Ok I've worked on 16 to 35mm to the RED camera and all cameras really have something in common. Its not the camera in the end its the person behind it. I've sen some really poorly shot films done with the RED camera as well as the Canon EOS C300. I personally would never join up on the whole DSLR craze as those cameras look and truly are made for photography not film. But in the end again its preference and ones choice on what he or she is comfortable using. I use the SONY NEX VG-10 and absolutely love it. It picks up the colours in an amazing fashion. My only complaint is SONY opted to bring out the SONY NEX VG-20 a few months later and the added the 24p feature on it and the VG-10 doesn't have that. Shoots at 30p at 1080p full HD plus 1920p. So that was a huge complaint I had against SONY for short changing the consumer on that one. Its VERY easy to cut it down to 24p in post. Now lets talk price here. Like discussed in my last blog us indie guys cant afford the RED epic(Even to rent it usually cost $4,000 a day) at the hefty price tag of $35,000 and that's just for the body. You see when the creators of the RED epic created this camera they didn't have the indie filmmakers in mind. They had their sights sets on the studios because all they see is dollar signs as well. I'd like to see a big pro end model camera like the RED that is made for all to enjoy.
Now onto editing software. I purchased FCP X a few months back as did a friend. I've worked off them all. From Adobe to Avid etc Even FCP 7 was in there. But I'm telling you that FCP X is NOTHING like iMovie. The whole interface is completely different and its a great piece of software. If you want complicated software then go with Adobe CS5. I'll gladly stick with my FCP X with a great price tag of $300. Compared to Adobe's CS5 over $1,000 price tag. Its very hard to make a film and you just want something simple in post that can handle your project. FCP X does that if you know how to use it and give it a chance. I'm fully standing behind FCP X.
I've been asked how do you make a truly great horror film(By people wanting to make films). Well number 1 you need a great script. Its tough to scare people now a days but horror films are still one of the most popular genres out there. Plus the most fun to do. But like any genre of film its not easy. I've had people try and crush my dreams in the past who I tend not to listen to because they are a waste of time and space. Believing that its not work. Well I've worked plenty of 9-5 jobs and labour work and trust me its a lot harder then that. Some films I was on set for 24hrs for. But why would I do that or anybody else in the biz? Because they have a love and passion for it. But first write a script. Make it interesting. Know who your target audience is. NEVER focus on the ones that won't support your work. Because no matter what you do they will NEVER support you. Which brings me to things that have recently been happening right here in Canada. Some screenings being pulled because some people complained about a certain film content, name or a poster. These people don't matter. But some theatre owners side with them and end up pulling some films with out them getting a chance to show their stuff. Its very hard in the indie film world and then it becomes even harder when things like this happen. So watch the venues you choose. Think smart and don't just dive into the water head first. You don't want somebody to hurt your film. In the end don't let anybody stop you from being you. Thats where your target audience comes into play. Because always remember not everybody is going to like your work. So focus on the ones that will and do.
Well the big studios continue to try and keep the little guys down. They have taken over the big festivals in that of SunDance, CANNES and TIFF. All three of these festivals have dollar signs in their eyes instead of knowing why festivals were in fact created. Namely for us independent filmmakers to get screened and to get our names out there to the mass media and public eye. But now a days the big studios have been putting together so called indie films under their smaller production and in the mean time using up washed up talent that brings forth the same things over and over again until we want to rip our hair out. I mean really. Enough with the 3D. The smarter people know that 3D is a scam for the studios to make more money. Take GI JOE Retaliation which was to hit theatres June 29th of this year. But wait a minute. No they are doing post 3D conversion on it and in short wanting you to fork out more money for a guaranteed horrible movie. The first instalment of GI JOE was a flop and one of the worst movies ever made. Then you have Titanic a drama that did 3D???? WHAT are you F'N kidding me. Titanic? Plus this filled the already greedy pockets of James Cameron with more money on a tragedy. Do you think Cameron gave any proceeds to charities. Hell No he took the money and ran. Then you have another drama The Great Gatsby. Another film that is being put in 3D. Why the Hell would anybody pay to see dramas in 3D???? But that aside true indie filmmakers cant afford big budget stuff and big name actors. So when you see these films with name talent in them and in their trailers it says selected choice for CANNES, TIFF and SunDance, don't think of it as independent because its not. True indie filmmakers have to usually do guerilla style filmmaking(Means on the fly and cant afford permits so we pick a location, shoot and get the Hell out of there). The best way is if you know somebody that has a business, equipment or even a place(House, Apartment, TownHouse etc). That way they'll let you use it and you won't run into any problems with permits. Some filmmakers will tell you that you need insurance. But again this cost money. Big money. So usually these two options are your best ways to do it. I myself don't get the meaning of permits as I pay taxes into the city, I can see if your stopping traffic and causing a 50 car pile up. But areas where nobody goes should be fine. You pay taxes. You pay for those roads so why should you be told you need a permit which cost $500 per location and they keep an eye on you. Plus if your one of these indie filmmakers out there that think you cant make a film look like a big budget Hollywood film. Well think again. You just have to have the imagination(Which more REAL indie filmmakers do then the big boys). A good crew and cast(Preferably non union and non paid because REAL indie filmmakers don't have the money to fork out. Your not getting paid and your putting up the risk. So why should others get paid? Pay should only be presented if the film is successful). Plus all the software, gear and other fun stuff is available to us now. Working off 16mm to 35mm will cost you thousands. Digital is the only way to go now. A lot of great cameras for good prices. A lot of great editing software for dirt cheap now. You have the tools so work with it. I'm a firm backer of true indie film. Not these ones that are disguised as independent film but are not.
I think everybody should listen to my friend Lloyd Kaufman whose been doing this stuff for 40 years now. He doesn't run a big production. He knows whats he's doing though. And has inspired such filmmakers as Tarantino, Jackson, Del Toro and more. Here is a link to him on an episode of filmnut....
http://youtu.be/784CjDLznd4
