Becoming a film directer... what is the best way?

[xxThe_Lebowskixx]

so sending in your screenplay in the mail can actually yield positive results? it seems to me like a screenplay is so different on paper than on the screen and unless it has a great hook ala sixth sense, what is the point?

[Huh?]

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can someone expand on the financial requirements to shoot/produce a short film?

cost of film/camera, talent, writing, etc...

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anywhere from $500 to $50,000 just depends on a million different factors.

Most people I know who have shot decent shorts/spec commercials spent 1k-5k.

[Rapidtransit]

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Another topic of discussion: is it better to try and make something commerical and profitable that will get you into the business, or should you make something truer to your heart? ideally, you would combine the two.

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you should do something truer to your heart. Since we're talking like you'd be shooting an independent movie you should go into it knowing that:
1. you should plan on not making any money.
2. making a movie is really really hard.
Assuming you go the indie route you need money. if you believe filmmaking and finance, by the woman who got the blair witch project financed, then you're looking at somewhere between 30-50% of the profits of the film. assume closer to 30 for being a first time person. Now once your movie is done you need a distribution deal. Let's say it cost 5 million to make your movie. Now you hope that the distribution company that decides to buy your movie pays you more then this. Let's say they give you 5 million. so your investors have recouped their capital but you still haven't made any money. In buying distribution rights assume that they will cover prints/ads costs in return for 1/3 of the movies profits (post theatrical's cut) now figure the theater gets ~half (assuming it isn't a hit the first weekend it's released) as I'm sure you can see now, you're not left with much, except for whatever you decided to pay yourself in the initial budget. but obviously whatever you pay yourself is more money you need to raise, which makes getting the movie financed more difficult. This was longer then intended but I hope it proves why you should do something you love.

[Huh?]

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Can someone explain what a directer does exactly on the set, as many films have cinematographers? He directs everything and everyone.

Does the directer tell them what he wants exactly in each shot? Yes, unless he sucks

Is it up to him how much freedom the cinematographer has?the director is in charge-cine serves him

Similarly, does he instruct the editor on what he wants, etc?depends on their relationship

edit: to clarify, i am mostly curious what kind of a roll you would play in making your film if someone were to pick it up. ???

eitehr way, i think making a short, and then trying to find the funding to make it either via 2+2, or the festival circut is a decent plan.

Borat comes to mind as the type of film that couldve made you rich. Borat is 1 in a million and a complete fluke. Todd Phillips was supposed to direct it but quit cuz Sasha Baron Cohen was driving him nuts and he thought "who cares...it is not going to do anything anyways".

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well I specifically mentioned the Nichols fellowship because, at least if I understand it correctly, it gives you access to a top 4 agency agent. People that I know go the send and call and call route, but that's not something that I'm always comfortable doing.

[Huh?]

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well I specifically mentioned the Nichols fellowship because, at least if I understand it correctly, it gives you access to a top 4 agency agent. People that I know go the send and call and call route, but that's not something that I'm always comfortable doing.

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lol i just read about 7 of those today. Yeah its not really the best way but you'd be surprised. If it is really well written and creative + a good idea/script---you might get feedback.

[xxThe_Lebowskixx]

what do you do huh?

[BustoPro]

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i noticed that pryor and some other people mentioned that they felt the best way is to create a short film. so, make a short, submit it to film festivals and seek funding to make a feature length film?

Has anyone ever been to a film festival? can anyone in the business provide more information on the process?

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Well, it's a three-step process:

1.) learning what a director does;
2.) developing those skills until you are absolutely top-notch, A+, and can compete with people who have lived and breathed film and directing for their entire lives and spent decades pursuing their dream with laser-like focus, and very well may have rich and powerful friends to back them, then
3.) figuring out how to break into the business.

I'll give you a hint: Step 2 is the hard part.

[xxThe_Lebowskixx]

Come on, most of the great directers are unknown to the average American movie goer.

[BustoPro]

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Can someone explain what a directer does exactly on the set, as many films have cinematographers? Does the directer tell them what he wants exactly in each shot? Is it upto him how much freedom the cinematographer has? Similarly, does he instruct the editor on what he wants, etc?

edit: to clarify, i am mostly curious what kind of a roll you would play in making your film if someone were to pick it up.

eitehr way, i think making a short, and then trying to find the funding to make it either via 2+2, or the festival circut is a decent plan.

Borat comes to mind as the type of film that couldve made you rich.

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See my post above, this is just a hugely unrealistic pipe dream. Sorry. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]