Simply overwhelmed by the amount of information required!!!

[ATP]

I had come to the realisation some time ago that there must be other ways other than the internet that are quicker and more focused to learn about one's craft.

And over time, I have developed a list of books on aspects of the craft of filmmaking that I thought would be highly suitable for a developing indie filmmaker.

In compiling the list, I never really took much notice until today at the number of books I have 'earmarked', --if it isn't the number of books that worries me, it is the time that will be required to read them all. I already have read about 3-4 books from a previous 'wave'.

This is what I have added to the list in terms of category:

* digital video editing (N=3)

* premiere pro 2 (N=3)

* digital video workstations (N=2?)

* lighting (N=?)

* sound (N=?)

* cameras (N=?)

* screenwriting (N=?)

* editing (N=?)

[this does not include books on more general IT issues like DIY computer repair & build, LAN/ home network, Windows XP Pro 32]

I just feel so damn overwhelmed!! How on earth am I expected at this stage of my life to manage to acquire all this relevant knowledge and be expected to write, film, edit, exhibit, distribute my film (s).?

What is one meant to do? How can I assimilate all this knowledge quickly to aid me in my development? I think that this is not possible--perhaps I am looking at least another 1-2 years of careful reading and 'study'. It is starting to weigh me down, and become a real burden.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[directorik]

I had come to the realisation some time ago that there must be other ways other than the internet that are quicker and more focused to learn about one's craft.

With a little research I know you can come up with the names of 50
directors who learned their craft without ever looking at
anything on the internet. I bet you can name 10 without doing any
research at all.

If they can learn their craft without the internet, so can you.

I just feel so damn overwhelmed!! How on earth am I expected at this stage of my life to manage to acquire all this relevant knowledge and be expected to write, film, edit, exhibit, distribute my film (s).?

What is one meant to do? How can I assimilate all this knowledge quickly to aid me in my development? I think that this is not possible--perhaps I am looking at least another 1-2 years of careful reading and 'study'.

Perhaps you are looking at 10 years before you know your craft well.

You cannot assimilate all this knowledge quickly. Anything worth
knowing takes time. And you, personally, don't need to be an
expert in every, single aspect of movie making. Allow others to assist
you.


Why are you in such a hurry?

 

[Alcove Audio]

And you, personally, don't need to be an expert in every, single aspect of movie making. Allow others to assist you.

If you want to make your films you need to learn to write screenplays that convey your message. You then need to learn to manage (direct) and effectively communicate with a crew of people your vision for conveying that message. Everyone will then do the job that you pay them to do like the experienced professionals they are. Your DP & Key Grip, costume & hair/make-up, set design, art director, etc. will give you the visual look you want. Your production sound mixer, boom-op and supervising sound editor will give you the sound you want.

For a book about sound:

Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema by David Sonnenschein

It is a very good overview of how to make sound work for you.

 

[knightly]

I figured it out by making a film and learning on set with other people I had found who wanted to learn as well. Worked like a champ... the product is not the best (read: watchable) thing ever, but we did it (still editing ) and learned everything all at once piece by piece every day just by having a sit down every day and examining what worked and what didn't. Correct the mistakes the next time and repeat the successful bits. This is a formula for learning the craft that works.

You can read for 10 years and still have never made a film... the second you actually make a film, you'll have scads of questions not covered in the books.

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

I figured it out by making a film and learning on set with other people I had found who wanted to learn as well. Worked like a champ... the product is not the best (read: watchable) thing ever, but we did it (still editing ) and learned everything all at once piece by piece every day just by having a sit down every day and examining what worked and what didn't. Correct the mistakes the next time and repeat the successful bits. This is a formula for learning the craft that works.

You can read for 10 years and still have never made a film... the second you actually make a film, you'll have scads of questions not covered in the books.

Agree 100% Knighly. I learned as much in 3 months of pre-production and filming of my first film as someone would learn in 1000 hours of reading and research. Most of it from working with the experienced people I had on my crew.

 

[Scoopicman]

Agree 100% Knighly. I learned as much in 3 months of pre-production and filming of my first film as someone would learn in 1000 hours of reading and research. Most of it from working with the experienced people I had on my crew.

There is absolute truth to this! Making a feature will teach you more than any film school. Start by getting involved on someone else's movie project.

That said, I wouldn't expect to be an expert until many years later. There are just too many elements to digest, unless you can be patient. Time is your ally.

 

[Uranium City]

I'd scratch all the books on your list in favor of one, "The Courage to Create" by Rollo May. This will get you excited about making something. This will help you think about the nature of creativity in general. Then do as the others suggest and make a movie. Either on your own or with others. Join a team for one of the many timed filmmaking contests around the globe or simply grab a camera, write a script, find some actors and do it as a one-man-band. The experience will instantly give you a list of questions and problems that you can focus on for your next project. With this list of questions and problems, you can focus your research better. Then make another movie. It'll probably be better than your first, and hopefully will land you with an even larger list of questions and problems. Address them, and make a third movie. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

It sounds obvious that you are an artist itching to create, and that film is probably your medium. If it is, start making some!

 

[barnaclelapse]

With a little research I know you can come up with the names of 50
directors who learned their craft without ever looking at
anything on the internet. I bet you can name 10 without doing any
research at all.

If they can learn their craft without the internet, so can you.

Perhaps you are looking at 10 years before you know your craft well.

You cannot assimilate all this knowledge quickly. Anything worth
knowing takes time. And you, personally, don't need to be an
expert in every, single aspect of movie making. Allow others to assist
you.


Why are you in such a hurry?

I can sort of appreciate this mindset.

I mean, there's just so much information, so much that it seems like you need to know before you can do anything. That can be intimidating to a person, and it can make them feel like they need to learn everything as quickly as possible while their passion for doing so is still at its peak.

You're right, of course. Things like filmmaking take time and experience to learn, but I can still appreciate being intimidated by so much stuff. I know I feel like I'll never learn any of this stuff.

 

[knightly]

Never be afraid to fail gloriously at a creative endeavor, so long as you vow to learn from your mistakes! Ever forward!