Youth...Blessing or curse?

[Luke Kokinos]

So, I'm a writer/director in Madison, WI, and I also like to shoot what I direct. I've been doing a web series with no budget, just DSLRs and volunteer actors, all on location, lit with a few can lights and the occasional Fresnel. I've been on a hiatus from that due to actors being involved in too much theatre.

Anyway, I did some contract video work, and during the hiatus, I tried my hardest to figure out what I was doing wrong with my web series, since the poor production quality was downright embarrassing. I've gotten much praise from my work, which isn't very well deserved, but I won't complain. This may not have been the best time to do so, but I jumped on the BT RED 1 bandwagon, mostly because I knew I'd never get the opportunity to again.

But now to the point. I'm drafting up a feature film to produce in about eleven months. One problem I foresee is my age. I'm probably the youngest RED Owner, and I'm not sure if this will hurt my ability to fund my picture. It's mostly a bottle film, one location, five characters. But I'll still need around 30-35 grand to produce it the way I want to. While these are relatively small numbers to throw around while talking about a feature production, I'm worried the respect I have will disappear when it comes to financing.

On one hand, I think it could really hurt my chances of getting the financing I need, but on the other, I feel it could gain a lot of interest if I play my cards right, so to speak.

Thoughts?

 

[Phil Holland]

Hi Luke, I don't think it will hurt you in any real way. Projects have wildly varying budgets these days depending on their scale and scope. What's important for you to do is to be confident and instill that confidence in the people who will finance you. Nobody will give you a dollar if they don't believe you can do it.

Now some different-er advice. Filmmaking is a journey and these days there's more to learn than ever. Certain theories and practices have remained the same for decades. For instance, good lighting is always going to be good lighting. Quality control is something that comes with experience. As you grow and develop you'll have new tools and techniques available to you and the projects you shoot. My best advice is to seek out those will experience to get their advice and to observe their expertise whenever possible. I learned so much by working with and "near" people. It's hard to jump in and produce Academy level work from the get go. Over time though, you'll find that's a bar you can get closer and closer to if you work for that.

Some advice on your production. Generally speaking try to add 15-20% to your expected budget when you can. Just in case. If this is your first feature length production you'll find you'll likely always need something a bit unexpected along they way through production and post. If you are handling this all yourself make sure you also invest time and money into some quality audio gear. A lot of projects suffer from: poor exposure, lack of lighting, horrible audio, lack of planning, etc.... If you know that going in you'll certainly be more prepared.

My last bit of advice is more from me. Make sure you practice. You have the tools now and the ability to capture cinema quality imagery. It's up to you to understand those tools and figure out how you can get the most out of them. Even when I'm working in post or pre-production (or whenever I even have downtime) I still practice production types of work. For me a camera is much like an instrument or a brush. I draw everyday to keep my abilities moving and growing. I practice focusing, experiment with lighting, and test exposures in the same manor whenever possible.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Youth, if a problem, will go away if you just have some patience...

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Youth is both a blessing and a curse. Take it from someone who has had it and lost it - at least nominally. Youth often isn't the "weakness" per se; usually it is inexperience. Get in your 10,000 hours (read the book "Outliers" for the reference) and you'll get it together much more quickly.

My advice is to try and take the enthusiasm and optimism you have as a young person add do your homework so you can add a bit of humility, maturity, focus, and a bit of a sense of reality. These are things that tend to come from experience.

I any case, just don't give up until you achieve what you set out to achieve.

Simple, huh? :smiley:

 

[Mark Pavy]

Easy, fund it yourself. Look at the kickstarter program. Don't mention your age in your kickstarter project, nobody gives a shit that you're "probably the youngest Red Owner".

 

[Timur Civan]

Youth, if a problem, will go away if you just have some patience...

Sage advice.

 

[Bill Anderson]

There is no shortage of success stories regarding extremes in ages. Youth is no more an obstacle than old age is an answer.

Practice practice practice.