WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!?!

justinisfilming

justinisfilming

First off, sorry that I've abandoned the forum for a bit. I've just been very busy with my film. And I'm coming back with a RANT. Awesome right?

Alright so I'm just making my first 'serious' film and I'm already running into a lot of problems, especially with location. I mean, who knew that finding a house would be so hard to find! A house!!! Some told me I can use their house but a day or two later, they change their minds for some reason. It seems that I've asked everyone I know but I just can't find someone willing to let me use their house. Now I can't start this film of mine even though I have everyone locked and set. And every day that passes makes me wanna give up more. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?!?!

I just have to let it out...
 
If you give up now you might as well give up on filmmaking. There will always be challenges. Take a step back, take a deep breathe, and problem solve. :) I believe in ya!!
 
You're located in Chicago. Surely there's a film office in Chicago where you can share your need for a house to film in. Even my small city where hardly any filmmaking happens has a film office that you can contact when you need locations, actors, etc., and they will list your information for those interested in helping. I'm sure you can find SOME house, whether it's a perfect fit or not, somewhere that you can use.
 
One of the best reads I ever read by a director in a book was about Murphy's Law. You cannot foresee it before it happens. It's how you cope and rebound that will get the respect of your cast and crew when they see you are dedicated to your film and you can find solutions to problems as they arise.

That book opened my eyes that I'm not alone with Murphy's Law.
 
Locations are, for me, the biggest pain in the ass. Just keep looking. Ask everyone you can think of and be really up-front about how much of an inconvenience it's going to be. People appreciate honesty.

What's wrong with your place? If nothing else, can't you just film it where you live?
 
It's happening because people are fickle idiots.
Or their situation changed.
Or it's a conspiracy against you.
Or your money is no good.
Or you said something wrong to just the right person.

No particular reason.

Be grateful all you lost was a location and not your eye. ;)
1+JC+eye+popping.jpg
Here's to "just letting it out."
 
I feel your pain Justin! Ive had everything sorted to start filming my tv pilot on 23ed then 2 days ago the guy who's house i was meant to be filming at decided he didnt want us there. So i now I have everything in place except a location ha! If you dont laugh you'll cry. I'm sure you'll get it ger sorted everyone here is with you dude
 
Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC said:
One of the best reads I ever read by a director in a book was about Murphy's Law.
Click to expand...

Murphy's Law - Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Third Corollary of Murphy's Law - Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong at the worst possible time in the worst possible way.

O'Tooles Commentary on Murphy's Law - Murphy was an optimist.
 
We were half way into shooting when we lost a location where we were planning to shoot for the next 5 days (so 1/4 of our 20 day total). We had 3 days to find a new place, and VERY little room to re-schedule the actors, all of whom work a lot. Everyone in the crew used their contacts to reach out to everyone they knew and people their friends knew. What we got ended up being better visually than what we lost. I did have ulcers for a few days, though.
We were pretty damn desperate.:)
 
Hopefully, it's a lesson learned:

- always get 100% budget before first day of filming
- always secure (in writing) locations " " " "
- always scout out secondary locations (because of weather, Murphy's Law)

I hate to come off as an ar$e hole on my first ever post, but if you're serious about making a career out of this, you have to get seriously organised.
 
Securing locations in writing is a great idea, and I did it (yup, even with family). But if your friend says "no, sorry, it's not going to work," having a written agreement really isn't worth the paper it's written on.

But yeah, back-up is definitely important and something that I will make a priority next time.
 
Sorry, I missed that part about the house being a friend's.

Well, in that case, there's not much point in getting anything in writing, because who's going to sue their buddy once the favour becomes too inconvenient for them?

The problem also with secondary locations is making it fit the first, had scenes been filmed there previously.

I can see your headache, mate.
 
You gotta be part of the various communities to get good locations. Go to more restaurants, make a point to meet the owner. When you see a cool looking location, find out about it.. who owns it, whats it doing.

Make a realtor your friend.
Buy stuff from stores you may want to use in your films.
Do favors for people
Have a hold harmless form ready. Even low\no budget befit from these.. technically not very much legal protection, they do make people "feel" better.




ITs all about the network.. build it.
 
Wow thank you guys for all the motivation and help. For some reason, I didn't even know someone replied to this thread. I probably forgot to set the notifications on. But yeah, I've learned that being a filmmaker, I gotta be prepared for the many challenges that's gonna come through. I gotta stay strong and do my very best to overcome those problems.

This is one of the good things about starting at an early age. You can prepare yourself for the bigger things that's gonna come. Lesson learned, move on. Can't make that mistake all over again in the future. Or if I experience that problem again, I can look back and overcome it no problem.

As of right now, a friend of mine agreed that we can film at his house. It's a bit different from what I imagined writing the script, but we can make it work no problem. Now that's the secondary. I'm also currently talking to local realtors to see if they hook us up with a house in exchange of some free advertising and video production services. FINGERS CROSSED! But either way, we got a location!!!
 
Oh and btw, my friend or partner in crime for this film just dropped out because he's gotten to busy with school. It's a bummer because he's been with me on this film from the very start and it's hard to see him go. Also, he's the only one that's into film around the area so it's gonna be hard finding someone who'll be interested in making a movie with me. But I gotta move on and do my best to find another amigo who can help me out! LET'S GO (just pumping myself up)! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top