Making a short film ALONE

Making a short film ALONE - Top 5 tips

Рет қаралды 342,006

Күн бұрын

Nobody believed my last short film was made with no crew and a $600 budget. In this video, I break down how I did it and my top 5 tips for making a film by yourself.
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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.
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Пікірлер: 251

@StandardStoryCo Жыл бұрын

Want to make a great short film in a month? Join us at WRAPPED in 30 Days: wrapped.school

@WeirdCast 2 жыл бұрын

I've made 65 short films, never having any crew, & These tips are GOLD. Over time i ended up employing the verry tactics in this video. I wish I had this when I started.

@owensanfordstuff 2 жыл бұрын

65?? That's impressive

@evan_game_dev Жыл бұрын

Dang, that's impressive

@Dale_Blackburn Жыл бұрын

@@owensanfordstuff He is trolling. The greatest directors at the age of 70 doesn't even have that many ''short films''. Quality over quantity always is the best anyways.

@Sam-bn7jk Жыл бұрын

lmao, 65 all alone is depressing, maybe that's why you didn't become a director.

@Mo-sk7xo Жыл бұрын

Damn yall some fuckin haters.....I Knew it wasn't gone be positive all the way thru😒 Congrats on yo 65 Brother man!

@alessandrocwilliam 2 жыл бұрын

Biggest problem: Having no actors available. Specially for short low-budget indie movies where we always try to push for the dialogue. A good dialogue requires talented actors.

@amsheel9921 2 жыл бұрын

I do the opposite, write less dialogue and try to tell the story, as much as possible, through sounds, visuals, movement, cuts, etc.

@alessandrocwilliam 2 жыл бұрын

@@amsheel9921 That's actually a very interesting procedure to approach as well, I like it. It requieres people to be focused tho. Sound is imo one of the most important factors in filmmaking and neglected by many.

@DAMON409 3 ай бұрын

Shorts should not have lots of dialogue. But you can get actors for free.

@alessandrocwilliam 3 ай бұрын

@@DAMON409 But free actors are kinds like a lottery imo. Just 1 out of 10 of people who are willing to act for free in a lovie of yours will be seriously good or decently good. I'm talking about people who are not studying theater or doing it professionally but random people you can met around. If you find serious actors who are studying theater, going to castings or assisting at dramatic classes the chances of them being good raise up but the chances of getting them doing your movies for free gets lower. In my case, I'm having an hard time to find theater students because I'm currently living in a small town near a small city.

@nightynightshade 2 ай бұрын

I agree!

@omarvasquez6607 3 жыл бұрын

That raccoon peeking into the shot and then exiting had me laughing and smiling. But it also did give the shot some nice movement. And thanks for all the helpful info, man!

@Movieclips_101 2 жыл бұрын

Lol 😂

@StorytellerDan 3 жыл бұрын

Lots of good points. It's the BS people judge you on for looking cheap that spoils the potential sometimes.

@mrjackelbox4418 2 жыл бұрын

To hell with what people think no matter what one does people hate you even if your private even if you do everything right people hate so just do you

@christophwetty 3 жыл бұрын

The information in this video is exactly what so many aspiring filmmakers need to hear! Great video!

@davidsklubal 2 жыл бұрын

Discovered your channel a few days ago and can't thank you enough for all the great tips, im shooting a more complex music video and all your videos are really helping shape it into something fantastic

@brunopapic6295 Жыл бұрын

this video is a masterpiece! you are truly THE BEST at this genre on youtube. Your voice, your characther is engaging - almost comedic, in a good way! But your charachter is not all there is to it.. Not only do you give tips but you also create with those tips and the results are on a good level. Editing is fucking fire, never gets boring (even tho i am experienced in most of the topics here). You are a great example and a great guidance, dare I say someone I fell like a companion. Thank you for your work, and wish you nothing but success!

@marshalljvanderhoofphoto Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. It's really amazing what you are able to accomplish by yourself as a 1 person crew. Awesome inspiration.

@entertainme202 2 жыл бұрын

I've been watchig your videos for 2 weeks and you go into so much details giving information. I'm about to start my filmmaking journey in a few weeks, hoping to write and shoot my first short film, and you're videos just add so much knowledge. Great work!

@Wimana868 Жыл бұрын

Just subbed to your channel. I'm a beginner filmmaker looking to begin practicing making short films on my own to hone my skills. Your channel is gold my guy! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

@petrolpoodle6617 3 жыл бұрын

You sir, are a talent. Keep this up, it's so helpful but also entertaining without being an irritating KZfaq all up in ya'll grill. Love it, can't wait for more content!

@producerjdub 2 жыл бұрын

Dude you are awesome! I am gonna launch my own film making show and you are really have pushed me to start it. Thanks!

@RosiePFB Жыл бұрын

This was absolutely amazing! So much useful and helpful information was generously shared in an easy to understand way and as a bonus, you were cracking me up the entire time! 😂 Thank you so much for creating this - it really gave me a lot to think about and put into practice! ❤

@MagicalMeesh 3 жыл бұрын

I love your demeanor and humor. Great advice too. Awesome video thanks

@allenrm120 9 ай бұрын

Excellent. I love your spirit SSC. The final product on the screen is all that matters...well, and having fun doing the work. Keep it coming Brother.

@chris-abaya 2 жыл бұрын

Love this man. Awesome!

@seanoncape4854 2 жыл бұрын

Well done, and great content. Way to make it seem much more possible!

@jeanlezin4890 Жыл бұрын

Great information, you are taking your time to explaining all the details. Thank you

@donaldharmonify Жыл бұрын

How is this the first time I've seen your videos? Love the humor and tips, keep up the good work, and hope more people see this!

@elitaosmani2553 7 ай бұрын

I really needed to hear this! thank you!

@checkonetwoproductions5615 Жыл бұрын

Great video man. Really appreciate this info!

@StandardStoryCo Жыл бұрын

If you want to see how to make a short film with no crew AND NO ACTORS, I made a follow-up video - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdGYZrdlsbezgoU.html

@jaylamb218 2 жыл бұрын

Just wanted to let you know you have a new fan! You are a film school in action and you offer the best information on filmmaking and production! Please! Keep up the great work! Sign -Producer at Large!

@lionbeatscobra Жыл бұрын

Bro you're amazing. Kind of blown away tbh. I've been putting off projects for lame excuses. Thanks!

@ThomasHeyen 2 жыл бұрын

kudos - for your attitude, kudos - for your ideas, kudos- for sharing and your effort in posting!

@SuperCodytyler Жыл бұрын

Love your channel man.. I’m aiming to shoot my first official short sometime next month and all this is Gold 🙌🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

@reb7855 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for.

@vegardpedersen 3 жыл бұрын

I am so happy I found your channel! I have watched some of your videos now, and I want to watch all of them. Suuuper good knowledge. Thank you so much! I will definitly follow this channel now! :-)

@StandardStoryCo 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for following!

@carriomediaproductions896 Жыл бұрын

This was great. I never have anyone available to help me, and it really mentally keeps me from shooting. I needed this video!

@chipbrandstetter 2 жыл бұрын

This is great. Thanks for the inspiration.

@SOLIDSNAKE. Жыл бұрын

Master! Thank you for this!

@Drawdown4 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the information much needed

@kafenaded Жыл бұрын

GOOOD JOB! inspired for sure.

@jtsendall 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing tips! Great informative video and very inspiring!

@StandardStoryCo 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed!

@macismariah6612 2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate you sharing filmmaking experiences and advices ❤️ I’m a still photographer with some video shoot experience, now planning on shooting my first short film in the summer (NYC) and literally I’m writing, producing, dping, art directing myself since I don’t have money to pay for some extra help. I’m kind of nervous but also excited about it, this video definitely encourages me to keep it up. Thanks awesome boy 🌹

@Jham3D 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks for the tips. Everything has always fallen apart for me when I'm about to produce a short film. But your video inspires me to try again in a more organized, smarter way :)

@worldunited4903 2 жыл бұрын

Slow and steady wins the race....you got this ❤️☺️

@Jham3D 2 жыл бұрын

@@worldunited4903 Thank you :)

@ONE1MEDIAWORKS Жыл бұрын

This is very good and perfect for the people who just wants to get into film making & doesn't have or can't afford a crew. This is very good as there are no rules if one wants to experiment with filmmaking. Would love to watch the mentioned short film.

@alex_montoya 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic channel. Congrats!

@eduardoiniestra8007 9 ай бұрын

Great video man. I have a complicated schedule since I have a 3 year old daughter and managing a crew schedule is difficult in that sense. Thank you for the tips.

@jvhfilms 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like I'm so late to the party! Subscribed to this channel within seconds...This is the shit I need.

@elivebenard4568 Жыл бұрын

God bless you brother man and please keep the work so others like can learn how can someone get to you in person ?

@tianalinden 2 жыл бұрын

I love this!

@Mario_DiSanto 2 жыл бұрын

Very quality content. Well done.

@schoeferfilm 2 жыл бұрын

Really some good tips for us alone filmmaker 😎💪🏼 thanks

@mrtclub_gr Жыл бұрын

Very helpful video!

@StandardStoryCo 3 жыл бұрын

What are your best tips and tricks for filming without a crew?

@twitchstreamersclips2988 2 жыл бұрын

can you also do this with a feature film

@Axluratt 2 жыл бұрын

Big tip:get a crew

@HeroDestrin 2 жыл бұрын

Sitting down and looking UP at the set I have, or standing on something tall and looking down, cause with a crew sometimes you have more equipment and time to think of all these cool low angle or high angle shots, but alone you won't always think about them. So sometimes I just crawl around on the floor with a gimbal and the camera tilted up until something looks right XD

@josevelasco216 2 жыл бұрын

I think that pulling out a short or whatever type of quality video by yourself it's something of great value, that a few people will recognize. It's necessary to try this as an exercise, however one of the most important things about film, is collaboration. It can become a problem if you feel stuck in productions made by yourself and with no chance of reaching to fellow filmmakers.

@4CardsMan 2 жыл бұрын

Use a directional lavalier connected to a recorder on the actor's person. That will help exclude sound that you don't want. You can synch it in post natively (with FCPX) or with a plug-in (Premiere)

@Brian-Hansen 9 ай бұрын

These are great tips, thank you! While you can make video by yourself it’s so much more fun with at least one friend along.

@borokymusic 9 ай бұрын

Gold!

@daviday87 2 жыл бұрын

New subscriber here; Love your content, dude. Thanks for sharing so much with us. Also that hater rant at the end was hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 Got any additional tips for when you’re completely alone / acting in your own short too?

@derekseven1647 9 ай бұрын

Great Tips. Thanks.

@ninfilms 3 жыл бұрын

Great video.

@storywala88 10 ай бұрын

Well put

@iSpike 2 жыл бұрын

Mon O Man I thank You. I live in the middle of nowhere and have no friends so this video helps out a lot. I plan to make a short film not only all the above... I will be the talent as well. I have no time schedule so I can take my time. Watch this space. Cheers from Western Australia

@mallystakz8657 2 жыл бұрын

So dope bro 🔥🔥🔥

@Offgridyurtliving 9 ай бұрын

This is exactly what I needed and wanted haha. My plan is to do that. I have friends to act just need to get writing and planning.

@Jonathanmccallum1 11 ай бұрын

This is great!

@MrMejia187 Жыл бұрын

It's tough when you don't really have self-confidence in general and even tougher when thinking about making a short film or what have you. Don't really have friends or anyone who can help me out and even if I did, I'm not sure if anything I write/create would even be good. Just needed to vent out loud (or online rather lol). So I appreciate this video

@HorrorStoriesForLife123 Жыл бұрын

Yet I thought I was the only one lol.

@brandhuetv 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for the motivations

@Typrodz Жыл бұрын

The memes throughout the video had me dead💀🤣great video

@NORAliaayu Жыл бұрын

The information so nicee

@_jonkent 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I’ve found just a lot of prep before hand! I’m currently a one man band shooter and prep is where I put alot of time.

@TuanRyuJin 2 ай бұрын

Make it to your advantage to Make a Short Film . Preparation is key. Make a Master List for pre Production! List to Check. It can be your Chance to Focus und be Quick ! Steal Shots on places without them knowing. Make it easy on yourself and rehearsal! Wireless mic Never use that as excuse for Bad Audio! Be your own Producer and have everything in one Place key instruction! You can collaborate After finish shooting. Pick up close up shots. No Crew shoot respect! Thanks for the content.

@ankitkatyal9013 Жыл бұрын

You are awesome 👍

@mychalsimmons4177 Жыл бұрын

AWESOME

@NBAxBaller 3 жыл бұрын

Dope!

@AkuaDog 2 жыл бұрын

Man, you're great.

@plut0nivm_v 3 ай бұрын

I have a science project in 1 week and I’m scrambling to find information for a short film since I have no partners (uneven students) and 3 weeks to do this with little to no equipment.(thanks for keeping my grades up ☺️)

@ImKnownAsTheAsian Жыл бұрын

Will "The Machine" is one of my favourite short films so it was insane to find out you're the creator from watching this video!

@alvinburrell 3 жыл бұрын

It is a great film - I'm really surprised and inspired that you did this alone.

@StandardStoryCo 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alvin, I’m hoping to do another like it soon

@connorberry6377 2 жыл бұрын

but he didnt

@DreamerzWorldd 2 жыл бұрын

Lol the airplane part caught me off guard

@filmmaker5457 2 жыл бұрын

ha ha ha! About thumbs up! Thanks for engaging content.

@vinnieven2295 Жыл бұрын

well deserved thumb up with that end

@sammyjohn.production4783 11 ай бұрын

Master ready with notes list is must

@WhySteve 2 жыл бұрын

Nice, I made my first short film and because I was acting in it, I had my mom working the camera. All things considered it did come out too bad, but I really wish I had more time to shoot and had an actual DP on the camera and not my mom. Filmed in 2 days, editing was rushed cause I had to go away on a business trip so yeah, I wish I had more time. I think time is a big one!

@elivebenard4568 Жыл бұрын

I really like this course I fill like you just gave me Moro courage do start something on my own since my crow sims not to be available

@nightmarevstplugin3944 Жыл бұрын

Nice

@shotbysolo301 6 күн бұрын

🔥🔥🔥

@giosamigos 9 ай бұрын

I was going to ask what did you do with cameras and post with that short film! The color made it 🔥🔥🔥

@chrisgoodrich46 10 ай бұрын

7:25 looks like a good film. U gotta be really good to do a rack focus like that. I can't get one at all

@VincentMaslowski 2 жыл бұрын

fine, i'll subscribe.

@soloesalex 2 жыл бұрын

You are doing an amazing work, could you tell me if you record everything in VLog or some other picture format in what I think is a GH5. Thanks

@donaldtrusty3924 10 ай бұрын

I always loved 1 take Olsen

@CowBazar Жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@user-sf3uc2qi9b Жыл бұрын

great video man...what camera did you use for"Hawaii"

@dinbali Жыл бұрын

07:07 so good

@michaelcahn Жыл бұрын

3:40 😂😂😂 so true!

@SIBIRIAKcom 9 ай бұрын

I shot for my music video alone. I'm going to do the editing soon. Walking alone at night. setting the camera and walking in front of it. Sometimes it feels strange.

@jorava8768 2 жыл бұрын

These are excellent tips, but I was expecting info on how to make a film completely alone (without actors) :P

@TommyRosati 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! 👍👍 Where can I see 'Hawaii?'

@Movieclips_101 2 жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥🔥

@NEXXI- 7 ай бұрын

The random animals just popping up is funny and phenomenal 💀

@markstrain8989 2 жыл бұрын

very very cool 😎 and even more helpful. One question. What's the deal at the beginning with the shadowy lone stalker with a camera standing in the fog? Or was it smoke? Isn't he like Chekov's loaded gun? Shouldn't he have taken out at the end or in the end credits, You know, like "Terry Tate, Office Linebacker" style? Just askin'...

@jacoblawrence6580 2 жыл бұрын

Love watching your videos! I have always wanted to make films but I am having trouble deciding on what camera to start with. I know the camera isn't the most important thing but I still want something with good quality. Do you have any recommendations for a beginner filmmaker? thanks for any help you can give me. I can't decide between a DSLR or a mirrorless camera or somethings else. Wanting to find something around $500 (less if possible). Thanks again!

@StandardStoryCo 2 жыл бұрын

Don't worry about it much, I started on a cheapo miniDV camera and those short films aren't any worse for it. Watch a few KZfaq videos about budget cameras and just pull the trigger on one. Accept that there's not going to be a camera without big downsides. Even at way higher budgets every camera is going to have its strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, the camera you use is the least of your concerns when you're starting out!

@OmexavLifeztyle 7 ай бұрын

How’d you make the subscribe button light up

@gripsPROD Жыл бұрын

But you had actors and for me that counts as crew ;) Not to be a hater, you did a great job with this video, you managed to show all the advantages and tips for not having anybody. But still im on my own with no friends and no money to pay the actors so i just put a camera adjust everything and record myself, changing clothes to be someone else if i do a multi person shoot. That gives a lot of experience with basically everything on the scene. Thank you standard, people like you should have a lot more attention!

@StandardStoryCo Жыл бұрын

I got you fam - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bdGYZrdlsbezgoU.html

@gripsPROD Жыл бұрын

@@StandardStoryCo Thank you very much! I really appreciate your response! 😊

@92kris 2 жыл бұрын

0:44 that shot fire ..got a horror feel to it📸

@jmez927 8 ай бұрын

Someone needs to give this guy a crew , an full equipped arri Alexa Lf with a zoom Cooke anamorphic lens and see what happens when given some prep time

@FromDaGroundUpProductions 3 ай бұрын

Great video…What did you spend the $600 on? Was it the actors?

@willnabors4649 2 жыл бұрын

What microphone do I need if I will be talking over my recordings. Like a narrative. Can you give me suggestions on the microphones that will have the best quality and where I would need to record the audio?