ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

8 years, 10 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Did you not have insurance?

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

I have public liability insurance - someone has always been on set and we were very careful with water, sand and fire extinguishers to hand (especially when we had fire and candles and so on) - I didn't imagine something like this could happen. It is a straw bale structure, but they were all wet. It's a short film and I thought public liability insurance was all that was needed.

8 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

In fairness Wozy, it's pretty unusual for shorts to have a lot in the way of insurance to cover sets, business continuity and reshoots. Of course this is an example of when it might be useful, but in reality it's hard to insure...

Risks are unknows, rebuild costs are unknowns, cost of delayed shooting disproportionately high (maybe requiring recasting/losing crew deals/fresh hires), risk assessments not drawn up by professionals, maybe not the precautions a professional production may have, etc. And of course, there's a much higher risk of this impacting a short with a few shoot days than a longer production where days might be swapped around.

8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich

A link for people might be helpful.

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

I can't believe I forgot to include that bit of information!!! Here it is:https://igg.me/at/saveharryandgrace/x/14516334

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

I would actually love to hear what you think of the original set build anyway

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

https://igg.me/at/saveharryandgrace/x/14516334

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

The last link works - not sure why the first one doesn't want to x

8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich

The interior is/was absolutely lovely. Sorry for your troubles.

8 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna

I'm sure you've been buried under praise for your initiative Holly but was it really necessary to build a complete cottage for god's sake? A short course in film-making e.g. the C & G one, would have impressed on you the necessity of short films having minimal locations (and those interior if at all possible) minimal cast and locations. It's amazing what your brain will come up with if you are forced to work with these restrictions. Apart from that I suppose you're now forced to finish what you started - and it sounds remarkable and not just for one so young. So good luck with that. I think you'll win somehow.

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

Hi Allan, thank you for your response and for thinking that I’ll win somehow :)

Yes, I thought it was completely necessary to build a complete cottage. I don’t feel even now “forced to finish what I started”, I feel excited and determined to push forward to finish this film which has been something I’ve wanted to make for over four years.

I honestly do see your point about shorts often being best made simply - and of course it is always very irritating to see posts from first time directors saying they need money for all sorts of stuff for things they “plan” to make.

I on the other hand have already made several shorts and for pretty much no money at all. They have gone on to do well at festivals and these were the projects I learned on. I have put this film on hold for years so that I could work on my skills and be prepared for it.

It isn’t that I was desperate to build a cottage - I searched high and low for an alternative. There was nowhere that was within traveling distance that I could find that was suitable - I looked very hard. I spoke with several location finders. The best thing I found was a “hobbit hut” style house in Pembrokeshire - but the cost of transporting and accommodating everyone there meant it wasn’t viable. I considered using one exterior location and then building in a studio too. This it turned out though was the most cost effective solution for me and the initial build was set to come in at around £3500 - which I think is great.

Whilst I can agree with you Allan that yes it is generally a good idea for shorts to be made simply - that they can be good projects to learn on, to experiment with and to start to find a team you can gel with - they also sometimes have to be more than that too. Sometimes a short has to show what you can do - to yourself and to potential future investors in a feature. I have to say, after this experience making a feature film feels a lot less daunting and this is something I want to embark upon in the next two to three years.

Also - and honestly this is the main reason I think why anyone would make a film - this is a film I NEEDED to make. I’ve put it on hold, I’ve made simpler things - but this is something that I’ve had constantly on my mind to make since I was nine years old and it’s a story that wouldn’t go away for me. I have a strong vision and I am confident in my skills. I hope that doesn’t sound arrogant and I know that I’m young and of course we are all still learning forever I hope - but I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think it was something I was very good at.

Lastly, making something on this scale has been such a wonderful learning experience for me to. I learned how much work is involved in a crowd funding campaign. A LOT! - so much so that, before the fire, I was sure I wouldn’t be doing another one until it was time for a feature. I have learned to negotiate - and I’ve learned how to make a small budget go along way - when I am making films in the future that have big budgets I know I’m still going to have to keep a reign on finances and I’m realising that every department always wants a bigger share than is possible. I’m learning to co-ordinate people and how to deal with last minute disasters and how to overcome them. I’m learning that I’m good at this and can handle all kinds of things that before felt overwhelming - like shooting a big crowd scene.

It isn’t that I disagree with you Allan, but I’m not trying to make a good film for a thirteen year old - I just want to make exceptional films - sometimes they will be super ambitious and sometimes they will be short and simple.

Finally - I have some good news - as of this morning the campaign is 208% funded and a new filming date has been set (it will be in the first half of October). I can’t wait!

8 years, 10 months ago - Gareth Bowler

Hi Holly,

I do agree with Allan but sincerely don't listen to us old and world weary and keep doing the crazy and unnecessary! that aside...

You say you don't want to make a good film for a 13yr old, but just exceptional films regardless of the age of the person who made the film, fantastic. With that in mind...

Please next project and all projects after that for a long time try to create films that are logistically simple but exceptional when it comes to filmmaking craft and storytelling, that way you can focus 95% of your attention on becoming a better storyteller and filmmaker and less of the blood sweat on tears on production logistics.

https://vimeo.com/138674027 please watch this 30 seconds

I wanted to create something magical so I bought £100 of fairy lights from Argos, turned my living room into a universe and got my neighbours kid and his Grandad round for a few hours, I then retuned the fairy lights to Argos :) so all of that magic cost next to nothing.

I'm not saying don't build your incredible set, I'm saying make sure that you have the know how to create magic once your incredible set is built.

I hope this comes across in the right way, keep doing what you're doing but make sure you focus your energy in the best way!!!

8 years, 10 months ago - Jane Sanger

Hi Holly,

I am sure I have seen you somewhere, maybe in casting?

I really admire your chutzpah and so glad you got the film re-funded. Though you have had experience before making films, all these guys here have got good points. For instance I have just finished filming in Bulgaria and wanted the old style wooden shed look of the ancient Bulgarian houses. So I got permission in the local museum in Sozopol for free to use an historic interior and then "cheated" by filming the outside of an old cottage. All at no cost. Building a fantastic set is very commendable, but costly and you can turn a room into an interior you want and then just film the outside of another place to give the suggestion that it is real.
What I do think that as you have started so young and you are so determined, with so much energy that you will succeed and indeed you have done.
Also not sure where you live, but next time email me as I have many, many locations "free" that I might be able to help you with and I know a few tricks to get you others. Friend request me on www.facebook.com/filmby.lumino

8 years, 10 months ago - Allan (Mac) McKenna

I agree with Gareth, Holly. And on re-reading my comments I shuddered a bit at what comes across as patronising advice from me. Yes you are young by any standards but what this gives you is energy, vision and determination long-gone from us'old and world weary'. You don't even need luck from the sound of it. Who's going to stop you?

8 years, 10 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Just so you guys know, Holly posted before when she was trying to raise money. A few of us tried to talk her out of her massive build, but in the end, she didn't compromise her vision, and I think she pulled it off beautifully. There's something to be said for that.

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to look at what I'm doing and comment. Allan, I didn't see your advice as patronising at all - I actually really appreciate anyone taking the time to try and help me and I do know that I still have a lot to learn.

Honestly I wouldn't change this experience. I felt I tried everything to find a ready made location for this film and this was my only way of accomplishing my goal. I've learned so much from it though and I'm honestly pleased that I got to learn these lessons on a 15 minute short rather than on my first feature - because as much as I'm loving this experience, I'm ready for a break soon!

It may not seem like it, but I'm actually a big fan of making short films on a shoe string - it just wasn't possible for this film. Then of course once you go all out on one aspect, the rest of the production has to be as ambitious right.

The other projects I have in the pipeline don't seem to be things that will need big budgets at all btw. I have a few ideas for simple character driven shorts that I'm working on and I'm making a documentary about home education - I think petrol may be my only cost :)

Jane, I live in Manchester right now - although I'm originally from the Midlands (I have to mention that because for castings I don't have a northern accent). I think I applied for the role of Little Red - I'm not sure if I did a video audition for you - but I remember that you did want a girl with red hair and you found someone that had that and looked very striking too I thought. Thank you so much for the offer - I hope you don't come to regret it because I don't generally let go any offer of help :)

Thank you everyone for the advice and support. You guys don't have to tiptoe around my feelings with advice I'm honestly grateful for it xxx

8 years, 10 months ago - Holly Jacobson

Jane - I've just gone to add you on FB - but we're already friends x

8 years, 10 months ago - Alwyne Kennedy

Holly, once your filming wraps, recoup your set-build costs by listing your flammable deathtrap on airbnb. Don't worry, you'll get away with it - a bloke round here got away with listing a tent in his garden. Your airbnb selling blurb might start like this "Recently restored property, well-heated..."