Filmmaking Lesson #1

I just uploaded my first feature film, 97 Brooks, to VImeo.

It's 83 minutes long.  Do you want to watch it?  I didn't think so.

What if I told you 'it's a dark comedy about a serial killer who moves to a small town and falls for a cop'
No?  Still not interested?

That's your first lesson.


97 Brooks was a labor of love that took me four years to produce.  In the end, it didn't get very far distribution-wise and I had a sour taste in my mouth because of it.  For all the hard work, help from friends and family, promotion, money, and determination, it just didn't happen.

The biggest thing I learned was that I should have made a short film instead.  Here's why:
1.  A short film simply costs less than a feature.  Even if you raise the same amount of money for a feature, you can better use the money for promotion, crew, better gear, etc.

2. A short film usually takes less time to produce than a feature.  Sure, there are some short films that have taken a very long time to produce, but usually they don't.

3. Short films have more opportunities at film festivals.  Most film festivals slot a couple of short films around a feature.  They often do blocks of short films too.  Festivals just don't have the time to accept a lot of features.

4. A short film takes less time to watch.  This sounds obvious when you think about it, but it also means it's easier to get people to watch it.  Unless you have some connections that will get you a real star in your movie, it won't be easy to get people to sit through a feature film.   A potential producer or agent will be more willing to sit through a film that only takes up a few minutes of their time.

5. A short film can be used as a sales tool for a feature version of the same story.  This method has been used many times in the past.  Movies like Slingblade, Bottle Rocket, and THX-1138 were all short films first.

6.  Filmmaking is difficult.  A feature film is really hard to produce on a limited budget.  Even the worst movie you've ever seen took a lot of time and hard work to produce.  To get all the variables to align just right to make a memorable and successful film is very hard to accomplish.  For the cost and time it would take to make a single feature, you could probably make two or three short films and hone your skills while making them.

Now, that being said, if you did happen to watch the movie and you liked it, thanks.
I'll probably give some more information on how I shot it on a future post.