Hello

B

beaumont

I am 29 years old and am from the USA. I have recently taken an interest in creating an independent film with an all-local cast. I would like to make a drama surrounding the lives of local people here- fictionalized, not a doc. There are some cultural and political implications that I would like this film to address through the characters' world.

I am completely brand-new to this, and am really just trying to learn how and where to get started making this a reality. Because I am unemployed and partially disabled, this definitely seems like an extra-large challenge; however, I have loved all kinds of film for years, and really want to figure out a way to do this.

Saving up for the camera, getting the city mayor's permit, and finding my actors seem to be my first steps. Am I missing anything else that should happen in the very beginning? If so, I would love suggestions.

My greatest influence is Scorsese; and I am also trying to make sure that my ideas do not cross the line between influence and slavish ripoff. If I make it to the stage of actually having something to upload here for you to screen in the future, I would love some criticism on this particular point, in order to prevent crossing that line.

That is about all for now, I guess...nice to meet you all!
 
beaumont said:
Saving up for the camera, getting the city mayor's permit, and finding my actors seem to be my first steps. Am I missing anything else that should happen in the very beginning? If so, I would love suggestions.
Click to expand...
Welcome, beaumont.

What seems to be missing is the script. Saving up for a camera is
important if you can't find someone who owns a camera to be
involved. Getting permits will only need to be done a week or so
before you are ready to shoot, so you can hold off there. And finding
actors is MUCH easier (and more professional) after you have the
script, the camera and the actual shoot dates.

So my suggestion is to do two things: write the script and make
several short films as practice. They don't have to be good and you
don't need a good camera, but doing that will help you learn about
movie making and even make connections. Who knows - you might
find someone who already owns a camera who will collaborate with
you on your movie.
 
directorik said:
Welcome, beaumont.

What seems to be missing is the script. Saving up for a camera is
important if you can't find someone who owns a camera to be
involved. Getting permits will only need to be done a week or so
before you are ready to shoot, so you can hold off there. And finding
actors is MUCH easier (and more professional) after you have the
script, the camera and the actual shoot dates.

So my suggestion is to do two things: write the script and make
several short films as practice. They don't have to be good and you
don't need a good camera, but doing that will help you learn about
movie making and even make connections. Who knows - you might
find someone who already owns a camera who will collaborate with
you on your movie.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice; it was good to hear from someone. Yeah, my scripts are still coming along. I have been wondering whether to try to get myself an indie screenwriter, or come up with my own stuff. I have a lot of individual scenes I want to experiment with doing first, before I can really think of a whole entire plot- so, definitely, I have work to do there.

That is good to know about the perms- I wonder whether it will be a big, long hassle to get to talk to the mayor...

Anyway, thanks again for bouncing around some ideas.
 
You don't say where you live, but it's very rare for the Mayor
of any city to be the one issuing filming permits. All States
have a film commission, most counties have one and many cities
have one. When the time comes you will contact your local
film commission and they will walk you, step by step, through
the process.

There are a lot of cities in the US that don't require a permit at all.

But first things first, right?
 
directorik said:
You don't say where you live, but it's very rare for the Mayor
of any city to be the one issuing filming permits. All States
have a film commission, most counties have one and many cities
have one. When the time comes you will contact your local
film commission and they will walk you, step by step, through
the process.

There are a lot of cities in the US that don't require a permit at all.

But first things first, right?
Click to expand...


Definitely, one step at a time!

I am from Connecticut; and our state's film commission website is not so great. Apparently, they dole out grants to different types of artists categorized by field on certain odd- or even-numbered years, and give out most of that money to poets and photographers. The tax break is only available to fully incorporated production companies. The permits issue is not even addressed. The judges on the grant panels are academics, not working filmmakers. Oy vey.

I might need to take advantage of our close proximity to NYC.
 
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