“I Am A Nobody Filmmaker”

Thanks for a great time visiting your site. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed

From somebody that has gloried in keeping himself a "nobody filmmaker" (no matter who I worked for or what festival I got accepted by)... bravo.  ...& from your note about filmmakers who give notes that don't help a struggling indie...a couple of silly but important notes that help me when I am focused on making that "best film we can make".. when you are indie.  Take them or leave them..these are not the notes of some bigwhig..but someone who has had some success.

12 points off the top of my head no one tells you.

1. Rehearse more than a day or two (weeks..the idea it gets old or “un-reactionary” by rehearsing is short-sighted & simply wrong). Spend time with your actors letting them do their thing. Let your actors do their jobs… but rehearse more than a day or two. Help them find the emotion of the scene above everything else, long before you get on a set. (Again, let THEM find the emotion of the scene.. and let them REACT to what and whoever has been brought in with them). Indie needs this …we do not have the $$$ to rely on not getting it right.

2. 1st time film actors – note #1 … blinking is bad on film. Silly as it sounds.. huge in delivery. Note #2 dialogue should be memorized to be like typing. Words should "fall" out of your mouth without any conscious awareness outside of pure reaction. Lines should be to the level of your name, or typing on a keyboard, or the words to Happy Birthday. Memorization memorization memorization. Reaction is never instinctual if you are remembering what you are going to say.

3. Do not underestimate this.. sound is more important than light. (Light is important but sound, especially for indie.. is critical) Along those lines... Do not overlight. If you are not shooting yourself... I have seen too many indie films overlight themselves into looking like a high school stage production.

4. Feed your crew well. Get someone who is good at getting free stuff for your crew. Lots of good food..not just pizza. Go to high end restaurants and put them in the credits. (You need a good salesperson to do this, be it you or someone else).

5. Have 1 person at least that fully no holds barred believes in you..and treat them as they duly deserve. (If you can’t get one single person to believe in you… then you need to take a look at why)

6. Do a DOD schedule. (Day out of Days) and rely on it. (If you do not know what one is…find out. Make sure it includes things like light of day, int/ext, props, set ups etc.)

7. STORYBO-A-R-D It does not matter if you do not like to stick to them. To do #6 … you need to do this. It will remove many of the problems you (and the rest of your cast & crew) shouldn’t be worrying about when you get on a set/location.

8. Get an understanding of the HTML5 debate… and where interactive is going to play in how people view your project.

9. Make sure you have a backup roof over your head. Make sure you can eat. If it means taking a year to film… then take the freakin year to film.

10. Do projects that don’t make you hang from a limb to get a single shot you will never be able to hang from again… (If you have a project that needs a big production… do a smaller one first. It’s okay to be 80 years old and still making films.) That way …If it sucked go back and reshoot it.

11. Plan when scheduling to shoot the shit out of it. Even if you think you got it..prepare your actors (and crew) ahead of principal that there will be many many takes, from as many angles as you can. A film is made in the editing room… bring as many “paints” tools and materials as you can by having an inordinant amount of footage. (We have the ability to do this now with digital..in my starting days we did not).

12. Stay close to the ground, crawl and (Interpret that how you want). Work with what you have…just make it beautiful. When I say beautiful , I mean inside the audience’s head..not in front of them.

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i hope to nobody my way yer way ...one day....

"Coming to grips with my nobody-ness as a filmmaker has set me straight in many ways. Rather than attempt to make a great film and attain thousands of fans, my focus now is to continually make the very best films I can within my means."

that's such a true statement...good article!
gotta watch your movie ;)

Whilst I really enjoyed this post and agree with some of it, I disagree with some key elements.

I'm not sure that spending years 'perfecting' your craft would give you any more entitlement to deals or distribution. Read John Boorman's 'Bright Dreams, Hard Knocks', or watch the scene in 'Lost in La Mancha' where Terry Gilliam laments the fact that he can't always get finance. These guys are big names - but it doesn't make it any easier.

You don't ever have to 'earn the right' to ask for thousands of dollars. You don't get if you don't ask. You shouldn't have a sense of entitlement and expect to get it, but if you have a project that you really believe in and want to make - and crucially, it is an awesome project - is doesn't matter where you are on the food chain. I agree, that prospective financiers may be skeptical of a newbie with little experience, but I'm not sure an experienced 'nobody' filmmaker is any better than an inexperienced filmmaker with a good idea.

A lot of what you write here ignores the fact that film is unpredictable and not quite as linear as you might expect. Many people have mentioned other elements that will play a part in the comments. Fundamentally, if you believe that you must practice filmmaking to do justice to the 'art and craft', I believe that you also practice asking people to finance your projects as it is far harder than scriptwriting, framing a shot or editing. That's why the people at the top of the production model have a scalable wage that gives them the chance to earn millions on a movie when the camera person gets paid much less. The people at the top took a risk on 'chance', the rest turn up when the money is in place.

But you've learnt this already by choosing to pursue a feature project with no guarantee it will get you anywhere, which is a risk. But judging by the success of this post, I think you are going in the right direction.

I wish you all the best for your project!

Thank you for the comment, James... I've got to check out Boorman's book, for sure.

I'd love to clarify some of my points, which you address. First, I never state that one becomes entitled to deals or distribution, even an "established" filmmaker. I simply believe that one must earn the right to seek, even to expect a deal or distribution. An established filmmaker, who has presumably put in his/her dues can professionally expect financing or distribution, but the novice cannot simply because they have not proven themselves worthy of investment. As you state, even established filmmakers like Terry Gilliam have a tough time, so why then would a newbie hope for otherwise?

Second, in our free society, sure, we can ask for a million dollars, heck, we can ask for a billion, but in the world of professionalism, one must realize their place professionally speaking. Nearly every profession has standards and criteria one must surpass to be considered a true professional, but not in filmmaking. As a result, every Joe and Jane with a camera these days considers themselves a "filmmaker," but what does that mean professionally? And what rights have they earned by simply purchasing a camera and attending a couple filmmaking classes? Sure, anyone can "ask," but very few can rightfully ask....

I really appreciate your supportive tone and mention of my project!

Peace,
Christopher

You can find Boorman's contribution in the first 'Projections' journal. I wrote to him after I read it to say thank you and he replied :)

Great post. There are way too many transmedia and social media buzzwords floating around and marketing and sales reps just clutter up the craft of telling good stories in any medium.

Wait, who are you?

Sorry, j/k.

Good post. But I think one thing that's missing is that independent film pretty naturally fosters this "lottery" way of thinking. It has to, because you actually get to make movies very rarely.

There are plenty of other mechanisms in place for perfecting craft. Many filmmakers direct commercials, are lucky enough to get on a running TV show, etc, and cut their teeth in these settings, actively directing every day. No indie director out there pitching his/her own work gets to do that.

Likewise, a baker can much more easily get a job baking somewhere and practice every day.

When I was an actor, I got a job at a goofy place in NYC called "Jekyl & Hyde". A theme restaurant, they hired actors to play characters and improvise with the crowd. Many actors I knew derided me for taking a job like that, but man it was 8 hrs a day of improv/character voices for puppets. In front of TOUGH audiences.

On the other side, it's show-biz. If every successful person in it waited until they were "good enough" or until they had "earned the right" to their success, they never would have made it at all. Show biz is a mix of hard work and big balls. And I admire those who hustle their way in.

not just big balls, gigantic balls the size of jupiter. i would say that good luck and knowing the right people are way more important than hard work. that's what hollywood taught me.

everyone shouldn't have to wait til they are good enough, but then again i don't think every filmmaker should be able to submit to premiere festivals. there should be a better system set up for providing opportunities to the filmmakers that have put in the time. you should have to earn your way into submitting to the top festivals, very much the same way that you have to earn your way in sports to be able to try out for the professional teams.

also, a baker doesn't have to worry about overcoming nepotism like a filmmaker does.

The statement "I am a filmmaker" is really only relevant to the person saying it. The value of the film that is produced has little to do with the credibility that the filmmaker has established and everything to do with the film's ability to attract and satisfy an audience. It doesn't matter if it's the first thing you've done or the fiftieth. Tyler Perry has a hell of a career going.

As a fellow nobody filmmaker, I agree that we've been left out of the discussion for the most part. Ultimately, it's up to us to figure out how to create the work that will matter. We certainly can't rely on the established independent film world to invest in us. They don't need to. People like us will keep making films and they will have their choice.

The lack of respect for experience in filmmaking is stunning, but in the long run should benefit those of us who put the time in.

I really appreciate all the comments and mutual support! Thank you for sharing...

As a fellow nobody filmmaker, it was encouraging (and refreshing) to hear someone with the same approach. In ten years, twenty years, you'll look back and not have to make any apologies.

You make some interesting and insightful points. An obvious way of looking at the process, yet so many 'nobody' filmmakers I know (perhaps even myself), adopt an entitlement approach, expecting money for nothing... and chicks for free.

I like this a lot. My own epiphany came years ago when I adopted the personal motto: "Nobody Cares." Like your post, that might sound superficially self-deprecating, but in reality it's a healthy way to release so much of that unnecessary 'outside' pressure and it has enabled me to dive more fully into whatever it is I'm making at the moment. And on this small scale level, MAKING SOMETHING is the greatest victory. Good luck out there.

I hope that one day I can get back on the bike and become a nobody filmmaker again. I am very grateful to you for posting this and opening up the floor for the blogging community of filmmakers. Your post reminds me of the late Manny Farber's White Elephant art vs. Termite art.

I feel the same way. I am a nobody filmmaker too! I technically haven't even made a film for about 2 years now. It wasn't even a film it was a short film and it was recorded on video. However I've consistently been editing videos every month, for the past 3 or 4 years rarely missing a month. Each days spent with the obsession of a craft that I dream, study, and fantasize over. I don't deserve the attention from anyone because I haven't created anything that particularly interest anyone. I've dedicated hours of my time watching films and still I don't feel like true fan. Although I know that I am, its still not enough. With todays technology every upcoming filmmaker has the potential to build a following but I feel like most are lost in the ocean of people striving for the same dream. The dream to create something from nothing. To challenge the art of filmmaking by creating stories that are different and transport you into another state of mind. Filmmakers can do this without a following. A true artist creates for himself but to hold the responsibility of affecting the lives of others through a visual experience can be life changing. Not only for the viewers but for the artist. New opportunities can help a filmmaker progress. Although we're just people, we have something to say that we want to share with others. The money or credit isn't all that important. The stories being told are what's most important. Which is why I still create even if my pockets are empty because its something I have to do. Although its hard to get the support from others, we must believe in ourselves before anyone will ever slightly care. Just like my comment here, nobody cares and its lost in the passing of time. Thankfully there's other people out there with similar thoughts, thanks for sharing!

I am a young filmmaker and I love this post. It crystallizes many feelings I've had. I have made films continuously ever since film school, recently wrapping up my first feature (a documentary), and I have always looked down on those who talk big but produce nothing, just as they have looked down on me for not having great monetary success with any of my projects. There is one problem with this post however, which is when you say that young filmmakers should not try to craft a "great film." I think that the experienced baker that looks down on the ambitious young baker is blind, foolish, and jealous. That baker became great from trying to make something great, failing, and trying again and again until (s)he created something new and amazing. A filmmaker should do the same thing. Always try to make something great and groundbreaking. However, don't expect it to change the world, and have the next project ready. At every point in the game, you should be aiming for your most out of reach dreams. When you fall short, just get right back up and keep going, eventually, you'll get there.

I totally understand your position, Stephen! And thanks for the comment.

We are on the same page and unfortunately, due to semantics and a desire to write concisely, my analogy regarding the experienced baker can come across as uninspiring.

Wanting to make something great is different than expecting to. That's my main position. Yes, let's shoot for the stars as aspiring filmmakers, but let's not expect to reach the stars so soon. Like the astronaut, it often takes years of discipline, hard work and emotional sweat to finally make it to space. (Again with the analogy!)

well said.

Loved this post. Just did the same myself. Shot a feature on what means I had. Validating myself as a director by directing. No apologies. No fear. No delusions on what might happen with it. Just what IS happening with it at every stage. Learning with every film/movie/short/webisode, etc. There are people who want to be directors and those who want to direct. People who want to be writers and those who actually write - good/bad - It's all about the doing. The "verb" to our creative thoughts. Follow your enthusiasm.

Thank you, Mike! Godspeed on your recent feature!

Right on Mike. I totally agree. So many people are full of excuses. If they just realized that taking action is the trick... But I digress. There are those of us who will continue to make movies. And unfortunately, there are many who will NEVER make a movie and put the blame all sorts of external reasons why.

Jason Brubaker
http://www.filmmakingstuff.com

Honest and brilliant. I agree 100%. Some people just dream of walking on the red carpet or think that their idea it’s brilliant and will not only do great at the box office but, at the same time, change the world. They feel that they MUST get tons of money to make it and, when they don’t, they say the world, or the system, or the investors (to name a few) are wrong and don’t have a clue about anything.

The truth is that as important as believing in your film it’s to have one foot in the ground, and as important as doing research for your characters, it’s researching your film’s market and your own career possibilities. That way you can create and make films at your own scale.

(sorry for my English)

Great article!

Thank you, Bernardo!

Christopher,

I think your article is awesome.

It describes the very essence of modern moviemaking. There are a lot of mis-guided people who will not take you seriously unless you have worked within the framework of multi-gazillion dollar budgets. But many of those critics have never made a feature. In fact, most would-be producers will never make the movie they can make this year, because they are waiting for everything to be perfect.

What most of these fuddy-duddy indie producers sense, but won't admit is this: Non-discriminatory VOD distribution coupled with cheaper production technology means sales channels are flooded with material. And in this sense, coming into the marketplace with a movie product is no different than starting any other business. You must find ways to create valuable products and focus a majority of your efforts on sales and marketing. The long term goal is to create and keep a customer - and also, create a sustainable library.

The secret is, as I'm sure you'll agree, is to NEVER ask for permission to make your movie or start your own movie business. While the TALKERS continue to talk, you will be refining your craft, building an audience and learning how to make an independent movie business for yourself. Sure, some folks will still be critical... But again, while they spend energy talking, you'll be making your next feature.

I dig what you're doing.

Jason Brubaker
http://www.FilmmakingStuff.com

Great points, Jason! It's so true about the flooding of the marketplace. Although it's great to have the world in the palm of our hands thanks to technology, that also means the world is spread a lot more thin. Again, that's a great thing and leads to incredible opportunities to otherwise disenfranchised people; nonetheless, it also leads to a whole lot more noise and confusion! LOL

so now that you've achieved guest blogger status on ted's site, does that mean you are no longer a "nobody" filmmaker?

i too am a nobody filmmaker and i agree with most of your points. however it seems that you are assuming that the film industry operates as a meritocracy and it doesn't, not in the least bit.

how is it disrespectful and presumptuous towards the art of filmmaking to desire greatness before earning it? if you don't start with high goals, then what's the point? it think it's ALOT more disrespectful towards the art of filmmaking when the gatekeepers and tastemakers promote work by subpar filmmakers like joe swanberg. he clearly doesn't know how to make a good movie, let alone a decent one, so when you see lazy filmmakers like him propped up it gives aspiring filmmakers the belief that they too can find success without working hard.

i would also say it's disrespectful to compare the art of filmmaking with baking bread. you can't compare filmmaking to any other endeavor.

Believe me, Mike, I still got a ways to go with my career! At this point, posting on here is a major privilege and joy...

Great thoughts Christopher. "Nobody filmmaker" sounds self-deprecating, though, and I don't think there is anything self-deprecating in what you've said here. Your comparisons to other industries are especially apt.

Thanks, Michael. Yeah, I actually struggled with the term "Nobody," but in it's superficial sense, I really think it hits home and, well, it's catchy, i.e., makes for a good conversation starter. Thanks again...

Your ethic would make sense in a field where very few aspirants were capable of working at a professional level, or where there were a lot of jobs for the moderately skilled. But neither is true in the movie business.

With the right resources, virtually anyone can direct a professional production. Meanwhile, there will never be enough work for the moderately talented. In this strange world, the competition for resources will be among the highly privileged and the very lucky, because lots and lots of people can work at their level. It gets even worse, because a rank beginner could very well come up with a silly, comic book script with embarrassing dialogue like "Avatar, but someone coming up with "King Lear" would be considered a joke and an incompetent. Looking for justice or meritocracy in this world is crazy.

This is a real and honest post, Christopher, and you make salient points about the process and the strange delusions attached to it.

"A filmmaker must continually make films" underlines the nitty gritty of what it takes.

The difference between "somebody" and "nobody" is relative, and neither title gives any filmmaker a free pass. Making films -- even no budget films -- is what enables go to improve and be called a filmmaker.

Imagine if a novelist called himself a writer, but, instead of writing, he spent all his time looking for people to invest in his computer and writing software. But he still called himself a writer.

To me (and, I assume, to you), filmmaking is doing, and if you also spend time chasing funds for things you can't do on your own dime, then that's fine, but let's not confuse years of "pre-production" and chasing million dollar checks with filmmaking. It's not.

"let's not confuse years of "pre-production" and chasing million dollar checks with filmmaking. It's not." Great point...

True that! Fred Mantel

Mark,

Great response. Love what you wrote about a novelist and a writer.

Jason Brubaker
http://www.FilmmakingStuff.com