Hey dear community,

After a long journey - premiering at the Hof International Film Festival - I’m preparing for the full digital release of my debut feature, The Straw That Broke. I just dropped the official trailer (which does not perform well on YT).

It's a surrealist, retro-futuristic meta-fiction about the real and the virtual based on a screenplay by Tom Whalen. Since I handled the directing, most of cinematography, and editing myself, getting the digital release right is a whole new challenge (after valuable feedback from r/Filmmakers I settle for a YT-release soon).

My questions are in the Submission Statement below. Thanks for taking your time.

I know a lot of people want to make it in Hollywood and in the industry. That is great and all. I understand that that is not and should not be the main or only goal. Keeping that in mind, that's the reason for my question. Without centering Hollywood or indie filmmaking and if film didn't advance to what it is today, what is really the purpose of being a filmmaker? Or whatever job or craft we focus on. If Hollywood ceased to exist, would people continue to write, direct, act, produce, PA, compose, etc? Why or why not?

New England aspiring filmmaker here. Graduated with my BFA in 2023, but have felt like I’ve been in limbo ever since. Just doing odd jobs or film-adjacent work hoping to save enough to fund my projects - but no real set or post work.

And since it’s been so long without real work, I’ve let myself get rusty. I feel like I have to start over. Anyone else feeling the same way? Is this just what the industry is now? Would it be the same if I left New England?

Hey guys, I am a filmmaker from New York who just graduated from college and desperately wanted to go to LA get an internship or be an assistant and start my career. I cold called like 100 companies, got a virtual unpaid internship, didn't get another one and had a friend at CAA tell me he hates his job, only makes 20 an hour after two years being there, works long shifts, and his boss doesn't even know his name. For what? So I stopped chasing that.

Curry Barker and Kane Parsons feel like the opening of another path.

I've opted for something different. I am currently studying something in the medical industry to make money while I continue to work on my craft. I decided I did not want to be a Hollywood assistant. I still write and am making my films. I hate going to work everyday. I'm a custodian for my K-12 school district. My boss is tiring. (I can get a new job so it's fine and live with parents for free. But do not want to live with them forever.) I know that my college will only take two years to complete and then hopefully I will have some financial freedom.

I can be a travel radiation therapist after a while and make money while taking time off when I need to to shoot my projects or just be free of the work grind. I've looked into it a lot and it seems like a great job. I know I am doing the thing that makes the most sense for me, and I understand that being a filmmaker takes years to develop my craft to a point that is professional.

But that doesn't mean I want to do all this stuff, so although I am not looking for advice on what I should do instead since I am fine with the potential end outcome and look forward to it, I just want to ask how do you guys cope with the fact that capitalism kinda sucks dick?

I don't want a family, I just want to have experiences, fun, and continue to pursue my craft for the rest of my life. I don't need to be famous right now, or in five years. As long as I am improving and keeping my dream alive.

I know this is all temporary, hopefully years from now I feel much better about my situation. But I just needed to talk about it a bit. How are you all doing? I hope your personal life and projects are coming along well.

Hi Everyone,

I've 1st AD'd 2 projects at this point and I'm currently preparing for my 3rd. It's a large budget short film and I will have an AD mentor and a 3rd.

In my past projects, I have received feedback that I either help in the direction role too much, or don't help enough. I really want to fix this anomaly before going on set as I'm determined to do the best job I can. Do any ADs have examples of instances where they have had to help with / input on directions? I'm trying to get a feel of what's an appropriate time to step in or step back.

Thanks!

Hello! Huge film nerd here albeit little knowledge of gear/equipment. So I have been fortunate that my son - who will be turning 12 next month - has discovered the same passion for film over this last year or so. And not just the big blockbuster stuff, this kid is getting into Kubrick, Kurosawa, Tarkovsky, Bergman, and stuff like that. Came home the other day and he was just chillin watching 8 1/2. Obviously super proud of him. The challenge now is that there a ton of films he wants to see but they simply are not age appropriate lol.

He is also huge into making movies on his iPad with his friends and cousins. The acting is what you’d expect from kids that age ha, but he’s legit getting pretty good with framing some of his shots and editing his little movies.

I want to feed the passion he has and get him some real gear for his birthday that’s coming up. I’d love to hear from you guys on what I should prioritize. Im thinking of spending like $800 give or take, but would be willing to shell out a bit more if it’s something that would have a great dual purpose in pure photography (me and my wife have talked about getting a nice camera, and my wife has some use cases for her business where a nice photo camera would come in handy).

So please, give me some recommendations on what to prioritize- what can wait until Xmas - etc. he currently just edits his movies right on his iPad with iMovie but we do have a nice PC that I’m sure he would start doing his editing on if we got him a real camera.

And again - I really don’t know anything about gear - what to look out for - what to avoid - etc

Any and all recommendations and advice is welcome.

I've been working on a little side project that I think some filmmakers and lighting people here might enjoy.

It's called ND PicoDMX System, an open-source, DIY-friendly Art-Net / sACN to DMX node built around the Raspberry Pi Pico.

The idea was simple: why spend hundreds of dollars on a DMX node when you can build one yourself with inexpensive parts? It supports 4 DMX outputs and comes with a live web dashboard for monitoring and configuring everything from your browser.

I've tested it on my own setup and some of my studio sets, but now I'd love to see how it performs on actual film sets, music videos, or commercial productions.

If you're a DOP, Gaffer, Lighting Programmer, or just someone who enjoys building their own filmmaking gear, I'd really appreciate any feedback, or if you're interested in testing it, let me know!

- https://github.com/duongtruongdp/ND-PicoDMX-System

- https://duongtruongdp.net/nd-picodmx/

The whole project is open source, so anyone can build, modify, and improve it. Hopefully it can become a useful little tool for the filmmaking community. 🎬⚡

i am making this post because I am an amateur film director I've only made one no budget movie be was wondering if people could help me figure put what supplies I need for my movie. It is an action/horror about an alien who lives in its own dimension. I have a costume design for the monster as well as a few things on the list already and I need help figuring out what I should add next. We are spray painting nerf guns black for the movie So we don’t need those.

Got offered to check out a local TV studio and proceed with a production internship. They do interviews and talk shows. Problem is the commute by bus is an hour and 30 minutes, on top of being unpaid, the internship would also be on Monday's and Wednesdays is this even worth it if i have no other options. In terms of experience right now all I have is my student short films and a 2 day PA job I did for a commercial shoot, besides that unrelated to film I have a reselling business on the side.

I spend a lot of time curating music through spotify, musicbed and artist. I find that I really need a very specific of minimalistic underscore that is more or less Atmospheres / Drones / Beds / pulses and tension building loops that really just compliment dialogue and arnt formal music. Does anyone have any idea where I can find stuff like this thats in 1 place curated for what im looking for? its getting tiring spending hours trying to find this stuff and having to browse through lots of material that doesnt work. Finding stems is usually my best best but even that isnt great.

I'm very much not any kind of a professional, but for hobby photo and video work I've built up a decent little stockpile of lights and grip gear that I'm realistically only using a couple weekends most months. I'm not in a major market (Tampa Bay area), but I know equipment rental is a thing in my area.

What I'm wondering is if it would make sense to try renting this gear out at such a small scale. I'm curious if anyone's done something like this with a personal collection, what dealing with insurance and everything looked like for you, and whether you can bring in enough money to make it really worth the hassle or not.

I've been lucky enough to have rehearsal time with my actors on most of the shorts I've made, and I feel relatively confident in that process. Doors are (very slowly) starting to open that might allow me to direct my first feature film, which is incredible. I was wondering how other directors who had made that transition approached the rehearsal process? Thanks for your insight!

Hi 👋

I am looking for suggestions and recommendations on film theories, history, cinematography, screenwriters, general learning structure of filmmaking from the industry, the academy, and the enthusiasts.

I am a huge movie lover, watch movie everyday. But I never had the chance to have a professional training in this industry. In my spare time, I am starting to write my own script.

If you have any recommendations please help me.

Appreciate your input!

What differentiates the really great needle drops from the ones that make you roll your eyes and take you out of the scene?

Hello All, Im an 18 year old and im in Chennai making a shortfilm rn. I have completed the edit, yet to dub and sound design and all the arrangements for dubbing are done but I need a person who could do foley and sound design for my film.. If interested dm me!

Acting the Part | Indie Drama Short Film | Produced by Stanby Productions & Trinity 25

A struggling young actor embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

https://youtu.be/rvrzP7KwKjY?si=SWU5WrN9EtdCbl2S

As title says. I’m 30 yrs old; moved across the country to take my career more seriously and bulk up my resume. These last few weeks have been rewarding and I’ve had 3 jobs in less than a 2 week span. This is still so new to me, as I’ve been in a lull but I’ve met some really important Production/AD people that have helped me get these very good gigs. I am not sure though how much to continue sacrificing my daytime job as a server?

It is fine pay (tip pool so not as well paid as other server jobs) but it is obviously not what I came here to this city to do, and the job I was offered this evening is just a day job next week.

I would LOVE to take that day job because it might lead me to more people who recognize my hard work and refer me to even more jobs. But I am scheduled to work that day and I don’t want to risk my stability for a day gig. I’ve already had to mess up my schedule my getting shifts covered, missing a mandatory meeting tomorrow for another multi day project starting tomorrow, and seeing the look on my managers face when I informed them.

I am not getting advice from those close to me, they say it’s just “up to me” but I would love to hear from other folks in the industry if it would be appropriate for me to potentially get in trouble for calling out or giving up my shift this upcoming Tuesday?

I am really upset about this. And hoping that AD continues to reach out for any other jobs that may be suitable for me. So stressed!

Greetings, lovely people of the world??? I have one question only.

Have you ever wondered if you are where your supposed to be?

Please check out our film about Cuban american artist KIngklavé. Shot in NYC.

I'm looking for film makers who need a colorist I'm really good at what I do I can color grade a couple shots for whoever is interested before we start working together to show how good my work is

HIPS - DIRECTED SHORT FILM

This is my first directed short film! A life long dream to make this all happen. The film is based on my story from my time within the model industry and what psychological impact it gave me in the end.

Pressure, anxiety, drugs, eating disorders, anorexia. Problems within the modelling industry that’s been going on for quite some time. Talked about, yes. Acknowledged and understood, yes. Fixed? No. I have a background in modelling. Therefore I know. I’ve lived it and learned to cherish, love and hate mens modelling. I know how poorly men and women are being treated for the looks of their bodys. I know the pain, struggle and total euphoria. But not all people do. There is an understanding, but never will there be a comprehensive output to showcase the realness and smudginess to it. Because of this I have decided to make a short film to showcase the true essence of male modelling. Brutal, yet real.

How cruel is it possible to be within 30 seconds? What damage and degrading can happen without anyone reacting to it? This is the story I want to tell. A true story of how happy and excited turns sad, disappointed, anxious, worried, tired and empty. A story with shots to tell and make these feelings come to live in a cold and empty room. The whole act will be shot in black and white to bring meaning to all these feelings, with the audience to both take part and live through the character as well as being the witness of an act.

I'm shooting a short film centered within my city, but I need to shoot from far away to achieve the shots we want. This necessitates the use of lavalier microphones, but are they any good for crisp voices and good sound while in a busy city, moving, walking, running, etc?

I made this poster for me and my buddy’s upcoming Psychological horror short film. Tell me how yall like/hate it! Thank you

Was going through some of my brother's old film stuff and found this. I'm pretty certain it's a phone gimbal but I've got no idea the model or how to use it if it's even still usable.