Just so it doesn't get lost in a tweet, here's a thread I posted recently. Some honesty and advice if needed. Based on experience, and the consequences of experience. Unpreparedness, and what happens, what to do, and of course, what not to do:
My now 8 year-old feature film Derelict https://youtu.be/qVzsfIVMKI4 Also in Black & White si tu préfères https://vimeo.com/156392162 This was a tough shoot, 7 days (and nights), €9k, everyone worked for free, money went on insurance, location fees, expenses, accommodation, food...
Oh, and a week rehearsal beforehand. It took a year to mount the production, with finding a window everyone involved could donate a week, and about 6/8 months to finish it, again, with donated time from editor and production house
Unfortunately it never did any business. Died on the vine, so to speak, an expensive and time consuming lesson in preparation. And while I did prepare, I could have probably spent more time on the script. It's like they say, as director you take most of the credit, if it fails...
You take ALL the blame! I took all the blame, and haven't made a film since. There are many other reasons for that, but I think any chances that were coming my way took a swift left turn after this came out.
In saying that, everyone involved did stellar work, and all the actors worked like Trojans! And delivered great performances. I'm proud of a lot of it, but any failings are mine. And I don't mean to sound like I'm moaning, or looking for sympathy!
If you're reading this, think of it as more of a warning, a statement of "What Not To Do", from someone who's made the mistake, and suffered the consequences (for many years after). So, here we go:
1: Don't rush. Don't be too eager to get it done, sure, grab the bull by the horns, it's all about momentum, but make sure the script is ready. If you're not sure, then it probably isn't, get help. Get it SOLID. Then go.
2: Schedule the SHIT out of your shoot. Be realistic. Give yourself time. If you have no time, jettison scenes, locations, you don't need. Make it lean. Cut it to the bone, before you start burning daylight.
3: Shot list. If you can storyboard that'll help, if that's not your bag, do a shot list, you won't have time to be messing around. Have a shopping list, know what you need. Grab it. If inspiration hits, grab that too, but know what you need. You need a detailed roadmap.
4: See if you can do a test shoot, shoot one scene for a day. This will tell you a lot. It'll tell you how long it's really going to take. Plan your shoot accordingly. It'll also help get you in the rhythm.
5: During the shoot, no short cuts, be brave, be demanding (even if people have agreed to work for free, they signed up, expect their all, give your all), COMMUNICATE, trust your instincts, don't second guess yourself and ignore those second guessing you, be adaptable, have fun!
Don't forget it's a film, not war! You're not being shot at. You're literally living your dream, even when you're in thick of it, when you're regret ever having decided to do this, second guessing each decision you're making, it's just a movie, enjoy yourself!
Be prepared for it to be hard, if you haven't done it before, it will surprise you and challenge you and demand everything of you at every turn! Both mentally and physically. Hit the gym before you shoot! Especially if you're out of shape! You're going to be on your feet ALL DAY!
Get ready for it, getting physically ready will help prepare you mentally. If you're on a low to no budget film, you're going to be doing multiple jobs, you're going to be lugging equipment, you need stamina.
You need to lead the charge. You're the boss. You're the general. You're Jesus! People are looking to you for everything. Embrace it. Own it. Put yourself in the centre of the room and take charge. If you want your shoot to run smooth, be smooth!
You may be doubting yourself. But hide that shit, save it for another day, you've work hard to get to this point, put your weeny hat in the closet and put on your @russellcrowe Master and Commander captain hat on! Be the fucking captain of your ship.
If you need to cry, or shout, or have a moment, find a dark corner two miles away. Your cast and crew don't need that shit. Save your suffering for after the shoot, and be prepared to suffer. It'll hit you hard, emotionally and physically.
I was unprepared for the release of finishing, I felt good at first, but they you have the mountain of post to climb, which is so daunting you might feel like you can't. But climb it you must. And it's a fucker when you have a cold, a bad back and fucked up feet!
I came off this film sick, there was a set cold that went around everyone. We all got sick at the end of it. I put my back out and destroyed my feet. I don't know what happened to them, but my skin reacted to something, and they were a horrible frankenstein mess for ages after...
in fact, 8 years later, they never went back to how they were before. It's weird. I don't know what to tell you, look after you feet and back, be physically prepared. When it's over, take a week or two off, and then get back in.
Post may take a while, maybe longer than you hoped. Endure. Engage. remember your vision and try to stay positive and excited. But, work on other stuff too. Start to think about what's next, think about what you learn and how to apply it to the next film.
Research festivals, hit up http://filmfreeway.com contact programmers, send rough cuts, set up all the social media stuff and communicate with your audience. If you've crowdfunded this you all ready have a community. Tap into that. Keep them updated and in the loop.
Don't drop off, they will be the advocates of your film, because they were in it from the start, they own a piece of it. Remind them and tap into their social networks.
This film maybe 3, 4, 5 years of your life. Own it. Enjoy it. Give it everything at every stage, because this will be your true film school. You will learn so much! I can only tell you so much, what potholes to avoid, but you will only learn to drive by taking the wheel yourself.
