Flip a Coin - windsurf and ski movie

[hans de vries]

Hi Hans, thanks. We've always had a bit of trouble with following 'the rules of filmmaking' and the rules for getting funds. We couldn't see ourselves actually getting a fund for the following description: "Dear sir/madam, we have never made a movie before, but we think we have a really good idea. We don't have a script, only an outline, but we are confident it will work out. Somehow. We would appreciate it if we don't have to take any advice from your organization and can stick to our own ideas if we want. We only need your money. If that works out for you too, that would be great. Oh yes, please know that we will spend the money wisely on trips to beautiful locations around the world and to rent a helicopter. We would appreciate if you could let us know this week what amount you can spare, so we can quickly get started and rush into this. Thank you in advance for taking this in consideration."

So as soon as we let go of that fund-illusion, the only thing we knew is that we were going to do it and finish it. Just not sure how and when. So we just started shooting in between commercial jobs, and put the profit we made from that directly into the movie. We have a plan with the movie and there are many roads to get it out there, but we are far from sure how that will work out as this is also our first independent release. We didn't have a clue what we were doing when making the movie, and we still don't now that it is finished. So it's exciting times.

Like you say, to let it grow organically, can be a solid way of making a movie. Our cast, we found along the way. One of our main characters, we met in the week we started filming his part. It was pretty stupid. But worked out, so we were lucky.
I think it's important to be determined to finish it. At a certain point it is probably wise to set a deadline. The good thing about our situation was that we are only a two-man band. So it's easy to quickly make decisions with a small team, but there is still always someone who triggers the other to continue on the project. This helps in finishing it.

We are not going for Epic as of now. Our Red One does all we need at the moment. But we'll see what happens

Very inspiring. I am better at getting funds than doing commercial work, so that'll be different for me, but a two man band sounds exactly like what I want to do. Maybe three. I've been called an idiot for this, but I hope your work will show them wrong. And I'll be going for Epic because I don't want to schlepp around the Red anymore. I'll make sure I see your movie as quickly as possible. Good luck!

 

[J.K.Dibbets]

We used our own collection of Nikon and Sigma lenses for this. No Birger mount, simply the Nikon adapter made by RED. It took us almost 3 years to shoot this movie and we paid for the whole thing ourselves without any funds. So we worked with whatever we could get our hands on. And within those three years our collection of lenses expanded a bit and we've learned a lot about all of those lenses. In the end, one lens we stopped using. But there are two favorites that stand out, and which also make a nice pair. First there is the Nikon 50mm 1.8, which came in handy in so many occassions. Sharp, yet still has a sense of character. Perfect for interior shots, slowmotion and talents, but we also used it for landscape shots. It is a 100 dollar lens and offers insane value for money.

For filming the action we used two zoom lenses by Sigma. Both 100-300mm range. There are two kinds, one of them is only 100 dollars new. You can't go wrong with this thing for the money. It delivers ok images as long as the sun shines. It feels really flakey and cheap, but is very light one the other hand. It is definitely not as refined as it's bigger 100-300mm brother though. This one we got after the cheap one broke. The bigger brother is a lot heavier and needs a rest on the rods with a metal bridge which we had custom made. So it takes more time and effort to swop this lens. But the images it makes are really nice and stand out from its smaller brother. It's sharp all over the range (even wide open), has beautiful bokeh and makes for a nice 'outside' partner to the 50mm. The way it handles color and light are really nice. The built quality of this 100-300 lens is good as well. I think this one is about 1200 dollars new. Anyone who has doubts about Sigma, try this lens.

Check this link for a shot with the 'big' 100-300 lens. This was shot at 300mm, with the iris opened up to 5.6:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?i...157982254250913.29200.133916643324141&theater

This shot was taken with the 50mm, polariser on it to cut some light so we could open up the iris just a bit more and seperate the talents from the background:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?a...133918989990573.20526.133916643324141&theater

JK, give us a ring in April when you see a chance to drop by our office.

Wow I am amazed about this. Can't believe it...I haven't had a single time in projection where I thought it would have been shot on budget lenses. That is great news on the sigma's, I own a few nice ones too so that makes me even more stoked to use them on RED.

Thank you for the intel. and I look forward to april. Great that this thread gets a little more attention now, there is some inspiring information in here now.

 

[Henk van den Doel]

Thanks Peter, it was quite a mission. Never knew beforehand making a film would be this hard

Hans, now that we've made a movie with such a small crew I can understand there are people out there that would call you an idiot for wanting to do things like that. It really is a lot, a lot of work. All depends on what you are trying to do of course. I will be the last one to discourage you from taking this route, as it definitely can be done. And it probably has a glory-side to it, that is different from making a film with a 50 person crew. But be sure to team up with the right person(s). Towards the end, I found out it can get quite intense, so be sure you work with people who have the same mindset and idea about what you are going after from the start. The idea we had in this case, we really felt could be done with a small crew. I suggest you write down what you are after in one or two sentences on a small piece of paper. If all involved agree on what is written on there, put the piece of paper on the wall and stick to that until it is finished. It will take time to finish it, and we found ourselves almost getting sidetracked of the original idea a few times. It's good to let the idea grow organically too and be open to small changes, but when not careful it can grow into something that has nothing to do with the original idea. Going back to the core every now and then, makes things a lot easier for yourself.

It is so easy to be talked out of something, but if this idea has been following you for quite some time and it feels alright, you might as well give it a shot. And if you miserably fail and everyone says 'I told you so', well, at least you did it..
Keep us posted!