Iphone 4 filmmaking---If its cost effective I'm going to try it.

I've struggled with the quality of my films at first I utilized a Sony handy camera with a wide angle fish eye lens.  I've considered shooting with a dslr which is cheap but considering the rig I'd have to buy to make it useful I've decide to turn to the Iphone.

I've seen Night fishing directed by Park Chan-wook shot on the Iphone 4 which looked really good so I'm going to take the plunge because I can't see myself putting my name on something filmed on an android.

Looks like I'll be paying a visit to the apple store.

Inide Game the movie review

"Indie Game the movie" is a documentary film that focuses on independent video game development.  Audiences get a glimpse into the would of indie video game development. After raising funds with two successful kickstarter campaigns directors James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot utilized dslr cameras to create a modern look for the documentary.

Heart break and faith seem so to be the through line of this this documentary.  It opens with a developer anxiously awaiting the release of his game on Xbox Live only to be disappointed.  We follow the developers as they create Super Meat Boy  for its 2011 as well as Fez a game struggling in development hell for the past seven years.  Without getting too much of the mundane we get an intriguing look into the process of video game level creation and witness it's emergence as a new art form.

Every artist faces doubt both external and internal.  This film is really good at showing the risk of being an artist.  The people in this documentary risk wasting years of their lives toiling away on a project that may never be published.  Everyone wants to be that one in a million but the important message of the film is never give up.  My only issues with this film is that its a bit long in the middle but rewards those who watch the credits with a look at various games indie developers are working on.  I learned about a unique world and will be downloading steam (indie game site) to stay up to date with what out there.

Whats unique about this film is that it is part of a trend of bypassing studio distribution and marketing itself exclusively through the internet and limited theatrical exhibition.  Released on iTunes July 1st this film is firmly in the control of its creators.  It seems to be making a statement that the independent world is here and it's possible to earn a living as a independent content maker.

The film won the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. and has gone onto critical acclaim. 

Movie Grade A

M Dot Strange - The new face of do it yourself filmmaking.

M dot Strange is a director who is silently on the come up.  If you've heard of him chances are your thinking outside the box.  Originally from California M dot is redefining what is to be an independent filmmaker.  With his skill set he could easily land a job at a reputable post production facility doing animation work but he is sticking to his guns and putting his visions on screen via the internet.

I have mad respect for this brother because he is a true artist in every since of the word.  He first appeared on the radar with his innovative film "We Are the Strange" which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2007.  Budgeted at $20,000 M dot created a unique animation style called St8 anime---inspired by 8 bit Nintendo video games.  His style has been shamelessly ripped off by many copy cats but he continues to innovate.

His latest film "Heart String Marionette" has taken five years of his life to develop.  M dot has bypassed studio distribution and decided to released the film himself over the internet.  He has uploaded a try before you buy version and a premium download for $5.00.  According to his website he's sold 438 downloads as of this posting.

M dot is interested in moving onto other projects as of now but I suspect that "Heart String Marionette" could have done better if it was marketed a little bit more.  I haven't seen the whole film so I wont do a review but I feel that most of his fans like him as a person and artist.  I believe they will over look the narrative quality of his work and respect the effort. 

M dot's work isn't going away and cannot be ignored if he keeps putting stuff out there and doesn't quit he will reach his goals.  Countless unknown artists have inspiration to draw from thanks to M dot's work.

In numbers obsessed Hollywood it's refreshing to see someone creating visual art for the love but I hope his work finds a way to the big leagues.

Living out of your car to save money to make your film.

Lets face it your not James Cameron your not Spike Lee your not a famous filmmaker take a minute to let that sink in.  You have student loan debt and bills keep piling up.  Maybe you've written a screenplay but you are a nobody in the game.  No one is going to give you money.  You've read countless books; watched many making of documentaries.  You turn 30.  The world hits you in the face with the message you gotta get yours.  Do you give up?  Do you decide to take that job have a family put your passion on the shelf?  If you got heart hopefully you said hell no!  There are many ways to achieve a dream just as long as you know exactly what that dream is.  The world gives us what we really want but if you cant zero in on that one thing your like a dog chasing its own tail.


Let me be more specific when you decide to live out of your car you are taking a risk.  You've played the game you pay your bills apply for internships no one in the business is returning your calls you feel your dream slipping away.  A career in film is a very costly ambition you need to live in LA if your serious.  You need to make product you need the tools to do it.  Above all else you need to have a voice you need to tell entertaining stories.  No one will help you and the monies got to come from somewhere.  Paying rent, cell phone, insurance, food, car repairs etc.

Honestly deciding to do this extreme maneuver is actually pretty smart.  I did this for six months there was a trial and error period at first I'm going to give you the game there isn't a manual for this you just have to do it but here is the game if you really want raise funds quickly to make that film.


My first day living out of my car was very interesting the first thing I noticed was the importance of daylight and once the sun goes down you cant see shit.  Its extremely important to know where everything is at all times in your car because you don't have time to look for it in the dark.  You'll be surprised how quickly you can lose things.  Next you have to find somewhere safe to park.  You need to park somewhere different every night.  I had a 12 spot rotation.  You need to park around other cars DO NOT STAND OUT!  TINT YOUR WINDOWS AS DARK AS POSSIBLE! BUY A FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE AND DOUGHNUT! STAY ON TOP OF YOUR MAINTENANCE! (easy now since your not paying rent) you will spend about $120.00 on gasoline download gas buddy app to help you save on petrol.  BUY A WINDSHIELD HEAT SHIELD! for privacy. 

YOU CAN ONLY LIVE OUT OF YOUR CAR ONLY IF YOUR CAR ACTUALLY RUNS DON'T DRIVE A HOOPTIE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT PARK IN DECENT NEIGHBORHOODS WITHOUT ATTRACTING ATTENTION!


Best Parking Locations:
College campus
Suburban streets
Hotel parking lots
Hospital Parking Structures
Malls
Rest areas

Okay lets talk about something vital personal hygiene.  Get a gym membership at 24 Hour fitness because they're open 24 hours and you can use the facility to shower don't stand out don't blow your cover keep your situation on the down low.  Why you ask?  Because you already have enough on your mind you don't need people who don't understand your situation trying to dismantle what your trying to build.

Now lets talk about keeping that job.  How do you keep your uniform or suits ironed?  Hard to do that living out of car.  One method is to iron all your cloths at a motel (very $$$) or friends house another way is to put your already dry cloths in the drier for 15 minutes to knock the wrinkles out.  Carefully fold your uniform put into a suitcase plan out exactly what your going to wear for the work week.

Don't become a fat ass you'll be eating out 98% of the time have you seen "Super Size Me" that shit will kill you so eat subway eat lean oven roasted subs with no cheese and lay off the soda.  Drink water remember the ultimate goal save money for that Speilberg Edition HD camera!  Once you've achieved that get out of this game.  You will develop street smarts.  This lifestyle will become easy keeping your mental game up will be the challenge.  If you dwell on the negative you could become depressed or worse.

From a gender standpoint this could only work for a guy because woman have allot going on body wise... I wont go there!

Successfully living out your car takes balls.  It is intended for people who already have a full time job with benefits not for people who are jobless living on unemployment.  Keep your sanity intact by working out every day,  join a meetup group.  Spend more time outside of your car during the day.  Loiter at the cafe.  Work on your screenplays, hustle and stack your doe!

Living out of your car is not for people who have a mortgage, kids, pets, child support payments, a girlfriend, wife, whatever.  Remember at the end of the day your bills will be paid.  You'll have extra money in the bank and it will continue to accumulate as long as you don't spend more than you make be careful because spending will screw up what your trying to build.

                      GOOD LUCK AND MAKE YOUR MOVIE!!!!!