How to make a viral short film (+3M views).

Рет қаралды 32,151

Күн бұрын

A behind the scenes filmmaking breakdown of how we made our viral short film Will "The Machine". I briefly cover everything from writing, to financing, to production, post, and releasing the film.
Will "The Machine" is the story of an off-kilter high school football star who finally meets his match, starring Chris Fornataro and Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther). We shot it during the winter in Richmond, Virginia.
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About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
00:00 Intro
00:25 Why Make This Film?
00:52 Writing The Film
01:30 Building The Team
03:24 Financing The Film
03:58 Shooting The Film
07:11 Post Production
07:46 Pickup Shoot
08:04 Finishing The Film
09:02 Releasing The Film
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Пікірлер: 72

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

This was a lot to cover, so I moved through each section pretty quick. Drop a comment if you'd like more info on something and maybe I'll make another vid about it. 💬 Shoutout to subscriber Cillit Prang for suggesting this video idea🙌

@tooxygaming3672 Жыл бұрын

you should make a part 2 to this short film, possibly a prequal.

@brandonsantiago2298 10 ай бұрын

Id like more info in how to get better locations and finance

@KryptosChain 25 күн бұрын

*Me and my ex-colleagues from school used to shoot fun shorts and upload them to KZfaq back in 2008 and 2009, but then everyone went their own way and we stopped. It's a shame, because this is something that could have turned out to be popular as we'd put more out, gain subscribers and sponsors and then afford to get a budget for professional shorts! Now I'm trying these myself, thanks for all your tips!*

@bruno8685 2 жыл бұрын

pls talk more about financing shorts

@robertshighlightvideos2160 2 жыл бұрын

You and Chris did such an incredible job on this film. It really is amazing. I think you both are on to GREAT things in the future.

@_jonkent 2 жыл бұрын

The short film itself is absolutely brilliant! You execute “the short film” very well. That’s something I’m still trying to work on myself. Cinematography is excellent, story is just awesome and the characters are so good in such a short time! I’m a fan and subscriber!!!

@yearight1205 Жыл бұрын

I don't know how you have dependable friends who are capable of sitting down with you and getting shit done. The biggest problem I'm running into is everyone wants to make stuff, and everyone is totally down to make stuff with me. But when it comes down to make stuff, no one wants to commit the actual time to doing anything.

@nshanth 9 ай бұрын

😂

@jefflep1 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love your channel. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

@joef240 Жыл бұрын

Watching how it's done is inspiring. Thanks for putting this out there. Great film btw.

@libertines24 2 жыл бұрын

cant believe your videos arent doing much better! So much great info for filmmakers in these vids

@Elenasn 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't watched this particular video, but I feel the need to say this: You know, they always suggest to hung out with those, who are already where you want to be. So, even if I don't know you, you are that person for me! I used to have a job that I didn't enjoy at all. While trying to find a better reality for myself, I found a door to video editing world. I learned it so fast that after only a couple of months I already got my first client on freelance, and in two more months I was earning enough money to quit the job I disliked. I didn't look back for a while, but when I did, I realized how much I have changed. And so did my life. Then I woke up and realized: Russia is bombing my country... Now I'm in Canada, fully alone and so lost lol I've lost the light which was leading me to my goals so suddenly, that only when I found your channel I realized it was missing since I left Ukraine. So yes, this short prehistory was needed to let you understand how genuinely thankful I am for all your videos. It keeps me going, it reminds me of who I wanted to be and offers me the right mindset for getting there! That is a priceless gift at the hardest times. Thank you for this mindset! 💛

@PatrickGarratt Жыл бұрын

You're an inspiration, dude. Will the Machine was amazing. Don't stop.

@kuzingatia7962 Жыл бұрын

I just watched the short (Denzel recommended it in a write-up on 5150) and I thought it felt like a feature was in here somewhere. Loved that it's ripped from a feature you already wrote. Congratulations and thanks for this making-of video as well. All the best!

@JoshReels 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from the 757 and when I saw the short was done in Richmond I was like YES VA FILMMAKERS haha. Great short, and happy I discovered your channel now.

@jhunt5542 2 жыл бұрын

I thought this film was amazing. As a Highschooler who has grown up in Richmond as well I thought you captured Richmond in an amazing way along with the incredible storytelling. Glad to see such a talented filmmaker and fellow Richmonder; can't wait to see what amazing film you make next.. Also would u have any tips for a beginner filmmaker?

@OliverH93 2 жыл бұрын

Great Stuff. Keep up the good work. Would love to hear more on financing shorts

@philipposziakas5058 Жыл бұрын

Awesome content! Really appreciate your insight!

@VincentStevenStudio Жыл бұрын

The money and effort put into this short really shows. Compared to your other works it looks the most professional. I'm a firm believer of quality over quantity. Even though your other shorts may have given you experience and practice. This one very planned out and focused short is what will open doors.

@alexandrefrancofilho5041 11 ай бұрын

Just watched, Fu*king great stuff Man!

@JebbAdams Жыл бұрын

Wow! Awesome project! Awesome video about your film! Congratulations! Continued success!

@passiontaylor6321 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome back! Thanks for the new content. This is super helpful to what I'm doing right now actually. Perfect timing Edit: I would be really interested to see more on how you come up with and organize the shot list. I feel like that's a really technical aspect to filmmaking that becomes intuitive the more you do it but seems pretty daunting as a newbie. Great video but my have a Happy Meal once in a while. You seem a little down. Hope all is well!

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear!

@WillinovaTV 2 жыл бұрын

Wow so much good information thank you Kent

@fulloffame Жыл бұрын

I love your channel!!

@acoraberry3718 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. You're funny too! Keep up the great work :)

@ashtaunferguson4289 2 жыл бұрын

You should definitely get someone to make a actual movie about this bc me personally I will watch it so many times I’ve already watched the short film more than I can count

@thefilmgame 2 жыл бұрын

Love it man! and for sure vids on financing would be great.

@THA-M 8 ай бұрын

Dope! I wanted to see them get to the field.

@cpt33studios Жыл бұрын

Great content as usual.

@thedaggonator 7 ай бұрын

Will The Machine was an incredible film. Your friend was a great lead.

@markstrain8989 Жыл бұрын

This is Awesomeness.

@WhySteve Жыл бұрын

That was a really good short and now I can see why.

@danielosetromera2090 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting what you said about that "coincidence" rocking your world as a lifelong skeptic. As a catholic, I firmly believe there´s no such thing as a coincidence, and that God wanted you (for whatever reason, I don´t know) to meet that man, that exact day. Fantastic work on the short, as always. Congratulations.

@revolzy 2 жыл бұрын

We will never know why God wanted that but we know that it's the right thing

@maneeshahooja 7 ай бұрын

Well done!

@CillitPrang 2 жыл бұрын

Bloody hero

@SOLIDSNAKE. Жыл бұрын

Excellent

@9svm 11 ай бұрын

thats a lot of work

@EluZiveTrance Жыл бұрын

I would love to find out more about the Finance aspect of the short film production as you had mentioned

@StandardStoryCo Жыл бұрын

I go more into it here - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qddpndSnzKvbdac.html

@ImperfectD Жыл бұрын

Just dropping a comment for more details about financing and such regarding this film. Also, where can I find a big production like the one you used? Thanks!

@markstrain8989 Жыл бұрын

Gettin' comfy here, boss. Let 'er buck...

@Weeqat 2 жыл бұрын

The part that intrigues me is the script, the structure of the film (acts, pacing) How do you work with the actors (do they just go with the script?) And through all that do you use some software? Follow a guidebook?

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

I have a couple of older vids on directing actors and screenwriting that may be helpful. As far as software, I use Google Sheets and Google Docs for organizing productions so it's always accessible and easy to share.

@gwarchive 2 жыл бұрын

Did you manufacture the DCP through SimpleDCP, or other companies? Because I know a ton of festivals partner with SDCP with discount offers and stuff.

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, seems like everyone uses SimpleDCP out here unless they make their own DCP (which I've never tried)

@gwarchive 2 жыл бұрын

@@StandardStoryCo Yeah, the industry (so I've heard) doesn't recommend making own, since a DCP generally needs cinema testing and all that jazz. London has The Post Factory Group, while my country (Indonesia) has Pyramid Post. I also know an Australian company called Fats, and one in France and Spain.

@pokemanpey786 2 жыл бұрын

wait, can we watch the longer verson you were talking about, the one about 20 minutes long?

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

No way haha, too embarrassing. It was a very different film at that point, and super rough.

@kponly Жыл бұрын

I'd like to hear more about financing.

@RECSIMPLES-tt7ei 12 күн бұрын

👏👏👏👏👏👏

@joshdiditt 2 жыл бұрын

Did you use a Sony F5 or was that a Venice?

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

F55

@CritterElectronics 2 жыл бұрын

What F or T stop do you film your talking head clips with?

@connornyhan Жыл бұрын

Was this shot on an Alexa and Canon FDs?

@Met9171 Жыл бұрын

is it convenient to make a short film using templates the entire film?

@NUCLEARDASH 2 жыл бұрын

Do have another work outside the filmmaking?

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

I make most of my income as a video editor

@Link-ji7kx Жыл бұрын

So does the director tell the DP what shots they want and the DP figures out how to get the shots?

@palomadorrego3266 3 ай бұрын

I have and idea for a nine page shortfilm, I have two actors in mind and I am not from america and I think it can be expensive, so. Some tips/advice from you to me?

@NoahPopejoy 2 жыл бұрын

Denzel Whitaker? Holy crap! How expensive was he?!

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

He took the role as a passion project, so he worked for the SAG minimum short film rate.

@AdrianBond Жыл бұрын

Hmm, no offense...but I'm not sure if that mustache is the best look for you, Mr. Standard.

@zsakaiadel 9 ай бұрын

what did u say? colourist? of the walking dead? what?

@dominicstclairstudios6324 Жыл бұрын

Is better to have a bigger KZfaq channel to distribute your short film instead of putting on your KZfaq

@CritterElectronics 2 жыл бұрын

Do you always have that tight mustache?

@auser2721 Жыл бұрын

If this gained 3m views - doesn’t mean it’s viral or good. Like everything else

@persiansandhu8316 Жыл бұрын

your speech is tiresome....

@kamokwele12 10 ай бұрын

Wow, I only just found this video and the video for 'The best ways to raise money for a film' this channel is so informative and yet still not as big as I would expect. And your film skills remind me of @ponysmasher able to do both the educational side on a video log and make the films as well. Well done.