When you wrap your short film shoot, you feel so accomplished. However, that joy doesn't last long because this is when the real work starts. Especially if you are doing this uber low budget without the luxury of a fancy-pants editor.
I know what you are thinking: yeah, yeah, yeah, editing takes a long time, etc. Oh, no, before you can even dream of starting to edit your masterpiece you must label - all those days of footage (and you will soon regret all those Take 30s) every one of them must be labeled.
Okay, now that it's labeled you can start to build your movie, right? Wrong! Before that you must sync all that sound. I don't know if you've ever synced sound, but it is pretty much the most tedious job you'll ever do. You will start to want to murder the director for always yelling cut so much.
Great! Now that you've spent days prepping your footage you get to finally start editing. Yay! You are thrilled because you know all those takes you did are going to be gems. Slowly you start to piece scenes together and you realize there is no such thing as a perfect take. In this one the acting is amazing ... but the focus is soft. This one is perfectly clear, the acting is decent, but the actor has their glass in the wrong hand and it won't match the other shots. This one is 100% perfect if only your neighbor hadn't started mowing his lawn halfway through.
Don't worry because it will eventually start to come together and you'll find the shots and you will finish it. But, now you've spent weeks and weeks staring at all the footage so you know every flaw and the idea of actually watching it in front of other people will make you nauseous. But it's done - mostly. You still need to fix up the sound, add effects or a soundtrack, which if you don't know how to do yourself costs a lot of money. In my case I spent twice on sound editing than I did on the entire budget of the short to begin with.
Now you have your film that you've spent months working on. Yay for you! Okay, great, now what? Do you post it online and hope it goes viral, do you do the film festival thing and hope Harvey Weinstein sees it and wants to make you the next Matt Damon?
I chose the Film Festival route with my film, All You Need. And here is something you don't think about: film festivals are expensive. So, there is an extra couple hundred bucks not considered in the original budget. Also, how do you chose which ones to submit to? The big ones where you have a chance of getting seen by big people or the small ones that you have a shot at getting into?
I don't know the answers. I submitted to bigger ones and will see how that goes. If it doesn't go well then I guess I will try the smaller ones. I am up for any suggestions you guys have on places to submit my film to.
Showing posts with label short films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short films. Show all posts
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
How to Keep my Goals
Since the beginning of this year, I've been making an effort to focus on my career. I started by created some professional goals to help me measure how I am doing.
As you know some of this work has already paid off. I got to film a co-star role on a pilot for USA Network, I'll keep you updated if it airs. I also completed three short films that have been accepted to the Playhouse West Film Festival. Plus, I've been cast in a couple projects that are set to start filming in the next couple months.
But, one thing that helps me keep track of the goals I set is by telling you guys how I am doing with them. So, here is how I did in the month of April (a couple weeks late.)
Goal: Attend class unless working an acting gig or sick.
Actual: I believe I missed a day or two when I was helping out at a casting office.
Goal: Work on scenes that from plays I can put up.
Actual: Still working on "Vanities."
Goal: Read two plays a month.
Actual: I actually read a ton of plays to find a scene for a web series I am involved with. So, I am probably good for the next few months.
Goal: Find a good on-camera class.
Actual: GOAL COMPLETED!
**UPDATE ON GOAL: Attend acting workout sessions that my friend, Tammy Taylor, is setting up with actor friends.**
Goal: Complete editing on my films for the Playhouse West Film Festival.
Actual: All three of my films were accepted to the festival. Final touches happening on ALL YOU NEED, just waiting on final sound.
**UPDATE ON GOAL: I want to submit All You Need to 10 more major film festivals by the end of the year.**
Goal: Write and produce two more shorts this year.
Actual: I have two new shorts written and hope to start filming them after the film festival.
Goal: Help at the agency once a week.
Actual: It's been very slow, but I have been helping out when I can.
Goal: Find three new Casting offices to help out as a reader.
Actual: One new one and one old one. I'd like to find two more new ones!
As you know some of this work has already paid off. I got to film a co-star role on a pilot for USA Network, I'll keep you updated if it airs. I also completed three short films that have been accepted to the Playhouse West Film Festival. Plus, I've been cast in a couple projects that are set to start filming in the next couple months.
But, one thing that helps me keep track of the goals I set is by telling you guys how I am doing with them. So, here is how I did in the month of April (a couple weeks late.)
Goal: Attend class unless working an acting gig or sick.
Actual: I believe I missed a day or two when I was helping out at a casting office.
Goal: Work on scenes that from plays I can put up.
Actual: Still working on "Vanities."
Goal: Read two plays a month.
Actual: I actually read a ton of plays to find a scene for a web series I am involved with. So, I am probably good for the next few months.
Goal: Find a good on-camera class.
Actual: GOAL COMPLETED!
**UPDATE ON GOAL: Attend acting workout sessions that my friend, Tammy Taylor, is setting up with actor friends.**
Goal: Complete editing on my films for the Playhouse West Film Festival.
Actual: All three of my films were accepted to the festival. Final touches happening on ALL YOU NEED, just waiting on final sound.
**UPDATE ON GOAL: I want to submit All You Need to 10 more major film festivals by the end of the year.**
Goal: Write and produce two more shorts this year.
Actual: I have two new shorts written and hope to start filming them after the film festival.
Goal: Help at the agency once a week.
Actual: It's been very slow, but I have been helping out when I can.
Goal: Find three new Casting offices to help out as a reader.
Actual: One new one and one old one. I'd like to find two more new ones!
Monday, April 16, 2012
What you Learn from an Editor
I am always going on about how you need to get out there and produce your own stuff, that you can't just sit around waiting for someone else to write a part for you. There are lots of benefits to creating your own stuff and more than just the opportunity to do what you love.
Recently, I spent some time editing a couple of the shorts that I wrote. Hours upon hours of staring at my computer screen, analyzing and over-analyzing every moment of acting that I did in those shorts. But besides being hyper-critical of your performance and questioning every choice you made, there is a lot to learn from seeing a film through an editor's eyes.
First, you see why sometimes the clips that get into a movie aren't the ones with your best acting. When you are on set there is so much that can go wrong from a boom dropping into the shot or the light just isn't right or someone is holding their hand differently from how they held it in the master shot. That is why you have to be so professional and don't let them get a bad take of you.
Second, you see the importance of matching what you do from take to take to take. If your drink is in your right hand in the master, it darn well better be in that hand in the close-up or they will never be able to use your close-up. On major productions you have script supervisors who take notes of all these sorts of things. On low budget shorts generally you are the one who has to be responsible for this, that is why I always take good notes in my script as to what I was doing.
Third, when acting on camera a little goes a long way. Every minute facial expression comes across. After editing my first film, I realized how much less I needed to do to make the moments clear. Since editing my own films, my acting has certainly improved by making me a more natural person on screen.
I recommend all actors should get an editing program and learn how to use it. Shoot something and see what you can do with it on it your own. Besides being able to edit your own stuff will save you so much in the end, even if you just edit your demo reel.
Recently, I spent some time editing a couple of the shorts that I wrote. Hours upon hours of staring at my computer screen, analyzing and over-analyzing every moment of acting that I did in those shorts. But besides being hyper-critical of your performance and questioning every choice you made, there is a lot to learn from seeing a film through an editor's eyes.
First, you see why sometimes the clips that get into a movie aren't the ones with your best acting. When you are on set there is so much that can go wrong from a boom dropping into the shot or the light just isn't right or someone is holding their hand differently from how they held it in the master shot. That is why you have to be so professional and don't let them get a bad take of you.
Second, you see the importance of matching what you do from take to take to take. If your drink is in your right hand in the master, it darn well better be in that hand in the close-up or they will never be able to use your close-up. On major productions you have script supervisors who take notes of all these sorts of things. On low budget shorts generally you are the one who has to be responsible for this, that is why I always take good notes in my script as to what I was doing.
Third, when acting on camera a little goes a long way. Every minute facial expression comes across. After editing my first film, I realized how much less I needed to do to make the moments clear. Since editing my own films, my acting has certainly improved by making me a more natural person on screen.
I recommend all actors should get an editing program and learn how to use it. Shoot something and see what you can do with it on it your own. Besides being able to edit your own stuff will save you so much in the end, even if you just edit your demo reel.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monthly Goals Check-In
As you guys know, I am trying to keep up with the goals I made at the beginning of the year. So, this is my monthly check-in to see how those goals are doing.
This month was very busy for my acting. I got to be a Star for Day on a Pilot. We finally got to do A Mixed Tape, a super fun play where I get to be a gorilla with Eric Edwards and Jonathan Lipnicki, again after a long hiatus. I booked two more acting gigs that will be starting soon. Can't wait til I get to share about those with you.
Here's how my year is going so far:
GOAL: Attend every class unless sick or working an acting gig.
ACTUAL: The only class I missed this month was the day I shot my co-star on a USA pilot.
GOAL: Work on scenes in class that I actually put up.
ACTUAL: Still working on "Vanities." We've set up a regular rehearsal schedule, but have had some set-backs because of vacations and each of us booking work (great for us, not great for the play.)
GOAL: Complete all three of my films for the Playhouse West Film Festival.
ACTUAL: Two are complete and the third is a good rough cut with some sound editing left to do. All have been submitted and I am hoping the final cut of the third will be done by April 20th so I nice version of it will be seen by the PWFF committee.
GOAL: Write and produce two more shorts this year.
ACTUAL: Have not started work on this one yet. I have a couple ideas, but need to start the work of writing them.
GOAL: Continue to work at the Agency every week.
ACTUAL: I've been going to the agency at least once a week, sometimes more. What was really great during Pilot Season is that they asked me to take notes on the pilot meetings they had every week. It really helped me to see what was happening with all the Pilots. I also helped keep up our database on who was getting cast in what. This helps keep things in perspective when you wonder why you aren't going out, but then see people like Sigourney Weaver and Allison Janey are the ones getting cast.
GOAL: Find three casting offices to help out as a reader.
ACTUAL: Still only helping out at two offices, but am going in whenever they need me.
GOAL: Read two plays.
ACTUAL: I was lax on this one and didn't manage to find time to read one. We were working on Nursery Rhymes in class, so I focused on those a lot (this exercise is much tougher than it sounds.) I'm also halfway through book three of The Song of Fire and Ice, and those books are long and very dense so it's difficult to find time to read anything else.
GOAL: Blog every Monday.
ACTUAL: Doing good with this one and blogging over at Getting Crafty and Cultured in Los Angeles as well.
For next month, I am hoping to turn all this positive momentum into more opportunities!
This month was very busy for my acting. I got to be a Star for Day on a Pilot. We finally got to do A Mixed Tape, a super fun play where I get to be a gorilla with Eric Edwards and Jonathan Lipnicki, again after a long hiatus. I booked two more acting gigs that will be starting soon. Can't wait til I get to share about those with you.
Here's how my year is going so far:
GOAL: Attend every class unless sick or working an acting gig.
ACTUAL: The only class I missed this month was the day I shot my co-star on a USA pilot.
GOAL: Work on scenes in class that I actually put up.
ACTUAL: Still working on "Vanities." We've set up a regular rehearsal schedule, but have had some set-backs because of vacations and each of us booking work (great for us, not great for the play.)
GOAL: Complete all three of my films for the Playhouse West Film Festival.
ACTUAL: Two are complete and the third is a good rough cut with some sound editing left to do. All have been submitted and I am hoping the final cut of the third will be done by April 20th so I nice version of it will be seen by the PWFF committee.
GOAL: Write and produce two more shorts this year.
ACTUAL: Have not started work on this one yet. I have a couple ideas, but need to start the work of writing them.
GOAL: Continue to work at the Agency every week.
ACTUAL: I've been going to the agency at least once a week, sometimes more. What was really great during Pilot Season is that they asked me to take notes on the pilot meetings they had every week. It really helped me to see what was happening with all the Pilots. I also helped keep up our database on who was getting cast in what. This helps keep things in perspective when you wonder why you aren't going out, but then see people like Sigourney Weaver and Allison Janey are the ones getting cast.
GOAL: Find three casting offices to help out as a reader.
ACTUAL: Still only helping out at two offices, but am going in whenever they need me.
GOAL: Read two plays.
ACTUAL: I was lax on this one and didn't manage to find time to read one. We were working on Nursery Rhymes in class, so I focused on those a lot (this exercise is much tougher than it sounds.) I'm also halfway through book three of The Song of Fire and Ice, and those books are long and very dense so it's difficult to find time to read anything else.
GOAL: Blog every Monday.
ACTUAL: Doing good with this one and blogging over at Getting Crafty and Cultured in Los Angeles as well.
For next month, I am hoping to turn all this positive momentum into more opportunities!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Money vs Time
When it comes to film making you either need time or money. It is possible to make a good film with very little in your budget, but I promise it will cost you a lot of time. That's why when you start going down the road of producing your own stuff, make sure it is something you feel passionate about. You have to love it because if you want it to be good get ready to give most of your life over to it.
If you have money, you can hire people to do all the nitty-gritty work; if you are broke like me then you need time to do it all by yourself. It means driving all over creation to find a cheap pair of scrubs for a costume, sending hundreds of emails to find a few people willing to be extras, and getting up extra early in order to borrow a friend's printer to get copies of all the paperwork you need.
Doing all this helps lower your costs, but I have yet to master truly no budget film making. Incidentals always come up. Things like batteries and printer ink and paper all seem to run out halfway through any production. Plus, you always have to spend money to feed your cast and crew. That is generally more than half of my budget on any short I film. There are those people who I'm sure can sweet talk companies into sponsoring these things for them. This is not a talent I've mastered. (If you have: want to produce my next short?)
Now you're thinking, what about equipment? Cameras, lights, sound equipment, and editing software all cost money. For me, I decided it was logical to start investing in these things and started collected various pieces of equipment over the last few years and at every holiday and birthday that is what I ask for. I don't have the fanciest stuff, but it works. Generally, we try to use ambient lighting as much as possible and I write things based on what I already have access to (so no period pieces requiring crazy costumes or special effects.)
It is also possible to get a free crew of people looking for credit who can bring their own equipment with them. A great way to meet these type of people is by helping out on other people's sets. It's always good to have talented people with film equipment owe you a favor. But, if you ask me, the best thing is to learn how to do as much as you can on your own so you aren't relying on other people to get your project done.
Get a camera, start filming around your house, play around with the settings and the lighting, see what you can do on your own. Get a copy of Final Cut and fiddle around with it until you learn how to edit your own stuff. There are tons of instructional videos on YouTube that will show you how to do just about everything on Final Cut.
I know it sounds like a lot of work and that's because it is. But, when you get to watch something you created, I promise it's worth it!
If you have money, you can hire people to do all the nitty-gritty work; if you are broke like me then you need time to do it all by yourself. It means driving all over creation to find a cheap pair of scrubs for a costume, sending hundreds of emails to find a few people willing to be extras, and getting up extra early in order to borrow a friend's printer to get copies of all the paperwork you need.
Doing all this helps lower your costs, but I have yet to master truly no budget film making. Incidentals always come up. Things like batteries and printer ink and paper all seem to run out halfway through any production. Plus, you always have to spend money to feed your cast and crew. That is generally more than half of my budget on any short I film. There are those people who I'm sure can sweet talk companies into sponsoring these things for them. This is not a talent I've mastered. (If you have: want to produce my next short?)
Now you're thinking, what about equipment? Cameras, lights, sound equipment, and editing software all cost money. For me, I decided it was logical to start investing in these things and started collected various pieces of equipment over the last few years and at every holiday and birthday that is what I ask for. I don't have the fanciest stuff, but it works. Generally, we try to use ambient lighting as much as possible and I write things based on what I already have access to (so no period pieces requiring crazy costumes or special effects.)
It is also possible to get a free crew of people looking for credit who can bring their own equipment with them. A great way to meet these type of people is by helping out on other people's sets. It's always good to have talented people with film equipment owe you a favor. But, if you ask me, the best thing is to learn how to do as much as you can on your own so you aren't relying on other people to get your project done.
Get a camera, start filming around your house, play around with the settings and the lighting, see what you can do on your own. Get a copy of Final Cut and fiddle around with it until you learn how to edit your own stuff. There are tons of instructional videos on YouTube that will show you how to do just about everything on Final Cut.
I know it sounds like a lot of work and that's because it is. But, when you get to watch something you created, I promise it's worth it!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Can the actors out there please stand up?
When someone asks you, what do you do? Do you spout off a list of survival jobs before eventually mumbling under your breath that you are an actor, if you even say actor at all?
I know you worry how they'll look at you, especially in LA where being an "actor" can have some bad connotations. I know what it is to dread the next question that'll be coming out of their mouths: Have you been in anything I would've seen?
But, if you can't stand up and proudly say you are an actor then how do you expect anyone else to think of you as an actor. A couple years back I took a seminar about creating a business plan for actors. At this seminar we each had to write down our ultimate dream goal in this profession, then we had to put down the paper and say it to the person sitting next to us. You can't imagine how the words "I want to win an Oscar" get stuck in your throat when you are forced to say it to a complete stranger. The point was if you can't say this dream of yours out loud to someone then how will you ever be able to reach it.
According to SAG, you are a professional actor when you have headshots, a resume, and are actively seeking acting work. It has nothing to do with you being paid as an actor or if you have a SAG card, but simply if you are pursuing work as an actor. So, for all you out there that are going to classes, submitting on Actor's Access and LACasting, or making your own movies: YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR!
Don't shy away from it. Stand up and be proud for pursuing this crazy career.
And as far as that horrible question "Have you been in anything I would've seen?" I answer by grabbing my iPhone and pulling up my website, MichelleCoyle.net. There I have links to all the shorts I've made and my demo reel. Now they've seen something I've been in.
I know you worry how they'll look at you, especially in LA where being an "actor" can have some bad connotations. I know what it is to dread the next question that'll be coming out of their mouths: Have you been in anything I would've seen?
But, if you can't stand up and proudly say you are an actor then how do you expect anyone else to think of you as an actor. A couple years back I took a seminar about creating a business plan for actors. At this seminar we each had to write down our ultimate dream goal in this profession, then we had to put down the paper and say it to the person sitting next to us. You can't imagine how the words "I want to win an Oscar" get stuck in your throat when you are forced to say it to a complete stranger. The point was if you can't say this dream of yours out loud to someone then how will you ever be able to reach it.
According to SAG, you are a professional actor when you have headshots, a resume, and are actively seeking acting work. It has nothing to do with you being paid as an actor or if you have a SAG card, but simply if you are pursuing work as an actor. So, for all you out there that are going to classes, submitting on Actor's Access and LACasting, or making your own movies: YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR!
Don't shy away from it. Stand up and be proud for pursuing this crazy career.
And as far as that horrible question "Have you been in anything I would've seen?" I answer by grabbing my iPhone and pulling up my website, MichelleCoyle.net. There I have links to all the shorts I've made and my demo reel. Now they've seen something I've been in.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
What you can do in a Weekend
As you know from my last blog, What I Learned at the 72 Hour Film Festival, I made a movie last weekend for the Playhouse West 72 Hour Film Festival. Over this past weekend, they screened all the films.
Our film, Grow A Pair, may not have won any awards, but I am extremely proud of what we made and I got lots of wonderful comments from the people who saw the films. Plus, I am pretty sure we would have won Best Black Eye Created by a Non-Makeup Artist and Best Use of a Muddy Waters Song had those been a categories.
Today I wanted to share with you all the final product, so that you can see that it truly is possible to create a quality short film that tells a complete story in less than 72 hours. Here it is:
Congratulations to everyone who made participated in this festival. It's a cliche', but everyone who made a film is truly a winner.
One last thing, I want to give credit to the fabulous cast and crew of "Grow A Pair":
Directed by Marilyn Porayko
Written by Michelle Coyle, Christina Maria Davis, Somya von Eames
Cinematography by Nick Weidner
Edited by Brian Finifter
Cast:
Alex Aquino
Michelle Coyle
Christina Maria Davis
Nat Dixon
Somya von Eames
AJ Eloy
Jamie Israel
Jermaine Johnson
Elyte Salna
Thanks, y'all!!!
Our film, Grow A Pair, may not have won any awards, but I am extremely proud of what we made and I got lots of wonderful comments from the people who saw the films. Plus, I am pretty sure we would have won Best Black Eye Created by a Non-Makeup Artist and Best Use of a Muddy Waters Song had those been a categories.
Today I wanted to share with you all the final product, so that you can see that it truly is possible to create a quality short film that tells a complete story in less than 72 hours. Here it is:
Congratulations to everyone who made participated in this festival. It's a cliche', but everyone who made a film is truly a winner.
One last thing, I want to give credit to the fabulous cast and crew of "Grow A Pair":
Directed by Marilyn Porayko
Written by Michelle Coyle, Christina Maria Davis, Somya von Eames
Cinematography by Nick Weidner
Edited by Brian Finifter
Cast:
Alex Aquino
Michelle Coyle
Christina Maria Davis
Nat Dixon
Somya von Eames
AJ Eloy
Jamie Israel
Jermaine Johnson
Elyte Salna
Thanks, y'all!!!
Monday, August 22, 2011
What I learned during the 72 Hour Film Festival.
This weekend I worked with a group to put together a movie for the Playhouse West 72 Hour Film Festival. We were given a synopsis on Friday and had the weekend to write, direct, and edit the movie. Here is what we made: Grow a Pair.
Here are some of the lessons I learned:
Here are some of the lessons I learned:
- You can make a film for less than $100.
- Don't Piss Off Your Editor: Make sure you always, always, always slate and that you can see the whole slate in the shot.
- Even if you think you will never in a million years use the sound from a shot, just go ahead and record sound anyways.
- Syncing sound sucks. If you have $150 to spare get PluralEyes. Trust me.
- If you can use the ambient light, do it. You can't imagine how much time you save not setting up lights.
- High heel platform shoes and wood floors make for major sound issues.
- Zyrtec is a necessity if you have cats on set. Allergies can sneak up on cast members.
- Office roller chairs make terrible dollies.
- If your movie needs to have a maximum running time of 5 minutes 10 seconds, better to err on the side of a shorter than 5 page script.
- Generally, a crew of five is all you need unless you are filming a car chase or building implosion. More people than that can get in the way.
- Don't be too precious with your script. Film is a collaboration and be open to everyone, you never know where great ideas will come from.
- The next time you think you don't have the time to make a film, remember you just did one in a weekend.
Monday, February 28, 2011
When do I start getting paid for this?
Last year I made a grand total of $110 as an actor. Not for lack of work, just a lack of paid work. Gotta love working those short films and webseries.
Are all these free films worth your time?
The short answer is: YES.
The short answer is: YES.
DEFINITELY YES, if all you were going to do was hang around the house checking Twitter.
PROBABLY YES, if all you were going to do was work your survival job.
OBVIOUSLY NO, if you are working a paid acting gig.
What do you get out of acting for free? That would be the famous payment of Copy, Credit, and Meals. Sounds glamorous, like at least you’ll get free food, right? Let's define these terms:
Copy of the movie, if it ever gets finished and they remember to send it to you. Generally, you'll beg and plead with them and then perhaps a year later you’ll finally receive your copy and once you watch it, you’ll probably wish you hadn’t.
CREDIT on IMDb, again only if it actually gets finished and then only if it gets submitted to the right festivals or gets a public screening. If the movie is on IMDb and they forgot to give you credit then you can take it up with the IMDb gods and hope they will give it to you.
MEALS consisting of bagels, pizza, and Redvines. Heavy on carbs; light on nutrition.
And my favorite of all: DEFERRED PAY, which means if they ever make money on the project (and they never do), then you will get paid. Yeah, good luck with that.
So, why does anyone do this work for free?
BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU GET TO GO SOMEPLACE AND ACT. You are doing what you came out here to do, not waiting tables.
Plus, you are meeting people with equipment and a desire to create, even if they aren’t going to be the next Scorsese or Coppola or Fincher. Maybe this project will end up terrible, but eventually they might make a decent film and remember the people who struggled through these early films with them.
It’s all about getting out there and doing something for your career everyday. And remember, WORK BEGETS MORE WORK. (Even when it sucks.)
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