
Precious: too raw and real or the perfect catharsis?
One thing all books and filmschool agree on is that in order to have a story worth watching, you need to have CONFLICT. Conflicts come up all the time in every day life and everyday life is a fantastic source for inspiration.
Often, life experiences translated into film hail a big hurrah! from moviegoers and critics, for what better a way to incite a real emotion than to portray stories inspired by real emotion? Sometimes, however, that reality can be too much for some people’s taste.
In this Saturday’s New York Times, Felicia R. Lee la brings attention to the controversy that “Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire” is causing, especially amongst African American communities. Long story short, some people, such as Armond White, the chief film critic of The New York Press and the chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle, believe that it is not right to depict black Americans in such “demeaning” ways and to enforce such stereotypes, even if these are representative of the realities of some, (not all), black Americans.
The film’s director, Lee Daniels however admits in an interview with Vanity Fair to drawing the inspiration to make the film from his own brushes with abuse, as he was taunted and teased as a young man for his homosexuality. This might also represent a minority of black Americans, and yet the facts remain true. The potential to unite an audience with emotional stories is proven by Precious’ continued success at the boxoffice, having made $22 million thus far despite its very limited release.
If the film had not so compassionately, even angelically, portrayed Precious, and if it had been made by all white people for cold calculated profit, maybe the accusations that the film was insensitive might ring true. However, from the author to the screenwriter to the director to the cast, this movie was made by people intending, not to condescend on an a race or a economic class, but to express universal emotions and experiences with this one life-like story.
Related Topics: "Precious" Smashes The Indie Mold
Often, life experiences translated into film hail a big hurrah! from moviegoers and critics, for what better a way to incite a real emotion than to portray stories inspired by real emotion? Sometimes, however, that reality can be too much for some people’s taste.
In this Saturday’s New York Times, Felicia R. Lee la brings attention to the controversy that “Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire” is causing, especially amongst African American communities. Long story short, some people, such as Armond White, the chief film critic of The New York Press and the chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle, believe that it is not right to depict black Americans in such “demeaning” ways and to enforce such stereotypes, even if these are representative of the realities of some, (not all), black Americans.
The film’s director, Lee Daniels however admits in an interview with Vanity Fair to drawing the inspiration to make the film from his own brushes with abuse, as he was taunted and teased as a young man for his homosexuality. This might also represent a minority of black Americans, and yet the facts remain true. The potential to unite an audience with emotional stories is proven by Precious’ continued success at the boxoffice, having made $22 million thus far despite its very limited release.
If the film had not so compassionately, even angelically, portrayed Precious, and if it had been made by all white people for cold calculated profit, maybe the accusations that the film was insensitive might ring true. However, from the author to the screenwriter to the director to the cast, this movie was made by people intending, not to condescend on an a race or a economic class, but to express universal emotions and experiences with this one life-like story.
Related Topics: "Precious" Smashes The Indie Mold
Monday, November 23, 2009
Know Your Viral Videos- and how they got there!
Charlie Bit Me, David After Dentist, the Numa Numa chubby kid… these are just a couple of examples of some of the sudden stars on YouTube. We have all seen such videos and we pass them around but, how do these videos achieve this notoriety?
Well, now thanks to the “scientists” from the website Know Your Meme, we can all sit down and be enlightened on what is behind videos that become viral and other internet material that becomes famous around the globe. Interesting and witty, the members of the website pump out a video a week on any and all internet phenomena. Other than specific viral videos or web sites such as LOL Cats, but also on general internet trends and concepts.
Perhaps there is some wisdom behind these in-depth analyses, since many of us are making media meant for the web and we would just love to have it elevated to such levels of fame as Cat On Keyboard. Whether you watch these videos for their educational value or for the same reason you watched the Christian Bale rant in the first place, Know Your Meme is a great little internet gem.
For you enjoyment and education:
David After Dentist
Christian Bale Rant
Well, now thanks to the “scientists” from the website Know Your Meme, we can all sit down and be enlightened on what is behind videos that become viral and other internet material that becomes famous around the globe. Interesting and witty, the members of the website pump out a video a week on any and all internet phenomena. Other than specific viral videos or web sites such as LOL Cats, but also on general internet trends and concepts.
Perhaps there is some wisdom behind these in-depth analyses, since many of us are making media meant for the web and we would just love to have it elevated to such levels of fame as Cat On Keyboard. Whether you watch these videos for their educational value or for the same reason you watched the Christian Bale rant in the first place, Know Your Meme is a great little internet gem.
For you enjoyment and education:
David After Dentist
Christian Bale Rant
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Shooting HD on a DSLR Camera
We are always after what is new and what is better in this world of digital technology and video. Not wanting to be left behind, filmmakers are eager and curious to try out the new wave in digital video: DSLR Cameras (Digital Single Lens) with HD capabilities.
Can these beauties really offer a viable alternative to more expensive digital video cameras? Maybe so…
The two most notable models of DSLR cameras out there are the Canon D5 Mark II and the Nikon D90, capable of shooting at 1080p and 720p respectively. Other models out there include Canon EOS 7D, the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GH1 and DMC-GF1.
The Canon D5 Mark II is one of the most reputable models out there. Canon’s first camera to shoot HD video, it still remains a solid choice, user-friendly and with awesome sensors. One downside particular to this camera: It shoots video only in 30fps, there is no 24fps option.
To fix the problem, Canon one-ups itself an comes up with the D7, which is 24fps friendly, though in order to do that they reduce the size of the sensors.
The Nikon D90 seems to be the most user friendly. The intuitive interface is very similar to the D80 and therefore familiar to photo buffs. The Nikon sensors are smaller than either of the two Canons.
Similarly, the Nikon D300S is a converted version of one of their still cameras with added video capabilities.
Panasonic also had a couple of useful options. The DMC-GF1 has the same sensor limits as the two Nikons, but it is smaller than any of the previously noted models.
Though Canon and Nikon get most of the hype for HD, Panasonic’s GH1 offers full 1080ip at 24fps with the relatively smaller 4/3 lenses.
They keep getting better.
Coming out by the end of this year is Canon’s 1D Mark 1V. Here is a video where you can see all of its sweet qualities that have us drooling.
There are a few downfalls common to all of these nifty new DSLR's.
All these cameras are notorious for horrible sound capabilities. However, here is a list of popular devices used to record audio separately.
And, while the $2000 and under price tag is alluring, the price goes up if you start tagging on accessories. As an example, here is a video made by Chris Weeks, an LA photographer, breaking down all of his gear for his own HD DSLR.
For some more specs, sample footage of each of these cameras and some links check out http://www.dslr-cinematography.com/
Can these beauties really offer a viable alternative to more expensive digital video cameras? Maybe so…
The two most notable models of DSLR cameras out there are the Canon D5 Mark II and the Nikon D90, capable of shooting at 1080p and 720p respectively. Other models out there include Canon EOS 7D, the Nikon D300S and the Panasonic GH1 and DMC-GF1.
The Canon D5 Mark II is one of the most reputable models out there. Canon’s first camera to shoot HD video, it still remains a solid choice, user-friendly and with awesome sensors. One downside particular to this camera: It shoots video only in 30fps, there is no 24fps option.To fix the problem, Canon one-ups itself an comes up with the D7, which is 24fps friendly, though in order to do that they reduce the size of the sensors.
The Nikon D90 seems to be the most user friendly. The intuitive interface is very similar to the D80 and therefore familiar to photo buffs. The Nikon sensors are smaller than either of the two Canons.
Similarly, the Nikon D300S is a converted version of one of their still cameras with added video capabilities.
Panasonic also had a couple of useful options. The DMC-GF1 has the same sensor limits as the two Nikons, but it is smaller than any of the previously noted models.
Though Canon and Nikon get most of the hype for HD, Panasonic’s GH1 offers full 1080ip at 24fps with the relatively smaller 4/3 lenses.
They keep getting better.
Coming out by the end of this year is Canon’s 1D Mark 1V. Here is a video where you can see all of its sweet qualities that have us drooling.
There are a few downfalls common to all of these nifty new DSLR's.
All these cameras are notorious for horrible sound capabilities. However, here is a list of popular devices used to record audio separately.
And, while the $2000 and under price tag is alluring, the price goes up if you start tagging on accessories. As an example, here is a video made by Chris Weeks, an LA photographer, breaking down all of his gear for his own HD DSLR.
For some more specs, sample footage of each of these cameras and some links check out http://www.dslr-cinematography.com/
Monday, November 16, 2009
Zoe Saldana Redux, plus Eye-Opening Revelations for Film Students on the next Double Down Film Show
On the next Double Down Film Show we'll celebrate the DVD release of the summer blockbuster, Star Trek, with a special encore of our interview with rapidly rising star, and friend of the show, Zoe Saldana.From a slate of indies including, Co-host, Pete Chatmon's debut feature, Premium, Zoe has gone on to star in mega-films such as Star Trek and James Cameroon's soon-to-be released 3-D mega-movie, Avatar. Find out why she still loves working on indie films, her do's and don't's for first-time directors and her candid real-world advice for aspiring actors.
Plus we'll be giving out more golden nuggets with a special segment entitled Eye-Opening Revelations for Film Students. If you're dropping $20,000 - $50,000 on a film school education and just blindly following the curriculum, you're only getting half of what film school has to offer. Get our best tips for maximizing the film school experience and building your filmmaking career while still in film school.The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!
Listen Live Every Wednesday 9pm-10pm E.S.T.
Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956
Listen To It Online Here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow
Friday, November 13, 2009
YouTube to upgrade to HD 1080p by Next Week!
As HD becomes a possibility for the average consumer-Joe, YouTube sees the need to upgrade to 1080p! This is a great opportunity for filmmakers who have made HD material in the past and had to downgrade, or for those who are just beginning to dabble in High Def to showcase their stuff of newly improved (technical) quality to a broad audience. Take advantage of this new capability to update your own channels, re-advertise and ride the wave.
Full article can be found here.
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