Not The Fix And Yet...
I watched this video from Crimson Engine this morning. The title of the video is “Why The Future of Filmmaking Is Solo.”
I was immediately intrigued.
Feel free to watch it first and come back here because I’m not going to break it all the way down… but to sum it up, Crimson Engine shares a few reasons why a filmmaker might want to or be inspired to make a film completely by themselves.
The idea really stuck with me.
I think in a time when many filmmakers are seeking ways to get their films made without major budgets or access to huge crews its a radical idea. To be fair, I was skeptical (and still am) that one person can do the myriad of roles that come with the making of a feature film. And this is certainly not a model that would help the thousands in the industry that are unemployed, find work.
Yet…
In a world where many are craving authentic storylines, smaller budgets and perhaps a bit of the indie feel that films used to sport, it's a bit exciting to think about, no?
Do-it-yourself scrappy filmmaking is what made some of the biggest directors of our time who they are today.
Christopher Nolan made “Following” on a $6,000 budget. A simple beautifully shot black and white picture that told the story of an aspiring writer who follows people seeking inspiration for his characters but who slowly begins to veer into obsession. Or imagine the intentional DIY messiness of “Blair Witch Project” which was made on a $60,000 budget and grossed $248 million in the box office.
And while those two films did have small crews, if you can believe it, a single man crew has been done before.
For example, Hong Sang-soo is a South Korean filmmaker who has made 26 films in the last 20 years. Soo’s films are generally domestic dramas, without a script, just a few actors, with a solo long shot. It’s majorly cut down, to be sure. But there is a certain grit and tenacity that the task must require that inspires what I romantically (and perhaps foolishly) believe to be the true spirit of filmmaking.
On his MUBI page, the prolific director states:
“When I finish a film, I feel like I have overcome a certain hurdle. It's really good for me as a human being, and I hope that for some people, my films will do the same thing.”
I know, I know… I am a bit too romantic when it comes to my wishes for the industry. It’s a capitalist moneymaking machine! It is deeply plugged into all facets of our country’s economy. Movies need to make money!
You can’t just pick up a camera and make a movie, by yourself, in a void.
And yet…
I’m certainly not saying we should all start making one person films.
But if you are a young filmmaker, director or writer who feels like they have been waiting around for the right set of circumstances to make their first film - I, for one, don’t think you need to wait.
Today’s technology is better than ever. Pick up a camera and make a film. Do it alone, do it with friends… just do it.
Make movies.
Crappy movies.
Magic movies.
Who knows what’s possible until you try?