Don't Draw Your Storyboards

If you are not a good sketcher and do not have the money to hire a good sketcher do not draw your storyboards. I didn't say do not storyboard. I said do not DRAW your storyboard.

Most likely you are not doing complicated green screen shoots or a lot of mattes so there really is not a point in wasting your time, effort, and more time on stick figure drawings that only make sense to you.

Storyboards are a way to get everyone on the same page. From the camera crew to the actors to the grips one simple picture can get your vision.

Storyboard with a digital camera. If you don't have one you know someone who has a camera you can borrow or buy a cheap one. I know someone that just picked up a camera for 20 bucks.

Most likely you have access to your locations. Go there with a couple stand-ins and shoot your shots. The camera allows you to be more dynamic and true to form of the look of the project. Dedicate a flash card for all your shots and between each scene shoot a title card (Just something hand written) to put a visual brake between each sequence.

These can also be e-mailed to different people in the production so when they get on set they know exactly what is going to happen. This will also ensure a smooth day of shooting that will result in everyone loving you.

The best way to get people to work for you is to have your act together. and prepping for your pre-production will help.

What To Do When Your Pen Won't Go

Your idea has potential but you don't have an way to get your characters from point A to point B. This is what most writers call being blocked. I hate the term "Writers Block" but if it works for you fine.

The problem your facing is not that you don't have any options, it's that you have too many. What? Am I crazy? No, other wise your would have stopped reading. You have an endless world of possibilities. So many directions that you are forced to stay still.

What you need to do is write yourself in a corner. There is nothing like a complete lack of options to force you to get creative. Once you have nowhere to go then the unexpected happens.

If you your have characters reach there arch too soon, IE: the guy gets the girl, have the girl have a shady past as a call girl. Or have have her inherit a million dollars. Something needs to toss the viewer for a loop.

Why do they care about your story? What are you trying to say? Don't be flexible with the theme but be flexible with the story. You will surprise your self and once you get really into your own story and characters. That's when your there. When you want to know what is going to happen to your own characters that is when other will be hooked as well. But, this will never happen if you don't go anywhere. Force your character in impossible situations they will surprise you as you surprise yourself.

Financial Responsibility And Your Film

I Know that some of you care about the story and artistic merit of your upcoming film project and that is great. You should think about that but you are also running a small business for a few months.

Many people think that making a film is something that they can only do only after they win the lottery. Money isn't something that you acquire, it's more liquid. You can't hold on to it. By it's nature it changes hands. It comes and goes. The best you can do is direct its flow to your project.

It's hard to save money. That's why people offer payment plans. It's easier to pay $100 dollars a month then $400 every four months. Why? You get paid by your employer and you direct that pay to your financial obligations. People hold on to a small amount from what they actually get from their job.

I know, you know all this. It's hard to save money. So, how are you going to make your film? Financial responsibility! Exciting huh? The least appealing part of film making but probably the most important. If the dollars add up that's when "Big Mama's House" gets made.

Most of you don't want to make b or c-movies but they are always being made. Why? Financially they make sense. They work at the most basic level. They make money.

Most people don't get into films for the money but that doesn't mean you have to starve either. Evey production is different but there is a few things you can do to help your success.

Make a budget and stick to it- this is the most important part. This budget is what you will have to pay or payback. Don't lose your car for your film. You need that car to get to your job (that pays).

Find a Credit Card - get a new credit card at 0%. This most likely will last a year. You will not have to pay an interest and this will spread out your payments. Remember it's easier then paying it all up front.

Get people to believe in your project - It's hard to get people to believe in your project but it will be worth it. Not only will theses people donate (time, money, food, etc.) they will be a small marketing team.

Remember if you make the film for $2,500. You only need 250 people to see your film and spend $10 to break even. Sound like a lot, but it's not. If you get 25 people involved in your film and they get 10 people each, your set. (It's all about the numbers).

Oh yeah, Stick to your budget. Good Luck.

The Dark Knight and Imax

What is the deal with showing features on Imax? The last movie I saw on Imax was "I Am Legend." It was a disappointment on many levels but most notably the size. There was no change in aspect or, as I could see, in print quality from a 35mm print.

Why get conned by a marketing ploy. I know people are not going to the movies as much as they have in the past. Many people would rather wait and experience the latest blockbuster in their own home theater with blu-ray, HDTV, and 7.1 surround sound. We do love our entertainment.

This brings me to my point. The best part of the "I Am Legend" Imax experience wasn't the movie, it was the trailer or the 7 minute clip from "The Dark Knight." All the action sequences were shot with Imax cameras. If you saw it you know where I'm going. See this movie in Imax.

That's right, see this movie in Imax. I think 16x9 is the best aspect for all visual media, sorry Mr. Kubrick. But, from what I saw, this film will be best received at the very largest of scale. I am not looking forward to the change of aspect but this will be a cultural touchstone to be sure.

So leave your cozy dwelling ad head to your local Imax, wait in line, feel the buzz, and enjoy. You can skip the $12 popcorn and soda "deal."

The Dark Knight 1966 Style

Hey you are an All-Star

It is a day before the all-star break. (In baseball, if you don't follow that stuff.) The time at which we honor the best in the sport. (Not to mention commercialism and bloated paychecks.)

It is also a time to look at the impact of baseball on film.



I give you the top 5 baseball movies.



5. Major League

4. The Natural

3. Fever Pitch

2. see http://the5list.blogspot.com/

1. see http://the5list.blogspot.com/

Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?

There have been great debates over time. Chicken or Egg? Kirk or Picard? DH or no DH? Consolidated loans or Debt Management? 401k or Roth IRA? (I'm drifting)

But there are few things that Geeks worked up more then Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?
Both fantasy, Both monumental achievements in film. Both trilogies. Both ways to get in a physical altercation. (Well almost, we are dealing with film geeks. They don't fight.)

I'm sure you fall one way or the other on this one, though both Frodo and Luke both whine a lot. So, make a stand and state your reasons why one is better then the other.

Warning funny adult content below. no matter what side you are on this is spot on. (Click only of you are over 18 and want to laugh)

Give Me A Gimmick

Like Jaws 3D before, a new round of spectacle driven movies are to be released.

3D movies are anything but new. In fact, going back to the stereoscope, the process pre-dates the moving picture. Movies started being released in the 1920's and they they have been around ever since.

Most people think of the big green and red galsses 3D films in the 1950's and 1960's. Good for the effect of 3D band for color, lighting, oh and the headaches.

Now we still have the spectacle of things flying at our face. Some impressive, some not so much. But, why?

Are we that starved for reality that we need to go to a movie just to see things in 3D as if our 2D life was that boring. And why reserve this tech that is as old as cinema itself to action and animated films?

If 3D is good enough for big movies, it should be better for small movies. "Juno 3D" see that swollen belly fly over your head or "Superbad 3D" it worth it for the cartoon pictures, that will make you duck. (The Michael Cera connection is by accident.)

They are even thinking about going back and making 2D movies 3D with a technology called In-Three (Lead by Lucas, go figure). I cant wait to see "The Third Man" in 3D and "Vertigo" would be better.

While I wait for "The General" and "Birth of a Nation" to be digitally enhanced at my local megaplex. We can look forward to a dozen films in the next year to include this story enhancing technology including the Oscar front runner "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and Camerons "Avatar."

Who needs substance when you can have flash.