INDIE FILM "FIRST TIME" FILM MAKERS ALWAYS TRY "FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT" TACTICS?

Houston, TX - Yes, the title to this blog says it all. It happens more often than not and those "first time film directors and producers" who develop a love to split the lines between what is an actual good film and what kind of crap they filmed; trying to sell it as the next best thing since soggy bread floating in a dark swamp, that NO ONE will ever see. In the local indie circles, there's always some egotistical schmuck with cash who thinks they can change the way indie films are produced and make a multi-million business out of their first film. The gimmick always seems to have a little too much planning, a little too much foresight, and always only ends up with a ton of pointless hype that never fills anyone's daily feed on their personalized Internet platforms, like Facebook or Instagram. These "first time film makers" think they can squeeze into an industry by flattering people with their ingenuity, but will learn quickly that even the most brightest amateur has seen their "production crap" before and they are not fooling anyone. - This is where narcissistic producers and their director usually go to die from existence.

There's been a saying within the first time film maker community that "directors are a dime a dozen" and that "many film teams exist that can produce better quality films" with better effort, with better production teams, or even better actors. The realization is that if it were that easy, everyone would be doing it and not just as a glorified hobby. Keep in mind that these first Indie filmmakers absolutely have no prior film making experience nor are they apt to following an established format for producing or arranging film teams. They often claim to have all the answers but have nothing to show from prior experience. There is a pattern that most believe they can "fake it until they make it" with nothing but hype, useless independent film award stamps, and a production effort that is anything but professional and entertaining to anyone outside of their own little circle. - That's the price for NOT learning the film making system or making solid contacts within the filming community.

First time filmmakers are always trying to impress in areas that they've never worked or been exposed to before. Many feel that they've got a taste for making full feature films because of some prior exposure to film production with another film team or that they viewed some "how to" documentary on YouTube or searched the steps to film making on Google. The truth is, being an Indie film maker gives film teams "an out" from following the more progressive way[s] to make a film and where their productions can take short cuts and cut through a bunch of red tape which would usually slow a production down or hinder their films from being shot without a permit. Film permits are not always required, but many industry distributors that require a license for a film will need them to confirm a deal. First timers often feel that they have the right magic on the first go-round in their film production and expect to "ring that bell" and get distribution deal for making millions of dollars on their first film. How many times have I heard the phrases, "We're working on a distribution deal..." or "We have a meeting with a distributor..." after producing their first film. It's truly pathetic. - That's the price for NOT knowing how to build a solid, knowledgeable production team on your first film.

But just how good is a first timers premiere film production? - I guess that all depends on who you ask. If you ask the first time filmmaker and his team, they'll tell you that their first attempt at making their film "...was a huge success;" made to a standard that blows any competition away. The biased film teams friends and family will tell you that they'd "...buy a DVD or pay a ticket" to watch it again. Asking someone not affiliated and unbiased to the film team will often tell you that "the film blows..." and that they "...wasted an hour and a half of their lives" watching it. I know that these groups of people will make you feel uneasy to spend the time to watch the first time film; you'll remember right off that first time filmmakers have no experience in doing anything to produce and promote their films when they premiere. They often just rent a room or auditorium and try to fill it up with people  that they know and who will be supportive. These amateur teams usually get updates from their "first time director," who will post something on their Facebook page and try to get people to be part of their following. But in the end, these newbies will end up calling their family and close friends, begging them to come to the premiere and watch their show - That's the price of NOT actually knowing how to market or produce a proper trailer for your first film.

Many first time film makers reading this blog will come to an instant realization that I am "pointing them out" or "made a personal attack against them," by berating their progress and success in completing their first film. What these newbies truly need to do is ask themselves, "Why do they think that they're among the top of the list in the category of indie films?" Part of the major step in making films is having the dire courage or "nut-sack" to have their film reviewed and critiqued by other seasoned filmmakers who have a plethora of films under their lifetime portfolios. If you produce a film but cannot face the criticism of a proper film review, then it's high time you hang your hat in the field of film making and quietly step away. A bad review isn't something to hold on to and let it bring you down, it's something to grow from; a stepping stone for you to learn from. Hence; "When a child first learns to walk, they will  fall and fall hard. But they will learn to get back up on their feet and try and try again." No one has ever been lucky enough to get it right the first time; even though there are a few idiots out there that will tell you that they did. And of course, there are plenty who think they have that "one instant plan" that logically should work. . - That's the price for NOT knowing who to go to for a proper review of your first film.

It isn't a crime to seek out to go make your first film. Just don't wind up believing your own hype and try to garner a successful career through fictitious means. I mean seriously, awarding yourself a trophy or bragging about indie film awards that you won after you nominated them yourself and paid money to receive...that's real success? Besides there are real and more professional indie film teams out there producing top quality films with sensational scripts, fabulous actors and crews.

Below are a few things to remember should you be bold enough to get your film reviewed or critiqued by people who actually knows what to look for in the local Indie film scene

****SIMPLE FILM REVIEW NOTES TO REMEMBER****

To give your audience a feel of what to expect in your film, let your opening credits and the musical them track lead them down a road of emotions that help you build the mood for your film project. Keep the flow consistent and the lettering stationary and very clear to read; no more than three seconds per credit, and then extend the time frame for the leading title to about five to eight seconds. This shows that your proud of the title and how it is eventually going to grow on the viewers. Keeping the rhythm of the film moving with good pacing will show the viewers the flow of the films production and the professional atmosphere of the first scenes leading into the ten to fifteen minute mark. If you're claiming your film has action, then this is the best time to present it to the masses. If your film has a creepy sense to it, prove it within the first ten minutes. Indie film critics always look for these fundamental parameters in your film. Establishing character development follows the opening and you'd better lay in thick but very subtle. Let the viewers figure out our characters for themselves and you shouldn't spend any time having dialog define who anyone is and what their story arcs are.

Without the formats listed above, you audience is going to crash on you. Especially if you're just slapping credits up on the screen to some song you paid good money for, thinking the small crowd and film critics will be impressed with your amateur opening and want to see more. Furthermore, if you're spending so much time trying to layer in a ton of actors in the first twenty minutes of your film, the views and critics will die and stop paying attention to the rest of the film. Sure, there are always slow parts in film, but some dialog is important to put out and you should always put the slow part of your film in the middle, giving your actors time to establish themselves with their performances. As a producer, you should have a test audience pre-screen your film and give you an honest and brutal review. This group of people shouldn't have a bias or be part of the production team; for obvious reasons.

If you've done everything right, the audience should be focused and wanting more from the production than what's being presented. Think of it this way, if you have a huge plotline that you feel will hook the audience with fear or a sense of anxiety, then be sure to hold that hook until the right time. Delivering your plot too soon might bring the house down too early and leave your film in the proverbial lurch. But holding the hook and delivering a fast punch will bring the entire production to a climax that can be felt by everyone in the audience. Having an experience of holding screenings of your film and viewing their emotions throughout the preview can be such an exhilarating experience; especially if you planned a funny scene and see that your writing within the production actually works. Remember, I'm not talking about you [the director or producer], your family or your friends...I'm talking about the people outside of your comfort circle.

Without any of the post production adjustments hinted above, your viewers are going to tank at the end of the credits and not want to see your next film. They will also wonder who produced this mess and also question the type of production that can be saved after the mess they've witnessed. In the last 15 years, I've personally witnessed indie films crash after all the hype they pushed on their own people. Films that won awards in the indie film festival circuits were actually far  worse than the films that only went from production to presentation. I've learned that films which enter film festivals have a tendency to never be seen by anyone that really matters in the Indie film circuit; and most of these films go directly to IMDB.com and boast about their productions. I find it such a squirrely scam to see these production teams without a nut sack to present their films out right. They often claim that their film is being seen by someone "in LA" that doesn't want the film released just yet. It's such a cheesy and stupid excuse, but what ever makes scam artists go away...well, just go away!

A TRUE CRASH COURSE FOR BECOMING AN INSTANT NEW ACTOR/ACTRESS...

Houston, Texas - One day your out hanging with friends and family, taking pictures out in a backyard or at a lake and someone says to you, "Damn, you look like a model in these shots, have you ever thought about modeling professionally or becoming an actor?"

Surely, you should brush off that little question and take it as a nice gesture of admiration for your good looks and move on with your business. But most people can't shake that kind of admiration off; they lose sleep over it thinking to themselves, "I'm a pretty as she, or handsome as he, why don't I get out there and go for it?"

True, why not go for it? Everyone is 100% sure that Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig started off the same way, right? Now that some Hollywood actresses like Megan Fox and  Jennifer Aniston are starting to age, there could be room for you in Hollywood, right? Man or woman, you've gone out at turned heads at Christmas parties, family reunions or just walking into some mall in your favorite town. You're so good looking or so pretty that you're often asked if your a professional model, actor or something, so this must be the new thing you should try to build up your vanity.

Well, the honest truth is and it's also a damn shame, that to be a professional actor, there are a lot of steps that you have to make to separate yourself from all of those other people that feel that they too can live a comfortable life as an "actor." In the Independent Film Scene [IFS] circles, there are people who have quit their jobs and stepped into the world of acting to try and live off of it. Sure, some have kept a busy acting career taking gig after gig, making a $100 here and $250 there and living with their mom, or a friend, or a lover. But is that really the career you're looking for?

In Houston alone, Indie actors are a dime a dozen and if you're not chose for a spot in a commercial or an Indie film, another one is called in on a hot minute and masters the role you failed to attain; it happens all the time. Reputations in the IFS are so brittle, that it only takes you mingling with the wrong film team one time to get you written off and it happens all the time in you local city/town. With a simple search you'll learn right away that everyone is a professional and that everyone knows the odds and ends about acting, knowing what you need to get started and who you need to train you for that next level performance. If you find yourself in this position, taking advice from other actors, your on the wrong track for success. 

Look at the picture to the left, and I mean really look at it. What do you see in that actress? What's the first thing that got your attention to look at it the first time. Your answer should have been, I don't know what she's doing" but the next thing you should agree to is, that whatever she is doing, she believes it 100%; that's what an actor is supposed to do in a film or commercial, actually believe that that moment is real to us all, even though it's not. By the way, that photograph is a direct shot from a web series that received fandom all over the web and was produced in South Texas. At the time, the actress was a teen and since then has moved on to bigger and better films. But her first real leap was landing a role that garnered a lot of attention from local talent agents and scouts that were looking for an actress who believed in her talent to being a role to life. Do you want to be like her?

First of all, let's take a look at you. Go step up to a mirror and look at yourself for ten minutes. If you have one quality that you think might separate you from other actors in your local area, what do you think it is? About 99.3% of you didn't get off of your chair or off of your phone to do what I suggested; you are the ones that need to stop reading this blog and go back to working on local "low budget" 24-hour, fast food films that will go no where. No-no, don't get up now. I'm sure you'll find true success out there as an extra in a local film or something.

For that .7% of you who did stop reading, got up and looked into the mirror at yourself, well, you're being honest with yourself and for the first time I'm sure you saw a quality that stood out in the first two minutes. Your next step is to harness that quality and bring it out to life, where you can master the emotion, the fell, and the dire consequences should it ever leave your side. And how pray tell do you do that, well it's called "theater arts." Yeah, that's right - go find a local theater and learn what it takes to act in front of large crowds, learn what it takes to follow direction, and even better, what it takes behind the scenes to help get a production off the ground. Every Oscar winning actor has partook in theater to hone their skills and make them who they are; and I mean everyone!

The prestige received by an actor to be asked to move from one city to another, is one of the rarest and life consuming rewards that a thespian [actor] can receive in their lifetime. For example, Mariah Carey was a waitress way before she became a professional singer. She worked hard, often sang in a cafe in front of her patrons to make the day go by and people admired her looks and her talent. She still went to school and had many ups and downs before she was given a chance to perform on stage, which finally led to a record deal. I'm not suggesting you should work at a cafe, but please don't quit your day job to become an actor; the easy gigs don't pay enough and most of the gigs you get require an acting agency that is willing to sift through it's clientele to get to your file and give you a job; and remember that your not the only good looking guy or gal that the agency has in it's filing system.

Models fall under the same principle too. The main problem in the modeling field is that there's just so many formats and genre's that its really hard to break through unless you have a photographer who has broken through the local muck with the same modeling agent you have and can score you some big gigs. Outside of that, you'll just be another file in a drawer somewhere, so do your best to break your own rules and get creative; playing it safe in the modeling field will kill your attempt at making your mark with agents looking for the next level model to pass the big gigs to on a regular basis.

But back to acting, most new actors turn to Indie film projects after they've considered themselves ready to dive into the next level of acting. Indie films should be considered as amateur as a high school play and not taken with the attitude that "this indie project is different and it's going to go somewhere." Indie films rarely go anywhere and it's been proven that only .038% of all indie films actually break out and become huge hits at film festivals. Don't believe what you've just read? Then go to an Indie film festival and see for yourself. You'll find that every Indie film is a winner of something, that there's a BIG TIME actor that performed and/or produced a few, plus those films are never released to the general public outside of festivals and have been in festival circulation for a few years.

There is a risk of failure that might surface should you also "play it safe" on roles that may be too short, just in the background, just a voice over, or just a standby. You're going to have to learn to be patient on sets for projects you've been assigned. Most new actors want that "action packed" feel of landing a role in a new Indie film project, but most Indie films fail to have such an impact on a new actors career and many may feel the stale taste of the Indie pop scene that resonates actors to bad films like a bad bad plate of finger foods being passed around at a party. That is the point where new actors quickly realize that this IFS is not for them and they give up. So sad, but it's true.

Okay, so what can YOU do to prevent such things from happening to YOU? - Good question and it's about time you asked. Follow these [10] steps required to start your acting career in the right way. Don't skip over anything you don't understand, look them up and watch YouTube videos as required.

1. Get into performing in front of large crowds in Theater Arts/stage plays. You'll learn about mastering your expressions and emotions, pre-production efforts, script reading and delivery, dialog enhancement, voice projection, and makeup. If you haven't gone to a Renaissance Fair and experienced life performances, perhaps you should!

2. With time, patience, practice, and refining your skills, work to become a leading actor in a theater stage play. Be the center of attention and show your talents to a live audience. Feel the power of your work and the prestige of being respected for your skills to amaze the crowd.

3. See a real acting coach that teaches theater arts and take courses about transferring your stage skills to film. This may be a little expensive, but well worth the rewards as you plan to

4. Only use an Acting Agent for resourcing outside local Independent film projects. If you want to work in local commercials and even in prime time advertising, use an agent to help you get those projects. You might have to fight your way through the agents long list of favorites who are ahead of you, but believe in your self and continue to plug away. If your lucky, you might become one of your agents favorites and get issued a few gigs each year.

5. Consider working in ultra low Indie film projects for free and in a volunteer basis without a contract. It may surprise you the number of leading actor gigs you can land on a variety of projects in a short time. Be sure to always sign release forms to protect your image; remember that you can always change or add items to any contract tossed at you. Always use the term, “Actor retains control of own image, for purposes of marketing, promoting, and especially commercialized poster sales” to protect you, should the low budget indie project gain strength with a real investor or producer.

We wish you the best of luck in your dream of becoming a professional actor. Remember that having a solid foundation to your craft is the best and fastest way to secure confidence in yourself!

Ride Easy!

D. R. Quintana