Hi, everybody! I'm an aspiring writer-director near Pittsburgh, PA. I want to drop the aspiring part from my job title. I've spent some time in Los Angeles, and I'd like to move there someday. I don't have a lot of experience. I'm getting a late start as a filmmaker. I joined Stage 32 because I would like to meet other filmmakers, and I would like to learn from people who are wiser and more experienced than me. My immediate goals are to learn as much as I can about the craft and the industry, to meet other filmmakers whom I can learn with, work with, and grow with, and to just start moving forward as a filmmaker. My short-term goal is to write and direct a micro-budget feature (before I get too much older). My long-term goal is start a company that develops, produces, and commercially distributes low-budget features and web series.
Introduce Yourself : Hello! by Jacob Buterbaugh
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Love this post, Jacob. Honest and transparent. I applaud you for driving forward with your creative dreams. In my estimation, there is no such thing as getting a late start. The most important thing is starting and always moving forward. Great to have you in the community.
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Glad you're in the community Jacob! I went to check out Bad Morning Sunshine, Battle Lords and Negativity, but didn't see it uploaded on your profile. It'd be great for us to see some of your work so we can learn more about you! If you need tips on how to do that, hope this helps :) https://www.stage32.com/help?category=getting-started-top-things-to-do&p...
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Richard - Thank you so much for the encouragement! Julie - Thanks for the warm welcome. I'll upload Bad Morning Sunshine... I certainly have a lot to learn as a filmmaker. :)
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I second the opinion that a "late start" shouldn't hold ya back. Plenty of accomplished directors got a "late start". If the longterm goal is to start a company then either study business and entertainment law or partner up with someone who has. Everyone and their butler is making a movie nowadays, but if you want to really make a business out of it, the key is being able to fund and distribute your own work without getting permission from others. That means knowing the legal and business end of it all backwards and forwards and it's changing all the time as distribution platforms change and doors open and all too often close. Retail only has so much shelf space and grabbing that is a bloodsport. Getting the big VOD players to pay attention gets harder and harder every year as they open their own studios and develop all their own content. But don't let any of the "realities" hold ya back. Rather understand them and find a way around it.
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Michael - I want to learn this industry inside and out, every stage of the filmmaking process. Concerning my longterm goal, I'd like to form a company with a small group of filmmakers, who have similar interests and goals. And we would focus on micro-budget to low-budget genre films, and ideally handle every step of the process from development to distribution. I guess kind of like Troma, or Full Moon, or The Asylum. I really like what you have to say about learning the business. I'm no expert, but I'd think that knowing the business side of things probably better enables a filmmaker to stay active and productive.
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In my opinion, in this DIY world, it's imperative for all film creatives to at least have a rudimentary understanding of how the business works.
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It's never too late. Even the stalwarts I met at Pinewood here in the UK said to me, "We support 'NEW' talent if we see they have passion and integrity. Notice we say 'New' and not 'Young'." Just go for it and check out conversations from the present day greats to get a feel for the industry too : like this one http://www.avclub.com/article/watch-quentin-tarantino-ridley-scott-and-4... Good luck. Be successful !
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Hi welcome to stage32! I just want to say this out loud: this is such as an encouraging thread and it brighten my day. Hope all the best for 2016!
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Welcome Jacob , glad that you can join us. If I may without overstepping, feel we have many commonalities and I'm not attempting to school you. I read your post and it struck a chord. I'd like to kindly orchestrate a symphony of personal mental notes. 1. This is a people's business, Know business, understand people. 2. Learning everything is overwhelming, don't wear yourself thin.. 3. From the core to the pores , "limiting beliefs" are inevitably destructive (If I believed you couldn't take me seriously due to my experience or lack thereof, label me defeatist.) NO EXCUSES. 4. "Dwelling" is a negative though pattern. Don't feed into the B.S. You're only "too old" when you refuse learn. ("Aspiring, "Too Old, Inexperienced) Those word are like shackles. One can't help if handcuffed, (Harry Houdini first unshackles himself to perform his magic.) 5. They Know!: Industry Pros have great noses. They smell us coming miles away. Your material/skill should be ready-served, mouth-watering rotisserie. 6. Attitude attitude attitude is first and foremost. Aptitude follows in accordance . Combining a "can do" spirit with genuine "preparation", you'll perform admirably and achieve, to which some perceive nearly impossible. 7. Learn, apply, create ,repeat. Jacob, may "The Schwartz" I mean, "The Force" be with you. :D
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Aray - Thanks for the warm welcome! Serafin - Thanks for the warm welcome and great advice!
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Welcome to the site, Jacob. Hope you find everything you're looking for here.