Hi there. I'm finally making a movie, and I need your help: bit.ly/GOATLAS

2017: I Made A Movie. It Stunk 2020: I Tried To Make A Movie. It didn’t happen. 2023: I Made A Movie. Trust me, it’ll happen one day

Austin legit filmed the same video five times in five different locations just so he can cut between sentences.

He made a movie. It stunk He wrote a book. It was awful He held a workshop, nobody came He got called by Hollywood. It fell apart This guy can't catch a break

I can't begin to articulate just how relatable this is.

Confirmed: The Asylum wanted Austin to help create Sharknado: Into the Shark-Verse

And now I've realized later that these Hollywood people will end up seeing this video and they'll wonder, "huh."

"I give this guy a seven-figure amount and he just goes, "no problem, I can get you that" It's Netflix.

I love how whenever I get a KZfaq Recommended video from this guy, it's always some bad news lol.

man, this really hurts in a way. getting your hopes extremely high and losing this project probably devastated you at first but i’m so happy to see that you’re over it now and even understand you don’t need this. you have a great platform here & i’m wishing you good luck with it!

Studio: "We MUST hire the man who killed LonelyGirl15"

This has always been one of my biggest fears, that my back pocket idea, the ultimate goal I have in life, will be taken away by some big studio that ran out of ideas and scrambles to find other people's idea without paying for it. The worst fear is if they do it terribly.

We should form a support group called "Holly Wouldn't". If any of us ever says "Yes" to Hollywood, the rest of us stage an intervention.

I was really expecting chapter two to be titled "I got ahead of myself"

Austin no pls stop teleporting around every sentence you'll rearrange ur molecules too much

I firmly believe that this is the story of how Austin McConnell almost directed Morbius movie

"To you the conference call was the biggest moment in your life, but to me it was Tuesday."

You should make this video into a movie called “The Back Pocket”

Austin: **explains the backpocket thing** Me: **looks sadly at my backetpocket idea** One day. ONE DAY!!

17:30 nailed it. KZfaqr here, just finished my degree in journalism. After my internship at a tv show I came to the same conclusion. Subbed, keep up the awesome work!

Dude! I have the exact same story! Sorry you had to go through that. It was definitely a bummer for me

Who is this Hollywood and why did they slide into your dms only to ghost you?

Who is Holly Wood and why did she call you

Dude, I had a very similar experience. I'm here to create, not sit in meetings for 3 years. An EP literally said "This is definitely going to get the green light" instead, the whole ordeal ended in a "soft pass". If I ever do a pitch again it will be made to go online first. My priority is creating and sharing, not meetings.

Here’s my pitch: A movie about Sprouting Orchids. But the movie is about the making of the movie. It’s a movie, about you, making a movie. it’s the “I made a movie, it sucked” video, but as a movie. Austin, the stories you tell about going after your dreams capture the unspoken existential dread of being a twentysomething and the courage and heart that it takes two swallow your fear and break the mold. It’s the message that has kept me coming back to you. It speaks to that part of a young man’s heart that desires to be more. Title: “I Made A Movie.” Or don’t, because I’ll still watch literally anything else can you direct. Hang in there man. We’re all excited to see how high you fly.

you might not have been able to make a hollywood movie, but you have atleast gained over 1 million subs by just being wholesome, interesting and funny

To me, this is a horror story. I'm currently waiting for an important response from a network. Nothing as big as what happened to you, but this is a bigger opportunity that I ever thought I would have. And I'm petrified. I keep thinking about what is the worst that could happen... And then I watched your video. Thank you for sharing this experience, may we never get too carried away!

Man, every video of your’s I’ve watched, I’ve loved. Even the “sub-par” ones. My girl has lyme’s which has caused her heart and circulation problems. She uses an oxygen concentrator. Sometimes, when she’s herxing really bad, there’s nothing she can do but lay on the couch and take the pain. In those times, we’ve watched your videos. They/you made us laugh and made time pass faster. For this, I am grateful, my friend.👌

I remember finding your channel back in 2017 with, "i made a movie. it stunk." and then found this pop up on my home screen today, it's nice to see you, again. I'm sorry you dealt with such overwhelming stress. I'm happy you got to taste the excitement of traditional media, it's unfortunate it didn't work out for you. I am glad it led you into a serendipitous state where you're able to make passion projects again. I'm looking forward to seeing more from you soon.

My dad was a Screenwriter, and I watched this exact process happen at least 20 times growing up. The thing you missed, that may still not have worked, was to get an agent to represent you. That agent shops your idea until you, at the very least, get a retainer. In order to get that, you try to shop it as many people as you can, at the same time, so that someone gets scared enough to put some skin in the game. We lived off of retainers for years. Nothing got made, but it was all paid for, in part, repeatedly. My dad's dead, and there's a huge box of outdated scripts in my basement. A box of unfulfilled dreams. For every star on the Hollywood walk of fame, there are 10,000 faded names on gravestones. EDIT: Correction, it's not called a retainer, it's called an "option".

It sounds like you learned something... and that is never a waste of time.

I've been through this process myself many times, where things seem like they may happen but they fall apart at the final hurdle. Usually because people lose interest or the person who can really say "yes" didn't say it. I've learned not to hang your hopes on "talk" because there's a lot of smoke blowing in Hollywood. And there is no sure thing until you've signed a contract and the check has cleared in your bank account. Anything outside that is "talk". I'm fortunate to have had one indie feature made, one studio feature I've been paid for and in pre-production, and another indie feature in "talks". You gotta roll with the punches and don't wait on people. Keep pushing your other projects and stick to your main plan.

I feel your pain dude. Reminds me of my Google interviews where they flew me out multiple times before they chewed me up and spit me out. All smiles and promising demonstrations of interest. Then, nada. I now work another job that pays similar to what they would have and actually works on some of their projects. My dream is to work on one of their facilities and Squidward laugh so hard knowing I still succeeded and they lost out on dedicated talent. I trust you will do the same! Hold on there my dude.

I feel like i owe you an apology. During this time where shit was going chaotic you released a video that i commented on stating that it seemed like you ran out of material based on the content released. After hearing everything you were going through and how emotionally challenging your life has been i feel like it was rude and definitely gave me a rude awakening to what goes on in the other side. The worst part is you actually responded back "OK" which showed you actually read my childish comment. So as one grown ass man to another, I'm sorry for that, and hope your doing better and have a great year ahead in your projects. Bro HUG*

When he said he didn't even really like the franchise that the project was based on, my mind immediately jumped to the Fast and the Furious

This frustrating story reminds me how I wanted to write a novel about a small dream study experiment gone wrong (using AI to collect data from people's dreams and then predict future based on the information, and accidentally discovering that their very experimental dream booster device corrupted reality itself and erased someone from existence, so that only one person remembers and now has to navigate both reality and dreams to get the erased person back; also maybe adding some romantic touches and conflicts). That was before Inception was a thing. I wrote first chapters and then I couldn't find enough time and gave up. Still not sure, if the idea is any good.

Man this was tough to watch. I've gotten the run around before on projects but this is magnitudes above anything I've even dreamed of. I can't even imagine how much turmoil this whole thing caused. At least as a part time creator I can rely on the stability of an office job but holy cow you were fully invested in this. Thank you for sharing your experience this is very eye opening and a good lesson. Shoot for the stars but always keep an eye on the ground. Always looking forward to the next one Austin :)

Jeez, I think I learn more from your failed projects then I think I would learn from a successful one.

"We'll get back to you in a week." Is business talk for "Nah fam"

As a writer, I totally get the starry-eyed reaction to large corporations with huge budgets and massive audiences. You don't have to like the industry, but damn, the reach, the budgets, the networking, and the possibilities. Your content last year wasn't your star content, but that's all right. This entire process, no matter how deflating, wasn't a waste of time. Just because Draft 1 is shit doesn't mean the process of creating it was. Now you know what doesn't work, and Draft 2 will be better. In the end, your back pocket idea was given new life. I'm confident that it'll be worth it.

I love the way you tell your stories Austin. You always keep me engaged until the end.

So they organize these "pitches" with various creators, write/record all your ideas and then tell you "i'm sorry, we've decided to go with something different". Hollywood and it's great vulture practices for ya.

Really starting to sound like he was approached to do a Disney+ Original.

Lovely video. It was really good to hear about this experience. Thank you for being open and honest about it.

Sounds like Disney’s new WandaVision show

I really appreciate how open and frank you are. It’s refreshing.

"We have an indie startup studio that greenlights stuff like this all the time"... uh... Are you talking about 20th Century Fox & Fox Searchlight? Given the Fox purchase by Disney. That would make a lot since because when Disney comes in sees the project on paper and cancels it on the spot. It makes sense to me. Anyone else has any other ideas?

This was akin to my experience as a fiction writer. Now I just self-publish, and while my sales are not huge, they *are* mine, and I don't have to take any crap to get the books out there.

These Hollywood bureaucrats he was dealing with were milking him for free ideas with no intention of having him direct the movie. Happens with screenwriters and filmmakers all the time. The only solution is to be independent.

Confirmed: Austin was going to helm the Sister Act cinematic universe.

Austin - you're probably not gonna see this, but I'm gonna write it, just in case. I work too in a creative field and have found watching your channel to be an immensely rewarding, thought-provoking, and most honestly REAL experience. I just feel you, I feel the pain and the disappointment and the downs and the lows and everything you're going through resonates through me in the deepest ways. I'm only 24 but I feel like I've been through and ups and downs in life in a way you most honestly embody in these videos. I have no idea where to go next with my life, no idea on how to share my passions and my dreams, no idea how to not feel empty and devoid of meaning everyday because my real interests are hard to reach, no one to talk to who understands how we feel. I've been following your channel for about two years, and it's one of the only places I feel understood, and honestly? Represented. I honestly want to wish you all the best and express my deepest desires for you to succeed and find joy in your craft. Honestly, given your massive KZfaq outreach it would seem as though simply creating things the way you do now, but on a personal note and a much larger scale, would be what bring the big studios to the table. Make them come to you. All the best.

14:14 the sarcastic laugh/sigh and how you looked out the window. That made me feel so many emotions, mainly hurt.

This guy tells his life story flawlessly, imagine he tells his ideas

Give your wife a big hug for supporting you. Spend some meaningful time with her more often. After you both recover from this stress continue in the way you laid out in the last minutes of this video.

For the back pain, there is this procedure called "spine removal" it solves all of your problems. Although you do become a slug and the insult of being "spineless" receives a new meaning, it is still worth it.

Great job Austin! Keep pushing. Thanks for sharing.

Your honesty is so moving. Thank you for sharing this.

Its like what the old saying meant: Don't put all your eggs in one basket Don't count chickens before they are hatched Hollywood you piece of shi-

You should've called this: "I almost made a movie. It stunk."

Austin -- You have inspired me time and time again, and I can honestly say that if I ever become a big filmmaker, I'll attribute it to the encouragement and wisdom provided by you and other KZfaqrs. On my own, I frequently struggle with motivational issues, but thanks to people like you who do so much good work so well online, I feel confident that I can get through the process. Thanks to you, Film Riot, DSLR guide, and many others, I know that I'm going to have rough times, and that I'll only ever get to the good times by plowing through the rough ones first. I'm in preproduction for my first-ever "real" short film right now, and I just want to say that it's (at least partially) your fault it's happening. Whether or not the film turns out, I'll learn from it, and my next one will be better, and eventually I'll be making things that other people like to watch. So yeah, just wanted to say thanks. You the man. Wishing you a great 2020 and hoping you won't have to deal with any awful burnout/stress-y situations again.

AMAZING VIDEO! Thanks for being so vulnerable!

Incoming who is holly wood jokes

Fun fact: Your "I made a movie, and it stunk" video, is my favourite KZfaq video of all time. I watch it every 6 months, I love it.

Thanks for sharing, Austin! God bless you & yours!!! 😃

*cries alittle* "i- i gotta get this stuff figured out man" i know that feeling well if this isn't the human experience perfectly represented, i don't know what is

"And I said oh," *Austin throws the big IDEA paper away, cuts to him holding the small one.* "Let me tell ya all about it." I died laughing a little bit inside at that.

As someone who wants to be a screenwriter in the near future, this is genuinely a great example of how Hollywood is a lie, Thank You so much

Your story has given me so much advice on how to work as a filmmaker. I’m currently working on a very important project for me and I haven’t worked on is nearly as much as I’d like, and your experiences have given me the motivation to work harder to bring this project to life.

I just wanna say... I love your channel. This is only my second video watching and I love the editing style, the music, how calming, informative yet informal it all is. You got a winner man🔥

Seeing you cry broke my heart. Go at your pace, man. I hold nothing but admiration for you because you share the hard stuff with us. I'm sorry it didn't work out, keep your head up. Peace ✌🏻

in a shocking turn of events, a video about how a thing austin tried was a failure

Hey Austin, I just discovered you - thanks KZfaq- and had something EXTREMELY SIMILAR happen this past year. I appreciate you sharing your difficult story and wanted to say thank you for expressing how frustrating and wild that experience is.

Thank you so much that you showed this to us, I think we all learned a lot from it!!!

I've spent 8 months composing music for 1 project that fell through the day I went to deliver my first drafts & 5 months on another project that didn't quite go how I was told it would....It hurts...I really feel for you Austin.

Yearly Blockbusters? I don't know why, but my first thought was Fast and The Furious

Well well Austin. Its so beutiful when you speak directly to us and we can connect with you and your struggles. It feels so real... sure as hell the exitement when I get your notifications skyrockets now

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing your future unfold.

I’m realizing that this channel/Austin’s life is kinda like How I Met Your Mother but for artistic endeavors instead of girlfriends. You’ll find what you’re looking for!

Austin: *I am done with traditional media* Disney: Actually, Austin we recognize your talent and we’re going to give you that 7 figure budget. Austin: *I am making a movie guys*

Glad to have you back!

Love this. Been there. Feel you whole-heartedly. This got recommended to me out of the blue just now, and I thank the algorithm for introducing me to you. You really captured it. Can’t wait to catch up on your journey.

To me, it feels like you were used. They bounce ideas off of you akin to a consultant, and fed upon your creation, both of which are independent positions of employment which requires compensation for. Energy exchange, you put creation in, you should be able to feed yourself. At least you have this platform to reflect upon this, and hopefully people find use of it in their own lives. Good to see ya again!

This is the most inspiring KZfaq channel! Between this video and the video (can't remember what it's called) but where Austin was going to give a lecture and no one showed, these videos help me to put things in perspective. Thanks Austin! Good stuff!

Austin you are so spot on. 10 years ago I got out of being a location sound recordist as it’s just a complete sh&t fight for working for little money and empty promises. . Equipment is cheap and high quality (blackmagic) sound is easy to achieve to a high level. Good on you for following your own pathway

*This is one hell of a Character Development.*

You need a playlist called "Failure collection" for that kind of video. This is a healthy approach and it should not get lost in the mass of videos.

I had something like this happen on a dream job once. It sucks when you get right to the cusp and then...nothing. But it sounds like your time wasn't actually wasted. Sounds like you made a good impression on studio folks, hopefully they'll remember you for the next thing.

Thanks for making this video, Austin. I’ve had a similar experience in my career thus far. I’m a composer and sound designer and I too had dreams of working in “Hollywood”. I’ve had some success in Indie film, Commercial and TV but It never felt like what I had thought it would feel like. Mostly I found (Find) that I hated the process and that the more money and people are involved, the more headache I had to deal with (That had little to do with the music I was making). I’ve now taken a step back, started a KZfaq channel and I’m seeing where it takes me. Thanks again for the insight and inspiration. Good luck on your future path....maybe we’ll meet somewhere a;long the way.

i love what you got out of this experience. your passion is amazing. cannot wait to see where you go from here.

Holywood: Hey, aren't you the guy from Missing Mozart?

This ship sailed. You turned a "missed opportunity" into a 20min movie That shared the lesson. Good turnaround!

I feel your pain and your love for your work. Thank you for your honesty

This is the speech equivalent of “From Now On” from the greatest showman and I’m here for it. Sorry you had to go through that but happy for you that you managed to lift yourself out of that hole and to use it to refocus on what you want to spend your time on 💜

Wait a second, so you mean to tell me that even when you're half assing it, you are still making quality content? Because I really enjoyed the videos from last year.

Why they typed up the minutes of the meeting instead of just recording it - because then they have a hard copy straightaway, instead of someone typing it up later. Source: me, a shorthand typist.

14:42 yeah, now that is the most relatable thing I've ever seen on this channel. Doesn't matter what you do, You'll work very hard, and sometimes you expect a reward, or a promotion... but hey no one saw how hard you worked. Keep it for you.

The emptiness in each of your backgrounds really strengthens your message. Thank you for this.

So glad to see you're still excited to make projects after being yanked around by a big studio like that. I 100% agree with you that we don't need a giant studio to make the things we want. Just this past year my friends and I finished shooting our first feature film. I can't even begin to count how many people told us that we couldn't make our movie without studio funding or that we wouldn't ever make it out of preproduction. That didn't stop us though. We pooled our resources together and made the damn thing ourselves. Creating a giant project without the backing of a big studio was definitely challenging, but I'm glad we did it on our own terms. We had full creative control and we were able to execute our vision with having to deal with any stupid Hollywood bureaucracy. I am excited to say that our film is being edited as we speak and will be released by the end of 2020! We're going to submit it to film festivals and also show it at our local cinemas. The movie is called She The Creator.

This actually is so dissapointing it hurts

I appreciate you for being open about this process.