Anyone cool with answering a few questions?

[DeadChannel]

Hey everyone. So, I'm taking a film class and one of the assignments is to interview a filmmaker. I thought, why not poll the indietalk community? You're all cool people who make movies, so here we are.

Is that alright? Okay.

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?
2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?
3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?
4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?
5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?

Obviously, anyone who replies is awesome and will forever have my undying gratitude. Terms and conditions apply, etc.

Thanks.

 

[indietalk]

Goo luck!

 

[mlesemann]

I'm game!

1. I made my first short movie in 2007. I'd been writing plays for several years (a few produced off-off-Broadway) and realized that the only people who make money in theater are the guys who own the theaters themselves. Given that at least some people (very few people...) make money in film, I'd try that instead. I still love writing for theater, but you're far more limited in terms of the number of people who will ever see your work. I made my first feature in 2011/12 and recently completed my second.

2. I write & produce

3. Woody Allen, Sophia Coppola, & Alexander Payne

4. I like when things start to come together and work as I imagined them. This happens at various points - when the screenplay is coming together, when we've shot a scene that seemed impossible, and when the edit starts to flow. I've also come to appreciate the time when you change a piece of music and a scene that was failing suddenly works.

5. My short "The Last Supper" is on Vimeo ("What if Mary & Joseph were raising Jesus in 21st century New Jersey?"). My first feature, Surviving Family, is on Amazon Prime & iTunes. My 2nd feature, Detours, is running for 1 week starting July 22 at the Sutter Creek Theater in Sutter Creek, CA; one night (Sept 18) at The Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ, and will be in the AOF Festival in Monroe, CA sometime in September.

 

[SixOhThree]

I'm not as experienced as many here, but hopefully I can help with your assignment!

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?
I started when I was around 13 (early 1990's) when one of my friends got a video camera. Our first project was a superhero film. We tried staging a bank robbery in a real bank and got kicked out of there real quick! Today, I work part time seasonally as a wedding videographer, which helps to pay for my equipment but it's otherwise a hobby. I do it because I still enjoy it.

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?
I love cinematography and working as a cinematographer. I also edit many of the projects I'm involved with.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?
I really enjoy the big directors from the 70's and 80's, particularly Kubrick, Spielberg, and DePalma.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?
My favorite part of the process is when the production team pulls off any ambitious feat - for example, getting a shot timed perfectly, or cutting together a sequence that seemed daunting at first. My least favorite is the financial aspect. As soon as I can afford the nice technology that I want, it's only because there's some other technology that's even better (and less affordable)!

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?
I have work scattered on various Youtube and Vimeo channels, and some on VHS tapes that I lack the technology to digitize. Two of my most recent projects are here (my last 48 Hour Film Project in which I was DOP and editor) and here (I was the DOP).

 

[Cryogenic]

Hey everyone. So, I'm taking a film class and one of the assignments is to interview a filmmaker. I thought, why not poll the indietalk community? You're all cool people who make movies, so here we are.

Is that alright? Okay.

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?

First edit on super8 back in the 70's. Then video from the 80's on. Edited film I took at my cousin's Alligator Farm. Since then always loved movies so ...., Like Corleone says, "They pull me back in"

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?

Depends. When I work on others projects I am primarily grip or gaffer, sometimes sound, sometimes DP. On my own... I write, produce, direct, DP, edit, compose, anything I need to do.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?

I have lots of varied tastes. Too many to really list.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?

Being on set. That is the juice that keeps it all going. Least favorite is probably trying to get the crap from my head to paper is a legible way. Dealing with some of the ego's, not everyone but there are a few.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?

Hotel Etiquette (Full Short) (Producer, Cinamatogpraher). One of the actresses, Rebekah Kennedy was on a recent episode of Criminal minds
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1357148/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Why Do I Look Like My Father (Trailer) (Production Assistant, i.e. grip) Jim Blumetti been a few things including Walker Texas Ranger, Salem
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1347391/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

Bail Out (Webisodes) (Gaffer, What I have worked on is not up on site yet) Dennis O'Neill, Marshall R. Teague, Jim Blumetti, Joseph D'Onofrio, Burton Gilliam to name a few.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2361833/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
http://www.bailouttv.com

My Stuff.... Not Online except for a trailer for Waiting 2 Die
Waiting 2 Die
https://www.facebook.com/Waiting2DieShortFilm/videos/1051647404922798/

Stuff I have completed but not online at this point
Flushed
The Stoyanova Incident
The World Is Closed

Obviously, anyone who replies is awesome and will forever have my undying gratitude. Terms and conditions apply, etc.
Thanks.

Have fun

 

[Cracker Funk]

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?

I've been making films, off-and-on, since 2000. I make films now because I enjoy making films.

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?

I envision myself as a director, but since I work with such tiny budgets, I kinda do a little of everything.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?

Though there are some indie films that inspire me, I tend to be more a fan of Hollywood blockbusters. So, people like Spielberg, Abrams and Cameron come to mind. But more realistically, with the realities of my life and the amount of time I'm willing to commit to this craft, I'm actually more inspired by people like the Duplass bros. and Lina Dunham.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?

I love production. It feels like we're just spending all day playing pretend. I'm not a fan of the more tedious duties, like syncing audio.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?

At the time being, I'm not in the mood for promoting stuff I've worked on. If anyone is curious enough, they can google "Joseph Weindl", and try your best to look past the many links you'll find regarding a particular statue.

 

[DeadChannel]

Alright, thanks to everyone who has responded so far. I really appreciate it. If anyone else wants to respond, that's great too. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Alcove Audio]

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?

I have been doing audio post for almost 14 years now. I migrated from music engineering (after 25+ years as a working musician) on the recommendation of someone I very much respect. Why do I still do it? I'm good at it and it's fun.

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?

As mentioned above, I do audio post - dialog editing, Foley, sound effects, music editing and some mixing.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?

Like many in my craft I admire Randy Thom, Ben Burtt, Richard Beggs and Walter Murch.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?

I hate doing all the prep - compiling cue sheets for Foley and sound effects, organizing audio files, etc. But all that boring prep makes doing everything else more efficient and hence more fun. Probably the most fun is creating sound effects; bashing objects with bats and the like, smashing glass, getting out into the field, and then folding, spindling and mutilating all that stuff in Pro Tools.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?

The "biggies" are "Johnny Montana," "Creating Karma" and "TrailerPark" - all features. My favorite short is "Hard Attack" about a guy who accidentally overdoses of Viagra. I'm also proud the pilot for a series "Shadowglade." I have no idea where they can be seen.

 

[HU_Nathan7]

I'm starting to feel really young now haha. No wonder there is such an incredible wealth of knowledge on this site. Here it goes.

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?
I released my first short film in March 2006. it was awful but I'm glad I did it. And one guy later copied it and told me how genius it was. I think he was crazy.

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?
I mainly direct. But I also do a lot of editing/vfx/cinematography to help pay the bills. I find dabbing in multiple areas tend to compliment the greater good. If you're going to direct, it's great to know how things cut together (editing background) or how to best convey things visually (cinematography background).

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?
I have weird influences. I love the French New Wave films, Japanese films, Italian films. Also love American films as well though. I try to heavily study Halo 2 machinima, which is probably my strangest influence, and one most filmmakers wouldn't even think to consider pulling influence from.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?
Releasing a film and getting incredible feedback has to be my favorite. Especially when you hear that feedback from people who don't know you're hearing them. Least favorite would be the unreasonably long hours and lack of sleep that often comes with the film industry.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?
YouTube.com/HaloUnion I suppose.

 

[Chris Tempel]

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?
Started at 5 with flipbooks because I was intrigued with moving images. Started making movies with a video camera at 10 because I wanted to tell stories. Now I'm 31 and 40+ shorts and three features later I still make films because I love the process and I have something to say. I'm also fortunate enough to work for an organization doing film and video production around the world, on top of serving as the VFX supervisor on a documentary we're producing.
2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?
I do it all because I enjoy the entire process and all the jobs. Editing is my favorite, but I don't like editing stuff other people shot. So I also enjoy directing and running camera too. But I also do VFX, audio mix, and some music. I also write my own scripts.
3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?
Early on, Robert Rodriguez was a huge influence. I also like Paul Greengrass and Michael Bay.
4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?
I enjoy pretty much everything except breaking down the script.
5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?
My youtube channel, youtube.com/eldirectorvision

Here's a feature I did on the T2i a few years back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=jZd-J7Ucn-c

An action short, also on the T2i:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ToPeJltN6eo

A silly comedy on the Ursa Mini:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=FixTfCgM9Qo

 

[PaulWrightyThen]

Hi,

I guess I'll throw my hat into the arena too

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?

I made little stop motion animations with my Mum and Dad's camcorder in the 90's, but only realised I wanted to make films in my last year of uni, 2008, while doing a Computer animation degree we had to make a no budget short film. I did a vampire film with no fangs. I realised this is way more fun than animating. (I'm sure real animators will disagree)

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?

I am only now starting to let go of things like DPing and editing as I am used to doing everything. I'm trying now to focus on 'just directing'. Its hard to let go.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?

Massively influenced by Spielberg, Gilliam, Jeunet and Caro and Fincher. Technically, I'm influenced by every film I've ever seen, but those guys really spring to mind.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?

Favourite part is witnessing some magic happen in front of you during a performance, but also seeing something you weren't sure about on set really come alive in the edit.

Least favourite? Early calls. I really hate getting up early. Weird then that I also set calls for about 6am.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?
Playlist of stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg8--32iSvbSlPcaWybyWnBFJbW3QOr2H

AND as an added bonus, here's my first short (ever. I'd never made a proper short before this):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNeXpOvpoPw

Hope this is useful.

 

[NickClapper]

1) How long have you been making films? What got you started? Why do you make films now?

Umm... I'd guess that you're talking about making films semi-seriously (rather than being a kid with a VHS camcorder forcing his friends to act in various skits that have never seen the light of day) in which case I'd say about 5 or 6 years. About the time that I joined this forum, whenever that was (look under my avatar).

I always really liked films. As a teenager I was much more of a film snob then I am now, and I took 'film criticism' quite seriously. But the reality is that I'm not someone who was ever going to become a scholar of films, partly because I'm too generous to them and partly because I have other, more driving interests in that field. So I started to make films as a way of being able to do something engaging with cinema that didn't require me to commit to becoming a scholar of it.

2) Do you mainly direct? Do sound? Something else?

I write but I also direct. That said, others have directed my writing but I've never directed anyone else's writing, so I consider myself first and foremost a writer.

3) What are some films or filmmakers that you think influence you particularly?

Not sure there's anyone particularly obvious. There are lots of writers and filmmakers that I admire hugely, but I don't think they tend to have a big influence on my work (not least because I wouldn't have the confidence to believe that I could emulate them). I tend to work mostly in comedy, particularly adult or dark comedy, so it's often TV that has a bigger impact on me. Still, I would struggle to think of a single voice that's really influenced my filmmaking, but if I had to pick one I'd probably say Larry Gelbart.

4) What is your favourite part of the filmmaking process? Least favourite?

I actually kind of hate it all, but I inexplicably keep doing it! I really love writing, and am rarely happier than when I'm bashing out a script that I'm really convinced of. That said, I tolerate, rather than enjoy, revisions, which constitute the main part of the writing process.

I enjoy being on set and I enjoy directing, so long as I don't have too many other things to think about. My enjoyment of the production process varies from project to project: I can't say I really enjoyed the production of my feature, The Flight of the Flamingo, but I did enjoy most of the production on my two web-series.

Post can be the best and worst part of production. As others have noted, it is magic watching a project come together. But, conversely, executing post on a tight budget can be very frustrating. It's also draining to watch other people involved with the project slip away: someone once told me that you have to be prepared to be the last person working on the project, and that's a tough reality.

5) Where can we watch some of the films that you've worked on?

Go to the Films section of nick-hilton.com