Brother, I've been solo filmmaker for the past 15-17 years. I've shot my own stories and shot for other writers / producers as well. Shooting one in Next month (preping now). Since 2010, I've shot and produced over 8 full length indie films. All out in different major streaming platforms. From Peakcock to iTunes to Google Play to Amazon Prime. So, yes sir! Solo indie route is for sure the future. Best wishes brethren. 👍🏾💯
Do you operate like a young man, like 18-20 years old? I'm thinking that older people who operate in Hollywood are drenched in their way of doing business. You are an inspiration to others who want to break out and do their own video without the constraints of others.
@@bondgabebond4907 😆😆😆😆 Not quite like a young man, however, I do move pretty fast on set. Been doing it for so long, my body is use to it. And thank you for your kind words.
I'll beat this drum until it breaks: Local community theaters! Pitch them a wacky/unique idea, or grab a show they're performing (many of which are already rights-free) and collaborate to make it a movie.
I had one of my features shown at a local cinema charity event. There was a turnout of about 150 in a small village in Western Australia. Great fun and really rewarding. But it doesn't pay.
@@overland-workshopI should probably clarify, “community theater” (at least in my region) doesn’t mean “movie” theater. It refers to local acting troupes where people volunteer and put on stage performances of different plays/musicals. The idea is that you network with one such group and offer to turn their performance into a movie. :)
I shot a short this way for a friend. She wrote, directed and acted in it with one other actor. We drove from LA to Arizona for one day, turned around and went to Joshua Tree for two nights and filmed scenes in an airbnb and on the land. Sound was loaned to us by someone in the industry so it was the full boom on a stand with I think 3 different levels being recorded at the same time. I filmed everything hand held and natural light using my Sony Fx3 and one lens. They are incredible actors so we would do a few takes and move on. She's using it as a proof of concept for her tv show idea, but beyond that it showed me how relatively easy it is with the right talent on camera to go solo beyond run/gun docs.
100% Making my first feature. Decided I didn’t want to ‘ask permission’ and to just go for it. I’m about 1/4 way through. Loving what I’m getting, and it’s much more idiosyncratic than my previous work. I’m embracing the lo-fi and enjoying being able to make bold decisions without having to explain. More of this content!!
I have been a solo filmmaker for nearly twenty years now, for me I found the most enjoyment in taking ownership of a project and over the years I have built skills in other aspects of filmmaking. Good Video, Thanks!
You are crystallizing the thoughts I’ve had for ages about filmmaking. I worked on a TV show with a crew of about 8, and I felt like we were getting more done per day than a crew of 50, and a lot of those approaches could work for narrative film too. All on location, mostly natural light, and really smart use of the time we had. I’m itching to try those techniques as a solo or even small crew production. Thanks for articulating this idea so well.
I actually find it’s the lighting and grip side of things that is harder to pull of with a small crew. Literally just the weight of lights and stands and carrying around of set elements, large props etc.
Here Here! I love every word of what you just said. I agree whole heartedly, especially at age 65 as I don’t have decades to make it big. I much rather do just as you described. I can’t wait to see what you do next as a solo artist! And you Canon Masterclass is so amazing. Very helpful with my getting to know my new C70! Thanks for everything!
Totally agree. I am going with this path. You learn to be creative and frugal with making films and you have full control of your film. The key is to have a budget and get started as soon as possible while learning the process; it is a win-win situation.
What you're describing is called Cinéma vérité, and it's what Godard has started with the introduction of compact Bolex 16mm cameras. If you ask me - we have it even better today with how accessible and easy to use good gear has become.
I shoot often with a 2-3 person crew and enjoy it for the reasons you stated. I think trying to do it all yourself though is really, really difficult. But I do think that doing it with a small crew, as you described, a camera person/DP, a gaffer lighting type person and a sound person is very workable. Of course, this approach precludes you from conceptual hair and makeup, costumes become a huge challenge, what about props, sets, practical effects? You become quite limited in the types of stories you can tell, the mise en scène you can create by yourself, unless you have many months and lots of time and resources to create it. There is a reason why filmmaking has evolved to a collaborative medium. Most single person shot projects I've seen are kind of visually boring, usually dialog driven, because it is really difficult to stage larger scenes when you have to do half a dozen people's jobs by yourself. For a certain way of telling stories though, this approach can work and work well if you plan and are clever about how you approach it. I think as AI takes over our industry more and more, large crewed production will become a thing of the past. The studios are hell bent on making films in computers utilizing AI, as the recent strikes have proven, eliminating all humans, as much as possible. Using AI and virtual tech is Hollywood's future. Eliminating messy, inconsistent and expensive humans from the process has become a corporate mandate for the studios. As soon as the studios make a few films that make a huge profit this way, the film industry as we know it will cease to exist. We've already seen this happen on much smaller scales but this upcoming shift will essentially redefine what filmed entertainment is. It won't be filmed anymore. Writers, actors and crews will be eliminated from Hollywood level filmmaking. Five years? Three Years? Ten Years? Its definitely coming. At that point, human filmmakers who still want to make films will have no choice but to work solo or with tiny crews of other humans and or AI powered robotics. I have no idea what indie, small film distribution looks like at that point but it will be radically different than what it is today. Will anyone be able to make a profit and or a living making films this way? Hard to say.
i believe your vision of filmmaking's future is on point. and i think it's fantastic! chances are we will naturally move to a state where MORE MOVIES will each make LESS MONEY. and that's fine because it means a ton of opportunity for independent filmmakers like me. I prefer a world where 10 million film creatives make $100K/year vs. today's world where 1,000 creatives make $10 million/year (these exact numbers are hypothetical to illustrate a conceptual point)
case in point: Forbes reported earlier this year that over 2 million UA-camrs make over $100K/year. that already eclipses Hollywood in sheer numbers of people able to earn a decent living, and that's just one content based social media platform vs. all of Hollywood. Hence why UA-cam has more eyeballs than Hollywood, because anyone can create, thus UA-cam is tapped into a much more diverse nearly unlimited pool of creative talent globally pouring into it, while Hollywood remains an extremely walled off garden that no one can get into. Per definition Hollywood will lose the eyeball race this way, until the structure opens it up and more creatives can get in there create and have a shot at attracting audience attention. 1,000 creatives will never win the attention and creativity race against 8 billion, no matter how much money they have.
We are doing exactly what you are talking about. I have a couple of friends I met in film school and we are each now doing our own feature films. We have been doing shorts for many years and we decided it's time to step our game and start doing feature films. We are having a blast. Each of us is the writter and director of our own film and we help eachother out as needed. The great thing about film making is it is a great team activity where there is no feeling of competition. Each of us wants to do all we can to help all of our films be the best they can be. There is nothing like writing a cool story and then doing all you can to bring it alive on the big screen!
I always appreciate your content, and feel I’ve been lucky to pivot ahead of the industry, and this is exactly what I’ve (somehow) managed to move towards in the last year. Thank you for making this.
I'm on this path for a while now. It's impressive how much the world changed and we still try to work like a century ago. We have a lot to learn from theater...
Robert Rodriguez did this with "El Mariachi" back in 1992, so yeah the concept is viable. Rodriguez's book, "Rebel Without a Crew," is required reading for any aspiring film maker.
WISDOM! In the tornado of mediocrity of youtuber videographer dudes trying to hock their kit or reviewing gear, this is first really inspiring take I've heard in ages. Much love from an aspiring solo documentary story teller.
This is a great video and I'm glad to see there's a bunch of us thinking the same thing. My last few projects have been completely solo apart from the actors, I rig up my camera with a mic attached and get going. One of my films just hit a major film festival and now I'm submitting it to more! I can shoot entire short films in a day (With a lot of planning) I truly think a team of 2/3 is IDEAL - Someone on sound and someone to mess around with the lights.
@@robertruffo2134 case in point. all the gatekeeper-y ness of many in the film industry, trying to keep hollywood as a walled castle while in the meantime keeping the creative growth of movie industry stunted. how bout you suggest what homeboy SHOULD DO, and encourage, instead of attempting to denigrate him in a public forum by calling him a hobbyist for his efforts.
@@robertruffo2134and just to be clear why this statement is dead wrong. i've submitted a number of shorts to film festivals, gotten eyes on my work, and in EVERY CASE i've generated paid work off someone contacting me who has seen my work in a festival. So while the film itself isn't generating direct ticketed revenue via festivals, it is moving the needle on my career by growing my network and attracting me paid clients.
@@robertruffo2134 Once upon a time I'm sure a canvas, easel, paint brush, oil based and acrylic paints would've been financially impossible to acquire by the common man. Technology evolves and simplifies itself. No art form should remain monopolized by corporations and billionaires alone.
I make short docs and I love working solo … from writing to editing and everything in between. This works very well for what I do and what I want to do. For narrative work, I have no idea how I would pull it off 100% solo so mad respect for anyone who can. But working solo in doc is so fun and provides opportunities to get to know the subjects very very well that’s just not possible with 2 or more people lurking around while filming. And solo gives unparalleled flexibility in docs when the nature of the work can’t be scheduled or planned scene to scene without destroying the story. I realize this won’t work for most people though.
It’s intentionally been a solo revive for me the past three years. I am planning to keep it simple and wear all hats, been putting the hours to learn every bit that can help me and i want to enjoy the process and get help only when i need to. But i am only interested in making short mostly documentary films so i understand how hard that can be for narrative filmmaking but i encourage you to keep exploring. 🤞
i've been doing that. 1 person film crew and that's me, i use to be that director with a large film crew and cast and as time went along it became less and less and i realized in order to get it done just gotta be me, my camera, lights and talent. my latest feature film started back in March of this year, The curse of Claire Stephens will blow you away and people, will think it was with a nice size film crew, nope just me. Have taken all my talent, skills, and teachings and have made a magnificent feature film due out next year. its best to just work alone with a small cast and go out and make a movie. some people will say i can't do it with out a crew, those that got the money to hire a crew is cool but i no longer depend on people to help back a film, i'd never get it started from waiting on them. but now days, got my awesome 4k blackmagic rig set up with 8 hours of power, portable lights, tripod, plug in lights and plenty of super long extension cords lol. no more excuses of not having this or that, just pick up your gear, grab the script, call up talent, arrive at location on time, film it have fun and before you know it your heading back home to do the editing. oppose to those people asking and begging for money, i've already completed a feature film 80 minutes running time. so keep waiting on that money i'll be working on my next one before they withdrawal that fund raiser money lol.
Super inspiring message. Thank you, man. I needed to hear this. I've been shooting solo for a while now and it's made me feel as if I am not doing it right because I don't have a team. Again, thank you.
Solo micro short films. That’s the future. At least for independent, unknown to little know filmmakers such as myself. I shot my last short ‘The Street Photographer’ solo, and it did better than I ever thought (selected at 6 film festivals) without the ‘limitations’ of ‘others’ involved in the production process. No more Hollywood games. Cheers my friend! I hope you had a great time in Jamaica! 🇯🇲
I've been trying the (mostly) solo filmmaking approach for about 15 years. The quality of my films aren't wonderful but I can make whatever I want and finance my own projects. The biggest problem I've ran into was that I didn't time budget very well. My first movie Space Trucker Bruce took me six years to make. When I finished that film I wanted to do something fancier so I wrote a much larger project involving even more effects shots and complexities. Here I am 10 years later working on a mountain of green screen composite shots and spending lots of time masking out background objects and mistakes. I intend to finish this project but I never intended to spend over 10 years making one movie. It's important to understand how long things take. If you green screen something or just plan to mask out something in post, be aware of how much time it takes.
Everything comes to you at a right time. Now I know why did I stumble upon on this video while travelling back home after completing a project thinking “what’s gonna be my next project be” and now I feel I know what’s gonna be my next. Thank you for the inspiring. ❤
Love this. We are doing this right now at my acting school in Orlando Florida. As part of our new marketing, we are implementing original short films as a way to expose our professional acting studio and our online course that is available. We are a professional acting school that trains in the meisner and checkout technique with a conservatory approach. I attended this school as a filmmaker, who wanted to learn how to work with real actors. Now we are combining forces and creating original short films with micro crews of 2 or 3 people (director, dp, and a PA) and letting the actors do their best work, coming in fully prepared. The quality of performance has really been amazing thus far. I really support this idea of filmmaking and the Hollywood system is not necessarily needed to tell captivating, truthful stories anymore!
As a solo film creator, relatively new as a solo creator mind you (I used to do salaried corporate commercial work), the good news is that the high-quality equipment accessible to me are things I can actually afford (like the Sony FX3, etc). So in a way, I am starting from a place where I am forced to do things on my own and think about projects independently. Because the barrier to entry for large teams and funding is not something I'm interested in after already coming from that world. I am happy to see channels like yours actually point out that this isn't something limited to only high-octane teams and millions in funding and confirming my career choice is doable the way I was hoping. With enough time and careful thought, compelling stories can be told.
I have been making documentaries in India for last 30 years. 20 years ago I started filming my stories. And 8 years since I have been editing my films, laying soundtracks arranging their music. It's a totally immersive experience of filmmaking. Obviously I agree fully with you. Thanks for your post. I feel there are other filmmakers going solo too. Keep it up! We will be the new tribe of filmmakers I am sure.
Did this in Greece. Got my feature on a few festivals, the biggest streaming platform here and had a limited release in the theaters. Willing to try to other traditional way too though
I totally love the idea of getting away from big Hollywood and making material for smaller markets. I absolutely believe that is the future of filmmaking, as it is already clearly headed that way. However, there are just as many pros as cons to collaborating with fewer or no other artists on writing, cinematography and production day management when directing. Having to focus on all 4 detracts from one's ability to focus a proper amount on the actors, and even if you hammer all that out in rehearsal, having fewer creatives to add input to the film means you have fewer good ideas to work with and choose from. not to mention, taking extra time to set up shots without a gaffer and to prepare actors in rehearsal means you are asking your actors to help carry that load, which may require the same amount of resources for compensation as when working with a small crew and using any extra time you get out of that to aid the creative aspects of the process. (taking more time on a project does not necessarily mean anything if it is taken up by you doing extra work-it just equalizes itself out.) so while I think it's certainly possible to make a decent film by yourself, and while it is tempting for those of us who crave creative control, I would not recommend it to most unless one cannot find anyone else who shares their vision. And being in that position while finding actors who are willing to wait the extra time is a pretty rare combination. Plus, a good DP usually has their own gear, and the more lights and lenses you have at your disposal, the better. that said, I can totally relate to wanting to write, direct, produce, DP, and edit your own work. But I'll never make another film without a solid AD, a knowledgeable gaffer who can also AC, and an air-tight script supervisor.
Great video. We are all dreamers and there is only one life. I say, do what you love to do everyday or for as often as you can. The world is better every time someone creates something new and enjoys the process. I use bulky Cameras and riggings but I work alone most of the time.
Absolutely agree with you. I started buying pro gear in 2018 for this purpose and now I'm currently shooting my first short. I don't like waiting, I don't like bowing down to the powers and definitely don't like hearing, "That won't work. You have to do it this way!" If you're in the LA area, let's grab some coffee and make a movie. Ha! Great video.
I'm returning to the industry after a 25 year break. There are more advantages today than when I was in film school shooting on 16mm and editing on flat beds. I watched Justin Lin editing on the Avid that was new and accessible only to the Master students in film and I could only drool. Now there are more prosumer grade toys, programs etc. yet it's still overwhelming and one requires collaboration--at least for me. I admire anyone that can be a hat of all film making trades like Gareth Edwards or you. I just finished writing my first full feature script and it's exhausting in the journey to find financing. Thanks for the encouragement! The more and more I don't get calls back or I'm ghosted by potential actors it only pushes me to go out and shoot it myself.
I just did a short where it took us 45 minutes to shoot it and we're in our first festival in Manhattan New York.. four people total on set.. My mentor was the DP for Orson Welles and he taught me how to shoot quick and efficient.. him and I did three short films together before he passed.. I vowed never to do another one.. I ended up getting the helios 44-2 and it lit a little bit of a spark under me to do another one.. But I literally came up with the idea in 15 minutes and shooting time was about 45 minutes.. longer if you add the Starbucks breaks and having to move due to noise.. But it's finished Is it the best film absolutely not.. But it was literally the funnest short film I've ever shot or been a part of.. and that evokes emotion and tells a story.. I think people think about doing films too much and they don't do... I've been in the business for over 20 years.. And this short film really gave me a different perspective on simplicity.. That's what my mentor Gary graver was all about.. simplicity and getting something done
This is what I currently do, I write my own script look for my own talent and find my location etc. I am currently filming and making my own shorts and plan on doing a full movie about a Army Veteran soon.
really needed to hear this. i feel like i've put in so much effort with cinematography and learning that craft, but it still feels like the road to traditional filmmaking is insanely far away. i talked to a friend of mine who is a colorist in the industry about how i can even begin to try and position myself as a DP on bigger sets. he essentially told me good luck and that i'd be eating shit for a decade before i got to even touch a camera on a hollywood set, which is just defeating. but with platforms like youtube being such a launchpad these days, and with gear becoming so attainable and high quality a low barrier of entry... there is no reason i shouldnt be making my own films that could end up in the festival circuit or with a distribution deal. and to be honest, i love working solo. i'm a full time freelancer, and a lot of my work is corporate documentary and live events where i am literally doing everything from the sale to the directing to the shooting and audio to the final edit. and i kind of love it that way. along with me just being a control freak and wanting that full creative freedom... i think there is some magic in being a bit of a generalist and knowing a decent bit about all of the different aspects of making a film. and there is absolutely something to be said for just doing stuff yourself for the love of it rather than pandering to all these studios who are solely concerned with their bottom line. the more i look into working in hollywood and the more i find myself working on sets with bigger teams... the more i feel myself not identifying with that original dream anymore. it was a bit of an identity crisis at first but im starting to see it as the chains being broken. thanks for this video, seriously. sometimes you just need to hear someone else say it.
This is so true, just had a catch up with a successful DP friend of mine and he doesn't even know what he's doing anymore. Essentially just pushes a few buttons on set these days, collects the check and that's it pretty much. He doesn't camera op anymore, doesn't even really have a place to be during shooting unless he wants to sit with the director and watch "the crappy monitor". They all say the same thing. You climb this huge mountain, get to the top and realize there is another mountain even bigger to climb.@@Crimsonengine
Made a feature almost just this same way. Took 3/4 years of side time with a colleague who wrote and narrated it. We self financed it while I performed all other production and post production roles (short of final sound mix) which while shooting entailed just myself with only one other person who was usually the one on screen. We released it online directly to audience in 2018 bypassing film festival gate keepers. It is the absolute best feature documentary film you’ve never heard of but was a joy to make with full creative control, little to no stress, and has also been financially successful. So go figure.
Im a web developer/indie filmmaker. I"m in the process of building a streaming service that address the 2 biggest obstacles we face as indie filmmaker. Funding and distribution and allow filmmakers to remain totally independent. And building because of what you stated in this video.
This is a great perspective of yours, and I go along with keeping the film as bound to your thoughts and creative finesse as can be yet I like the idea of having others - a few - not a hierachy you are obligated to obey - to give one (the filmmaker) fresh glimses on set and in the edit - after all, one does talk to actors about performance. It's also not so lonely. I like the filmmaking process to be a bit inclusive at least.
Abundance of movies, whether short or long, the numerous streaming platforms, and video-based social networks, all of this requires a quantity of films, shorts, documentaries, and production that the traditional Hollywood approach seems too slow to keep up with. It's unfortunate due to the precariousness of our work and perhaps the potential for lower financial returns, but at the same time, these given conditions appear to signify a structural and irreversible change in our way of producing. Excellent video!
Someone finally said it. Sometimes you have to decide if you want to keep waiting for someone else to share your vision and passion, or just tell your story the best way you know how.
I am also working alone. I started 6 years ago and learned the filming by my self. I made documentaries and music videos. I make editing and color grading also.
I've got to say that my hat is off to you and the others here who are doing well with "Solo Filmmaking"! My attempts at it have been heartbreaking, backbreaking, thankless, and oftentimes downright devastating. I live in Los Angeles, so maybe this has something to do with it. People here need to be paid, & I get that! So maybe it's just a matter of finding the right people to work together with? (that is a mountain of a hurdle to find in the first place). Working with amateurs would be the obvious choice, but that will honestly show on the screen. You may say it won't, but chances are many of those kind of films are honestly unwatchable. Plus, "solo" is really a bit of an exaggeration because just carrying a cinema camera, monitor, heavy-duty tripod, three batteries and a lens case to a location half a mile into the woods by yourself would be a bit of a stretch. You need at least one other person who's fully committed to the project with some amount of filmmaking knowledge to make it happen. This of course is not even considering any lights, generators, reflectors, C-stands, foam boards, props, costumes, make-up, LUNCH, water etc. etc. Kudos to those of you who are doing it, you must have one hell of a cast to help out! 😉
Is there like a Platform or UA-cam Channel with lots of short films or experimental film of many artists? would be so nice, to have a place like that to check different styles of cinematography... Im experimenting with film , with actor and dancers to tell more abstract stories or sometimes more concrete ones with the help of few friends that are also theater directos
Totally agree with you, with the decrease in price of cameras, lights editing equipment etc film making has opened up to small or solo makers, I am surprised so few people has seen this in the feature film area?
50 now. At 16, made a few B&W PXL-2000 shorts with miniatures, and stop motioned it with 2 VCRs. Not even closely associated with anyone in the arts anywhere, so went solo by default. Looking back, a cross section of people were impacted, and remembered them. Appealed to arts crowd, and the blue collars. Something was working, but didn't know it until later. Made the HUGE mistake of going to college instead of shopping the work around. Later worked crew union on others people's movies for years until I needed to leave. Never went back "solo", but should have. Whole purpose of schooling, and crew work, was to branch out and meet people, and that ended up being a mistake. Despite having a credit on the #1 all time movie on imdb, making the little stop motion movies with a wild Fisher Price pixel camera was the most rewarding experience. Never thought I'd lose nearly all interest in filmmaking. Too much content. Not enough time to leave an impression anymore. Also digital never captivated me like film stock does. ON THE PLUS side - the change is underway. The strikes are going to clean house. INDIE will be returning by default. My wild guess is that if INDIE filmmakers went back and made tight, well cast 90 to 105 minute genre pictures they no longer make (fish out of water, erotic thriller, romantic comedy, buddy action comedy etc.). Making agenda free timeless genre movies would be "edgy indie" right now. Currently, I've been going back to 80s 90s studio films I never saw, and even the bad ones are more pleasurable to sit through than any current Netflix made movie. And they were shot on film!!!
You just got yourself a new subscriber, I applaud your thoughts and actions on filmmaking it is without a doubt the way to go, I’ve been doing solo filmmaking for a couple of years now, it’s not easy but it doesn’t matter because I love putting the work into it and I know I’m getting better at it every time, times have radically changed and this industry is nowhere near what it was a few years back and when you understand there are no limitations but the once inflicted by ourselves the world of creativity opens up a whole new set of possibilities, for instance (and it’s not to brag or anything like that) I just shot a an entire short film with a $55 dollar 25mm lens and the results are shocking, I mean it looks like I spent thousands of dollars, anyway I could go on and on….great to come across with you and thanks for your content. Cheers 🎥🎬
I spent 20 years trying to "make it" in LA... Went from crews of 40 now just down to me as crew and actor I filmed a feature in 5 days this way. It wasn't good but it was a start
I definitely agree theres a lot of potential in this approach. Much like music being moved from big studios to home studios with self produced artists/composers
I've been a solo filmmaker for the past 5 years and I have done some short films and am looking forward to making a feature film too I was frightened that this would be way difficult but you encouraged me
A really poignant and timely video. Completely agree with you. Having said that - in my experience it has been quite a challenge, but it can be done. As you mentioned, with practice and experience, you continue to hone your skills and sharpen your artistic eye - across the overall vision. Lot's and lots of prep and "The slower the better" - as long as you find and work with people (cast and few crew/helpers) you trust and they understand the pace and process of what you're attempting to achieve and are on board and supportive, then it can be very rewarding as a story teller. Cheers, from down under.
This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my UA-cam channel 8 months ago about self development. Now I have 937 subs and > 800 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.
I'd like to see more solo shooters collaborate with theatre productions. Connect with an existing indie theatre production that's already written and rehearsed. Then take the cast on location and shoot the play. Edit, master, done.
Solo filmmaking will definitely be the future with all the new technology available! I actually shot an effects driven sci-fi action short pretty much by myself!
This is the way. Ive shot several feature films like this…small crew, with a multicam technique using lav mics and with agile yet effective lighting gear.
I've always viewed filmmaking as a collaborative art. As someone who works in a silo for a day job (commercial production where I'm writing, producing, shooting, and editing), I hate it. I love working with other people and sharing the experience. So... to each their own.
and that's fine that you want the collaborative experience for filmmaking. i enjoy the collaborative experience of making films too, BUT i think the important take away here is that we shouldn't all be FORCED to have a collaborative experience as the ONLY WAY to tell our stories in film. "Film is a collaborative medium" has been the buzzphrase for my entire life, but instead of that being a badge of honor, I see mandatory collaboration as also the achilles heel of our industry. Creatives in every other medium have a CHOICE. In music you can do the Rolling Stones thing and it's all about collaborative live performance with a band and an audience. You can do the Billie Eillish thing and it's just her and her brother in his bedroom. You can do the Deadmaus thing and it's all just one guy with a macbook pro. So yeh the collaborative experience of film is absolutely great, I enjoy it to death. But I'm just as thrilled that technology is advancing to the point that I can make movies with no one but me, and even with NO CAMERAS (ai, unreal engine, etc.) - without waiting, without begging for money, without putting my idea on the shelf for some time in the murky future when i'll have the budget to realize it.
sorry, but another pet peeve of mine - because i am an editor among other things - is that mofos in the film industry will say "film is a collaborative art. film is a collaborative art." but then they'll leave an editor on her own in the edit lab after they've had all their collaborative fun on set, and not check on her for months, cuz the post-production process simply isn't as fun. but film is so collaborative, yeh right!
i’ve worked on both sides (on set in the camera department and with g&e and in post as an editor and collaborator.) the good directors especially, wanna be with you during the process, and have a good flow as to when to give free reign and when they wanna give notes and feedback. so yeah. it’s a relationship and it is a collaborative effort. and sometimes, like anything, it can be really great or quite shit. ymmv
Love this! I think tech is definitely pushing us more and more in this direction as it gets more advanced and more accessible. Almost any camera nowadays can yield really good results with lights/audio/editing tools making it more and more possible. And yes, with things like UA-cam enabling us to share our work with larger audiences, this old school Hollywood model is becoming outdated and less and less appealing. Thanks for sharing!
What you are saying is what I am doing. My issue is I do not know the terms at all. I have a directors cinematic vlog style and DP so I don't have anyone. I am solo. Great Message. I wish I could find people in my area who thought like me and want to just have fun making stories. Namaste Dave Ross
Brother I like the way you taking effort to educate people from what you learn by your own working experiences. Let me say this to be honest it helps me a lot 👍 I wishing you all success in your personal and film making life bro ❤
I agree with you on a number of points. However, you have one key advantage over many young filmmakers I deal with as a film school professor. You are older and have gained more life experiences that help your storytelling vision. Intellectual and emotional maturity are essential to telling a good story.
You're exactly right, I think of how the French New Wave filmmakers of the 60s reinvented cinema with their run-and-gun approach and how it'd be even easier in this day and age and yet it's still not done. I've recently sold all my bulky equipment and trimmed everything down to stuff I can carry in a rucksack and a suitcase and I'm ready to start making the films I want to make!
Been there, done that. It is liberating and nerve wracking. The filming was ok but the post was and is a nightmare due an editor that dropped out and then COVID wiped out my freelance work which was supposed to pay for the special effects. My advice is have at least one person on the crew that is a swiss army knife and can step in do many jobs. Then get an editor or solid assistant editor.
You mentioned how great cameras, lenses and lights are but I’d like to point out how much better more forgiving 32 Bit audio is in that like RAW you can fix many things after the fact. A Tentacle Sync Track E does 32bit audio and timecode! That’s crazy.
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Brother, I've been solo filmmaker for the past 15-17 years. I've shot my own stories and shot for other writers / producers as well. Shooting one in Next month (preping now). Since 2010, I've shot and produced over 8 full length indie films. All out in different major streaming platforms. From Peakcock to iTunes to Google Play to Amazon Prime. So, yes sir! Solo indie route is for sure the future. Best wishes brethren. 👍🏾💯
Man congratulations bru💯 is there anywhere I can see sone of your films please send the link that’s💯🍿
That is so inspirational - would love to see some of your films please send us some links here
Do you operate like a young man, like 18-20 years old? I'm thinking that older people who operate in Hollywood are drenched in their way of doing business. You are an inspiration to others who want to break out and do their own video without the constraints of others.
@@bondgabebond4907 😆😆😆😆 Not quite like a young man, however, I do move pretty fast on set. Been doing it for so long, my body is use to it. And thank you for your kind words.
Nice bro! Share the links!!
“one man writes a novel, one man writes a symphony. it is essential that one man make a film.” -Stanley Kubrick
And he is probably the best of all time, in my opinion at least.
or woman :)
Quantos filmes o kubrick fez sozinho?
@@MyNameJeff..Nunca assistiu Glauber Rocha?
@@demiloca Or how about no?
I'll beat this drum until it breaks: Local community theaters! Pitch them a wacky/unique idea, or grab a show they're performing (many of which are already rights-free) and collaborate to make it a movie.
Someone I know did this exact thing recently! The whole short was done in one shot. They shot it three times and then took the best take.
+1 to getting in your local community theater scene!
I had one of my features shown at a local cinema charity event. There was a turnout of about 150 in a small village in Western Australia. Great fun and really rewarding. But it doesn't pay.
@@overland-workshopI should probably clarify, “community theater” (at least in my region) doesn’t mean “movie” theater. It refers to local acting troupes where people volunteer and put on stage performances of different plays/musicals. The idea is that you network with one such group and offer to turn their performance into a movie. :)
I shot a short this way for a friend. She wrote, directed and acted in it with one other actor. We drove from LA to Arizona for one day, turned around and went to Joshua Tree for two nights and filmed scenes in an airbnb and on the land. Sound was loaned to us by someone in the industry so it was the full boom on a stand with I think 3 different levels being recorded at the same time. I filmed everything hand held and natural light using my Sony Fx3 and one lens. They are incredible actors so we would do a few takes and move on. She's using it as a proof of concept for her tv show idea, but beyond that it showed me how relatively easy it is with the right talent on camera to go solo beyond run/gun docs.
As an introvert director I find this to be the best arrangement. We get to focus on the story, the one thing that matters the most.
100% Making my first feature. Decided I didn’t want to ‘ask permission’ and to just go for it. I’m about 1/4 way through. Loving what I’m getting, and it’s much more idiosyncratic than my previous work. I’m embracing the lo-fi and enjoying being able to make bold decisions without having to explain. More of this content!!
I have been a solo filmmaker for nearly twenty years now, for me I found the most enjoyment in taking ownership of a project and over the years I have built skills in other aspects of filmmaking. Good Video, Thanks!
Really cool to hear the perspective of someone who has created both solo and as part of a large production team
You are crystallizing the thoughts I’ve had for ages about filmmaking. I worked on a TV show with a crew of about 8, and I felt like we were getting more done per day than a crew of 50, and a lot of those approaches could work for narrative film too. All on location, mostly natural light, and really smart use of the time we had. I’m itching to try those techniques as a solo or even small crew production. Thanks for articulating this idea so well.
I actually find it’s the lighting and grip side of things that is harder to pull of with a small crew. Literally just the weight of lights and stands and carrying around of set elements, large props etc.
I hear you. Even one small light takes time to move and set up.
Good point
It doesn't have to be that way though. The burden is on the writer and/or director to just not do it that way.
I really like this topic.
Glad to hear that YT has reignited the flame for you. Happy for you, man.
Here Here! I love every word of what you just said. I agree whole heartedly, especially at age 65 as I don’t have decades to make it big. I much rather do just as you described. I can’t wait to see what you do next as a solo artist! And you Canon Masterclass is so amazing. Very helpful with my getting to know my new C70! Thanks for everything!
...and I am 67. I believe with our experience (age) we have something important to say.
Amazing! Just shot a feature length doc this last year. Thank you for making me feel like I am not out of my mind!
Totally agree. I am going with this path. You learn to be creative and frugal with making films and you have full control of your film. The key is to have a budget and get started as soon as possible while learning the process; it is a win-win situation.
What you're describing is called Cinéma vérité, and it's what Godard has started with the introduction of compact Bolex 16mm cameras. If you ask me - we have it even better today with how accessible and easy to use good gear has become.
I shoot often with a 2-3 person crew and enjoy it for the reasons you stated. I think trying to do it all yourself though is really, really difficult. But I do think that doing it with a small crew, as you described, a camera person/DP, a gaffer lighting type person and a sound person is very workable. Of course, this approach precludes you from conceptual hair and makeup, costumes become a huge challenge, what about props, sets, practical effects? You become quite limited in the types of stories you can tell, the mise en scène you can create by yourself, unless you have many months and lots of time and resources to create it.
There is a reason why filmmaking has evolved to a collaborative medium. Most single person shot projects I've seen are kind of visually boring, usually dialog driven, because it is really difficult to stage larger scenes when you have to do half a dozen people's jobs by yourself. For a certain way of telling stories though, this approach can work and work well if you plan and are clever about how you approach it.
I think as AI takes over our industry more and more, large crewed production will become a thing of the past. The studios are hell bent on making films in computers utilizing AI, as the recent strikes have proven, eliminating all humans, as much as possible. Using AI and virtual tech is Hollywood's future. Eliminating messy, inconsistent and expensive humans from the process has become a corporate mandate for the studios. As soon as the studios make a few films that make a huge profit this way, the film industry as we know it will cease to exist. We've already seen this happen on much smaller scales but this upcoming shift will essentially redefine what filmed entertainment is. It won't be filmed anymore. Writers, actors and crews will be eliminated from Hollywood level filmmaking. Five years? Three Years? Ten Years? Its definitely coming.
At that point, human filmmakers who still want to make films will have no choice but to work solo or with tiny crews of other humans and or AI powered robotics. I have no idea what indie, small film distribution looks like at that point but it will be radically different than what it is today. Will anyone be able to make a profit and or a living making films this way? Hard to say.
i believe your vision of filmmaking's future is on point. and i think it's fantastic! chances are we will naturally move to a state where MORE MOVIES will each make LESS MONEY. and that's fine because it means a ton of opportunity for independent filmmakers like me. I prefer a world where 10 million film creatives make $100K/year vs. today's world where 1,000 creatives make $10 million/year (these exact numbers are hypothetical to illustrate a conceptual point)
case in point: Forbes reported earlier this year that over 2 million UA-camrs make over $100K/year. that already eclipses Hollywood in sheer numbers of people able to earn a decent living, and that's just one content based social media platform vs. all of Hollywood. Hence why UA-cam has more eyeballs than Hollywood, because anyone can create, thus UA-cam is tapped into a much more diverse nearly unlimited pool of creative talent globally pouring into it, while Hollywood remains an extremely walled off garden that no one can get into. Per definition Hollywood will lose the eyeball race this way, until the structure opens it up and more creatives can get in there create and have a shot at attracting audience attention. 1,000 creatives will never win the attention and creativity race against 8 billion, no matter how much money they have.
We are doing exactly what you are talking about. I have a couple of friends I met in film school and we are each now doing our own feature films. We have been doing shorts for many years and we decided it's time to step our game and start doing feature films. We are having a blast. Each of us is the writter and director of our own film and we help eachother out as needed. The great thing about film making is it is a great team activity where there is no feeling of competition. Each of us wants to do all we can to help all of our films be the best they can be. There is nothing like writing a cool story and then doing all you can to bring it alive on the big screen!
I always appreciate your content, and feel I’ve been lucky to pivot ahead of the industry, and this is exactly what I’ve (somehow) managed to move towards in the last year. Thank you for making this.
I'm on this path for a while now. It's impressive how much the world changed and we still try to work like a century ago. We have a lot to learn from theater...
Robert Rodriguez did this with "El Mariachi" back in 1992, so yeah the concept is viable. Rodriguez's book, "Rebel Without a Crew," is required reading for any aspiring film maker.
I love the way you expressed your ideas. Thanks for sharing.
WISDOM! In the tornado of mediocrity of youtuber videographer dudes trying to hock their kit or reviewing gear, this is first really inspiring take I've heard in ages. Much love from an aspiring solo documentary story teller.
This is a great video and I'm glad to see there's a bunch of us thinking the same thing. My last few projects have been completely solo apart from the actors, I rig up my camera with a mic attached and get going. One of my films just hit a major film festival and now I'm submitting it to more! I can shoot entire short films in a day (With a lot of planning) I truly think a team of 2/3 is IDEAL - Someone on sound and someone to mess around with the lights.
Submitting to a film festival costs $$ and does not make you money. That is not a business model. That is a hobby.
@@robertruffo2134 case in point. all the gatekeeper-y ness of many in the film industry, trying to keep hollywood as a walled castle while in the meantime keeping the creative growth of movie industry stunted. how bout you suggest what homeboy SHOULD DO, and encourage, instead of attempting to denigrate him in a public forum by calling him a hobbyist for his efforts.
@@robertruffo2134and just to be clear why this statement is dead wrong. i've submitted a number of shorts to film festivals, gotten eyes on my work, and in EVERY CASE i've generated paid work off someone contacting me who has seen my work in a festival. So while the film itself isn't generating direct ticketed revenue via festivals, it is moving the needle on my career by growing my network and attracting me paid clients.
@@robertruffo2134 Once upon a time I'm sure a canvas, easel, paint brush, oil based and acrylic paints would've been financially impossible to acquire by the common man.
Technology evolves and simplifies itself. No art form should remain monopolized by corporations and billionaires alone.
@@robertruffo2134
"That is a hobby." -- As it very well should be.
Thank you soooooo very much. This has been both liberating and empowering. Continued Peace and Prosperity to you.
I make short docs and I love working solo … from writing to editing and everything in between. This works very well for what I do and what I want to do. For narrative work, I have no idea how I would pull it off 100% solo so mad respect for anyone who can.
But working solo in doc is so fun and provides opportunities to get to know the subjects very very well that’s just not possible with 2 or more people lurking around while filming. And solo gives unparalleled flexibility in docs when the nature of the work can’t be scheduled or planned scene to scene without destroying the story.
I realize this won’t work for most people though.
It’s intentionally been a solo revive for me the past three years. I am planning to keep it simple and wear all hats, been putting the hours to learn every bit that can help me and i want to enjoy the process and get help only when i need to. But i am only interested in making short mostly documentary films so i understand how hard that can be for narrative filmmaking but i encourage you to keep exploring. 🤞
i've been doing that. 1 person film crew and that's me, i use to be that director with a large film crew and cast and as time went along it became less and less and i realized in order to get it done just gotta be me, my camera, lights and talent. my latest feature film started back in March of this year, The curse of Claire Stephens will blow you away and people, will think it was with a nice size film crew, nope just me. Have taken all my talent, skills, and teachings and have made a magnificent feature film due out next year. its best to just work alone with a small cast and go out and make a movie. some people will say i can't do it with out a crew, those that got the money to hire a crew is cool but i no longer depend on people to help back a film, i'd never get it started from waiting on them. but now days, got my awesome 4k blackmagic rig set up with 8 hours of power, portable lights, tripod, plug in lights and plenty of super long extension cords lol. no more excuses of not having this or that, just pick up your gear, grab the script, call up talent, arrive at location on time, film it have fun and before you know it your heading back home to do the editing. oppose to those people asking and begging for money, i've already completed a feature film 80 minutes running time. so keep waiting on that money i'll be working on my next one before they withdrawal that fund raiser money lol.
Absolutely! If you have a compelling story to tell (show), do it solo! And whatever camera you have is the best camera for the job.
Thank you, you light up my day in the darkest hours!
Super inspiring message. Thank you, man. I needed to hear this. I've been shooting solo for a while now and it's made me feel as if I am not doing it right because I don't have a team. Again, thank you.
Solo micro short films. That’s the future. At least for independent, unknown to little know filmmakers such as myself. I shot my last short ‘The Street Photographer’ solo, and it did better than I ever thought (selected at 6 film festivals) without the ‘limitations’ of ‘others’ involved in the production process.
No more Hollywood games. Cheers my friend! I hope you had a great time in Jamaica! 🇯🇲
I can dig it. You and Noam Kroll are on the same page regarding experimenting with the various ways to make a film and tell your story.
I've been trying the (mostly) solo filmmaking approach for about 15 years. The quality of my films aren't wonderful but I can make whatever I want and finance my own projects. The biggest problem I've ran into was that I didn't time budget very well. My first movie Space Trucker Bruce took me six years to make. When I finished that film I wanted to do something fancier so I wrote a much larger project involving even more effects shots and complexities. Here I am 10 years later working on a mountain of green screen composite shots and spending lots of time masking out background objects and mistakes. I intend to finish this project but I never intended to spend over 10 years making one movie. It's important to understand how long things take. If you green screen something or just plan to mask out something in post, be aware of how much time it takes.
Everything comes to you at a right time. Now I know why did I stumble upon on this video while travelling back home after completing a project thinking “what’s gonna be my next project be” and now I feel I know what’s gonna be my next.
Thank you for the inspiring. ❤
Love this. We are doing this right now at my acting school in Orlando Florida. As part of our new marketing, we are implementing original short films as a way to expose our professional acting studio and our online course that is available. We are a professional acting school that trains in the meisner and checkout technique with a conservatory approach. I attended this school as a filmmaker, who wanted to learn how to work with real actors. Now we are combining forces and creating original short films with micro crews of 2 or 3 people (director, dp, and a PA) and letting the actors do their best work, coming in fully prepared. The quality of performance has really been amazing thus far. I really support this idea of filmmaking and the Hollywood system is not necessarily needed to tell captivating, truthful stories anymore!
agree with you to some extent. hope you do keep your passion on film making as it is
I am currently doing this. 👍
As a solo film creator, relatively new as a solo creator mind you (I used to do salaried corporate commercial work), the good news is that the high-quality equipment accessible to me are things I can actually afford (like the Sony FX3, etc). So in a way, I am starting from a place where I am forced to do things on my own and think about projects independently. Because the barrier to entry for large teams and funding is not something I'm interested in after already coming from that world. I am happy to see channels like yours actually point out that this isn't something limited to only high-octane teams and millions in funding and confirming my career choice is doable the way I was hoping. With enough time and careful thought, compelling stories can be told.
This is exactly what I do. Short 5 to 10 mins videos and I get better every time.
This video is literally made for me! I'm in my solo filmmaking journey for a while now, and this video just got me hyped up.
I have been making documentaries in India for last 30 years. 20 years ago I started filming my stories. And 8 years since I have been editing my films, laying soundtracks arranging their music. It's a totally immersive experience of filmmaking. Obviously I agree fully with you. Thanks for your post. I feel there are other filmmakers going solo too. Keep it up! We will be the new tribe of filmmakers I am sure.
Did this in Greece. Got my feature on a few festivals, the biggest streaming platform here and had a limited release in the theaters. Willing to try to other traditional way too though
I totally love the idea of getting away from big Hollywood and making material for smaller markets. I absolutely believe that is the future of filmmaking, as it is already clearly headed that way.
However, there are just as many pros as cons to collaborating with fewer or no other artists on writing, cinematography and production day management when directing. Having to focus on all 4 detracts from one's ability to focus a proper amount on the actors, and even if you hammer all that out in rehearsal, having fewer creatives to add input to the film means you have fewer good ideas to work with and choose from.
not to mention, taking extra time to set up shots without a gaffer and to prepare actors in rehearsal means you are asking your actors to help carry that load, which may require the same amount of resources for compensation as when working with a small crew and using any extra time you get out of that to aid the creative aspects of the process. (taking more time on a project does not necessarily mean anything if it is taken up by you doing extra work-it just equalizes itself out.)
so while I think it's certainly possible to make a decent film by yourself, and while it is tempting for those of us who crave creative control, I would not recommend it to most unless one cannot find anyone else who shares their vision. And being in that position while finding actors who are willing to wait the extra time is a pretty rare combination.
Plus, a good DP usually has their own gear, and the more lights and lenses you have at your disposal, the better.
that said, I can totally relate to wanting to write, direct, produce, DP, and edit your own work. But I'll never make another film without a solid AD, a knowledgeable gaffer who can also AC, and an air-tight script supervisor.
Great video. We are all dreamers and there is only one life. I say, do what you love to do everyday or for as often as you can. The world is better every time someone creates something new and enjoys the process. I use bulky Cameras and riggings but I work alone most of the time.
Absolutely agree with you. I started buying pro gear in 2018 for this purpose and now I'm currently shooting my first short. I don't like waiting, I don't like bowing down to the powers and definitely don't like hearing, "That won't work. You have to do it this way!" If you're in the LA area, let's grab some coffee and make a movie. Ha! Great video.
Yes there are many of us! Thank you!! Great synthesis. Hirs home
I feel this video so much. I feel like this is the style I'm most interested in.
I'm returning to the industry after a 25 year break. There are more advantages today than when I was in film school shooting on 16mm and editing on flat beds. I watched Justin Lin editing on the Avid that was new and accessible only to the Master students in film and I could only drool. Now there are more prosumer grade toys, programs etc. yet it's still overwhelming and one requires collaboration--at least for me. I admire anyone that can be a hat of all film making trades like Gareth Edwards or you. I just finished writing my first full feature script and it's exhausting in the journey to find financing. Thanks for the encouragement! The more and more I don't get calls back or I'm ghosted by potential actors it only pushes me to go out and shoot it myself.
I deeply resonate with this video! Thank you for making this
I just did a short where it took us 45 minutes to shoot it and we're in our first festival in Manhattan New York.. four people total on set.. My mentor was the DP for Orson Welles and he taught me how to shoot quick and efficient.. him and I did three short films together before he passed.. I vowed never to do another one.. I ended up getting the helios 44-2 and it lit a little bit of a spark under me to do another one.. But I literally came up with the idea in 15 minutes and shooting time was about 45 minutes.. longer if you add the Starbucks breaks and having to move due to noise.. But it's finished Is it the best film absolutely not.. But it was literally the funnest short film I've ever shot or been a part of.. and that evokes emotion and tells a story.. I think people think about doing films too much and they don't do... I've been in the business for over 20 years.. And this short film really gave me a different perspective on simplicity.. That's what my mentor Gary graver was all about.. simplicity and getting something done
Thank you for sharing this :)
This is what I currently do, I write my own script look for my own talent and find my location etc. I am currently filming and making my own shorts and plan on doing a full movie about a Army Veteran soon.
really needed to hear this. i feel like i've put in so much effort with cinematography and learning that craft, but it still feels like the road to traditional filmmaking is insanely far away. i talked to a friend of mine who is a colorist in the industry about how i can even begin to try and position myself as a DP on bigger sets. he essentially told me good luck and that i'd be eating shit for a decade before i got to even touch a camera on a hollywood set, which is just defeating. but with platforms like youtube being such a launchpad these days, and with gear becoming so attainable and high quality a low barrier of entry... there is no reason i shouldnt be making my own films that could end up in the festival circuit or with a distribution deal.
and to be honest, i love working solo. i'm a full time freelancer, and a lot of my work is corporate documentary and live events where i am literally doing everything from the sale to the directing to the shooting and audio to the final edit. and i kind of love it that way. along with me just being a control freak and wanting that full creative freedom... i think there is some magic in being a bit of a generalist and knowing a decent bit about all of the different aspects of making a film. and there is absolutely something to be said for just doing stuff yourself for the love of it rather than pandering to all these studios who are solely concerned with their bottom line. the more i look into working in hollywood and the more i find myself working on sets with bigger teams... the more i feel myself not identifying with that original dream anymore. it was a bit of an identity crisis at first but im starting to see it as the chains being broken. thanks for this video, seriously. sometimes you just need to hear someone else say it.
The irony is that big set filmmaking isn’t that fun. It pays well, but most department heads are miserable.
@@Crimsonengine But, the question is... Where to show these films?
On UA-cam?
Are these films will be viable enough to get bread and butter?
@@Satyam_Mehta A lot of big Hollywood films lose money so it's not like that's a guaranteed path to profitability either.
This is so true, just had a catch up with a successful DP friend of mine and he doesn't even know what he's doing anymore. Essentially just pushes a few buttons on set these days, collects the check and that's it pretty much. He doesn't camera op anymore, doesn't even really have a place to be during shooting unless he wants to sit with the director and watch "the crappy monitor". They all say the same thing. You climb this huge mountain, get to the top and realize there is another mountain even bigger to climb.@@Crimsonengine
Made a feature almost just this same way. Took 3/4 years of side time with a colleague who wrote and narrated it. We self financed it while I performed all other production and post production roles (short of final sound mix) which while shooting entailed just myself with only one other person who was usually the one on screen. We released it online directly to audience in 2018 bypassing film festival gate keepers. It is the absolute best feature documentary film you’ve never heard of but was a joy to make with full creative control, little to no stress, and has also been financially successful. So go figure.
Congrats! Sounds great! Link please😊
Great video. I have been trying to do something like this for a while. Thanks for this. I'm going to look into your courses as well.
As a director who has been trying to get my feature film financed for the past four years and I feel ready to just start this way.
Im a web developer/indie filmmaker. I"m in the process of building a streaming service that address the 2 biggest obstacles we face as indie filmmaker. Funding and distribution and allow filmmakers to remain totally independent. And building because of what you stated in this video.
I agree with this. I’ve been doing it for almost ten years. Every film maker will be their own distributor and network.
This is a great perspective of yours, and I go along with keeping the film as bound to your thoughts and creative finesse as can be yet I like the idea of having others - a few - not a hierachy you are obligated to obey - to give one (the filmmaker) fresh glimses on set and in the edit - after all, one does talk to actors about performance. It's also not so lonely. I like the filmmaking process to be a bit inclusive at least.
I am just starting to start exploring this. Wish me luck.
Abundance of movies, whether short or long, the numerous streaming platforms, and video-based social networks, all of this requires a quantity of films, shorts, documentaries, and production that the traditional Hollywood approach seems too slow to keep up with. It's unfortunate due to the precariousness of our work and perhaps the potential for lower financial returns, but at the same time, these given conditions appear to signify a structural and irreversible change in our way of producing. Excellent video!
Someone finally said it. Sometimes you have to decide if you want to keep waiting for someone else to share your vision and passion, or just tell your story the best way you know how.
Absolutely the way to go!
I am also working alone. I started 6 years ago and learned the filming by my self. I made documentaries and music videos. I make editing and color grading also.
That's called videomaking.
I've got to say that my hat is off to you and the others here who are doing well with "Solo Filmmaking"! My attempts at it have been heartbreaking, backbreaking, thankless, and oftentimes downright devastating. I live in Los Angeles, so maybe this has something to do with it. People here need to be paid, & I get that! So maybe it's just a matter of finding the right people to work together with? (that is a mountain of a hurdle to find in the first place). Working with amateurs would be the obvious choice, but that will honestly show on the screen. You may say it won't, but chances are many of those kind of films are honestly unwatchable. Plus, "solo" is really a bit of an exaggeration because just carrying a cinema camera, monitor, heavy-duty tripod, three batteries and a lens case to a location half a mile into the woods by yourself would be a bit of a stretch. You need at least one other person who's fully committed to the project with some amount of filmmaking knowledge to make it happen. This of course is not even considering any lights, generators, reflectors, C-stands, foam boards, props, costumes, make-up, LUNCH, water etc. etc. Kudos to those of you who are doing it, you must have one hell of a cast to help out! 😉
Is there like a Platform or UA-cam Channel with lots of short films or experimental film of many artists? would be so nice, to have a place like that to check different styles of cinematography...
Im experimenting with film , with actor and dancers to tell more abstract stories or sometimes more concrete ones with the help of few friends that are also theater directos
This is the best content I've consumed today.
Totally agree with you, with the decrease in price of cameras, lights editing equipment etc film making has opened up to small or solo makers, I am surprised so few people has seen this in the feature film area?
50 now. At 16, made a few B&W PXL-2000 shorts with miniatures, and stop motioned it with 2 VCRs. Not even closely associated with anyone in the arts anywhere, so went solo by default. Looking back, a cross section of people were impacted, and remembered them. Appealed to arts crowd, and the blue collars. Something was working, but didn't know it until later. Made the HUGE mistake of going to college instead of shopping the work around. Later worked crew union on others people's movies for years until I needed to leave. Never went back "solo", but should have. Whole purpose of schooling, and crew work, was to branch out and meet people, and that ended up being a mistake. Despite having a credit on the #1 all time movie on imdb, making the little stop motion movies with a wild Fisher Price pixel camera was the most rewarding experience.
Never thought I'd lose nearly all interest in filmmaking. Too much content. Not enough time to leave an impression anymore. Also digital never captivated me like film stock does.
ON THE PLUS side - the change is underway. The strikes are going to clean house. INDIE will be returning by default. My wild guess is that if INDIE filmmakers went back and made tight, well cast 90 to 105 minute genre pictures they no longer make (fish out of water, erotic thriller, romantic comedy, buddy action comedy etc.). Making agenda free timeless genre movies would be "edgy indie" right now. Currently, I've been going back to 80s 90s studio films I never saw, and even the bad ones are more pleasurable to sit through than any current Netflix made movie. And they were shot on film!!!
Great to hear your story.
This might be the clearest video I have ever seen on UA-cam
You just got yourself a new subscriber, I applaud your thoughts and actions on filmmaking it is without a doubt the way to go, I’ve been doing solo filmmaking for a couple of years now, it’s not easy but it doesn’t matter because I love putting the work into it and I know I’m getting better at it every time, times have radically changed and this industry is nowhere near what it was a few years back and when you understand there are no limitations but the once inflicted by ourselves the world of creativity opens up a whole new set of possibilities, for instance (and it’s not to brag or anything like that) I just shot a an entire short film with a $55 dollar 25mm lens and the results are shocking, I mean it looks like I spent thousands of dollars, anyway I could go on and on….great to come across with you and thanks for your content. Cheers 🎥🎬
I spent 20 years trying to "make it" in LA... Went from crews of 40 now just down to me as crew and actor I filmed a feature in 5 days this way. It wasn't good but it was a start
I definitely agree theres a lot of potential in this approach. Much like music being moved from big studios to home studios with self produced artists/composers
Awesome video. This is how I make my films too!
I've been a solo filmmaker for the past 5 years and I have done some short films and am looking forward to making a feature film too I was frightened that this would be way difficult but you encouraged me
love the lighting!!!
A really poignant and timely video. Completely agree with you. Having said that - in my experience it has been quite a challenge, but it can be done. As you mentioned, with practice and experience, you continue to hone your skills and sharpen your artistic eye - across the overall vision. Lot's and lots of prep and "The slower the better" - as long as you find and work with people (cast and few crew/helpers) you trust and they understand the pace and process of what you're attempting to achieve and are on board and supportive, then it can be very rewarding as a story teller. Cheers, from down under.
This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my UA-cam channel 8 months ago about self development. Now I have 937 subs and > 800 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.
I agree, it can be very hard but also very rewarding!
I'd like to see more solo shooters collaborate with theatre productions. Connect with an existing indie theatre production that's already written and rehearsed. Then take the cast on location and shoot the play. Edit, master, done.
brilliant idea!
Solo filmmaking will definitely be the future with all the new technology available! I actually shot an effects driven sci-fi action short pretty much by myself!
Come look at what we have been doing over here. My crew is myself and my cast is my neighbors. Love channel btw. Keep creating.
Great thinking! Working in solitude (mainly mentally), if you have talent, is often times the best way to get things *good* ... ;)
This is the way. Ive shot several feature films like this…small crew, with a multicam technique using lav mics and with agile yet effective lighting gear.
Superb work dear. Keep it up
You hit the nail on the head!
I've always viewed filmmaking as a collaborative art. As someone who works in a silo for a day job (commercial production where I'm writing, producing, shooting, and editing), I hate it. I love working with other people and sharing the experience. So... to each their own.
and that's fine that you want the collaborative experience for filmmaking. i enjoy the collaborative experience of making films too, BUT i think the important take away here is that we shouldn't all be FORCED to have a collaborative experience as the ONLY WAY to tell our stories in film. "Film is a collaborative medium" has been the buzzphrase for my entire life, but instead of that being a badge of honor, I see mandatory collaboration as also the achilles heel of our industry. Creatives in every other medium have a CHOICE. In music you can do the Rolling Stones thing and it's all about collaborative live performance with a band and an audience. You can do the Billie Eillish thing and it's just her and her brother in his bedroom. You can do the Deadmaus thing and it's all just one guy with a macbook pro. So yeh the collaborative experience of film is absolutely great, I enjoy it to death. But I'm just as thrilled that technology is advancing to the point that I can make movies with no one but me, and even with NO CAMERAS (ai, unreal engine, etc.) - without waiting, without begging for money, without putting my idea on the shelf for some time in the murky future when i'll have the budget to realize it.
sorry, but another pet peeve of mine - because i am an editor among other things - is that mofos in the film industry will say "film is a collaborative art. film is a collaborative art." but then they'll leave an editor on her own in the edit lab after they've had all their collaborative fun on set, and not check on her for months, cuz the post-production process simply isn't as fun. but film is so collaborative, yeh right!
@@DarionDAnjou sounds to me like you’ve worked with some crappy collaborators.
i’ve worked on both sides (on set in the camera department and with g&e and in post as an editor and collaborator.) the good directors especially, wanna be with you during the process, and have a good flow as to when to give free reign and when they wanna give notes and feedback. so yeah. it’s a relationship and it is a collaborative effort. and sometimes, like anything, it can be really great or quite shit. ymmv
editor and colorist. sorry typo there.
Agree! In hong kong commercial job start small crew already a long time
Love this! I think tech is definitely pushing us more and more in this direction as it gets more advanced and more accessible. Almost any camera nowadays can yield really good results with lights/audio/editing tools making it more and more possible. And yes, with things like UA-cam enabling us to share our work with larger audiences, this old school Hollywood model is becoming outdated and less and less appealing. Thanks for sharing!
What you are saying is what I am doing. My issue is I do not know the terms at all.
I have a directors cinematic vlog style and DP so I don't have anyone. I am solo.
Great Message.
I wish I could find people in my area who thought like me and want to just have fun making stories.
Namaste
Dave Ross
Spot on, Sir!
thank you . this really resonate with me.
Brother I like the way you taking effort to educate people from what you learn by your own working experiences. Let me say this to be honest it helps me a lot 👍 I wishing you all success in your personal and film making life bro ❤
This is what we are doing on this channel. Possible to make short films almost monthly
I agree with you on a number of points. However, you have one key advantage over many young filmmakers I deal with as a film school professor. You are older and have gained more life experiences that help your storytelling vision. Intellectual and emotional maturity are essential to telling a good story.
You're exactly right, I think of how the French New Wave filmmakers of the 60s reinvented cinema with their run-and-gun approach and how it'd be even easier in this day and age and yet it's still not done. I've recently sold all my bulky equipment and trimmed everything down to stuff I can carry in a rucksack and a suitcase and I'm ready to start making the films I want to make!
This is very similar to how the Portugeuse director Pedro Costa works. I agree with you completely.
Very motivating. This speaks to me.
Been there, done that. It is liberating and nerve wracking. The filming was ok but the post was and is a nightmare due an editor that dropped out and then COVID wiped out my freelance work which was supposed to pay for the special effects. My advice is have at least one person on the crew that is a swiss army knife and can step in do many jobs. Then get an editor or solid assistant editor.
You mentioned how great cameras, lenses and lights are but I’d like to point out how much better more forgiving 32 Bit audio is in that like RAW you can fix many things after the fact. A Tentacle Sync Track E does 32bit audio and timecode! That’s crazy.
I'm going to do an ep on this. It really makes it possible to 'automate' sound