Filmmaking / Directing

Hi guys.

Yesterday got me thinking about something.

I was on set directing on day one of a four day commercial shoot.

We had just short our first location and were being shuttled to our next location about 50 miles away and the DP and I got talking.

Because we noticed that a bunch of our fillmmaker coll...

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Hi guys.

Yesterday got me thinking about something.

I was on set directing on day one of a four day commercial shoot.

We had just short our first location and were being shuttled to our next location about 50 miles away and the DP and I got talking.

Because we noticed that a bunch of our fillmmaker collogues seem to be posting online all the time with interesting images from sets and I said that I have no idea how people have time to make awesome pictures with their phones on set while they're working trying to get great shots.

To me it's impossible.

Maybe I'm able to get one or two shots on my phone show that I can show my loved ones at home but I simply don't have the time to play around with my phone.

I'm either getting ready to shoot the next shot or working with the producer and client to trouble shoot something and working with the talent.

The DP said the same thing, that he's either setting up the next shot or getting the lights ready.

So as a result we post not a lot of stuff and infrequently and the stuff doesn't look impressive because we don't have photos of the stuff we do, but we have awesome shots.

What's your take guys? Do you have time on set to play around with your phones or are you too busy for that.

I'm asking because it seems that more and more it's important what it looks like when you're shooting than what you're actually doing, which is a paradoks.

(Disclaimer: of course there are things you can't share on a set, because you simply can't disclose what you're shooting before the project is done)

The one shot I was able to get yesterday.

Filmmakers today rely on digital communities to spread the word. Here are 5 ways they use social media street teams:

1. Ambassador Programs – Engage fans as brand ambassadors to promote your film online.

2. Hashtag Campaigns – Use #BrandedHashtags to boost awareness and encourage user-generated conten...

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Maurice Vaughan

3
3 people like this
2 months ago

Thanks for sharing the video, Florin Şumălan. Sidney Lumet was a phenomenal director! I'm always impressed by how directors and other members of the crew handle big scenes with a lot of actors, backgr...

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Sam Sokolow

4
4 people like this
2 months ago

Lumet was a genius - I don't throw that word around lightly. I dont think he ever did a superhero movie, Leonardo Ramirez, but he did dirct The Wiz, a brilliant adaptation in its time. But the films a...

Leonardo Ramirez

You're right Sam Sokolow. That was Sidney Furie who did Superman IV.

Jack Binder

A Master!

Mike Boas

His book Making Movies is a must read.

Dan Armstrong

Maybe if you replaced "A cursed board game possesses its players" with "A demonic board game takes possession of its players" , sounds a little more evil and dramatic.

Christine Chan

2
2 people like this
- Dwayne Williams
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Demonic sounds good. A bit like 'Matrix' without the wries or 'Inception' . A game of mind control? A board game invented by an evil genius or even secret intelligence. Maybe it is moreal in a subtle...

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Maybe make it more scary in a personal way. Day to day fears. That way most people can connect to it. Like the players can see back into their childhood days and those fearful moments, like being alone in a house with a storm and lightning outside? Or stalked on a lonely dark street?

Anthony Moore

What is "beyond the subconscious"? That makes no sense, unless you're a psychology major, studying theoretical idioms. Try this:

"A cursed board game pulls a group of friends into a nightmare realm whe...

Dwayne Williams

Thank you all for your insightful feedback—I really appreciate the different perspectives! Christine, I like your point about word choice and how ‘cursed’ might carry unintended connotations for some viewers. ‘Evil’ or ‘demonic’ could definitely be stronger choices, depending on the tone I want to set. Dan, I also agree that ‘demonic’ adds a more intense, dramatic feel, making the game’s presence feel more sinister and controlling.

Christine, your thoughts on media propaganda and mind control are interesting—there’s definitely an element of that in how the game manipulates its players. It’s more than just a supernatural force; it actively rewires their choices and morality. The idea of psychological horror tied to real-life fears, like childhood trauma or the fear of being trapped, is exactly the kind of personal terror I want to explore.

Anthony, I see what you mean about ‘beyond the subconscious,’ and I appreciate the feedback. The idea behind it is that the game is showing possession from a different perspective—rather than just a spirit taking over a body, the player’s consciousness is pulled into the nightmare realm, where they must fight to regain control. To enter a possessed body, they have to survive the trials within this realm, essentially battling the forces trying to consume them. It’s not just about fear—it’s about being forced into the mind of evil itself and seeing if they can escape before losing themselves completely.

I’m drawing inspiration from a mix of Jumanji (the game as a powerful force), Saw (high-stakes survival and moral dilemmas), Constantine (demonic influences and supernatural horror), Inception (layered psychological manipulation), and Silent Hill (twisted realities and psychological torment). This blend creates a unique experience where players are trapped in history’s worst massacres, forced to survive or take the murderer’s place.

Again, I appreciate all the input—it’s helping refine how I frame this concept.

This is outstanding. There is no way to measure the importance of networking. Bumping this post up and flagging for my network - dig into this!

Congratulations @samskolow! Great job moving this quality educational and skills based certification platform forward. Wonderful to see how you keep developing it and how yourself and the team continu...

Thaks so much, Jack Binder. It's exciting to be a prt of building this every day.

Vital Butinar

Thanks Maurice Vaughan. I'm thinking of finding a way of getting some BTS. Not always easy! :)

2
2 people like this
- Richard "RB" Botto
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Chase Cysco you know it's probably not just that they grew up with social media. I actually was able to do photos and had BTS shots, but once the shoots got serious, I got stuck with less time.

I gues...

2
2 people like this
- Vital Butinar
- Richard "RB" Botto
2 months ago

You're welcome, Vital Butinar.

Well today I made some time and snapped a couple of photos (took 3 in the whole day, 2 more than last time). :)

Mark Pilligreen

Promoting yourself on social media can feel like a fine line between sharing your work and overselling it. I’ve struggled with that too, but recently I found https://www.livereacting.com/24-7-live-str...

Vincent Weberink

Thanks, Maurice Vaughan . Absolutely. It also helps build a loyal community around the film. Have you seen any particularly effective examples of this in action?

Thank you, Sydney S . Glad you found the tips useful. Have you ever been part of a social media street team for a film or creative project? Would love to hear about your experience....

1
1 person likes this
- Benjamin Elliott
2 months ago

You're welcome, Vincent Weberink. I've seen filmmakers give out movie posters and things and invite people to exclusive Q&As on social media, but I'm not sure if it had to do with street teams or if t...

2
2 people like this
- Benjamin Elliott
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Maurice Vaughan That makes sense—sometimes these efforts overlap with general promotion rather than structured street teams. But even without a formal team, engaging fans directly through rewards and...