I knew all the right answers. The correct shutter speed to use, the best affordable lenses to buy, and the big names in the indie film game.
My films looked awful though. I was using the same gear as guys I loved, but my films looked like the local news.
Let me take you back to the beginning.
I picked up a Canon T3i (I got it wrong in the video). I bought it because I was watching all these Vimeo videos. These experienced filmmakers were using the T3i to create amazing projects.
After buying this camera I started shooting things immediately.
I approached my friends about shooting this short film idea and got them to agree.
I wrote the script out, knew the exact shots and angles I needed. So I grabbed my T3i and ran out with my friend David. I shot him running around and grabbing leaves.
I was so excited about the stuff I was shooting. I got home, plugged in my SD card and started importing.
After scrubbing through the footage I couldn’t help but feeling disappointed. My footage was shaky and felt ‘video-y.’
It didn’t look like anything I was seeing on Vimeo. Half of it was shaky, the other half looked like garbage.
Maybe I can fix it in post-production.
I thought “it’s because I shot it in a flat profile.” So I put it into after effects and added tons of contrast.
Honestly, it was like slapping a bow tie on a turd. You can’t polish a turd.
I messed with the footage for months. I had this vision in my head for this film. But there was no way for me to get it look as good as my vision.
I spent months on it, because I was nervous to post it to Vimeo.
Fingers crossed. It’s time to share.
Finally I built up the courage and posted it to Vimeo. “Maybe this will be a hit” I thought.
I sat and waited after it published on my Vimeo feed. And you know what happened…
Crickets…
NOBODY watched it.
So I shared it on my Facebook and twitter.
I got a few comments from friends and family that said, “oh that’s interesting…”
AKA – this is weird, I don’t get it.
I got about 100 views on Vimeo over the course of 2 weeks and felt like a total failure.
Consider the possibility you make bad films.
Some of you guys may be here. You may be struggling to make films that look great, films that feel great, and films that people love.
It’s a tough spot to be in.
Consider the possibility that you are still at this point. You’re making films that don’t match the vision in your head.
If that’s the case, I have a question for you:
What is one way you’ve tried to fix making crappy films?
CLICK HERE to email me right now. Send me one thing you’ve tried to fix crappy films that you’ve made!
Seriously, I read every email. Email me at gofilmnow@gmail.com and send one way you’ve tried to fix this problem.
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