September 27th, 2008 -- Written by John Campea
I’m keeping a little video journal as a non-filmmaker, of my experience trying to get my first little movie made. A guy who has no bloody idea of what he’s doing. Maybe it’ll give you some inspiration for doing a film yourself (”well if this idiot can make one, so can I” sort of inspiration), or maybe just laugh at how fast I go down in flames. Either way it’s all good. :)
This installment I about keeping my expectations in check and being realistic about the fate and purpose of The Anniversary.
PAST INSTALLMENTS:
Part #1 - Fear of Rejection
Part #2 - Cutting Down The Script
Part #3 - Casting Call
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Well I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised in any case. You certainly know what makes a good movie.
My only worry is the fact you chose comedy, tastes can be wildly different and the genre and the creators often don’t get the respect they deserve.
Although there have been big exceptions to that rule even at the film festivals, here’s hoping The Anniversary gets into a “top tier” one.
Can’t wait to hear about the movie.
Hope it becomes available in some form in the UK, would probably have to be online though.
John, as a longtime fan of your blog and your reviews… I must say it excites me to no end that you are following this path into film making. I applaud the effort, and I have high hopes as well as high faith that you will do wonderfully.
As a filmmaker myself, I know how difficult it can be to pull a film together. I feel like you are already off to a better start than 90% of filmmakers out there. You know people, you have resources that a lot don’t, and you are a generally smart and talented man.
That being said, I’m not getting a great confidence reading out of you. I understand your approach to down talking your knowledge and prowess in the film making arena, but my advice is to lay low on that. If you want people to be interested in this project of yours; if you want them to follow you to the sweet (or bitter) end, you gotta let them know you are confident in your own abilities. Sure, you may actually be an idiot… But if you can convince the world you aren’t, than already you will have convinced them your work is not as bad as it might be. (if it ends up being bad at all).
Wow, that was a convoluted way of saying stop talking yourself down. Be your own agent. Be your own PR. Sell yourself to the world, so you can easier sell your work.
Best of luck,
Andrew
Primer was made in 2004 for $7,000 and it got not a wide but still a general release. I saw it at my local AMC. So its possible!
That’s good advice from Andrew as long you can back it up to a some extent, confident people do go far, though I would stay the way you are within yourself to stay grounded, to make the movie a better effort and so that you can’t be disappointed, that’s the best of both worlds, the danger is in you seeming false to some for doing that and you not staying true to yourself, I’m sure you’ll find the best balance for you.
Or Doug could be your confidence-man lol.
HAH. You guys shouldn’t worry about John. Have you listened to his blog or read his posts over the last few years? What you instead should worry about is us when he wins the Toronto film festival next year. The smugness will be oozing, and rightfully so. It will be awesome =)
Kick ass, Campia!
…and let us follow along while you do.
John, I think that the thing should be NOT if your film makes money BUT how you (and Doug) could make your mark in Hollywood with this film.
Sorry, but are you serious? There are actually people asking when the movie is coming to the theatres? omg, hilarious, the stupidity of people… ahahaha
Well I don’t know how many regulars come to the site each day but you can take some comfort knowing that we’re all going to see your movie. How could we not?
First, to John:
I’m a bit tired of seeing in your posts and vid clips the following opening statement: “I have no idea of what I’m doing” That line should start fading away ASAP in your future posts/videos on this subject. (I’m echoing what Andrew said above.) While it may have some truth, it does come across as you not really believing that you can pull this off, and pull it off well. If you “don’t know what you’re doing”- then how are you going to direct? You know the script, you have camera angles in mind, you are casting….? You should have some idea.
While I think comedy is a good genre… As Adox questions ‘why comedy? I also recall you have an FX background of some sort? You knew or know of many people in that area? I mean, if this were a low budget film with a bend towards sci-fi, supernatural thriller or fantasy- would you really be saying ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’? I have a tough time picturing that.
Well, maybe you don’t. Why announce it to the universe? The idea is not letting setbacks slow you down, and if they do, keep getting back up. But more and more I see/hear that talk out of you…if you were directing me, be it an actor or part of the crew, I would understand you would be a first timer (like I would be) but I would also feel a bit uneasy if all I hear out of you is that you are clueless.
Either you stand by your material or you don’t.
To Jalon:
Never underestimate low budget indie films. Granted, it isn’t the heyday of the mid 80’s when small studios were around and there was an excitement of the crop of new directors coming of Canada, LA, and especially New York. It almost seems another universe since the likes of Blair Witch and Open Water, heck, even a drama like Pieces Of April were in theatres.
I think it is fair to expect Campea’s finished film at a Film Fest here and there. It could very well come to a city near you. The Int’l friends should take note of that! Campea could roam the countryside, or even go abroad. It’s possible.
How is this film being financed? Who is directing? What studio is distributing? This is all very exciting although details of the production in a future video would help other inspired filmmakers.
Don’t listen to Andrew or Darren John. I find your openness and honesty really refreshing. Fuck the pretense and image. You’re making your first movie and you’re being real about it and I love that. Good luck!
That’s super amazing plan, especially in a way it’s creating resume but you know John is a great Film-maker, i have no clue why he’s not even in the market…
I’ll wtch this one and see where he truly stands,
In my opinion he deserve a spot in hollywood, I think more than half sucks anyways…. in theatre !
What’s the budget? What’s the source of financing? What percent is already financed?
Mark
Larry, I agree with what you say. but there’s a happy medium from being the schmuck who’s a schmuck, or the schmuck who actually knows what he’s doing.
I dunno. John should do what feels right to him. I just know from my own experience that that approach works well. You can be confident without being a pretentious, elitist bastard.
i agree with the people above, STOP SAYING “I have no idea of what I’m doing”. how many times have you said that already when youre talking about your movie?? lol i wouldnt get on an airplane if before takeoff the captain came out & said “this is my first time flying & i have no idea what im doing”
awesome John! what an experiance
I think what John is doing is commendable and impressive and exciting, and I look forward to seeing the results.
That said, I’m a little curious as to why someone who’s never directed a short-form narrative film before would jump right into doing a feature. Most people’s first twenty movies stink; it’s like someone deciding to learn Beethoven’s Opus 13 as their first piano recital. You have to work up to it.
Just my thoughts.
true Doug, but i think it will turn out great, and the posting the movie online was a great idea-but its like all your hard work for nothing.
just my thoughts as well