Am I Insane?

[WILLAmovie]

So - after reading a great story that I simply could not get out of my head, hey I decided to become a first-time director.

In the flash of an eye I got a cast, a script and started looking for donations, locations, crew etc.

At the moment I am actually pretty set and luckily have a lot of experienced people to talk to, but I would like some more opinions. They seem to all agree that I am crazy but most of them in a good way. Others get almost upset that I 'dare' to do this without lots of lots of experience etc.

Maybe I am from a different world but I want to ask: How do you ever become a professional without having done your first project? How can you possibly be ready for everything that may/may not happen? Isn't it better to learn by doing as long as you are not putting a giant cast, crew and budget in jeopardy!?

The other thing is the 'working for free' issue. Obviously, mostly actors get something out of working for free. For a lot of other crew it is a JOB and how great the script is doesn't exactly matter. If people like a story and don't mind working for free - hopefully getting some great footage out of it etc why are there people out there getting upset that you can even 'ask' someone to work for free. Judging by the number of submissions I got for my casting I would say people are pretty excited to work for free if it's a wonderful project.

 

[TheMcDay]

If you intended to fund it purely on your own with no previous experience and an equally unexperienced crew I would say yes.

Although the thought of making a feature as your first project does seem a little bit wild. Although I salute you and hope you let us see it when it's done.

 

[directorik]

First - welcome.
Second - in answer to your question, " Am I Insane?" - you better be.

Maybe I am from a different world but I want to ask: How do you ever become a professional without having done your first project?

You usually don't. I'd say it's damn rare for a director to be paid
for their very first project. The exceptions, of course, are professionals
from another medium.

How can you possibly be ready for everything that may/may not happen?

You can't.

Isn't it better to learn by doing as long as you are not putting a giant cast, crew and budget in jeopardy!?

I'd say yes to this. the chances of anyone paying a first timer to learn
to direct is pretty slim. Some people learn by doing smaller projects,
some learn by directing that first feature on their own money, some
learn by working crew on movies and watching, some learn by attending
school.

why are there people out there getting upset that you can even 'ask' someone to work for free.

Because people come to the table of life with different perspectives. I, too,
know people who get upset if you even ask them to work for free. I have
put notices for crew and cast, gotten dozens - even hundreds - of resumes
and a few people contact me terribly upset that I'm not paying.

Oh well.

 

[WILLAmovie]

Absolutely! And thanks!

 

[WILLAmovie]

Thanks so much! A great help! And I like your answer to my insane question

 

[polfilmblog]

Your post is vague on a key, central question:

"So - after reading a great story that I simply could not get out of my head, hey I decided to become a first-time director.

In the flash of an eye I got a cast, a script and started...."​

Is this "script" of the story you read somewhere?

Do you have the rights to film this?

Without the rights, you are driving off a cliff.

 

[Zensteve]

Am I Insane?

You want to make movies... what else could you be?

Luckily, insanity means you'll get it done if you believe in it hard enough!

 

[Michael Allen]

I don't understand people getting upset about being asked to work for free. If they don't want to just say no. It's pretty easy. Personally I've never been insulted by it and understand sometimes the money just ain't there.

 

[WILLAmovie]

@polfilmblog Yeah I'm sorry, that's true - I could have been a bit more clear there. It is a short story made into a script and I do have the rights. So I will stay on the edge of that cliff for now

 

[wheatgrinder]

yes, your insane. Stop worrying about it.

 

[harmonica44]

I almost did the same thing to, but then I decided to make a short film first just to get at least some experience. Well just make sure you do a lot of research in the as you go, so you get everything right. You already got your cast and everything so you're probably at the point of no return, and best move forward.

 

[jayelowe]

If you can make a feature, even if it's terrible you're in an elite class. Most "filmmakers" talk very few actually shoot something. One word of advice, work your pre-production! Be meticulous, plan as much as you can before you say action. Cause once it gets going you will be blindsided by all sorts of other problems. So sort as much as you can up front. If you're going to practice making films why not practice making features. Good luck ya' crazy bastard!