Ten things low-budget filmmakers must realise…
Films are sold to paying audiences, not to other filmmakers.
Your style (more essentially, your personal genre) is your brand. Your identity is not.
You can never be the filmmaker you want to be – only the one you are.
Crowd-funding might get your film made, but it doesn’t prove you understand money.
Shallow focus does not equal ‘cinematic’.
Old Chinese proverb: “The handheld camera covers three mistakes: bad acting, bad set design, and bad directing”. Which is probably why you should use it…
Story outweighs technology. Don’t get hung up on gear.
Successful filmmaking is invisible to the audience. You’ve done your job well when no-one can tell you’ve done it at all.
A good director communicates their vision to a talented crew. A bad director imposes it.
Perfection is an unrealistic goal. Be open to accidents and suggestions.
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I think in the times of Digital Media and Online Communities, Rule #1 is most easily forgotten. I’m guilty. Thanks for reminding me.
Are you sure it is a Chinese proverb? It seems a Danish proverb.
Seriously: I agree with your list but I *need* to learn from my mistakes so a tripod/steady/dolly/crane/whatever may be helpful to let me know where my weakness are.
Some fantastic tips there, though I must confess I haven’t stuck to all of this advice myself. I think the most important thing a budding filmmaker needs to remember is that there’s a point at which you have to stop dreaming and start doing, and if budget, equipment and time are huge obstacles then you simply work with what you can!
Funny thing is I’m not even sure I’ll ever sell my b movies to other people. For right now my goal is that at least 15,000 people see my film Conchita, Did You Ojo That Pictura? I’m going to have it up for free on my youtube site because I want people to just see it. It’s the kinda stuff that I’ve always wanted to see in a movie. I know that I’m one who’s open to accidents and suggestions. It’s fun constantly learning how to make b movies. Massive post, Brett!
Love all of it. Especial the bit about getting hung up on gear. I have so been there. Your absolutely correct, story is king and if you get it right it could be shot on an iPhone and no one would care. Found the last part about good and bad directors especially thought provoking I like the way you think.