One Star Videos, Rejections, and Writing

It appears someone went through and gave our last few videos one star each on YouTube, which makes little sense, since each of those videos is totally different, and many people (ie: our relatives) have said they're some of our best vids yet.

The fact is, I don't care if you give our videos one star, but with such a polarizing vote, please, please leave a comment so we know what sucked so bad about it. Was it the abysmal lighting done by yours truly? The shaky sound by yours truly? The acting by yours truly?

Come to think of it, a one-star rating with no follow up is probably personal... hmm, who would have something against The Short-a-Week Project?

Two words: rejected writers.

Well, if I'm right, I'll just say hey, I'm sorry your script was rejected...but keep writing. The fact that I even replied to you means you're on the right track and are welcome to send your next one. (shortaweek@gmail.com)

Or...

Start your own short film project! Seriously, it's one of the reasons I started The Short-a-Week Project: was tired of writing sketches for a friend's comedy group and then having them rejected or not performed.

And so...

I feel your pa(l)in. But please, don't give us one star without a reason.

More things Learned after Making a bunch of Shorts

1. Sound quality is paramount.
-That's why Post No Bills plays so well: all sound done in post-production.

2. Black and White reduces concerns about lighting, and makes most things look good.
-I Used to Be Somebody would have not been pretty. Even with Chad in it.

3. iMovie does not have slow motion, and is hard to layer sound.
-Otherwise, I can't really complain.

4. Photos / screen shots add a lot, and are a good way to mix things up.
-Another lesson learned from I Used to Be Somebody.

5. Acting is hard.
-See my performance in Dude

...More to come!

How to Make Short Films

If you landed here searching "how to make short films," you've come to the right place. Unfortunately, it's hard to answer that question in one posting (this whole blog can be seen as an explanation on how to (or how NOT to) make short films.) But, I'll give it a shot.

First, read Mike Figgis's Digital Filmmaking and/or Robert Rodriguez's Rebel Without a Crew. Both those books will make you say, "Hell, if I want to make a movie, I need to just do it!" That's the spirit. Keep that energy. You'll need it.

After you've got the motivation, write a short script. Use MS Word if you don't have screenwriting software. You might want to set your short in places you know you can film, don't have any stunts or blood or anything that might be complicated. Limitations spawn creativity. Seriously. (Proof: Write a short about life. Then write one about your favorite cup. Which was easier to write?)

Next, get the actors. Hopefully they'll be good, and hopefully you'll get along with them.

And finally, shoot the damn thing. I know what you're thinking, what about sound, lighting, camera angles, and everything else? Who do I get to cater?

This is your first short, right? Got a camera? Just start shooting. It ain't gonna be pretty the first few times, so just get them under your belt. You can be creative in the editing room.

Which reminds me: edit your short well. Do it yourself. Take your time. Put in music, sounds, etc. Use iMovie or Final Cut Pro (any version). It all happens in the editing room.

Hope that helps! We've made thirteen short films so far. Thirty-nine to go. This advice might all change by the time this project is over.

But until then...write, rehearse, shoot. And send us your youtube link. We like to watch them too.