Slide One - Introduction
- Hi, I’m Dan and my main focus going forewords into the future after university is writing and directing feature films, with maybe a bit of producing on the side. I know Arthur and Aaron have very similar plans to me, apologies if there is a bit of repetition.
Slide Two – After University
Film Festivals
- Maybe this obvious, but immediately after university, I’ll hopefully be able to do the festival rounds with my grad film. Familiarise myself with that world and try to get my film seen.
Independent Film
- The way I see it, I could try to get a job as some kind of production assistant. And over years of slogging away, I could work my way up until one day, if I’m very, very lucky, I get to direct something. However, I want to go down more of an independent route.
Slide Three – The Next Three Years
Get a flexible job
- I think film school has a real focus on making one big project; which is great. I’ve learned a lot from it. But it limits the variety and quantity of experiences you can have. So after uni, I am going to get a job that will let me live; something flexible that will pay the bills, but isn’t necessarily film related.
No budget short films
- And over the next few years, I am going to make a whole stack of no budget short films. I want to make as many films as I can, for as little money as I can in order to really hone my craft and gain experience in independent filmmaking.
- However, perhaps most importantly, I’m going to show these films to as many people as possible in order to build connections and find like-minded filmmakers. In order to achieve this, ideally I would like to continue down the film festival route, however I also think this could crucially involve developing more of a social media presence. I already have a YouTube channel, I’m on Vimeo, I have a website and an Instagram. So I think I should put more of a focus on these and build an image, a brand and, hopefully, some kind of an audience.
Production Company
- ‘Production Company’ feels like too dramatic a term; but alongside Harris Palmer, one of my course mates, I am in the process of developing a collective of filmmakers under one banner. The idea behind this is to have a support network for director-led film production. It would have a shared attitude; a manifesto, almost. It would put the filmmaker’s creative vision first. It would very much have an attitude, not of “We can’t do that on our budget”, but rather “How can we do that on our budget?”
- I think this would be a great way of pooling resources. It would expand my network of connections and, ultimately, it would give me something to hold me accountable; to make sure I keep plugging away, because it’s very easy to fade when you’re on your own.
Slide Four – Feature Film
Save Money
- So that’s the next three or so years. Over these years, I’d also like to try to save up some
money.
Just Make Something
- People always say that the best way to become a filmmaker is to just make films. So that’s the plan.
Micro-budget feature
- I have a few ideas for micro budget feature films that I’ve been developing, and I’m just going to bite the bullet and make something. There is no harm in trying to pitch these ideas to productions companies or funding bodies or whatever, if for nothing other than the experience of pitching. However, if I save up, crowdfund, find like-minded people willing to work for basically nothing for the experience, then I can self-finance the film. Then, take it to festivals and try to find distribution for it. Failing that, I release it online and find an audience for it there.
- Then, after that film is done, I start again. Hopefully not from scratch this time. Hopefully I’ll find an audience. Hopefully I’ll make contacts; a crew I trust. But ultimately, I just make another film.
- I’m fully aware that this is a risky, arguably stupid path to choose, but it’s what I’ve wanted to do my whole life and I think I have the passion and the drive to do it. I’m still young, I’m only responsible for myself at the moment and I think if I’m ever going to just go for it, then now is the time.
Slide Five – Moving Forewords
Acting Course
- In the meantime, there are some other things I can do to fill skill gaps I might have. I’d like more experience working with actors, so that’s something I’m going to focus on; possibly even just joining some kind of straight acting course so that I have some experience of what it’s like to be an actor. That experience would hopefully make it easier to direct actors, or at least understand their process better.
Shadow Director
- I think it would be useful to shadow another director to see how they practically work, professionally. Northern Ireland Screen are offering an opportunity to do this soon, so I’ve applied to that, but I’m sure there are alternative ways to arrange something like this.
Social Media
- As I said, I’d like to develop my social media presence. I’m already on most social media, but perhaps this is something I could focus on making more consistent and of a higher quality.
Production Company
- I need to focus on developing the production company I mentioned, and pin down exactly what it’s going to stand for.
Make Films!
- And most importantly, I’m just going to make films.
Thank you for listening.
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