Filmmaking / Directing

A lot of filmmakers start their careers with short films since it's easier and cheaper to make a short than a feature, Anthony McBride. And some creatives make short films/hire crews to make short films, then use the shorts to get funding for the feature version of the shorts. Some creatives also use mood reels to help pitch their projects to producers, companies, investors, etc.

You could get a crew together and make a short film or mood reel without it costing a lot. Maybe film in a simple location like a living room, kitchen, etc. with one or two characters. The short film could be 3-5 minutes, or the mood reel could be 1-2 minutes.

Agree with Maurice Vaughan Anthony McBride. Most filmmakers start with a short. I've even seen some film on an iphone and turn out great. Zack Snyder filmed a short on an iPhone 7 and that was years before 18 which now adds a cinematic view or feel to the video.

Maurice Vaughan That’s a great idea! If you had to come up with something on the spot, it would need to be really interesting since it’s so short. What genre do you think would work best? I remember watching a film—I think Robert De Niro was in it—where the whole scene took place in a kitchen. He was trying to convince someone to believe in God. It was simple, but the dialogue was strong and punchy because they didn’t have much time.

Thanks, Chase Cysco. Drama, Comedy, Romantic, Mystery, and Thriller would probably work best since they don't usually have a lot of action, practical effects, and CGI. The Crime genre would work too if you don't have a lot of action/etc.

It really depends on your goals, Anthony McBride! If you’re looking to get noticed and build relationships, a short film can be a great calling card, especially if it does well in festivals and showcases your storytelling abilities. It can also serve as a proof of concept for a larger project down the line.

If you’re focused on long-term career growth and marketability, a well-crafted feature script has a better chance of making money and attracting industry interest. It’s a bigger time investment, but it could lead to opportunities for financing or production.

But in my opinion, it really comes down to this: What’s the story you’re most passionate about right now?

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, background actors, vehicles, etc. There's so many moving parts.

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 are amazing - Network, Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men, Serpico, The Verdict, Prince of the City.... and on and on. This is worth watching and learning from. Thanks for posting, Florin Şumălan!

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

A Master!

His book Making Movies is a must read.

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.

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 way than we realise? That is what nedia propaganda does. Even advertising is in a way trying to convince people to 'think their way'.

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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?

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 where they face trials shaped by their own fears and an ancient evil may claim their bodies if they fail."

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 continue to expand the reach and opportunities for participants. Building crew bases for the global production expansion is a profound endeavor! Bravo!

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

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

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 guess like I said I'll have to figure a way to do more.

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). :)

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-stream-channel a live-streaming platform that’s helped me connect with my audience more authentically. I started streaming behind-the-scenes content, and it really made a difference in how I engage with people. It’s a great way to interact in real-time without feeling like you're always pushing content. If you're into live interaction, it’s definitely worth a try!

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.

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 the filmmakers did it just to promote their films to people and connect with fans.

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 Q&As can still be a powerful way to build momentum. I am not aware of film makers doing this, this specifically, however.

Amazing!!