Harsh Truths About Being A First Time Filmmaker - R. Ellis Frazier

[@TomGist]

“Protect the film over protecting myself” I felt that. A harsh truth I learned after my first film is EXACTLY what he said about editing. Sitting through that process will definitely educate you on what you need and what you don’t 🎬

[@brycefalloway]

Can you please explain what you mean?

[@TomGist]

@@brycefalloway yes sir, working on my first film I felt the need to control every aspect. In the editing process, you have to put your personal feelings aside and do what’s best for the film. Scenes, cuts, angles you might love might not work once your editing. I suggest sitting through the whole editing process if you can, to truly see what it’s like.

[@stsolomon618]

That's what I heard George Lucas did with Star Wars.

[@kevindang5260]

I had the opportunity to work on a film Roger produced a couple of years ago. He’s totally spot on about the crew in Mexico. Such generous and professional people to work with. Something I’ll never forget.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for posting Kevin!

[@arthousefilms]

This was excellent. Thank you. I especially like the part about knowing how to say what you don’t need. That was good for me to hear because I do tend to get swayed by by people wanting to ratchet up the budget a little at a time with different “needs“. I also like the bit about the importance of editing. Very cool info and Valuable advice

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for watching and sharing your feedback!

[@Gorrittismos]

What he said about people having personal agendas matches my experience in NYC. I'm usually in the sound department and have witnessed countless instances of DPs savotaging the narrative of a film because they're really working for their reels, not for the movie. Not too recently, I recall an argument between a Director that had planned to shoot a scene in a certain EXT location and the DP that didn't like the place and wanted to scout a different location last minute. After loosing at least an hour of the schedule just arguing, the DP won and we shot the scene in a different place. Months later, when I got to watch the final cut of the film (I also did the audio post) I realized that the scene had been removed. Director told me that it just wasn't working. I think that his original plan for the scene would have worked just fine had there not been any bad blood that day. The point is, we ended up loosing an entire afternoon because the scene wasn't used at all. And when every penny counts that's just painful and disheartening. I'd say... if you're looking for DPs, beware of pretty reels, because chances are their priorities might not be aligned with your film's best interest.

[@johnconstantine7413]

What movies have you worked on?

[@mightefm0717]

The Editing is one of the hardest techniques to possibly achieve in the industry. That’s my opinion. What you film on screen will make things easier for you to edit on a video editing software. Also, the harsh truth that I really found out the most is you need to work with the equipment you have and possibly can afford.

[@filmcourage]

What are some harsh truths you learned after making a first film?

[@cbstevp]

I have written three movies that had cameras roll on them. My first movie as a screenwriter was over 20 years ago and it was never completed. The director told me the producer ran out of money for post-production. What ever happened to the project I never knew because I lost touch with him. So I never got paid for half my contract because it said final payment on completion. Now was that a ploy to not pay me? I don't know. And I have never seen the movie anywhere. And it wasn't much money so I said to hell with it. The next two movies were a few years ago and both were completed and distributed worldwide. The big lesson I took from these is don't fall in love with your words. One was extensively re -written by the director. The second was better, about 80% me, so that felt good.

[@cobymarcum1442]

My first film went really well. My second film went well too. Third, minor setback but still moving forward. There seems to be a narrative at times in filmmaking that everything will go wrong early in one’s career and this isn’t always the case. Sometimes things go well and then you move on to the next project and it goes well too.

[@Hyplum]

You make it grander than it is.

[@cbstevp]

I agree with what he said about having the same crew who all know each other well. My two zombie horror movies were shot in Thailand by the same director who always works with the same crew. The first one was shot in 9 days with one day of reshoots. The second one was shot in two weeks with a half day of reshoots. Fast, efficient, budget aware, streamlined.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for sharing Steve!

[@stephenmaples1477]

Not everything will go as planned, even with a schedule. - Learned this doing my first film, and also learned it even harder at a 48 Hour Competition.

[@southlondon86]

Are any of those films online to watch by any chance? I’d love to see.

[@Fftopodcast]

I shoot between Mx and US all the time so I can’t wait to see the full interview! Will you guys be posting it?

[@filmcourage]

Great to hear Paco! This is our first clip with Frazier. Definitely a lot more to go and we are excited to share more.

[@MsRelaytionships]

Fantastic interview! My directorial debut was a MAJOR learning experience for me. He mentioned storyboards, how necessary are they? I’m on my second film and I haven’t used one yet, but I’m interested to see the difference.

[@CholoChaplin]

R Ellis speaks the truth. Great interview Film Courage!

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Ken! Love that you found this one. We had a great visit with Frazier. Excited to share more. Happy New Year to you, your family and loved ones!

[@mrfrazz]

Thanks, hermano Kenneth .... we are brothers in the same struggle. Saludos

[@CholoChaplin]

@@mrfrazz Absolutely. Like you, I'll take a Mexican crew over an American crew any day.

[@DancMach1988]

Judging from this experience, have there been Film Courage interviews on cases in which the stories behind the scenes were more inspiring than the actual films?

[@pavel.ythjall]

Is there a website for Badhouse Studios Mexico please

[@BlueSideUp77]

Independent film... Prince Bagdasarian (California) might be an interesting interview.

[@backbenchers3547]

really helpful

[@filmcourage]

Glad to hear that

[@johnta17]

Everything he says is correct. Unfortunately, its one of those things that will only resonate if you actually go through it yourself. Its not the kind of sage advice that hits you before it happens.

[@muralidharanmurali4832]

Black water. Release sir

[@muralidharanmurali4832]

🥰🥰🥰👍

[@RolandDeschain1]

I have to think that Spielberg, Nolan and Tarantino are the only directors who can make anything they want.

[@katiepeters-moviequeen1175]

Not true! You can make anything you want with your own camera, editing system, and money, which is what I’m doing regardless of the studio system. You can envy them, but they need permission and cooperation in order to make their film. Why? Because they aren’t paying for it themselves, which is why this channel support indie film artists. I talk about it on my own channel as well, while going through the process of making my first film.

[@willfredfrancois3641]

Paul Thomas Anderson as well