What should I do? (Directing a film)
So I've got a few scripts I've wanted to direct for a while (I have a strong interest in going into film after I graduate from High School) and am thinking of filming one of them probably in November with a few people I know who are ab;e to act.
So far I have a script for a Batman Fan Film that revolves largely around the character of the Joker and his psyche who I was going to play. Also it wouldn't be the Joker from The Dark Knight. It is my own version of the character I made the persona of with mixing Mark Hamil's portrayal with Jake Gyllenhall's portrayal of Donnie Darko.
I have another script for a Terminator Parody (which also parodies 80's action exploitation films in general)
And then I have this original idea which might be a lot harder to do but I still want to do it about a teenage boy with depression who finds himself caught in a time loop after committing suicide, repeating the day of his death over and over and trying to find a way to change it, the film has a twist ending and am extremely satisfied with it.
With the people I'm working with they are more keen on the Batman fan film because it's Batman, but I was wondering what you guys would think is coolest as well?
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AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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In general, do a lot of films. I've read Roger Corman's book How I Made 100 Films and Never Lost a Lot (title something like that)
Corman is shlock, right? Well, maybe, maybe not. But good art, I think, is multiple quick passes and a nonperfectionist approach.
Good luck however you decide to do it.
The original idea sounds the most interesting. Although I doubt you'd get sued for making a fan film and you definitely wouldn't get sued for making a parody.
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Corman is shlock, right? Well, maybe, maybe not. But good art, I think, is multiple quick passes and a nonperfectionist approach.
Good luck however you decide to do it.
I would do like to do all 3 films but the issue is, is that I'm a High School student and have a very low budget.
Well Fan Films are allowed by law as long as I don't try and sell it or profit on it in any way. And the Parody is perfectly allowed in any circumstance.
True I feel that same way, it's just hard to get local high school kids in the drama department interested in a film with such dark subject matter. But I can try and see if I can get that one done.
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Okay on the subject of going fast . . .
let's talk about Steven Spielberg (who I think has wondered out loud whether he's Aspie or not, and either way is perfectly okay. He does march to his own drummer, and that's the important thing). If we put the quality of a film on a scale from 1 to 10, I think the highest you can constructively shoot for is 8.5, 9, because once you're talking a 10, that's kind of when the magic happens and you can't consciously control it. Now, my two favorite Spielberg films are SCHINDLER'S LIST (and who would believe it if it had not been based on a true story, and the moderate amount I've read, the actual story might be even more remarkable, for example, there's even one part when Schindler saved Jewish persons locked in a "frozen train," and Oskar and his wife Emilie nursed them back to health) and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (perhaps because of what was going on in my life both when I saw it, and when I later saw it again). Now, SCHINDLER'S LIST, on a scale from 1 to 10, I'd give a 13. It's that good, but again, it's hard to go too far wrong with that kind of material. Although apparently three people took a crack at the screenplay based on Thomas Keneally's with only the third one finding the arc or the story or however you wish to look at it.
So, I recommend going relatively fast, trying to make a lot of movies, and it's primarily about the story, the biggest budget is time, and shorts are fine, too. Make a lot and generally aim for 8 or 9. Ever so occasionally, the project will dance and you'll hit a 12 or 13. Graciously accept it. Chances are the next project will again be an 8 or a 9, and that's perfectly okay. That is well above average. And occasionally, you'll lose your rhythm and make a 6 or a 7, and that's okay, too. It will hit some people just right and they'll enjoy it. Just keep making, nonperfectionist style. There are many examples of art better than "perfect." In fact, sometimes a work of art is good in large part precisely because of its "imperfections."
There's already some good advice in this thread, but I'll add mine as well...
I agree. Work fast and don't worry about perfection. I made some films in my twenties and became despondent because they were not perfect. I gave it up for a while and only recently took it up again. Now I focus on trying to do a good job and not getting too bent out of shape if it's not perfect. I'm working faster and doing better work now that I don't demand that things be perfect.
Do all the films you can. Get all the experience you can. I have heard it said that you need to do about 10,000 hours of work before you start to get really good. You might as well start now.
I like your original idea best, but I think you ought to do them all.
Good luck. I hope you post the results here.
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