Make an 85min feature film for 100 pounds (200 dollars) !!

I wrote a whole lot of things which I have now deleted for one reason!

I watched the trailer and wasnt that interested but then I watched the three part making of the film and all I can give you is praise for a great effort in getting this made.

I have had nearly 30 years in film and tv and you should be praised for your enthusiasm and I hope that you get this seen as much as possible. It was nice to see the sound given great priority as this is my main field of expertise and what is normally lacking in small productions.

I could pass on all my comments about what is wrong with the film but these are best left off the forum and e-mail me if you need any free help with your next project.

P.S used to live in Heptonstall so have great affinity with you yorkshire folk

Thanks very much JGNattrass for your reply. Its great to hear from somebody who can understand how much work goes into just 85 minutes of onscreen footage! It's also a huge compliment recieving a reply from somebody who has had 30 years of experience!
Cheers, Pete

Hey Pete,

I'll echo Gary's comments. (I'm another 30 year plus film and TV sound person, check out our IMDB entries)

You might want to consider submitting the film to this festival:

http://www.eotpfilmfestival.com/

(I'll declare an interest!) and others.

Don't know exactly what your ambitions are in this but all exposure helps.

Love the antipathy towards the mobile phone!

Seriously tho' even if i don't find the plot the most congenial I've ever seen this deserves a wider audience.

Hey Rob,
Thanks for the reply! Seeing that I've made the film for peanuts, I'm assuming posting out the link on the odd message-board is another (well, lucky break) - advertising in this case! I apprieciate any reply, good or bad and like I replied to Gary, especially from a pro. I have a full time job during the day (unfortunately nothing to do with film!) so this slowed the production down somewhat as we were only shooting on a weekend and the odd evening. I will indeed check out the festival and thanks again for your support and kind words!
Pete

Hey Pete,

Don't underestimate what you have already achieved.

Now make the most out it!

All the best for future productions.

Thanks again Rob.

I think you need messages like that every so often from people like yourself just to keep you from giving up because you will always get those other kind of comments... that always hurt that little bit!

Cheers!

Pete like Rob I can only say go for it and you have certainly achieved a lot in such a short time.

I have worked with a lot of different directors and there is one thing that makes the good ones stand out! They can communicate their ideas and motivate the whole crew towards their final goals, you certainly have that and we will not deny that it is so hard to get a break these days but you have talent for the medium and have put together a pice that is worthy of praise.

I finished my TV days at The Bill in london and they used to have a scheme to allow new directors to work on a placement to get more experience.

It may be worth dropping them a line but hey who am I to offer advice you know what you are about and should be proud of your movie.

Thanks for the motivation JGNatrass! Wow, being paid to work on The Bill - They say if you find a job that you love, you'll never have to work again!
Cheers Pete

Well I suppose there's the rub of the media world, I hated it and it was just a way of paying the mortgage for five years, I was lucky that I only had to do two episodes a month but it involved being away from home 8 days a month. That is why I stopped doing it as family life is more important now. The whole show is run by the producers and even the director can have minimal input as it is a soap opera now.

My happiest times were 10 years ago at YTV when I got to do feature films with the lanning brothers, touch of frost, heartbeat and a wonderful sky tv drama called the wanderer that was based on the highlander films.

Happy times but I think Rob and I will leave all the excitement of the new age of production to you youngsters.

Contact Northern film and media as well as they do showcase productions:http://www.northernmedia.org/

Thats great JGNattrass. On second thoughts, I don't think it will ever pay off for me to be in the trade. I was only interested in making 'Driftwood' because it was my project and I had the last say. Sounds like when its run by money men all the fun would be taken out of it!
Hey and less of the youngster - I know its only my first feature film but I am 31 years old. I understand I've been slow off the mark!
I'm making a note of the links and will give it a shot. Thanks again,
Cheers,
Pete

Hi Pete,

You might be right.
Just don't make the same mistakes as some of my former students of a similar age. I.e. get too trapped in a high moral position at the expense of actually making anything. If you don't want or need to make a living at it - fine - you'll probably have a lot more fun and maybe still make a few bob. You've already proved you can complete a major project for buttons and really achieve something so there is no reason why you shouldn't continue to do so.
"Jobbing" directors frequently start on the soaps. For example, New Zealander Martin Campbell, who directed the recent Bond movies, started in the UK on East Enders, moved on to "Bergerac" and then did "Edge of Darkness" (which I mixed) won a BAFTA and went off to Hollywood. Equally, a lot of features directors get their first break straight out of film school or from directing theatre, commercials or music videos. There is no one 'right way' in.

It's all about money. If you can persuade people to invest (time as well as money) for whatever reason then you are half way there and you've already done that. Also, crucially, you've realised the importance of sound. 'Blair Witch' and Lars Von Trier's dogme films e.g. 'Dancing in the Dark' may have been shot for peanuts but they spent a lot of time and money on the sound.

Film has always been a business that can accomodate mavericks and outsiders of pretty much any age and approach. This has never been more true than in the internet age. But, generally, the whole point is to get an audience and festivals are a great way to get some interest going alongside the web.

Great advice Rob,
Since earlier than I can remember I have been brought up with film. I have a photograph of myself running a Bell and Howell TQ1 16mm projector at the age of 3! My dad has always had a cinema set up somewhere around the house but since we moved, 15 years ago we've had a purposely built 25 seater cinema in our back garden running everything from 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, DVD to finally Blu-Ray!
These money men in the business couldn't possibly have the motivation and passion that I have in my blood. I think I'll always be happy making the odd feature film now and again for peanuts simply for the love of cinema that I have!
Cheers,
Pete

Hi Pete,

Firstly congratulations on completing your feature - a great achievement regardless of the budget I think! The trailer was pretty good - took a while to get moving but once the murders started I was hooked! Tonally it reminded me of Wolf Creek, one of my favourite recent horrors, and Wrong Turn, a film that started reasonably well but went off the rails with pantomime baddies (that's not a reflection on your film though!).

I think you have the right attitude in making films as a sideline to your day job. I tried making it into a career, setting up my company big and clever films to make corporate films to bring in the money, and hopefully to shoot short films on the side. Unfortunately it hasn't quite worked out as I'd planned, with the corporate work drying up, and just one 5 minute short in two years. I blame the lack of creativity on stress from running a failing business, so much that I'm going to close the company to concentrate on post production graphics instead.

All the best for your film, and welcome to the forum!

Christian

Christian, I think you may have hit on at least one of the answers. Like Pete, I grew up in a house where film was part of the currency. I always wanted to be a director and cameraman. Circumstances continually pushed me into sound and, when I had the opportunity to get a taste of directing for real I found I really didn't like it. I slowly became rather good at sound and later I discovered that, much to my disgust, I was also a rather good manager.
I'm still working with sound related things over 30 years later.
My point is that sometimes it's just better to go with the flow and play to your strengths. From what I've seen of your 3D work I'd say you obviously have talent and I sure you can exploit it.
Similarly, Pete obviously has the organisational and motivational skills to set-up and complete a long and complex project. He also has considerable creative flair. How he chooses to develop or use any or all of these competancies is up to him.

Best of luck to you both.

Thanks for the reply Christian,
I have to admit, Wolf Creek is an awesome film. 1st time Director too. (I must watch it about once a month!) - Wrong Turn again, I have it on DVD also but admit I haven't watched it this year yet - only 8 days in though! I can't really see anything wrong with the ending, apart from it getting a little on the dark side. The arrow shot into the cop has been inched through frame by frame a few times!
A friend and I held an open audition for the actors I used on Driftwood. We split the room into two halves whilst my friend gathered actors for his independent film also. Unfortunately for him, his film fell through and now he does a lot of corporate stuff. - But he's getting paid and I'm not!
Cheers for the welcome Christian!
Pete

Hey Pete,

How's it going? Did you ever submit the film to the EOTP festival? If not, this is a quick memory jog.

Hi there Rob,
I'm glad of your 'memory jog!' - What's the dead-line and if I haven't already missed it, does it need to be an exclusive post? I have had some interest with a couple of companies and have posted copies off along with press releases. I await your reply with interest, if I still 'qualify', I will contact them this week through your earlier link.
Thanks again Rob,
Pete

Hi Pete, sorry for slow response I've been at the show all day.

The deadline is 1st March from memory but this is probably somewhat flexible. As to the 'exclusive' or otherwise nature of the submission that's up to you to negotiate. All the festivals ask for the earth, but don't always get it especially with feature length submissions so don't be put off if the copyright release looks onerous.

Good luck!

Hey Rob,

Dont worry about the "slow response!", I've been stuck in an office all day and then I was planning a storyboard for another music video spoof that is to be shot on early February - only just got on myself

Tell me, 'Do I just post a copy out with a press release "that I threw together the other day" or do I have to make contact with them first? Must say, I'm very grateful for your info.
Thanks again!
Pete

Hi Pete,

Here's the URL for the entry form.

http://www.eotpfilmfestival.com/submissionforms/featurelengthsubs2008.doc

Make sure you read it carefully and strike out the relevant sub-clauses near the end. It's perfectly OK to do this because, if you don't, you're signing your life away.

The entry fee is £25 which is pretty much the going rate. If you are successful in getting it shown in the main festival there is a screening fee as well but I'd worry about that only when and if it is accepted.

Hey Rob,

Thanks for the link. I've just began to fill the form in and realised there wasn't a category for the film. I began to type below 'Horror' and make my selection. Scrolling down I have noticed a statement saying -
Only film genres stated in the above categories will be accepted into the Feature Film Competitions.
I froze and then decided to post you for further advice!! Will this be a waste of time??

Cheers mate,
Please let me know.
Pete

Hi Pete,

Sorry for slow reply. Out all day again.

I've just had a look at the form and I think the answer is simple. It's either drama or comedy, your choice. Horror is drama and often close to the edge of funny whether intentionally or not. (Or maybe it's just my warped sense of humour) If you had no comic intent, then stick with drama. No, I'm sure you are not wasting your time, the festival has had plenty of horror entries before. Obviously I cannot promise it will get in but I'll make sure it is viewed properly.

Cheers!

Hi Rob,

There is a 'Funny' character in the film and he does raise one or two smiles through-out but if I had to put it into either a Comedy or Drama genre - I'd say somebody having an Iron strapped to their head is definitely 'Dramatic!' - I'll fill out the form Rob but will be unable to post it out until Pay-Day (26th) !

Bills, Bills, Bills - You know how it is!

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Pete,

Drama it is then.

Oh yes, I know all too well how it is. (Just paid the water bill, council tax, gas, electricity, TV license...)

Don't forget though.

Cheers,

Thanks Rob, I will fill out the rest of the details and leave the form on my desktop as a reminder!
Cheers, Pete

Pete, nice piece of work in all aspects. I cant help thinking that you must have got the idea from seeing a few movies, like "Wolf Creek" and a few others which i cant think on regards names.
What project is next in your mind.
I always find working with people who give there time 100% as a director your work becomes much easier.
Your video might not be the right vehicle to get you into the world of making films but a few people should take note.
When i finish my war video i still have one project left which i want to do before my body starts to decline.
What i have seen of your work all i can say. Excellent

Hi Maxwell,
Thanks for your comments and kind words. I began casting for "Driftwood" in 2004 and if everything had gone according to plan, we would have finished it long before Wolf Creek was ever thought of. But hey, what a film that is. I must watch it 3 times every month - at least. I've never seen acting as natural before in the history of film making! I must know every word of the script backwards.
You asked about my future projects, I've got a busy week lined up for once. I'm starting a 10 minute film tomorrow (that should be finished by the weekend) - and I have been booked to do another spoof music video on Friday. Loads of editing to get through... The best part in my humble opinion!
Cheers again for the message,
Pete

Hi Pete,

Last chance. Get that DVD in the post tonight! I'll make sure it at least get's seen even though it's late.

Hey Pete,

Are you still around?

Don't forget, it's almost festival deadline time.

I was only thinking that myself the other day. Most people come on this forum and then at times just disappear.