What Holds You Back from Filming that Dream Project?

February 15, 2013

in News

This year I want to work on a lot more tutorial, educational and behind the scenes content for you guys. Reviews are great, but I really think I need to get back to the big picture topics.

One of the topics I would like to explore is getting over the filmmakers block. As I am putting this content together, I am interested in hearing what holds you guys back from working on projects?

What are some obstacles that keep that documentary, short film, music video or spec ad from happening?

Comment below or jump onto the Facebook page.

  • http://www.facebook.com/marvin.malzahn Marvin Malzahn

    That was my issue all last year. I’ve had 2 different documentary ideas I wanted to do but was stopping myself short of getting them started because of, well I don’t really know why. I guess because I’m taking a huge leap into an unknown world of being in total control and KNOWING that the end result of this film will be solely determined on how good, or bad I do. Part of this also comes from not having a huge amount of experience with studio type lighting. A lot of my interviews that I have planned out will take place outside but will require lighting them accordingly so it looks natural but controlled. So the fear of getting this right and looking perfect I think is what held me up last year. My goal for 2013 is to get both of these films not only underway and started but hopefully finished. I’ll definitely keep you guys posted on them.

  • Steven Peterson

    Marvin, I’m rooting for you. Just remember that editing can save your life. Never look at raw footage and think that your final product will look anything like that. You can cover anything with anything. Perfection doesn’t exist. Good luck to you!

  • http://www.facebook.com/marvin.malzahn Marvin Malzahn

    Steven, thanks. Yes I do agree editing is key but I wanna make sure the lighting matches the exterior background when shooting outdoors. I mainly wanna have the people look as natural with the added studio lighting without making it look fake or shot on a green screen.

  • Jaan Shenberger

    Generally, in the professional/commercial world, the only thing that really causes a project to matriculate up from the planning phase and into commencement/production, and (even more so) to move from being worked on to actual completion, is A DEADLINE. No project ever, ever has all the pieces perfectly in place at its start… you just get as many as you can in there before the start date and then roll with the punches. And very few professionals ever consider their projects to be fully finished– they just run out of time (in my experiences, the higher caliber the pro, the more they feel this way). I don’t know if that’s comforting at all, but I hope it’s somehow helpful to hear that.

    Of course, the problem is that it’s hard to implement any kind of ironclad deadline on a personal project, aside from maybe festival submission deadlines, actor availability, or script-dependant exterior seasons. So maybe try intentionally writing a script that incorporates something like that.

    Often, if you’re in a small city or town without a large pool of actors, the inability to properly cast can be a huge hurdle. In those situations, I’d recommend going to see any and all plays in your area with a local cast. You’ll spot out at least one actor that compels you. Contact them and earnestly tell them you want to shoot a short and want to try writing the lead around a particular actor (them, duh). Ask them if there’s any sort of things they’d like to incorporate into their character (this will also get them more creatively invested). Now you’ll have some sort of negative reinforcement for procrastinating or backing out (which is psychologically similar to a deadline). They’ll also know other actors to help fill out your cast. By the time your short is done, you’ll have some sort of core team that you’ll be able to work with again– which is actually more important than getting one short finished. Hope this somehow helps and best of luck.

  • Bebi

    lack of gear, lack of money, lack of job right now

  • marc osborne

    I think the reality is that many of us are terrified we aren’t as incredible as we think we are… and actually DOING something is proof of something. Although one should never be afraid to fail. Gear and money means nothing anymore. I borrowed gear for years! Even crappy gear is better than no gear!

    Everything is accessible with technology today…and tech eliminates a lot of our excuses and enhances the fact that we may not be as great as we think we are. But even making something terrible is an incredible accomplishment…because you, at least, made something!

  • Steven Peterson

    Borrow a friend to be a body one day that you both have free. Try different things. The fact that you’re using lights is a great sign. The sun is great and all, but it doesn’t stay still…or does it? They just need to sit there. Buy them lunch after for their time.

  • http://www.facebook.com/marvin.malzahn Marvin Malzahn

    Failure causes you to learn from your mistakes and grow to get better. I have learned this over the years.

  • http://www.facebook.com/marvin.malzahn Marvin Malzahn

    That’s what I’m working on setting up now. I just need to acquire a few more lights and pieces of equipment to make it happen. Then it’s off to the races.

  • http://www.facebook.com/scottwharram Scott Wharram

    Having a family that need my
    attention more than me spending a lot of time on personal projects. So many I
    want to do but can’t because I would feel guilty that I’m neglecting my wife
    and son.

  • http://www.facebook.com/erik.sanchez.376 Erik Sanchez

    Biggest issue is finding actors to fill the roles and a dedicated crew. Finding people with equal passion for creating a film is a very difficult thing to do. The flip side to that is actually finding actors or crew who have a “film school” mentality. Film school is great, but it isn’t a MUST to make a great film. I don’t operate on a standard style of filmmaking. I know how to get there but I certainly do not do things the traditional way. I guess the issue is running into filmmaking snobs. I want to make a movie this way, it may be different from what you’re used to, but that doesn’t mean its the wrong way.

  • Steven Peterson

    Why not shoot something about them? Include them into a fun family project. I’m sure they have hobbies. You show interest in the hobby by shooting and interviewing them about it. Dad points will come rolling in.

  • http://twitter.com/timprebble Tim Prebble

    i subscribe to the theory: “To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time” – thanks Leonard Bernstein!

  • DanEGT

    I hope you don’t cut out reviews altogether. Yours are the best on the web IMO.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ricknkatrina Rick Owens

    I made my first Independent Film “The Mind’s Eye” several years ago with a Panasonic DVX100 and actors that I auditioned thru an ad in the local paper. Surprisingly enough, they turned out to be great. My lead actor came in from Austin to audition and my second lead came from Clovis N.M. These people drove hours just for a chance at a role in the film. All of the locations were acquired just by asking… something I learned from Robert Rodriguez. That film turned out OK for someone who had never done ANYTHING like this before. I was in the middle of filming my second film “Wide Open” when I lost my 14 year old daughter. After her death, I just never picked back up again.

    Now I’m making television commercials and I couldn’t be happier. My dream is to be one of the best in the business. I love the fact that I have an instant audience and my work produces results.

    If you have a dream to make a film… just do it. It is a fun and rewarding experience. Don’t worry about your equipment, use what you have access to. The biggest plus of any project is having a great and engaging story to tell. The story is the key. An audience doesn’t care what you shot it with as long as the story will get them.

    So… get a great story and go do it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/laurens.peerenboom Laurens Peerenboom

    Scared of failing or not being completly sure about the whole concept.
    Most of the times I start really excited about an idea for a story. But how longer I work on it, the more it gets messy and loose intrest in finishing it. Really hard to get over it, I know I just have to do it, and start filming but something is holding me back.

  • marc osborne

    thats a great idea!

  • marc osborne

    you’re an incredible dude!

  • http://www.facebook.com/ricknkatrina Rick Owens

    Only through God my friend!

  • Steven Peterson

    Borrow the gear. Not every project needs money. Some people are smart enough to do somethings for free if they want exposure. That lack of a job is a good thing. You’ll have more time to dedicate to your personal project.

  • http://www.facebook.com/0bebi0 Köpeczi-Bócz Benjamin

    thanks for the inspiration :)

  • FigureoTV SFM

    Money is the number one issue. Cant get good gear without money.