i LOVE how David explained how he doesn't always use or doesn't know much about the 180 degree shooting rule where you shouldn't shoot on two sides of a character. that brings SO much inspiration to me how sometimes a Hollywood director doesn't always know EVERYTHING about shooting a movie
Lights Out & Conjuring were the only movies that ever had me sleep with the lights ON! & I watched your short film Lights Out when you won the contest almost 4 years ago! It was fantastic and the movie did not disappoint! Make a Lights Out 2 please :D
Man, you are doing an incredible thing. I've seen Lights Out about 5 times, years ago, when it was released here at youtube. I liked it a lot. Later, I watched the movie, in theater (and also Annabelle 2 and Shazam). Never knew those were from the same person and just today I found (and binged) your videos. I really like watching behind the scenes stuff from DVDs and special features here at YT. Never there was such good content like yours. I can't thank you enough. Again, you are doing an amazing thing - both here and in Hollywood.
Yeah next time the camera man tells you you’re jumping the line just screw it. Your instincts are correct. Some people jump the line cause they are ignorant. YOU are a genius. A movie genius. It’s obvious.
Although this movie falls victim to some of the cheap hollywood horror scenarios this movie was still entertaining and unique in the way of using lights as the scare factor and to get people up in their seats. It doesn't always really make sense that the lights go out or keep blinking, but I'll roll with it. Great job man!
Thank you for sharing your insights as a director who has made it this far. Been a fan since the lights out short film and I appreciate you taking the time out to take us through your journey into your feature films.
The 180-rule is for dialogue. In action-sequences, especially in horror-movies when the viewer is supposed to be helpless/confused, it's perfectly fine to break it.
I finally got around to seeing lights out AND HAD A POWER OUTAGE 10 MINS AFTER FINISHING. Thankyou mr.sandberg for an amazing horror eperience in film and real life😂 LOVE YOUR WORK!!
David, I have learnt a lot about filmmaking from you than all my other research COMBINED! You are so down to earth and come from a real place where all of us are. Thank you, man, for giving us a full perspective of the industry from grassroots to the big game. Thank you!
Love your breakdowns David! Glad you jumped the line btw... you're right that the space was clearly established therefore not confusing when the camera crosses.
Been watching every single video you’ve had on lighting, tools, sound , BTS, I’ve been watching for hours and have watched almost all of them ,and I just have to say wow , you’ve really opened up my eyes to so many possibilities,I’m 18 and plan on going to film school after community college , and my dream is write and direct , after witnessing your story and being drawn to everything you’ve been saying and how relatable you are I’ve astonished and shocked, you’re really an example of talent and hard work and real skill and dedication will pay off , I’m from Massachusetts across the country , but if there ever a chance I could work for you or with u on one of your shorts , I would pay for a ticket to California instantly man , you’ve got such a great sense of humor and I’ve actually even been taking notes ,your style and aesthetic matches my likings so much, I bought a camera and lights and tripod , and this makes me want to go and film , you’re truly the man , every movie you’re filming getting bigger and bigger , I would love to chat with you and have a conversation about everything man you’ve honestly become my hero overnight , doing what I thought was impossible 👍❤️
Thank you for your insightful videos. It's lovely to see how your ideas translated into the final movie. Maybe I'm dumb, but in the last part with the hand and the wine rack, I don't see how filming it in the perspective you suggested would be jumping the line. I mean, maybe it would look confusing if we first saw the hand coming out from the left and then have an immediate closeup show it from the right, but your storyboards were pretty clear to me. In fact, I would dare to say that the final edit is the one which is confusing. And I really liked the part where James Wan just went by, gave some advice and then left. That sounds awesome :D
Just wanted to let you know that I've been following you since your first shorts and seeing you making it this big in Hollywood makes me so happy and proud of you. You are an amazing director and I'm glad they discovered thath. Congrats David!
I love that you do these videos. You teach me so much. There's just so much that you can do and so much that goes into these films. you show us examples and tell us things that my film school has never talked about and things I've never ran into and real life. You are a great director and Lights Out is one of my favorite films of all time both the short and the feature length.
I really love your work, you have such a simple but pure way of describing fear, I mean the "you should be afraid of the dark" it's not a new idea at all, but you work ir out in a way that really disturbs me. It actually makes me remember why are we afraid of the dark. keep it like that, you're really doing some great stuff here.
Valuable tips here! I really like the idea of actually walking through the shots ahead of time, and just documenting pieces of your vision without getting too hung up on the details.
I cannot even tell how much I admire you David sir. I eagerly wait for your videos and want them to be as long as possible. You don't know how much of help has your videos been to me, I decided to become a filmmaker because of your and each of your behind the scenes videos as well as short films has taught me something invaluable. Will definitely meet you some day. Lots of love from India
Informative and inspiring, as usual. Because of these videos, I've returned to film making. Thank you, David. Now, when I watched the "walk-through" parts of the video, I discovered I had become so conditioned by "found footage" movies that I expected something to pop out at any moment. Even your prep work is creepy! Can't wait to see "Annabelle." Keep up the excellent work ...
A good example of jumping the line when two characters are talking one-on-one is in a scene in the movie Hannah, where two characters are supposed to be facing each other in conversation while lying down. So logically one character would be lying on their right side, and the other on their left. However, when the camera switches between shots of each character, they're both laying on their right side facing the same direction (west if you were looking down on the set), so it's physically impossible for them to be facing each other. This is particularly bad because you already have a physical barrier in the surface, not just an imaginary 180° line to cross if the characters were standing. In the case of this scene in Lights Out, it's perfectly fine because David already established the blocking, i.e. where the characters are in frame in relation to the set. Think of it like set geography. In the early days of silent film, the first movies were only shot in one direction as if all the characters were onstage, because they were used to working in theatre. If you imagine a film set and everything within the frame is the stage (like a box or a room) then you have four walls: left wall (1), back wall/curtain (2), right wall (3), and you the audience (4), which is the camera. Hence the phrase "breaking the fourth wall" when an actor breaks character and looks into the camera. Imagine looking down on a theatre that is 360°. Think of the 180° Rule as the line between the stage and the audience (camera). You don't want to cross that line unless it makes geographical sense to the viewer.
As many before me, I have come to admire your hard working ethic combined with an honest humility. Thank you for contributing to your craft in a way few others would. P.S. Jumping the line (as a viewer) is not a big problem if I know the layout of the scene.
You're inspiring me to become an actor. I'm 18 and I wish I would of started earlier but it's never too late to start. Thanks for putting up these videos man
Thank you so much for videos like this, David; they're a huge help for those of us working our way up. I have to say, even as a film student I agree with your comments on the 180 degree rule. I don't think it should be treated as a rule of thumb, more as a guide for when you're lost. I think always following your gut instinct will prove worthwhile :) Good luck with your future projects, I can't wait to see Annabelle: Creation!
Love your videos. Thank you for sharing all your experience! About Jumping the line, I think the moment that you showed us was a perfect example of when it is a good idea to break that rule. As you said, it helps to create a more impactful moment. Glad you decided to follow your intuition and do it. I guess, in part, the lesson here is to Not follow a rule for following rules sake's. StudioBinder has a great video with examples of movies that decided to break the rule. Hope my english is understandable, jaja (Me río en español)
I love how you mentioned the 180 degree line rule. Not breaking it during conversations between characters makes sense, but how you did it was great. My film professors would not be pleased if I decided to do that for some of my short films lol. Then again, it’s my film, so I’ll do as I please.
His voice is comforting in a way that makes filmmaking less intimidating lol! Today is shoot day and after watching this all of my horrible nausea and any worry is gone....TIME TO MAKE A FUCKING MOVIE.
Can't tell you how much I love your videos. I love the breakdowns, but I was really interested in the process of how you broke into Hollywood. I know your short film turned into a feature but how did it happen? Did someone just pick you up after it went viral or was it years of pitching. It would be great if you did one video on that for directors trying to break in! Thanks again for everything, your channel is my favorite by far
Watched Annabelle over the weekend and it's soooooooo freakin CREEPY!!!! One of the best scary flicks I've seen for awhile. Slept with the lights on that night haha
Always love how you share with us the way you make these films. It's very inspiring. I watched all of your short horrors and Lights Out, and I love them. Hope you always stay true to your vision when making these horror films because I believe one of the trademarks of an unique director is to do your best to stay true to your vision. Congrats and I wish you all the best on Annabelle: Creation. :) (BTW, weren't you scared walking in the basement and the wine cellar all alone? haha)
Loving the content, don't think I'd be able to plan these shots on my own in that house though, would end up shitting myself and running out after thinking of all the scary shit that I was planning xD
It always confused me why often there is so much effort put into sets that doesn't show up in the film/show, and this video kinda showed me why it's really good to have a good, consistent set. It makes it much easier to set up shots and gives the director a lot more freedom. Cool stuff!
you are simply an example of dreams coming true by hardworking. Really admires you
I so didn't expect to see that gorgeous face at 16:13.
i LOVE how David explained how he doesn't always use or doesn't know much about the 180 degree shooting rule where you shouldn't shoot on two sides of a character. that brings SO much inspiration to me how sometimes a Hollywood director doesn't always know EVERYTHING about shooting a movie
Jumping the line is fine and sometimes even impactful, like you said. As long as you have established a space and where things are, it's okay.
I absolutely love your behind the scenes look at your thought process. It's interesting how simple and clever your techniques are.
Lights Out & Conjuring were the only movies that ever had me sleep with the lights ON! & I watched your short film Lights Out when you won the contest almost 4 years ago! It was fantastic and the movie did not disappoint! Make a Lights Out 2 please :D
Sky Newton I think Lights Out 2 is already confirmed :)
Yeah it’s called lights on
I love how you explain these things. I love the creativity. Can we get some more scary short films tho. Please ? 😭😭
Man, you are doing an incredible thing.
I've seen Lights Out about 5 times, years ago, when it was released here at youtube. I liked it a lot. Later, I watched the movie, in theater (and also Annabelle 2 and Shazam). Never knew those were from the same person and just today I found (and binged) your videos. I really like watching behind the scenes stuff from DVDs and special features here at YT. Never there was such good content like yours. I can't thank you enough. Again, you are doing an amazing thing - both here and in Hollywood.
Yeah next time the camera man tells you you’re jumping the line just screw it. Your instincts are correct. Some people jump the line cause they are ignorant. YOU are a genius. A movie genius. It’s obvious.
I really love these "behind the scenes" videos 👍🏻
"The safety of the furnace:"
Don't know why that sounds so funny to me. Think I just found the name for my next band. :)
Please never stop doing this, i just found out about your channel today and i absolutely love it
storyboards made me jump too. thanks, david!
i love your content man, thanks for a nice long video.
Although this movie falls victim to some of the cheap hollywood horror scenarios this movie was still entertaining and unique in the way of using lights as the scare factor and to get people up in their seats. It doesn't always really make sense that the lights go out or keep blinking, but I'll roll with it. Great job man!
I just discovered your channel. INCREDIBLE! THANK YOU so much for all the time and information that you provide to all of us. It is SO appreciated!!
Thank you for sharing your insights as a director who has made it this far. Been a fan since the lights out short film and I appreciate you taking the time out to take us through your journey into your feature films.
Thanks for sharing this video. I just watched the lights out this week. I loved it! I am looking forward to seeing more soon.
The 180-rule is for dialogue.
In action-sequences, especially in horror-movies when the viewer is supposed to be helpless/confused, it's perfectly fine to break it.
I finally got around to seeing lights out AND HAD A POWER OUTAGE 10 MINS AFTER FINISHING. Thankyou mr.sandberg for an amazing horror eperience in film and real life😂 LOVE YOUR WORK!!
Diana was on the prowl
David, I have learnt a lot about filmmaking from you than all my other research COMBINED! You are so down to earth and come from a real place where all of us are. Thank you, man, for giving us a full perspective of the industry from grassroots to the big game. Thank you!
While the add is playing I take this moment to say thank you. You’re an inspiration to all of us filmakers or not.
Love your breakdowns David! Glad you jumped the line btw... you're right that the space was clearly established therefore not confusing when the camera crosses.
Hey man. Loved your short film and was so glad to see Lights Out in theaters and it was just so satisfying. Absolutely amazing job!
Martin probably wishing for the Light of Elendil rather than just a candle.
I see you are a man of culture as well!
Been watching every single video you’ve had on lighting, tools, sound , BTS, I’ve been watching for hours and have watched almost all of them ,and I just have to say wow , you’ve really opened up my eyes to so many possibilities,I’m 18 and plan on going to film school after community college , and my dream is write and direct , after witnessing your story and being drawn to everything you’ve been saying and how relatable you are I’ve astonished and shocked, you’re really an example of talent and hard work and real skill and dedication will pay off , I’m from Massachusetts across the country , but if there ever a chance I could work for you or with u on one of your shorts , I would pay for a ticket to California instantly man , you’ve got such a great sense of humor and I’ve actually even been taking notes ,your style and aesthetic matches my likings so much, I bought a camera and lights and tripod , and this makes me want to go and film , you’re truly the man , every movie you’re filming getting bigger and bigger , I would love to chat with you and have a conversation about everything man you’ve honestly become my hero overnight , doing what I thought was impossible 👍❤️
I need to get a hard-copy of lights out and I'm so excited for Annabell keep up the amazing work and thank-you for keeping your UA-cam channel 💕
I love hearing about your process, it is the most helpful thing on youtube for indie filmmakers, especially me, thank you!
Thank you for your insightful videos. It's lovely to see how your ideas translated into the final movie.
Maybe I'm dumb, but in the last part with the hand and the wine rack, I don't see how filming it in the perspective you suggested would be jumping the line. I mean, maybe it would look confusing if we first saw the hand coming out from the left and then have an immediate closeup show it from the right, but your storyboards were pretty clear to me. In fact, I would dare to say that the final edit is the one which is confusing.
And I really liked the part where James Wan just went by, gave some advice and then left. That sounds awesome :D
Just wanted to let you know that I've been following you since your first shorts and seeing you making it this big in Hollywood makes me so happy and proud of you. You are an amazing director and I'm glad they discovered thath. Congrats David!
Love this! Thank you so much for putting this together! It gives filmmakers like myself hope.
Great video! I love to see the thought and ideas that go into your work. You are a master of your craft, sir!
Thanks for making all these behind the scenes videos. They really help other film makers.
This is brilliant! Thank you for pulling back the curtain. It's great to see how "normally" you work.
Fantastic work. Lights Out was great and the behind the scenes stuff very inspirational!
I love that you do these videos. You teach me so much. There's just so much that you can do and so much that goes into these films. you show us examples and tell us things that my film school has never talked about and things I've never ran into and real life. You are a great director and Lights Out is one of my favorite films of all time both the short and the feature length.
Thanks again for yet another look into the world of a director. Your honesty is inspirational!
Really cool video. I was hoping to see extras like this on the Blu-Ray. I can't wait to see more movies from you. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the inside look of the process of making your film. It'll help me with my work so, thanks again David.
P.S. Rules are nothing more than guidelines....just saying.
Thank you so much for this. It's incredible to learn about the minutiae of your process.
He's so great! Ive been following his work for such a long time and I am such a proud fan ! I love the movie
I really love your work, you have such a simple but pure way of describing fear, I mean the "you should be afraid of the dark" it's not a new idea at all, but you work ir out in a way that really disturbs me. It actually makes me remember why are we afraid of the dark.
keep it like that, you're really doing some great stuff here.
Valuable tips here! I really like the idea of actually walking through the shots ahead of time, and just documenting pieces of your vision without getting too hung up on the details.
Best channel on directing! Great stuff!
I cannot even tell how much I admire you David sir. I eagerly wait for your videos and want them to be as long as possible. You don't know how much of help has your videos been to me, I decided to become a filmmaker because of your and each of your behind the scenes videos as well as short films has taught me something invaluable. Will definitely meet you some day. Lots of love from India
Simply and honestly you're an example for everybody, so glad you could follow your dream.
I love when you make these behind the scene videos. Soon you will have so many movies under your belt that you won't have time to do things like this.
THIS IS AMAZING! Thank you for bringing real horror goodness!
These are incredible and helpful thank you so for posting these kinds of videos
You are true to the art and inspire many.
Thank you so much
Informative and inspiring, as usual. Because of these videos, I've returned to film making. Thank you, David. Now, when I watched the "walk-through" parts of the video, I discovered I had become so conditioned by "found footage" movies that I expected something to pop out at any moment. Even your prep work is creepy! Can't wait to see "Annabelle." Keep up the excellent work ...
I really wish more filmmakers would make videos like these! So helpful for people who inspire to be like these guys
A good example of jumping the line when two characters are talking one-on-one is in a scene in the movie Hannah, where two characters are supposed to be facing each other in conversation while lying down. So logically one character would be lying on their right side, and the other on their left. However, when the camera switches between shots of each character, they're both laying on their right side facing the same direction (west if you were looking down on the set), so it's physically impossible for them to be facing each other. This is particularly bad because you already have a physical barrier in the surface, not just an imaginary 180° line to cross if the characters were standing. In the case of this scene in Lights Out, it's perfectly fine because David already established the blocking, i.e. where the characters are in frame in relation to the set. Think of it like set geography. In the early days of silent film, the first movies were only shot in one direction as if all the characters were onstage, because they were used to working in theatre. If you imagine a film set and everything within the frame is the stage (like a box or a room) then you have four walls: left wall (1), back wall/curtain (2), right wall (3), and you the audience (4), which is the camera. Hence the phrase "breaking the fourth wall" when an actor breaks character and looks into the camera. Imagine looking down on a theatre that is 360°. Think of the 180° Rule as the line between the stage and the audience (camera). You don't want to cross that line unless it makes geographical sense to the viewer.
I love your videos! What you are doing here is Amazing, Thank you very much.
As many before me, I have come to admire your hard working ethic combined with an honest humility. Thank you for contributing to your craft in a way few others would.
P.S. Jumping the line (as a viewer) is not a big problem if I know the layout of the scene.
Loved this. Really insightful. Might try using these techniques when planning my next short. Thank you 😊
I am just fascinated by what you do man.
really really grateful for these videos
I really like this inside view. Thank you very much!
I love that you make these videos! Please don't stop!
You really became my favorite director now and I want to be like you. I'll jump the line and break the 180° rule for the purpose of art
You're such an inspiration ponysmasher.. Don't ever stop doing your thing!
Thanks, that was an interesting peek into the process.
I love your videos about behind the scenes. I haven't watched Lights Out, but I loved Annabelle Creation and Shazam. I can't wait for you next movie!!
GREAT VIDEO!!!!!! CAN YOU MAKE A VIDEO ON DIRECTING ACTORS???
Yeah make a video on directing actors
tru
Thanks for this great look into how you handle making movies! I liked it alot!
You're inspiring me to become an actor. I'm 18 and I wish I would of started earlier but it's never too late to start. Thanks for putting up these videos man
Thank you so much for videos like this, David; they're a huge help for those of us working our way up. I have to say, even as a film student I agree with your comments on the 180 degree rule. I don't think it should be treated as a rule of thumb, more as a guide for when you're lost. I think always following your gut instinct will prove worthwhile :) Good luck with your future projects, I can't wait to see Annabelle: Creation!
You already won me over with the Alex Kidd shirt. Everything else was just icing.
Love these videos !!!! David is a horror film maker icon for this generation!!
Yesss I was waiting for this! This was a fantastic movie!
Love your videos. Thank you for sharing all your experience!
About Jumping the line, I think the moment that you showed us was a perfect example of when it is a good idea to break that rule. As you said, it helps to create a more impactful moment. Glad you decided to follow your intuition and do it. I guess, in part, the lesson here is to Not follow a rule for following rules sake's. StudioBinder has a great video with examples of movies that decided to break the rule.
Hope my english is understandable, jaja (Me río en español)
I love how you mentioned the 180 degree line rule. Not breaking it during conversations between characters makes sense, but how you did it was great. My film professors would not be pleased if I decided to do that for some of my short films lol. Then again, it’s my film, so I’ll do as I please.
That Alex Kidd T-Shirt is awesome! Keep being an inspiration to us all!
I am eating these videos up like cool ranch Doritos please don't stop making these videos. Please.
Your videos are the most helpful! thank you so much, sir!
this whole video felt like a giant ghost story and it was so much fun to watch.
i was so into this video, that when it over i was like., ALREADY? damn almost 20 min got so fast.
please, do more videos like this.
Not me getting freaked out just watching this at midnight alone 😂
This is great. I'm going to need you to do something like this every week. Thanks! (I kid)
His voice is comforting in a way that makes filmmaking less intimidating lol! Today is shoot day and after watching this all of my horrible nausea and any worry is gone....TIME TO MAKE A FUCKING MOVIE.
Thank you So Much For Sharing.. This is so Helpful.. Keep Living the dream...
Love Alex Kidd. Loved your film too buddy. Trying to write my first horror feature, you're an inspiration :-)
Thank you for your videos. You make Hollywood seem not so far away
17:01 THAT SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME
Can't tell you how much I love your videos. I love the breakdowns, but I was really interested in the process of how you broke into Hollywood. I know your short film turned into a feature but how did it happen? Did someone just pick you up after it went viral or was it years of pitching. It would be great if you did one video on that for directors trying to break in! Thanks again for everything, your channel is my favorite by far
hey man, thanks so much for that! I intend making movies and that was really helpful. congratulations on your achievements so far.
As a future filmmaker, seeing the short when it barely got uploaded vs seeing it become a feature lenght has really inspired me!
This man is my source of motivation to never give up
Watched Annabelle over the weekend and it's soooooooo freakin CREEPY!!!! One of the best scary flicks I've seen for awhile. Slept with the lights on that night haha
Always love how you share with us the way you make these films. It's very inspiring. I watched all of your short horrors and Lights Out, and I love them. Hope you always stay true to your vision when making these horror films because I believe one of the trademarks of an unique director is to do your best to stay true to your vision. Congrats and I wish you all the best on Annabelle: Creation. :)
(BTW, weren't you scared walking in the basement and the wine cellar all alone? haha)
big big fan of your work and videos
Loving the content, don't think I'd be able to plan these shots on my own in that house though, would end up shitting myself and running out after thinking of all the scary shit that I was planning xD
Thanks for your video David! Really nice!! Wish you lot of success for your next features ;)
Fuck’n awesome stuff man, seriously super creative, i love it
It always confused me why often there is so much effort put into sets that doesn't show up in the film/show, and this video kinda showed me why it's really good to have a good, consistent set. It makes it much easier to set up shots and gives the director a lot more freedom. Cool stuff!
Watching these is really inspiring me to get back into filming again :). Also nice Alex Kidd shirt!!
Thank you ❤️ I’m just about to begin filming one. This is really a great help!!
8:14 "Let's turn on the light." YEAH MAYBE THAT'S A REALLY GOOD F*CKING IDEA.
That was simply awesome 🙌🏻 👌🏻. As a film student i should watch your videos even more rather than sitting in my classroom. 😂
I love these videos :D Awesome