Amateur Filmmaking

#1 12-11-2005, 04:13 PM

Was wondering if any of you are involved in some sort of amateur filmmaking? I have been wanting to get involved for a few years and now the time is right.

I don't have the slightest clue about it and was wondering if any of you had some sites or experience that perhaps they could share.

I would like to learn first and eventually make some humor shorts to show in my area. Not looking to be the next "IT" director. Just looking to branch off into some other hobbies. Ok thanks for your time.

Verbal

pryor15 · #2 12-11-2005, 04:18 PM

the best advice i can give you is to just make a film. pick a short story that you want to do and won't really cost you anything (even if it's as simple as a conversation in your living room) and just film it, setting up the shots, thinking through what you're trying to convey, etc. then edit it all together and you'll probably be amazed how much you pick up. also, you can watch some of the dvd commentaries on low-budget films that are particularly good, as they'll reveal a bunch of tricks.

i recommend Christopher Nolan's "Following" commentary (he's the guy who did Memento)

good luck and when you get a cut, let us know how it went.

ohnonotthat · #3 12-11-2005, 04:23 PM

Advice re. amateur filmmaking ?

Sure.

The most important thing is to gain her trust; explain that you would never allow anyone other that the two of you to see the finished product. Stress that the fact that . . .

*

"What's that honey" ?

Whadya mean 'that's not what he meant' ?

I do NOT have a one track mind.

Oh, by the way, your sister is dropping by for dinner; let's uncork that good wine - you know the one.

That is NOT what I was thinking". [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

*

[img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

#4 12-11-2005, 04:26 PM

You should check out the commentary track on the snuff film I made last week.

tonypaladino · #5 12-11-2005, 04:45 PM

We've all had this idea. Claiming you are a filmmaker and having a camera running while you bang her is not a "loophole" in anti-prostitution laws.

Seadood228 · #6 12-11-2005, 11:59 PM

I've been out of the loop for a while, but as the other poster said your best idea is probably just to go out and do it. There are places to rent camera equipment in every city, and generally you can obtain a lot of technical information there.

There are plenty of books on this, but the only ones I can recommend deal strictly with 16mm, which I think may now be outdated.

good luck