So, yeah.. I'm a loser.. What's new?

[LGM]

Bah.. Looks like my movie didn't work out so well... F*cking volunteer actors, never reliable.

Anyways, Vincent's Night is now a pile of garbage. Only 3 scenes shot.. And now I have only 4 actors left.. So we have decided to scrap the project and start anew..

So, I'm posting to hear your ideas so I can steal them for a big brain-storming session with all my AGS friends.

So.. Anyone got some ideas for me.. Basically, I'm looking for something I can film with 5 or less actors.. Something full length.. And that can be shot on a 0$ budget.

Anyone?

[rookworm3]

Something a la Resevoir Dogs, perhaps?

[Scummbuddy]

Blair Witch Project,  filmed like 30 minutes from my house.  Yeah!

Maybe that can be where we'll hold next years Mittens USA!

[DGMacphee]

Make a porno and become the next Ron Jeremy!

[Barcik]

What style are you looking for?

[evenwolf]

Whatever you end up filming, don't try to play off teens as adults. It's never taken seriously.  Don't be mob bosses and cowboys, just be kids standing around drinking soda pop outside the general store or something.  And then one of the kids is all like "The guy on the radio says there's this contest to come up with the best jingle for 'Hardingy Flavoricles'! The winners get to sing it in the commercial... and a lifetime supply of tasty Hardingy Flavoricles!"

And then the rest of the movie consists of the kids walking around, funny things happening, and then making a lyric up... and stuff


You know what- you'll never make a feature this way, and if you did- it would be torture to sit thru.  As a film person myself I suggest you shoot a short. That's how most filmmakers start their careers as shorts are SO much more likely to be screened at a festival or seen by a movie exec. Really LGM- go with a 10-20 minute short.  I think you'll find it sufficient time to tell a story.  AND don't underestimate audio!! I realize it's probably difficult for you to get your hands on a boom, but if you have shots far away from your talent- get some sort of mic to hide somewhere in the scene.  Because sound is 90% of your movie.

[rodekill]

Yeah, do a short. Look at how much attention that 10 minute Batman film is getting now. Insane.
I mean, it's good, but a little fanboyish for my tastes.

Anyways.

I'm assuming you're using low-end equipment, so use that in the film, like they did in Blair Witch. Maybe have one of the characters filming the action him/herself or something.
How about a movie about a bunch of teenage guys sitting around in a bush, trying to get a look in the window of a house where some girls are having a slumber party? It could start out as horney teenage stalking, and by the end maybe they're all crying and opening up to each other, saying how they just want their mommies or something.
Just go nuts.

[Esseb]

What 10 minute Batman movie?

And I agree with mr. Rode and Wolf LGM. That's about all the insight I had to contribute, I'm sorry, I just wanted to know about that Batman movie I'm afraid.

[Shattered Sponge]

This ten minute Batman movie -

http://www.theforce.net/theater/shortfilms/batman_deadend/

It's rather well-done, if a little silly; it could have used some dialogue polish, but, meh - wattayagonnado?

[Timosity]

maybe something along the lines of 'stand by me' or 'the outsiders', maybe a combination of the 2, also on those movies, there are so many cast members that weren't stars before these movies that are now some of the biggest names, The cast of the outsiders especially

if you are unaware, google it and go imagine what the cast would cost these day$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Czar]

hey esper, i never new about that page, thanks for showing me

[cornjob]

You know what- you'll never make a feature this way, and if you did- it would be torture to sit thru.  

I don't know if I agree with that. I just finished making a feature-length movie on video, with just my friends as actors and almost no budget. In fact, that's why I haven't been around at all for the last few weeks... I've been editing. Now maybe some people would consider my movie torture to watch.. personally, I think it turned out really cool. Anyway, we're submitting it to some film festivals... hopefully we'll find some that aren't too pretentious to take a no-budget action adventure special effects extravaganza. (By the way, the new version of the trailer is up.)

Now LGM, I don't know if you have a lot of experience making movies or not. If you haven't done a lot, then certainly you should start with shorts. I can tell you that a 80-minute movie is like ten times harder to make than a 10-minute short.

By the way, I don't agree that the quality of your equipment should dictate the content of your movie. You shouldn't have to give it a "documentary-look" like Blair Witch just to excuse the fact that you're using a cheap camcorder. I say, film whatever kind of story you want. It's a big mistake to handicap your creativity and potential because you're ashamed of your equipment.

Anyway, that's just the advice of someone who comes from an underground/guerilla filmmaking background.

[DGMacphee]

Clerks was made for around $27,000 before post-production -- do an even lower budget film than that.

[Evil]

Three words... Talking Ninja Cat... ¬¬

[D · Y · D · O]

That's your answer for everything!

Anyway, ever heard of the German movie "Funny Games"? Pretty good, violent though (my taste), but very low-budget.
Spielberg's breakthrough "Duel" couldn't have cost much either I think.
Perharps something play-like, that you could film in a single room. I'm thinking about "12 Angry Men" or "Death And The Maiden".
If you're not familiar with these titles, check 'em out at IMDB.

[LGM]

Yeah. Shorts would be way easoer.

So.. I guess.. Would you guys like to offer some short ideas you got. I've got a few. So I'll get working myself.

But thanks for all the input.

Yes, all I really have right now is a tripod, Mini DV JVC Consumer Cam (Quite good quality, though.. But no external mic jack) and a powerful computer to edit with.

So yes, my resources are quite limited. But I can work around it. I was planning to with Vincent's Night. And I think I did pretty well.

I also agree with the sound. Sound does make the movie. Watching the IFC channel and seeing some of the shorts on there proves it. Lat0r for now

[Harvester]

Hey, too bad Vincent's Night failed. I liked that script.
Anyway, come to IRC and we can try to think something up. Yey.

[Paranoia]

something with motorbikes in, you can always find mad loonies with fast bikes......

i'm free most weekends! pay for the petrol,tyres and hospital bills tho

[cornjob]

No external mic is kind of a problem, but here's some ideas of how to shoot with the camera mic.

Obviously, make sure whoever is talking is very close to the camera, and talks really loud. Watch out for noise in the environment, especially wind.

If you want to do a shot where the camera is far away from the actor but dialogue is heard, just make sure you can't see their mouth too well, and dub in the audio seperately. You can get audio fills with the camera, just do it in a room with good aucoustic properties or, if you can't find one, the inside of a car works.

If your camera has a headphone jack, you should listen to the audio while you're filming, even with the camera mic, because sometimes weird things can happen... like you might hear a high-pitched buzz or hum due to electrical fields. It's rare though with the camera mic. With wireless mics, it happens all the time.

Anyway, good luck. I think it's up to you to come up with a story you want to film.

[rodekill]

I didn't mean he should make use of the low-techness like that because it's a handicap, I meant more along the lines of, if it's gonna look low-tech, then why not use it creatively?

[evenwolf]

Cornjob, you wouldn't agree that sitting thru a feature length film of someone asking for script ideas on the AGS forum would be torture?

   I'm saying, never try to stretch an idea into a feature.  If you have a huge idea and it will take a feature length film to express it- YES , film a feature. But it's obvious LGM doesnt have that idea at this time.  So a short is simply logical.

[Trapezoid]

Do you still have the Toothpick script I showed you? I never filmed it, you may use it if you want.

[TerranRich]

I think Rode may be on to something. A short version of American Pie perhaps? BTW, sorry to hear your project fell thru, LGM, but things like this happen to aspiring anybodies all the time I'm sure.

[Synthetique]

anything is good if you use music from sonic mayhem

[Eggie]

Do somthing with Grave-robbing in it. Grave robbing is fun.

[Evil]

I know LGM's mom. I dont think she would go over real well about a grave dug in her yard... Or any yard for that matter...

[cornjob]

Cornjob, you wouldn't agree that sitting thru a feature length film of someone asking for script ideas on the AGS forum would be torture?

Yeah, originally, I was going to give the same reply I give to people who come here and say "Give me a story for my game."  But I didn't want to discourage LGM! Not that there's anything wrong with asking for some ideas, but the overall vision has to come from the director/game-maker.

[earlwood]

I suggest a movie with, violence,sex,and a crazy trigger happy cop on the edge!...I bet even if you're on a low budget you can get Joe Don Baker  :b


---
Blech, saw that Batman short..it was pretty good 'till it turned into what looked like a Fox movie special...That made me so angry I couldn't enjoy the knife fight...