Guild of Filmmakers

[MacAddict]

Well i've been considering this for a long time and tonight i feel like seeing if anyone else likes to make movies (of the serious and non-serious varity ;)) So... I've made mostly trailers for Uth events around town and a few indepentant films with some freinds (plan to add 4-6 more to the list of movies this summer). But I feel like i am ment to make films (real films), i mean when i have a concept in my head i know EXACTLY what it needs to look like, where the camera goes, the lighting, the envoirment, everything. I am also making this place for others the share what THEY want to make and for us to share ideas and such. So let it begin!!

Members:

MacAddict
Ol' Gaffer
Lifeling
tookish-girl
Glorfindel1187
Eledhwen
Losteliniel
EllethBronwe
Hawkblaze
Cutter


~MacAddict

[Ol'gaffer]

GO MACADDICT! It's about time that we get one of these threads here! I'm in deffinetly.

My history of filmmaking is quite short, I've directed two short movies that lasted both about 5 mins and one documentary on human behaviour that lasted about 6-7 mins. I'm currently directing a movie about the end of the world "inspired" by the upcoming war.

I'd be really interested to hear that are there other directors here also and what their methods for directing and scriptwriting are.

[MacAddict]

Good, I'm glad to see there are others who enjoy doing this to. I'm working on some just funny stuff i wanna do this summer, But I am in the concept phase of a Documentary i wanna do, thing is it all depends on a varible factor and might not even happen so unless you promise to NOT get your hopes up i'll tell ya about it:D , I just don't want to get anyone excited (it would be primally FOR this forum) and then not be able to do it.

And as an added bonus, The 3 independent films that i made are online thanks to the other group i devoloped them with (FruitBasket Productions)

Link 1. Bernie the Alien: http://cflcomputing.com/adam/Bernie.mov 18MB

Link 2, The Mystery of the Klink: http://cflcomputing.com/adam/Klink.mov Warning: 60MB


~MacAddict

My Production name is "Mad Sea Cow Productions"

[MacAddict]

And guess what, i made a logo! And Ol'gaffer, please tell of your ventures in the film universe:D . I'd like to hear it.



~MacAddict

[MacAddict]

I was afraid this was going to happen. It seems there aren't as many people who are interested in FilmMaking as i had hoped :(. Ah well, if ya find this and are interested please join!



~MacAddict

[Lifeling]

Attic Films : Me and my cousins film production company

Hey Guys! I'll Join! Me and myu cuzins have made alot of stuff... were more on the humorous side but thats alright right?
We work monstly in lego movies (stop motion) But we have also made a very sad film about war. it was only 5 minutes but it was good.

So yeah... sign me up.

[MacAddict]

Originally posted by Lifeling
were more on the humorous side but thats alright right?
We work monstly in lego movies (stop motion).

Welcome Much! Yeah funny films are the best :D, Just watch the 2 i put up (no point really at all :rolleyes: ). I've wanted to do some lego stop motion but haven't got to it yet. I'm currently in the concept phases for a large scale Documentary (the largest i've taken on anyway, if i can make it go the way i have it planned). We're growing!!:D .



~MacAddict

[balrog]

Originally posted by MacAddict
And guess what, i made a logo! And Ol'gaffer, please tell of your ventures in the film universe:D . I'd like to hear it.



~MacAddict

I love the logo!

I tried the links and they are not working at the moment...but i will try again later!

I am not a film movie/producer....however I am curious what films and directors were your inspiration?

My personal favorite is a documentary called 'Microcosmos'....filmed in a valley in France I believe


truly amazing slow motion photography! :)

[tookish-girl]

Hi, wow! I can't beleive we have a Filmmakers Guild!
I only just noticed!
Well, hello, I'm Tookish, I've been here for one and half years and I'm currently a Film Student in England, I like writing and directing and have made four shorts films on film and two on Dv tape.

This is such a great idea! You would not beleive how pleased I am to see this! I was only thinking the other day how great it would be to be able to share film ideas and scripts with people on this forum, but somehow I wasn't sure if Film scripts would quite be got in the Prancing Pony for example.

Yeah, the logo rules!:D

[MacAddict]

Originally posted by balrog
I am not a film movie/producer....however I am curious what films and directors were your inspiration? I'd have to give the credit to Jurassic Park, the 1st 'movie' i made was a recreation of that using toys from the movie :D. In regards to the links: they work but take awhile to load (since one is 60MB) and make sure you have quicktime installed on your comp.




Welcome Tookish! I'm glad to see everybody likes the logo :D. The films I've made have only been done on normal Dv tapes (like what you would buy at Circuit City) but if I could afford it, this (http://www.canondv.com/xl1s/index.html) is what i want :D . Whats it like to work with real film? Again Welcome!


~MacAddict

[tookish-girl]

Real film is great! I was only using 8mm, so it was tiny and very fiddly to edit (had to use special tape with sprocket holes in), but the picture looked amazing! I was so proud. i want to try to use 16mm when I'm in third year.
I liked your alien film, very cool. Couldn't hear the sound on it though! I'm trying to put stuff on my website about my films but I've been real busy!

That camera's gorgeous!

[Lifeling]

Ah yes... that camera is my cousins dream...
Im not too into cameras... Im an actor.

I have a question...
We have a decent camera... with nice resolution. (TV quality)
But when we put it in the computer for editing, and then try to put it on CD or DVD it is always very low quality and has a very big file size...
Could you guys suggest any softare or methods for improving quality while keeping lower filesizes?

Thanks

[MacAddict]

Originally posted by Lifeling
I have a question...
We have a decent camera... with nice resolution. (TV quality)
But when we put it in the computer for editing, and then try to put it on CD or DVD it is always very low quality and has a very big file size...
Could you guys suggest any softare or methods for improving quality while keeping lower filesizes?

Thanks

What capture methods are you using? Meaning FireWire (IEEE or i.Link) or some USB Capture thing or an analog card in the comp? the Large file size depends on what capture method your using. If its FireWire the quality shouldn't be that bad or the compression software your using is not a very good one. Look into buying QuickTime Pro (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/) (Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the QT Pro info). If its USB or an Analog Card there isn't much you can do about the quality other than make sure it isn't you compression app thats causing it.
For recommended software: Get QuickTime Pro, its $30 and can do just about anything (including editing and FX) in a simple package. If you've got a buget to use look into Sorenson Video 3 (http://www.sorenson.com/) , its a really really good compression plugin for quicktime and many other media apps. Hope this helped.


~MacAddict

[Lifeling]

Thanks so much I'll look into those

[Ol'gaffer]

YAY! This thread really got some attention finally!
It's amazing to hear that there are really more people here that enjoy the art that is film making!

I just recently saw a russian/Nigerian collaboration of making music and pictures just into a seamless collaboration of images that create a story with no words, it was really amazing how it worked and really inspired me.

Balrog, inspiration can come from anything, it can come from another movie or music or even a book that you just read. I urge you that if you ever get an inspiration write it down immediatly and don't hesitate or otherwise that idea will be gone forever.

I'm gonna get my own computer soon so I'll be able to post some of my films and documentaries here. So until then I'll just post here when needed.

[Maeglin]

I have been interested in making films for several years now and it is something I have greatly desired to do since 6th grade, however I have not made any movies yet, but I am taking several classes next year to elevate my skill and study of film-making, and I am also taking part in the school play (so you can see I'm the acting type as well). But will you accept a photographer into this guild? I've been studying photography for 2 years now and it has similarities to the film making (i.e. lighting, camera angle, etc.) so if you have any room for another, I'd love to join.:)

[MacAddict]

Welcome to the Guild of FilmMakers Glorfindel1187! Sure you can join, make yourself at home.




~MacAddict

[MacAddict]

Look at all this thing can do!!!!!!


http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/


Thats a piece of software (when my comp gets upped enough to run it good) i really need.



~MacAddict

[MacAddict]

Its ok if no one has ever heard of that program before, it IS a Mac only one. So please if someone has something they would like to disscuss (Film and or Photo related of course), go right ahead and post it! :) .



~MacAddict

[Eledhwen]

I've started writing screenplays. A few shorts (5-20 mins) and a couple of features so far; not enough to call a 'portfolio', but I'm working on it.

I like the logo, but it needs an 'icon' element - a simple graphic that represents your guild.

[MacAddict]

Originally posted by Eledhwen
I like the logo, but it needs an 'icon' element - a simple graphic that represents your guild.


I'm working on one now, thanks for the suggestion.:)



~MacAddict

[Eledhwen]

Is anyone else in this Guild living in the South West/Central South of England? I ask because there's a 'From Script to Screen' film making course being run at CRE8 studios in Swindon. CRE8 is local authority run, so the course is dirt cheap (about £70 for, I think, 1 evening a week x 10 weeks). MacAddict's post reminded me, because they are also running a Film making special effects course, using Mac software.

[tookish-girl]

Sorry, I'm in the North East, well, Yorkshire and I'm doing my own film course at the mo. That sounds very exciting though, I'd love to know more about special effect editing.
And only £70??????

I wish I had your local authority! :)

[Ol'gaffer]

Here's a new discussion idea that can be kicked around: What do you find hard in filmaking?

Personally, since my co-workers at "Team Extempore" and I have begun to make the fantasy movie epic that I scripted and we've had so many problems.

Firstly, casting. Who to play who, we just couldn't seem to find people who would have taken actualy interest into the project, then we found some really lovely ladies who were willing to do the female leads in the movie and they've been really good at it.

Secondly, financing. We ran out of money some time ago and we are now fundraising to get this thing done.

Third, choreography. Sword fighting is difficult, so my friend and I are doing the coreography for the movie but the training is not going so well as people keep on pointing out that we're practising with latex swords.

Fourth, reading. People are having a hard time reading the script aloud and actually acting when we're practising. Some can do it just fine but others are just fooling about.

All this can get really annoying and I was wondering that has anyone else got problems like that in their own projects?

[tookish-girl]

I find that casting, acting etc isn't too bad, but I'm lucky my film course is connected to the theatre course so we have alot of good actors on hand to choose from.

For us the problem is the rickety old equipment we use, especially the sound which seems to pick up absolutely every background noise except for the actor's voices.

For example, earlier this year I was in a film set on a farm. This meant that we were shooting in cow sheds, stables etc. Never ever ever try this, get rid of the animals because they make soooooooo much noise! We had a horse that clearly wanted to be let out of the shed, other on that kept banging his hooves against the wall and a cow with a cough. When we shot outside we had tractors going by, cars and lorries from the main road and planes and police helicopters circling overhead. And then there's the ever useful farmhand who kept walking into shot saying "Hiya, you all alright, what you doing? Oh you're making a film! That's nice!"

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!
Roll on studio work!

[MacAddict]

The most annoying thing I have yet to come across was during the filming of The Mystery of the Klink :D . We had shot it all and I have everything in the computer editing it and once i had finished I loaded the finished film back onto the camera. Then I deleted it from my HardDrive to make room for the editing on part 2. So then the next day we were going to show it t Uth and luckly I got there 2hrs early to find that when we played back what was on the camera it wasn't the finished and edited version, the camera didn't take it in :mad: . So I had to redo the editing in like 1 1/2hrs! Luckly though, we had pretty much shot the movie in the same order as the movie itself played out, so it wasn't too bad.


~MacAddict

[MacAddict]

I just see its been some time since there was a post here so, I think we need to find a topic we can continuosly talk about. Maybe this just doesn't work after all, oh well, if you've got something to say, say it. Or better yet if you have something you'd like input on or something, feel free. Now understand this is just an idea and will prolly not be implementable any time soon, I want to buy a fairly large amount of server space and I was thinking that I could 'host' some of your (meaning the people in this guild's) Films :) . Just a thought.


~MacAddict

[24framesasecond]

MacAddict, I wish to address you personally.
If you want to have support, i can e-mail a list of sites that give grants and alocate endowments. I am a cinemaphiliac, of the hardcore breed.
I must question you though, quite literally, because to make good films you must watch good films and read a lot.

[24framesasecond]

I think your intentions have great merit, but your outmatched. Triggerstreet and several other sights like it have taken the market. For one, they have studio backing, and two, they have prestigious judges. I think you could do it, but mabye try working through it here, in the safety of the forum. If it works, then yay, if not, then modify of stop.
There are a lot of people that seriously love film, but you are starting off in an already same market, the forum. Your pull will be smaller and you could run into some problems when it comes to quality, intelligent people who know film.
Still, i think you might have something.

[tookish-girl]

Welcome to the forum 24frames (hope you don't mind me calling you that!)

It's good that this guild is moving again. I really would like to submit one of my films to MacAddict's site, but they're all either on 8mm or video now. All the miniDV tapes with some of the originals on get wiped.
Damnit!

[Eledhwen]

Originally posted by MacAddict
I just see its been some time since there was a post here so, I think we need to find a topic we can continuosly talk about. Maybe this just doesn't work after all, oh well, if you've got something to say, say it. Or better yet if you have something you'd like input on or something, feel free. Now understand this is just an idea and will prolly not be implementable any time soon, I want to buy a fairly large amount of server space and I was thinking that I could 'host' some of your (meaning the people in this guild's) Films :) . Just a thought. ~MacAddict This Guild is suffering from one-thread syndrome. If you don't begin to divide your posts into sub-threads (eg: screenwriters; special effects; directors etc) you're going to get one very long, very jumbled mix of topics, and visitors will not be able to usefully benefit from the pool of knowledge available without paging through oodles of trivia and (to them) irrelevancies. I myself am only interested in screenwriting. I have no resources for film making, but reading about the obstacles and possibilities film makers face will improve my own craft (I hope!).

[24framesasecond]

The biggest problem tha ti have noticed is lack of funds. Most kids that want to make a film can't because they don't have the money to own or rent a camera.
Luckily, there are tons of sites that give out grants and endowments. True, you have to shelve a lot of personal projects while you make others ideas, but it gives you a foothole to climb with.
I think a lot of the acting/casting problems can be nullified by getting to know local theatre toops. Go to shows, classes, forums and talk. I have quite a few friends that are exceptional actors, and since it is their profession they know a lot of other actors. You see what i am getting at. Probably the worst of issues is being lost, but i think MAC has helped fix that problem with this forum.
Vive la cinema!!!:eek:

[24framesasecond]

trying to keep this thing alive like johnny five.

[Lifeling]

One of my biggest problems is time... Id love to make a cool film, but it takes hours!... We should have a contest... someone post a script, then all the filmakers make the film according to that script so wed have like 3 of the same film, then we compare them, and see which is better...

[24framesasecond]

Seems like a bad idea. You just said time is an issue. Also, most writers who are wanting to make films want to be involved with them; the distant between people could be a hassle and could negate the artistic alliance that i think you are pushing for.

Honestly, if you want to make a film, and you are serious about it, you MAKE time. It is not going to flop in your lap; THIS is the biggest problem i have seen. People being too lazy and too childish to commit and push, such a passive-immature society we live in, it pertuates this 'i want something but i don't want to earn it' view. Disney hasn't helped either with its 'if you want it bad enough, and you beleive it in your heart, then your dream really will come true' bullshit.
I say put some work into it. You can just play around with a camera, or interview someone, anything to give you experience.

[MacAddict]

Hey all, sorry I haven't posted in here for awhile, been neglecting it/busy. In responce with Eledhwen's post: What do you all say I create 2 more threads (if this is allowed, I'll check tonight) For Specific topics? ie: ScreenWriting/Scripting and The Visual Aspect. And keep this one for main disscusion. Sound Good?




~MacAddict

[24framesasecond]

Well, since not too many people are talking, i say no, don't do it. Make this into a full on discussion i.e. opinion, analysis, loves and hates, visual, all that. Once you have a lot of people to work with THEN start making it specific.
"you can't draw a cup of water from an ounce, you have to draw it from a pool."
-me-

[Losteliniel]

Yay!!

Sign me up!! :D

I just recently got into filmmaking, but I love it already!!

:D

[EllethBronwe]

I'll join. I'm only a senior in high school, but I love film making and I am going to film school when I graduate. Maybe I could get some advise?

[MacAddict]

Welcome both of you! We're kindof in the process of figuring out what to do here so feel free to disscus what you wish, film and such related of course. Again Welcome :)


~MacAddict

[24framesasecond]

that makes four.
Say, any of you guys and gals ever seen The Sweet Smell of Success , what a fantastic film; Film Noir meets Citizen Kane .
Lancaster and Curtis fans balked at the characters that their beloved stars played. I can see why, after From Here to Eternity and Some Like it Hot it is sorta hard to see these guys in sucha despicable light. The film is really fast pace, too, something really odd for its day. Odd editing and camera movements (in context to the year) and issues addressed (prostitution, drugs, heavy sex, alcohol, greed, monopolistic practices, seedy police) all make a really great Noir.
That and Preminger's Anatomy of a Murder are my big favs right now. Who could ask for more, you got Duke Ellington doing the FANTASTIC score and Stewart in such a hip, jazzy role (very much suiting his lifestyle). This movie has been copied in numerous ways, one film in particular that owes props to Anatomy is A Time to Kill with Jackson and McCanahey (sp.).
So yeah, if you haven't seen them, i say check them out, they should be at any local blockbuster.

[24framesasecond]

dying, Mac, where are you?

[tookish-girl]

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted for a hwile I've been on work experience making a tv programme with the BBC.

I had such a good time, I have to share it with you all! i was down in London, doing this period drama about the life of Beethoven. For those of you in Britain it'll be shown in October on BBC2.

I had such a good time. Officially, I was the Runner for the production office, but I spent most of the 3 weeks helping out the camera trainee. Anyone interested in finding out more? Well, I'll be back later.

Tookish :)

[MacAddict]

Yesterday I started and finished Filming Mystery of the Klink 3: Attack of the Killer Moth, and I am right now editing and adding the special FX. Well thats what I'm up to thats film related, I'll have it online for all to see soon.


~MacAddict

[Hawkblaze]

I have two films in my portfolio that I completed recently for a film class at my High School. One is about 3 1/2 minutes and the other is about 6 minutes. I'd really like to share them with you guys, but I guess I'd need a converter from a VCR to a computer. Any suggestions on how to do that?

I'm particularly interested in cinematography. The sky's the limit in that department.

[Azog]

I remember way back when we used still images for our movies Macaddict. Those were the days... It will be awesome to see the stuff that you're able to do now. Too bad I can't be there to help out. I am coming up this Christmas though, so we might get something done.

[Cutter]

Hi all,

I'm kinda new here and and MacAddict invited me to join this guild. Awesome! Other film-makers who also love Tolkien and his work.

Well, I've written and directed one short film (15min) and am currently in the process of writing 2 pilots for 2 comedy series (hopefully to be picked up by a major studio).

Also, I have 2 dramas I'm writing, one a sad story of dealing with loss of a loved one, and another a WWII film. I also do CGI for films (haven't done any Pro work in that area yet).

Nice to meet everyone :)

[MacAddict]

Welcome Cutter, glad you could join us! I have finally begun planning Mystery of the Klink 4, to be ther final part of the Quadrilogy ;) . I have yet to see Kill Bill (I want to very much) but the orignal trailer to has inspired an idea for the trailer for MotK4. I got the song used in the trailer and I'm gonna spoof it with my own trailer but with the same feel and music :D . I'm working on a script now and will hopefully assemble the cast for the final part of our epic movie that has spanned 2 years in the making (and to think when we started it last year it was only gonna be 1 movie :D).


~MacAddict

[omnipotent_elf]

can i join?

my borther makes heaps of short films, and I get all the fun duties - boom mike, stuint doubles (that was once, but VERY fun), etc

so yeah, can i join?

[MacAddict]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm *devotes much thought* I don't see why not ;) Welcome to the wonderous Guild of Film Makers!

~MacAddict

[Adrastea]

Hey People!

I have recently fallen in love with video editing. My Brother started doing it and I just watched him and thought it was amazing how it is all put together. And after fiddling around with it for 8 months I am now better than him.

I use programs such us...Adobe Premiere 6.5 for editing and Adobe After Effects for Special Effects.

I have recently edited trips that I have been on. Some of the footage was up to 6 hours long and I had to take it down to half an hour.
I would love to discuss anything film and editing related.

[omnipotent_elf]

an aussie :D
hmm, i use Adobe 6.5, but my computer is preety crappy.....

[Cutter]

Hey fellow film-makers!! So, is anyone gonna get any good gear for the holidays? I'm gonna get a new editing computer, and I've already gotten the AE 5.5PB to AE 6.0 Pro upgrade. What about the rest of you?

Also, seeing as how this is a Tolkien-oriented board, how many here have thought about doing films or a film in the "Fantasy" genre? I know that the D&D movie nearly killed the genre, but thank god LOTR revived it.

Anyway, just trying to spark some conversation.

:)

[omnipotent_elf]

what about d&d gave it away?
the growing dwarf maybe.
I think all of us are grateful(in some sense anyways) for what Jackson has done...

[Morgoth]

Hi everybody!
Im not sure if I fit in to this thread, as I dont really make films, I just write scripts. It used to be for fun, really crappy film noir comedies that me and my friends found hilarious. One series of such a genre was called Senator Max. It started off as an impeccably badly drawn (seriously, stick men with varying faces, hats and accesories to differentiate between characters) comic when I was bored in an exam. People around me laughed, and I caused quite a stir. I then wrote a script, and more people laughed. I then got into it in a big way, and I'm starting a feature length script as part of my application for a scriptwriting degree at Bournemouth Media College (UK).And thats me.