Independent Film
Creating a Believable Movie
Visually it is the director of photography who lights and frames the characters in a manner so that the viewer is free to temporarily escape the mundane and be caught up in a new reality. I refer to this as “ Creating the environment of believability.” Ultimately all responsibility falls to the director in the sense that he has to “Okay” the shot before it’s captured.
My involvement in the Augusta Independent Film Scene has taught me that the director usually ends up pulling double duty. Not only is it his responsibility to direct the actors, but also he must set up the shot visually. He is doing this while facilitating the entire film making process, ie. answering calls, questions, securing locations, solving continuity issues, creating special effects; the list doesn’t stop, but I will. Inevitably many of the shots degrade into home movie style footage where the entire room is the focal point and the possibility of magic is lost. I believe this is mainly due to the fact that little forethought has been given to the subject and trajectory of the scene. Scenes that should be split into three shots are accomplished in one simply to make things easier, to save time. I’ve noticed that the goal quickly changes from “let’s create something memorable”, to “let’s get this shot so we can go home.” If that’s your idea of film making then we would all be better off if you stayed home in the first place.
In some cases independent film isn’t much more than a guy with a camera and a dream who gets anyone he can convince to work with him on board. In that scene there is little talent, and rarely is there an eye for photography involved with framing or setting up the shot. All of the above wages war against the environment of believability, making it virtually impossible from the onset even if everything else went without a hitch.
It is my belief that in order to create the environment of believability inventory must be taken of available time and resources. The world you wish to create is limited by these two factors. It would benefit the film scene more if Indy directors would forget about Hollywood Movies all together. Instead of trying to compete against Goliath Hollywood, film makers should slay the Behemoth of their own ego at the onset and strive to confine their world to something that is achievable, and thus believable.
Here is an listing of local Independent Film gone wrong:
I respect David for the sheer amount of work he is willing to take on, but at the same time wish he would slow down and focus on making one movie good instead of making 12 movies bad.
www. myspace. com/davidazefilm1
www. myspace. com/killwhiteymovie
www. myspace. com/thespookmovie
www. myspace. com/bloodmoonrising_movie
www. myspace. com/horrorville_movie-On Deck-
