In my research about film script treatment, I discovered this website.
http://www.bmyers.com/public/807.cfm
It is an Automatic Movie Script Treatment Generator, though I have to say I find it woefully lacking in choices and concepts.
Here’s what I generated.
Comedy: A college student teams up with a hair dresser to start a new life.
As the story unfolds, the college student starts to discover the truth about with a pet pig.
By the finale, they manage to wreck 1 cars, prove their worth and win the respect of their classmates.
Think Dumb & Dumber meets Forest Gump.
Not quite what I was going for. Comedy… yes… well, the generated log line is comical, but I think that movie would suck.
Not sure if Bill Myers, the person who created the generator, did it to mock the narrow vision of what a Hollywood blockbuster contains, or if he really thinks that there are only 50 or so types of “sidekicks”.
Still, it’s kind of fun to use it, so I felt it was post-worthy.
Enjoy!
PS: Nobody steal my idea… I’m really attached to my main character discovering the truth about her pet pig…
PPS: Just want to add that this site generates more of a log-line than a treatment.
The bigger your project, the more you have to keep track of and I really like this software because it is SOOOO important to stay organized when you are doing a feature.
Here’s the official description: “MovieSet is a platform and tool kit that integrates with the actual production workflow process in order to enable the creation of authentic real time content. Its ultimate objective is to build core audience over each project’s life cycle from Development through Distribution. Fans can authentically track each film’s progress from green-light through to delivery.”
Great site and the software they have looks really good. I’m about to sign up for it. I’ll let you know how it is! If you have used it, please comment below and describe your experiences.
For anyone who is a fan of SNL… especially the classic Saturday Night Live shows from the 70’s and 80’s… this is a great series of videos from Funny or Die that have all the actors that ever played U.S. presidents, going back to Chevy Chase as Ford.
There is the main video, directed by Ron Howard, and then the other “outtake” videos. I especially like the “dream sequence” with Dana Carvey as Bush Sr.!
I <3 Dan Aykroyd!
Oh, and only non-SNL person they had was Jim Carrey play Reagan. (”Tag you’re it!”) HAHA!
It was a lazy Thursday yesterday when I shot this. I stayed in all day editing and was in the middle of working and thought “I should post a vlog update.”
If you like any of the following videos, please give them a “Funny” rating (by clicking on the word “funny” below the screen) on Funny or Die.
Hiring Pundits: I directed, wrote and edited this one.
Wide World Of Bowling
(My comments) Good job on Graphics and greenscreen. Might want to stand a little further away from greenscreen next time. The outline around the actors will be better.
Sometimes people used to writing for theater don’t realize that people are used to watching video with a lot of different shots, so it would have been cool if they had cut to “The Bulldozer” bowling or something like that… Especially if he was drunk when he bowled or other physical comedy. This would have added to the comedy and also made it more visually interesting. I’m very impressed with the ambitious use of graphics, though. Very cool, and most of them looked good!
VEGAS 1404 News
(My Comments) I like that they are shooting downtown Vegas. Very interesting area… I’m not involved with this but if I was, i would be highlighting the positive stuff going on… The artists, the new businesses to improve the area, something about themselves (Vegas 1404), First Friday, new theaters…
Everyone knows that Vegas has pimps and hookers and druggies… but why is that news? I think they’re still testing out this genre and it will get tighter as they go on. And I have a tendency to look for the up-side of things, and that may not be what they are going for which is cool. All voices are necessary in the world of art and flimmaking. Good job, guys!
Well, I spent this weekend shooting footage for NAZ Today of the Sedona Film Festival.
I got a tremendous quantity and high quality of footage, including an event called “Conversation with Michael Moore” and several great interviews with directors and producers of the films being screened at the festival, but unfortunately I don’t have the footage.
Sorry.
Here are some pictures… (sorry about the low quality)
As technology keeps improving, it is hard to keep up with the latest gadget.
I’m sure you already know this, but for a filmmaker, it can be frustrating because if you want to buy a camera, you want to keep in mind that it has to produce a level of quality for you not only for now, but ideally for the next several years, so that you really get your money’s worth.
Unless you are shooting features, I would not go crazy with an expensive camera. Nothing over $10,000.
Don’t break a sweat though, I’m not even thinking in that ballpark in terms of price.
I’ve noticed over the years that the same cameras keep popping up. The DPs that I’ve worked with like them. They’re relatively simple but offer a lot of important features, and they are in a reasonable price range.
Here are my two favorites:
The Canon GL1, Canon GL2 and the Panasonic DVX100A.
Before I continue, I want to make clear that I come from an ACTING background, not a technical one. I am not a cinematographer but I’ve had to familiarize myself with the technology as a director.
I like these cameras because even though they are not HD, they will give you a nice picture and they allow you to manually adjust the shot.
**VERY IMPORTANT** They have external sound jacks, which means you can use a mic other than the one that is inside the camera.
This is key to making movies, even shorts, because poor sound quality is a sure give away to low production value. It’s the kind of thing that no one notices if it’s good, but everyone notices if it’s bad.
I’m not going to get into all the details, but these cameras also have a lot of accessory possibilities that will allow you to get more technical and professional with your shots as you grow into the camera.
They use Mini DV as storage which isn’t going to go anywhere any time soon.
Festivals accept films shot with these cameras. I’ve worked with feature film DP’s that like them.
And all of these cameras can be found on the Internet for under two grand, although the DVX100A might be challenging to find. You will probably come across the DVX100B which is in the $3K price range, but if you are going to pay that much, better to go with a lower end HD cam.
I have already written about the blog Self Reliant Film, and there is another post that I think you would be interested in.
He is doing a survey of individuals who are making films in areas that are NOT in the filmmaking centers of the country (L.A. and New York).
So if you’re making films and you’re not in these areas, you might want to nominate yourself or other people you know for each of the states (don’t worry about filling in the blank for each state… just the ones where you know filmmakers.)
(LIke me… In Arizona… It’d be cool if you wrote me in for AZ!)
And I actually did nominate people in NY and LA when they asked for New York and California. That’s where I know the best filmmakers are for that state, and I don’t think that he was against nominating people in the filmmaking centers… I just think that he also wanted to get a wider scope of the country.
I found this site a long time ago and was somewhat impressed by the content of what they were teaching…
Apparently, the 4-day Travel Channel Academy teaches you how to shoot travel videos so that you can become a professional videographer for the travel genre of filmmaking.
I was at one time considering this indulgent program because at the time I was doing so much traveling and still photography that it seemed like the obvious next step.
But after thinking about it I recognized that 4 days was a bit short to get one’s career rolling.
Additionally, I am now in a program (at Northern Arizona University) that costs about the same (for one, 4 month semester) but is infinitely longer, more thorough and will teach me more and leave me with a much better reel.
And it’s accredited, so I’m getting a legit degree as well.
On a website/blog like this that encourages you to go out and just start shooting, would say that there are three steps to getting good at all this.
The first is to go out and do it and learn as much as you can on your own.
The second is to get a mentor and around people so that you can watch and pick up their better habits and techniques. (actually, the best thing would be to combine the first and second steps)
The third is formal education, but only if you’re still getting to work hands-on and only it is an excellent program.
Don’t do 4 day programs that promise you a career. It’s a good place to start for some people I suppose. It’s a FUN place to start for a lot of people, which I think it what initially drew me in.
I would love to get some feedback on this… Anyone take this course or one like it? Any thoughts on this subject?
Just want to alert you to a couple links that I have found interesting/helpful…
The first is a website/blog called Self Reliant Film. Self-Reliant Film was started in November 2005 by Paul Harrill, who is an independent filmmaker from Virginia.
I’ve been reading his blog for about a year now and it’s quite good. Here is a post that I recently took particular interest in because I have been working my way through learning Final Cut Pro.
In the post he mentions the website lynda.com, which offers a variety of tutorials to excellerate your FCP skills or to help you out when you get stuck. I just signed up for their newsletter and I’m looking forward to becoming a more proficient editor.
I have been going through a number of director reels right now and I have a sample of three reels that I would like your feedback on…
The first belongs Jake Barsha of Right Hook Films. I have worked with Jake and I really love his reel… especially the visual quality of it… It’s sexy and has great visual quality (reminds me of a music video). The thing is that we never hear the actors interacting (except for the very end), which is a big part of directing.
The second reel belongs to my friend Jeremy Feig. His reel mostly contains clips with dialogue. I like this because you get a sense of the story and the transactions between the actors.
Third, is my reel. It’s been a “rough cut” for the last year, but now that I have a bit more access to better editing programs (and have become a better editor myself) I’m feeling compelled to redo this…
I would love feedback on how to make my director reel better… (and I’m sure my readers would like that, too!)
Do I add more music? Keep it with dialogue only? Make it more flashy? Playful?
I’ve been tempted to “front” the reel myself… shoot a “hello” intro… What do you think of that idea?
A lot of actor reels do this, and I like it because it puts a face to the material (something that most director reels don’t have).
But is that unnecessary?
Dunno.
I also didn’t add the “Grey Street” music video. I feel it is actually one of my best productions, but it is also a bit violent and I don’t want to repel anyone (Jake’s video is awesome but it’s also a bit violent for me at the end).
Additionally, do I jump genres too much? I know I go from commercial to comedy to drama. I’m really most interested in comedy, so I don’t want to give the impression that I’m aiming for horror or drama (not that I can’t do that, but I have a luke warm feeling toward drama and horror down-right repels me now. I won’t take jobs that are for horror movies.)
Soooo………..that’s why I’m asking you for feedback.
I encourage you to leave comments below. And please add links to YOUR film website, blog and especially to your own director or acting reel.
If I get one or several cool reels, I will maybe do an entire post to highlight them.
