FROM PAPER TO REALIZATION. ADVICE ON MAKING A FILM

For the past several months I have been writing diligently. I have written a couple of short films and and slowly climbing the mountain of writing a couple of longer feature length films. I'm getting to the point of getting out in the world and trying to turn some of the short films into reality. Speaking of reality, the situation is such that I will be pretty much doing this all on my own, in a new town, in Southern Indiana. It's daunting to sit at a desk and try and piece together what to do first. Writing out the budget? Casting? Location scouting? Permits? Equipment rentals? I have the good fortune to work around some film festivals for several years and have met a lot of up and coming filmmakers as well as some established people in the film industry. I decided to contact some friends and ask them for some advice on making a film.

"DON'T FIGHT REALITY -- Unless you have the money too -- Adjust your shots to the locations, adjust your dialog to the actor's ability, adjust your approach to what is working in the moment, rather than trying to force something that just isn't happening short films might give you more leeway to explore though.  But on a low budget feature, making those adjustments can keep you on track. Hire a great composer and cinematographer Also, HAVE FUN"— TRAVIS STEVENS Producer A HORRIBLE WAY TO DIE, CHEAP THRILLS, AMERICAN MUSCLE 

"I've had the opportunity to shoot some pictures in places like Akron, Ohio, which is similar to the Southern Indiana area and it was always a pleasant experience despite lack of proper rental houses or inexperienced crew because I always got great locations and total cooperation. People there haven't been ruined by film production yet, so really all you have to do is ask nicely and don't act like Joe Hollywood and I think that you'll find that folks can be very accommodating and helpful. Some things may be a bit more difficult than shooting with a bunch of experienced crew members in a city, but you can easily make up for it with great locations and freedom." TRENT HAAGA Writer DEADGIRL, Co-Writer CHEAP THRILLS

"I don’t know what your budget is but use it wisely. Every dollar is important and belongs on the screen to make it a bigger and better movie. When directing or producing a film you owe a professional obligation to your investors, your crew and mainly your Film to make sure not one penny is lost because of greed or incompetency.

Prep, prep and more prep. Prep is king! Be totally prepared so you are not prepping when in production and rolling cameras. That's how you waste money and eat up your filming time doing something that should have been done before you started shooting and everyone is on the clock. So know every shot you're going to need at the end of pre-production. Then the crew will know your shots also and they can stay ahead of you. It makes it an enjoyable shoot also for you and everyone.

Be a leader!!!  Go kick butt! Let's truly love the passion of film making and always prep like there is no tomorrow, Ha! Prep is the secret to a successful shoot. Always here for you!" AARON NORRIS Producer WALKER, TEXAS RANGER Director DELTA FORCE 2, BRADDOCK MISSING IN ACTION III

"Get lots of coverage - shoot until they won't let you - don't shoot the same shot twice unless it was fucked  - and most of all have fun!"DOUG AARNIOKOSKI Director of THE DAY, NURSE 3D

"No two directors are alike but all the best ones trust their vision. Try and communicate it as clearly as you can to cast to heads of dept and cast. Half the job is getting everyone on the same page. Then, once they're on the same page, let everyone have their say. Some suggestions will be better than what you had in mind. If that's the case put your ego aside and take the advice.

Your job is to make the best possible film and if a pearl of wisdom comes from the guy putting in the portable toilet then don't hesitate. You're a team. Conversely, if someone offers a suggestion that's off track then have the knowledge to respectfully tell them why. It's your job to answer the thousands of questions that will be coming your way from the color of a character's socks to the size of each shot to whether you're on a wide or long lens etc. You have to know/understand the film better than anyone else.

Think of it like a watch you intricately know the mechanics of. But you also have to be able to step back and allow yourself to be the audience. You're the one with the vision in your head so ultimately you're the only one who can definitely say whether the shot, scene etc is working or not. And be nice to crew. They're working their ass off for you! Good luck!" SEAN BYRNE director of THE LOVED ONES  

"That is great that you are making a movie. My advice is work with the resources that you have, be sincere and try to tell a good story. I wish the best of success for you." JAMES NGUYEN Director of BIRDEMIC

James Nguyen Director Of Birdemic Interview

A couple of years ago a film called Birdemic: Shock and Terror defied all the odds of a self financed independent film. The film garnered a theatrical run, sold out movie theaters and secured a home video release. Anyone who has seen Birdemic cannot easily forget the movie. Mr. Nguyen is also very passionate about environmental issues. I recently spoke with James on his upcoming follow up to Birdemic -- Birdemic 2: The Resurrection, the current state of the environment and other film projects he is working on.

 

 

 

When were struck with the notion that you wanted to make films?

I became a filmmaker by accident in 2001 after launching a startup called Moviehead.com, an online movie theater in 1999.  In 2001, I made my first movie call Julie and Jack which is a romantic thriller about love and spirituality;  it is a modern day, Romeo and Juliet. 

Early in my life, I liked to watch romantic movies. My two favorite romantic movies are Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour and the 1963 Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet.  But romance is not enough for me. I am not just interested in a chick flick.  There has to be also some mystery, suspense, and a thriller. 

A romantic thriller.  BIRDEMIC – Shock and Terror is a romantic thriller.  The genre romantic thriller was invented by the great director Sir Alfred Hitchcock – The Master of Suspense. Examples of great Hitchcockian romantic thrillers are Vertigo, The Birds, Rear Window, North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief, Notorious & Rebecca.  In my opinion, Vertigo is Hitchcock’s greatest romantic thriller and his greatest movie! Vertigo is my favorite Hitchcock movie. 

A romantic thriller is a feature movie that has the elements of romance, mystery, twists & turns and suspense; there is romance between the two protagonists, but there are forces that might affect the romance and that not all is well and not all are what they seemed to be.  Mr. Hitchcock invented the genre of romantic thriller, but he never referred or calls it as romantic thriller.  I formalized this genre and call it romantic thriller.  In the first half of BIRDEMIC – Shock and Terror, there is romance between the two protagonists, Rod and Nathalie; there is foreshadowing that perhaps all is not normal (such as melting Arctic sea ice are killing Polar bears to extinction and the many forest fires). 

Half way through Birdemic, the eagles and vultures attack and the movie reveals why the eagles and vultures attacked through characters like Dr. Jones and the Tree Hugger.  There are more information about romantic thrillers in my memoir,  "Birdemic - Shock & Terror - The Romantic Thriller That became a Cult Sensation Hit!" at Birdemic.com.

What films and directors would you consider influences?

My favorite movie is Hitchcock's Vertigo which has a very strong influence in all my movies which are romantic thrillers.Everything I learned on how to make a movie is from Hitchcock's Cinema.

What did you learn as a filmmaker from making Birdemic?

Worked with what I have with very little money. Be sincere

If you were to do anything differently would you change anything in Birdemic?

I wish the bird animation would look more real.

There was an environmental message in the first Birdemic, what are your thoughts on the current state of the environment since the premiere of Birdemic?

Even with all the green actions, There still too much CO2 being released from cars and factories into the atmosphere. We are heading toward catastrophe.

Do you think people are aware of the problems that face our environment and are we taking enough steps to try and stop global warming?

I think that a lot of people are aware of the global warming, but only a few are living a green life style because to go green is expensive: electric car, solar panels and so on.There are people, organizations and companies that are taking steps to help slow down global warming, but their actions are not enough. To slow down global warming, every polluting things that are man made have to stop releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

What do you think we as individuals can do to help the environment?

As I wrote in my memoir, "Birdemic - Shock & Terror - The Romantic Thriller That became a Cult Sensation Hit!", people should try to live a green lifestyle as much as they can such as driving hybrid or electric car and installing solar panels at their house.

How is Birdemic 2 coming along?

The production of Birdemic 2 - The Resurrection was successful.There is a Birdemic 2 trailer at http://thisisbirdemic.com/

What awaits the audience of Birdemic 2?

Birdemic 2 has a better storyline and plot than Birdemic 1. I have a small office in Hollywood, California.  And my office is located at the street corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.  Hollywood honored the great Director, Mr. Billy Wilder by calling this street corner, The Billy Wilder Square for his greatest movie, Sunset Blvd. and Oscar winning movie career and films.   Mr. Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director. Mr. Billy Wilder is my second favorite movie director. The Spanish word, “La Brea” means the tar in English.  Tar is that thick black sticky oil that is the hint to BIRDEMIC II – The Resurrection on why the eagles and vultures attack Hollywood?  Who will survive?

Do you have other stories you are wanting to film?

Yes. Currently, I am directing my 5th film call "Sea is Rising" which takes place in Vietnam.  The synopsis is three friends went to Vietnam

for a partying vacation where they found romance and more.  There is more information about it at www.indiegogo.com/SeaisRising

What advice would you give to people who want to be creative and tell their own stories?

Be sincere. Try to raise the money for their films from investors. But if they fail to raise the money for their films, then they should work with what they have like I did with Birdemic - Shock and Terror.

 

James Nguyen with writer Robert A. Mitchell