Archives for: September 2010

09/30/10

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/mastering-how-to-distribute-a-short-film-p-1163.html

After shooting your short film, it is now time for you to find a way to get your movie in the circulation. It is most likely your objective to have your film viewed by a large number of people including those who are part of the film business who can give you the chance to make full length films. To do this you actually have two options, first is through the conventional methods of distribution, which includes competitions and film festivals and second is through the world wide web.

Conventional methods of distribution may require you to send your short film as an entry for a contest or a film festival. These short film competitions and festivals are being held all over the country, searching online for information can certainly help you. Naturally, your work will be presented alongside other short films thus you have to make sure that your short film will stand out and make an impression. The large number of short movie entries in these events never fail to attract movie experts thus this is the perfect way to get your film noticed by experts.

While contemplating on which method to use to disperse your short film, do not forget to take into consideration the cost of using the conventional method of distribution. You may need to pay an entry fee to get into contests and festivals, so be sure that you are aware of any such fees before entry. Using the internet to distribute your short film is a fantastic method, but you will have to face the perils of using the world wide web for distribution. One thing is for certain, short movies are all over the internet and new short films are being submitted everyday.

Therefore, it is essential that you create a short film that will leave impacts on the minds of the people who look at it. Fortunately, a great deal of what is launched is not professional in quality and so it is often overlooked by those working within the industry. Nonetheless, if you are confident that your short film will stand out among the the countless numbers of short films being circulated in the world wide web then there is nothing wrong with you giving this technique of distribution a try. When making a choice on how to circulate your short film, you need to think about the benefits and drawbacks of each method and then choose the most suitable method.

09/29/10

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/getting-a-career-in-film-p-1162.html

It is not simple to find a Hollywood career in film. One problem is the fact that competition for different jobs is fierce. The good news is that it is more often than not the person who is most unrelenting who manages to get the job, and keep the job.

If you think you must have a diploma from a good school or know someone in the business to get a foot in the door, realize that these are not warranties that you will get to work in film or television. Your desire and capability to prove yourself to others will be what eventually gets you a career in film or gets you fired. The tips pointed out may probably not get you the job that you want but it will surely push you to the right path.

1. Be Willing to Do the job for Free of charge:

A fact, even if it does not sound soothing, but it is important that you make yourself accessible with little or no pay at all. Those who are financially able to do so are able to get a placement with most film and television crews fairly quickly. It's usually a low level position, but it's an "in" and you'll have the chance to meet others in the business as well as learn on the job. A good number of these "for free" jobs take you to fulfilling professions in the long run.

2. Keep the Ego at home:

Hollywood is full of egos, they are in no need for one more. If you can remember to check your ego at the door when you come to town, you'll find most people will be a lot more receptive to assisting you. In the long run, your ego may be helpful but this is usually after you have mastered the everything you need in order to survive in the business. Otherwise, it will just get in the way.

3. Be patient and control your temper.

One of the greatest tips I've recieved is about connecting my first few years in Hollywood to a graduate school. You're essentially going to be obtaining a masters in entertainment -- although, there is no cap and gown and no graduation ceremony. Nonetheless, you will be prepared to take on the world with your new found profession. Each year you feel like a know-it-all person yet as each ends you often find yourself realizing that you did not even know anything.

4. Be Persistent:

I've just told you to check your ego and to be patient -- but that doesn't mean stop working in the direction of your goals. You want to be certain you invest every day doing something that helps you get to where you desire to be. Meet folks, make phone calls, send letters (or e-mails) -- do whatever it takes to move ahead.

5. Be Respectful:

You are going to come across dozens (if not hundreds) of various types of career in film in Hollywood -- many of which you would not dream of doing. Nevertheless, those who ARE doing them might actually enjoy what they are doing. Additionally, and although it might seem improbable, the one guy you make fun of might have been the one guy who could have and perhaps would have assisted you.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/what-you-should-get-out-of-film-school-p-1161.html

Those who dream to turn out to be filmmakers in the future often find themselves wondering what they can get out of film school. They ponder if it's even necessary to attend film school these days, when anyone can pick up a digital camera and make their own films. Though shooting a film is now within reach that does not always mean that whatever is being shot is currently a good movie. A film school can help you stick out from the rest by teaching you creative and specialized skills that will help improve your talent and turn it into something marketable. This is correct whatever your intended profession is.

Making a name for yourself either in Hollywood or NewYork is what you should get out of film school. There are many of things that you should consider when selecting a film school and here are some ideas on what you should anticipate:

1. A diversified but grounded comprehension. It is certainly amazing to live in a world where filmmaking has now taken a more contemporary twist, but it is still important to learn about its history and evolution. The development of the various aspects of film has made a huge difference in the business and it is a must that you are able to use these aspects to the fullest extent.

2. A trainer. It is essential that you have somebody, preferrably an expert, to guide you through the training process and through the early parts of your career. Your film school should value the mentor/mentee experience and connect you to someone who can share their personal experiences, insights, and advice.

3. Socialize. Like in the different aspects of the movie business, who you know will usually play a huge role. A good film school will not forget about you once you move on, but make sure you have the contacts you need to get your foot in. Contacts are made with the following options: mentor-apprentice system, internship, and alumni activities.

4. reasonable tuition. even if you emerged from a world re-knowned film school, once you start working you will always begin at the base. even as you start to make your way up the ranks, you cannot expect to make a lot of cash early on. students who have to take huge student loans to pay for their film school often find that they cannot make ends meet in these low-level film jobs. don't be fooled into thinking a more expensive school is a much better school. what you should get out of film schools are outstanding education and training, diverse related learning experience, and a huge community of contacts.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/film-school-can-be-a-total-waste-of-money-p-1160.html

Film school programs can last anywhere from two to six years, depending on the level of education you wish to follow. Actually, unless you have already made the decision of becoming a producer or a film school teacher then a master's degree in film is really not needed.

The fact is, a good number of folks will tell you that you are just throwing away your time attending film school. And that goes without talking about the costs. Good film schools can easily charge upwards of ten thousand dollars annually. And yet there are still other institutions that will charge twice as much. Committing four or more years of your life to something that can charge close to a hundred grand should be something worth it.

The sad fact with film schools is that all to often, it is not. This is due to the truth that you do not need a diploma in order to land a job in the movie business. To become a director, you don't have to go to a film school. A good number of famous personalities began as production assistants, grip or personal assistants.

From there they work themselves up the hierarchy, eventually settling in a more qualified position they are secure and financially satisfied in. Be honest, everybody is not cut out to be a successful director. However, there are still other work opportunities like sound engineering, editing, and even lighting. You do not need a degree from NYU to land any of those careers.

Even if you are dead-set on becoming a director and you have a hundred grand to spend, film school might not be the finest way to spend it. With a hundred thousand dollars you can instead select to shoot your first independent film. Or create a compilation of short movies that can serve as entries i several movie conventions.

Film degree or no film degree, everyone who gets into the industry will eventually be confronted with having to find a job or project funding in one of the most competitive areas on Earth. Whether you choose to do it with a mountain of debt and an extensive knowledge of German post-expressionist cinema or with four years of experience working on professional film sets is pretty much up to you.

And this is certainly not to suggest that all film schools are bad for everyone. Nonetheless the fact is that even if you can afford to attend one, film school may turn out to be a waste of time period.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/film-school-courses-p-1159.html

Film school course are diverse, there are those that are stiff and structured and those that are groundbreaking and innovative. In general, the goal of film school is to give you an understanding of the history of the medium, to learn about all the complex components of film making, and to help you discover and create your own voice. You can expect to meet aspiring professionals in every area of the film world, from screenwriters to editors to directors to cinematographers. It is the perfect situation to learn and work hand in hand with individuals who possess a different set of skills that will surely complement what you already have.

Here are some occupations in the film business along its respective film school courses.

1. Director. The director is at the heart of any movie, taking the blueprint that is the screenplay and using it to develop an actual motion picture. Directors will get the credit--or the blame--for the final product, and rightly so; the director runs every angle of the creation. Hence, it is important that the director is knowledgeable not only in terms of directing but with the other aspects as well like lighting, sound, costume design, and so on and so forth. In addition to that, the director should be capable of talking with the actors in order to generate the kind of performance he or she requires.

2. Producer. The producer is in charge of the financial areas of the film, including raising money from investors, and ensuring that directors stick to their budget. Producers take part in every aspect of film production, they are present in all stages from the pre-production stage to the promotion of the film itself. You can anticipate to take courses relating to business relations, investing, budgeting, and marketing.

3. Editor. The editor is tasked with slicing the raw film footage together to generate the narrative of the story. The job requires a combination of technical savvy and a strong perception of pacing and storytelling. Trainings on how to use the program Final Cut Pro and adding special effects sure come in handy when it comes to movie editing.

4. Screenwriter. The screenwriter is one of the more unrecognized professionals in the film world, often ignored in a culture that tends to attribute all of a film's success to the director. Nonetheless, excellent screenwriters are in high demand, and those that direct their own movies can retain control of the final product. Techniques on creating story arcs and structure, characterization, and marketing are some of the things you will discover.

The more skills you have, the more marketable you will be, so take as many different sorts of film school courses as you can.

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