ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 10 months ago - Lucas Jedrzejak

Hi Paddy, I'll say this. Most of my friends who were pro filmmakers pitching ideas for many years, ended up being lecturers at Uni, teaching media. If they only had a chance to jump into an interesting doc, they would straight away. The point is, if you have an interesting story, a character to conflict with, and the audience that can interact with your person on screen, then go and do it yourself. If you can afford to shoot something to show comm ed, and you are very passionate about it, then they will find the cash to support you. I only made films and got supported because of the access rather than the credentials or particular set of skills. I think, working in a small team could also be very beneficial and working on no budget even better to get the best out of people, being on the same boat. I'm of to Lebanon, self shooting, because of the great access I gained but always looking to collaborate with people though unfortunately not always can afford to fit the bill for everyone before commission is set. Depending on the subject of your film, I may be able to send you a few pointers and contacts for finance for short and long form docs, if interested. Good luck with your film!

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

I see what you mean Marlom. I saw that through Kickstarter you don't get the funds if the full amount is not raised, I guess that could be a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it!

9 years, 11 months ago - Hermina Campbell

Hi! I'm in a similar position and would be interested in collabortaing if suitable. I'm a self shooting director currently working on a BBC2 doc with a Director, but shooting/interviewing etc by myself. Would love to collaborate to have the oppotunity to share experience/swap ideas. I also have a subject matter, access and a couple of interviews in the can for a documentary, but would love to develop it with like minded people with complimentary skills. H

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

On another note if anyone does read this and feel like they might be keen to collaborate on a documentary do get in touch!

9 years, 11 months ago - Tony Franks

Raindance runs a good, affordable documentary course for doc-making, headed by Mr. Col Spector. I did it a few years ago and would recommend it.

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

Thanks guys, I was not too keen on doing a course but just was just after some general advice. As you say Claire the temptation is to spend hours upon hours researching and never getting anything shot!

Thanks again

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice! It's very helpful to get people's perspectives on it :)

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

Hi Will, yes i would definitely think about collaborating, getting a crew together is another think i don't have a huge amount of experience in.

9 years, 11 months ago - Will Phillips

Hey Paddy. The best way to learn all of that is with other people/experience. Have you thought about collaborating?

9 years, 11 months ago - Star Kennedy

Hi Claire. One of the things that sets Raindance film making courses apart from others is that all of their tutors are actually working as film makers, rather than just teaching it.

9 years, 11 months ago - Ivo Marloh

Hey Paddy,

I met with an experienced documentary producer friend a few times in the run-up to my first feature doc to pick his brain. I'd be very happy to do the same if you fancy, it really helped me. PM me.

9 years, 11 months ago - Marlom Tander

Crowds fund what the crowd cares about, and only when they know about it.

You have to be sure that a lot of the crowd will ALREADY feel like you do about the issue, and you need to know that you can run the kind of campaign needed to get the word out.

It's a major undertaking. A lot more work than most people think. (Reminds of me of my old rave days. the media presented it as dodgy guys in a warehouse and secret phone number. Reality was MONTHS of carefully orchestrated promotion and silly crazy financial risks).

9 years, 10 months ago - David Graham Scott

Hi Paddy

My first serious docu was 20 years ago and you can see it in my profile details (Hanging with Frank). All shot and edited on film. Some people think it's my best film actually so maybe it's been a downward spiral ever since but I don't really think so!
Anyway, I just got so enthused about the subject (an execution chamber) that I got the film made by any means necessary and used a lot of my own money to do it. Sacrifices have to be made and if it's a bit of dosh then so be it. If you're truly driven then you will get your project done whatever it takes.
I was also quite lucky in that I worked at an arts cinema at the time and a few budding filmmakers were employed there. Tapped into the talent on my doorstep basically!

Hope that may be of interest.

DGS

9 years, 10 months ago - S v

Hi Paddy,

I've just joined SP and was drawn to your post as I'm starting out as a documentary filmmaker. To be honest I started as a photographer, then moved to self-shooting short docs for the web, until I felt the need to make something bigger that I could call a proper 'documentary'. I didn't think too much about how to do it, I just went and did it with my own money - it's a very low budget project that I did entirely by myself, so nothing too fancy, but I have to say I'm quite happy with the results.
Now that it's done, I can say with confidence that, had I worried more about how to make things 'properly', I would have never done anything. Especially with the experience you seem to already have: do not worry! :-)

What I am still struggling with is distribution, so one thing you might want to think about is plan a distribution strategy in advance - I didn't do it and I'm still stuck one year later…

As for collaborating, if you need to form a crew I would LOVE to get involved. What I learnt from my experience is that I could have done a much better job with just an extra person or two! And I want to have my own team that I trust, as well. So this could be a way of 'testing' each other for our own future projects. Let me know what you think.

Ivo, if you don't mind could you share the documentary producer friend of yours' details please? I think I'd benefit from having a word with him - ta!

9 years, 11 months ago - Claire Buckley

You do not need a "course". If they could, they'd be out doing it not collecting the "course" fees.

Follow you're story; follow your instincts. You already have the basic to run solo. If you have to think too hard about it, you will never get it shot.

Claire

9 years, 11 months ago - Paddy Scott

HI Marlom, That is great advice thank you, i think the idea i have would definitely be of interest to some campaign organisations. I do think that i can do the majority of it on a very small budget though. What do you think are main problems with crowdfunding an idea? Thanks again for your advice.

9 years, 11 months ago - Marlom Tander

I'd be very wary about counting on crowdsourcing to fund your first indie docu.

You should probably look at something you can self shoot that will be good enough to be a calling card for bigger projects.

Could you do lightweight productions for your existing news contacts? Hit the ground for a breaking story, find the spots, people and then shoot the journo when they land later?

Or, if your projects might be hard hitting and serve to highlight an issue of interest to a campaigning organisation then they might fund or part fund someone with your background, or at least provide some material support.

You get interviews and make shit happen, mainly by hitting the phones and not taking no for an answer. If that isn't you, you need a journo type partner who thrives on it.