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****
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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!
