In 3rd grade, I walked into school with my dad's copy of Woody Allen's book "Getting Even." Even back then we had already gotten into the habit of reading out-loud to each other works from Woody Allen and Neil Simon. My dad was utterly incapable of reading more than a handful of words without breaking out into laughter; so I assumed that my friends would be equally amused and off to school I went.
I was somewhat surprised to find that my friends did not share my enthusiasm for the humor, but even more taken-back when my teacher declared the book to be "Age inappropriate" and confiscated the book. I liked my teacher, I received no punishment: and assumed she probably wanted to read the book herself.
Now in high school, with a replaced copy of "Getting Even", I turned back to a favorite one act play entitled, "The Count," this time I sat down and adapted it into a screenplay, which I was encouraged to open-up to the class with various classmates reading parts. I was so excited by the way that worked out, that I figured I had to go the next step and make a short film using the students in that class.
There is a lot to learn when wanting to make films, from lighting to camera angles to editing; but on this project I learned a few more basic lessons.
Making even a short film requires a considerable investment of time. and while I was more than willing to spend the time, the same students that were happy to spend 20 minutes reading in class, were not willing to invest their entire weekend filming. I do understand that, however I wish people would have told me prior to the day of shooting and after I rented a costume. Since that day, I have reached out to people that actually have an passion for acting, and are excited to be in a movie. This is also when I first started creating Facebook groups, and blogs designed to keep people enthused, and thereby more likely to stick with the project.
I was somewhat surprised to find that my friends did not share my enthusiasm for the humor, but even more taken-back when my teacher declared the book to be "Age inappropriate" and confiscated the book. I liked my teacher, I received no punishment: and assumed she probably wanted to read the book herself.
Now in high school, with a replaced copy of "Getting Even", I turned back to a favorite one act play entitled, "The Count," this time I sat down and adapted it into a screenplay, which I was encouraged to open-up to the class with various classmates reading parts. I was so excited by the way that worked out, that I figured I had to go the next step and make a short film using the students in that class.
There is a lot to learn when wanting to make films, from lighting to camera angles to editing; but on this project I learned a few more basic lessons.
Making even a short film requires a considerable investment of time. and while I was more than willing to spend the time, the same students that were happy to spend 20 minutes reading in class, were not willing to invest their entire weekend filming. I do understand that, however I wish people would have told me prior to the day of shooting and after I rented a costume. Since that day, I have reached out to people that actually have an passion for acting, and are excited to be in a movie. This is also when I first started creating Facebook groups, and blogs designed to keep people enthused, and thereby more likely to stick with the project.
File this under "Silver-Lining," despite 4 of my 6 actors no-shows on the day of the shoot, I was able to get the movie shot through the kindness of old friends that canceled all of their plans and arrived within 45 minutes notice. This was not because they had some sudden desire to be in a movie; but came because that's what friends do for each other. Watching the movie, I was painfully aware of how much harder making movies are compared to what expected, how much I needed to learn, the value of better equipment and the importance of confirming I have every shot I might need. Sure some of my "last-minute" replacement cast members performances might have less than stellar, but as friends they exceeded my wildest expectations.
