This article marks the first in a series, as Film Slate Magazine follows Danial James, a Colorado-based independent filmmaker with Midwestern roots, on his journey to complete his first feature film. Danial will share the highs and lows with Film Slate readers of the independent filmmaking process, from development to the final product.
Yeah, I've asked it too, many, many times. I finished film school in '98, and I still don't have a picture to my name because of that very question. I’m sure the same could be said of many of you reading this article.
A few years ago, a friend of mine and I were driving cross-country to attend another friend’s funeral. Definitely a sad time, but in the midst of trying to stay awake on the 10-plus-hour trip, we discussed how short life is and how it makes no sense to go through it having never pursued our dreams. We both had the shared dream of film, which made it that much easier to inspire each other.
After the funeral was behind us, I knew I had to do this. I even knew where I wanted to do it: Ohio. So, I placed some calls to four like-minded buddies, asked them if they’d like to make a movie with me, and we all converged in Ohio in the middle of July to ask ourselves, “No, seriously. Where do we start?”
My first feature film was born.
The problem was, we didn’t have a script. Or even one feature-length film between us. Or a star. Or money. The only thing we did have was a lot of work to do.
That was four years ago, and this train is just now building speed. Though I’ve got an amazing team of producers, we’ve lost one and added another, changed scripts, realized that the second one sucked and rewrote it. Rewrote it again. Increased our budget. Decreased it again. Argued. Kissed and made up. Hired a DP. Parted ways. Hired another one. We’ve been back to Ohio and had hundreds (literally) of calls, and we still don’t have a movie made.
That’s about to change. Script development is nearly done, and we’re about to kick off fundraising. We’ve come a long way, but this is going to be a long year of pushing this rock uphill. Lots to do, as it turns out, so the question isn't really just "Where do we start?", but it's also, "Okay, what next?" We need to raise money, hire the right people, cast the right actors, and then get this picture in front of eyeballs. This filmmaking stuff is hard work. We might have to work some weekends.
A little about me: I'm just an average guy. I've always loved film, and I've always wanted to do it as a career. Unfortunately like most film students, after graduating I went immediately into commercial art, doing corporate videos, websites…you name it.
Over the last 12 years, I've seen some professional "success", but I still haven't made a film. Not even a short. So a couple of years ago, some friends and I got together and decided to just do it. Just make a freakin' movie.
And we’re finally doing it.
Over the course of this series, I’m going to share my own trial and error, things I learn along the way, and the brass tacks of how exactly this is done. We don’t have any money, and our budget is in the six-figure range, so we won’t have much money to work with even after we raise it.
What we do have is what I feel is a terrific story idea, and that really is the answer to the question posed above. Where do you start? With an idea. It’s that simple. Film is highly collaborative, and so many things factor into making a movie good, but it all revolves around your story. All you need then is some smarts and some elbow grease.
My first piece of advice: work that script like it’s your job…’cause it is. Write and rewrite and rewrite again. If you can’t, have someone else do it for you. Just keep working on that thing until it’s polished and perfect. I’m in my fifth rewrite of our script right now, and I’m sure we’ll still be reworking scenes until it’s locked.
In upcoming articles, I and other members of the production team will be sharing the specifics of how exactly we’re doing it. We’ll be covering finance, film vs. HD, crewing up, and casting. All of it. Feel free to email me or comment here if you have any questions along the way.
Oh, and wish me luck.
Danial James is a media & marketing professional who recently decided to make his first movie. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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