Making a short film like an A24 movie

Make your own A24 Film in 4 Week Filmmaker:
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Behind the scenes captured by:
Richard Nicole or @RichardNixx on Instagram
Cinematography by: Nik Pilecki
The lenses we used:
dzofilm.com/products/pavo-ana...
Special thanks to the crew and talent behind this incredible film.
Staring
Jacqueline Dos Santos
Katrina Anastasia
Directed by
Ramelan X Hamilton
Story, Edited, and Produced by
Zach Ramelan
Written by
Charlie Hamilton
Produced by
Eric Yensu,
Jacqueline Dos Santos,
James Stewart
FEATURING,
Sid Sawant
Charlie Hamilton
, Christoph, Benfey
, Michèle DesLauriers
Production Design, Props and Make-up by
Bethany Mcleod
Wardrobe by
Katrina Anastasia
Cinematography by
Nik Pilecki
First AC
Alice Do
Gaffer
Dave Barrett
Swing
Moatasem Asi
Location:
Evil Empire Studios
Special thanks to
DZO FILMS
Evil Empire
Set Ready Rentals
Richard Nixx
Christoph Benfey
Michèle DesLauriers

[@ZachRamelan]

Friends you can now enroll in our course the 4 week filmmaker! Learn more here: www.cinematicacademy.ca/

[@itsmahdisadeghi]

I'm here to say I appreciate all the work that has been done not only for creating the films or short films, but the behind-the-scenes documentary which allows us to see the process, effort, and the head space of the director of photography, director and other crew members. It's a great way of passing the knowledge to the future generations and teaching and learning. I can't truly thank you enough.

[@ZachRamelan]

Thank you so much!!! ❤️ reading this means the world 🥹

[@DavidBlodgett]

This was great! Thank you for this BTS, learned a bunch

[@crumblebee6728]

What IS an A24 film? Is it the witch? Is it everything everywhere all at once? The Northman? Green Knight? Talk to me?? The answer is they were all directed by completely different people, shot by different people and look totally different to each other..

[@Tykeandy]

A24 is a company that buys up smaller "independent" films and publishes them for them. They produce their owns films too but the reason you see so many different looks and feels is because they produce and publish other films. Zach is using the title "I Made an A24 Film" because everyone knows the name A24. If Zach was a youtuber in the 80s I'm sure he'd say "I Made a Speilberg Film!" Haha

[@alfredpoopykins8264]

A24 is when RGB lighting and film emulation

[@andrewharris6347]

I’ve never heard of A24 … it does need to be defined adequately

[@andrewharris6347]

So what really is A24?

[@DiLeggeBrothers]

I don’t believe The Northman is A24.

[@thisiseric]

Now that you did a higher budget short film, it would be awesome to see your retrospective takes on lower budget versus higher budget pieces of equipment that try to achieve the same effect (the dolly versus a gimbal, a shower curtain versus the massive bounce sheet, anamorphic cinema glass versus crop bars, a real haze machine versus a party store fog machine....etc etc). Obviously, the higher end equipment will probably have the better look and more precision, but I would be curious about bang-for-buck and effort vs final result - what elements were actually worth the time/effort and cost and which elements you feel like you could have settled for the lower budget version and probably no one would mind because the story still conveys. An example for me might be, even when I have access to a solid audio mixer and recorder, I sometimes prefer to have the audio feed through a preamp xlr to 3.5 mm adaptor and run into the camera directly because sometimes, I just want to hear how the dialogue sounds too as I am monitoring the visuals. It's not as high quality but it's still solid and I love the live feedback of hearing the nuances in the voice, especially when I am far away for like a wide shot or whatnot.

[@ZachRamelan]

Dude love this idea. I'll see what I can cook up.

[@NicoTomatala]

​@@ZachRamelanI'll be waiting for it

[@wenjun_n]

I Just wanna share my 2 cents here. I think 12K is modestly not very high a budget, Ive seen way more student films that used way more than double that but still fail to make something good. I understand the feeling of excitement when one thinks "if only I can get that ultra-expensive super-pro-equipment in my project." We as humans would always want the best and the coolest. But if you ever had the chance to those stuff, you'll find that at the end of the day, apart from the technical skills in executing the shots for the story, it boils down to mainly reliability, quality and efficiency. So I think if you feel the equipment you use, regardless of the price, can meet those requirements, then they are all as worthy to be used. What I find harder to judge is where you would consider something as not good enough for what's required, and that level of requirement may shift depending on the project you are on. Having said this, I think we shouldn't get too caught up in the equipment itself, as ultimately the audience can only (and will only) judge your work on the final result itself; there's no way we go explain to everyone what difficulties we encountered, so pls don't bash us for the imperfections that they see. Of course I'd still love to hear Zach or any other filmmakers share their experience on projects with different budget levels. (oh and also, more than 10 years ago, we can probably all agree that the Arri Alexa Classic trumps every other digital camera in image quality and the big bright light sources were heavy and sucks a ton of power. But now with all the technology advancements that we've had, we have really seen the gap in quality between professional and prosumer equipment shrink a lot. What a time it is for us filmmakers!)

[@thisiseric]

@@wenjun_n I totally agree that story and idea and skills come before any equipment. But in a way, that's why I feel like it'll be interesting to hear Zach's take on whether certain gear was even worth the effort to utilize. Back when I was in film school, we would use very expensive gear like J Fischer dollies and but nowadays, I feel like I would rather use a gimbal or a slider than rent a truck to lug a Fischer dolly on set. It's a cool way to see how far consumer products have come to allow us all to have no limits in our creativity. Overall I agree with your points and have no legitimate argument against it. Sometimes it's just fun to talk about gear too haha.

[@wenjun_n]

@@thisiseric yeah, but I reckon Fisher dolly, a slider, and a gimbal each has it’s own limitations, they will never replace each other despite all the tech advancements. They each have their own speciality. And the budget, the time, and the manpower required to operate them will dictate what you choose for your project. ( I’m personally not a fan of sliders like Dana dolly despite their ease of use)

[@landapictures1701]

Really appreciate the openness and detail you put into your BTS videos, your passion for filmmaking is contagious

[@ZachRamelan]

Thank you so much!

[@piusgyagenda]

It is so inspirational to how far you have grown and pushed yourself every single day. I took sometime to look qt the first video you uploaded on this youtube channel and it made me believe that you have put in so much time to be the great filmmaker you are today ❤ Thank you for always sharing the knowledge man ✌📽

[@ZachRamelan]

Thank you so much!! Hearing this means the world man. Keep up the good stuff, I can't wait to see what you're cooking up.

[@07laeina]

Loved watching this!

[@ZachRamelan]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@ClicStudio]

Ooohh will have to watch this video later!

[@stevie.delrosario]

Congratulations, man! Great job!

[@ZachRamelan]

Thank you so much! Pumped to share it!

[@s3_build]

This is probably one of my favorite behind the scenes videos ever, even comparing it to LOTR or big-budget BTS. It's beautifully shot, informative, fun, and most importantly, captures the magic on set! Great work.

[@ZachRamelan]

This might be my favorite comment I've ever gotten. Thanks @Jason it means a lot.

[@gaarax0x]

Holy... Nik Pilecki is an awesome DP

[@ZachRamelan]

He's a god amongst mortals

[@lavinchi6709]

Great job!!!

[@Cinematic_Jesse]

Great video! As an independent Filmmaker out of Texas i truly appreciate the BTS and information given in this video. We start production on my short film this june, if only you guys were here in Texas, i would enjoy working with you/your team. Best of luck to you all. 🎬

[@ZachRamelan]

Wish I could help!!!! DANG! If you need templates, guides, or live consulting, you can join our course!!! 4 Week Filmmaker!

[@kessview]

nice crew

[@bigfu]

Thank god for you guys!!!!!!

[@ZachRamelan]

We love you

[@Bumper_car]

8:31 Did the camera monitor's look apply lut? Or did it lower the color temperature of the camera?

[@danieldreams222]

Where can I watch this movie?

[@monkeybusiness9576]

Anybody know what’s the software when the guy show the focal length in his cellphone ? Thanks ❤

[@ZachRamelan]

I think it’s called Artemis

[@shahedkhan195]

I really want to Know how many camera is needed at the time of shooting? Did you guys use multiple camera to capture from different angle? Or You guys use one camera and your Actors have to run the action from Start to end Again Everytime for different angle?

[@ZachRamelan]

We used one camera and run the entire scene from each focal length. If we knew the sections, we would divide the scene into two different shooting blocks.

[@theghostsofgiants]

lol I was watching the Low Budget Movies one wondering if you were shooting in Hamilton, my friend Brandon works out of that space, I literally sent him the video like "is this your space or are there other weird warehouses with tunnels kicking around?"

[@cubbysadventures]

Where will the film be posted?

[@ZachRamelan]

We're gonna release a special edition in my new course 4 week Filmmaker and most likely release it online around October so we can do a festival circuit.

[@JJF_FILMS]

Why does everyone want to be A24 now? I want to make films like Orion

[@oldmatttv]

That AI voice processing/enhancement when the DP explains the lenses sounds to weird/unnatural when in a space like that.

[@ZachRamelan]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@oldmatttv]

@@ZachRamelanThe "to" was a typo of "so", not "too"... just felt like adding, this wasn't a hate comment, more an observation. I'd maybe drop the slider a bit or even just add a conv verb of some sort to the enhanced audio. Video was interesting overall, thanks for sharing.

[@katrina.anastasia]

You are soooo talented !!! Holy ! What an incredible video! I cannot wait to see the full film!

[@ZachRamelan]

I can't wait to for you to see it!!!

[@DestinyCreatesEntertainment]

Howd you get the funding?

[@ZachRamelan]

This video was sponsored by DZO FILMS, they gave us money to make a promo for their lenses... I snuck a full short film into that budget...

[@DestinyCreatesEntertainment]

@@ZachRamelan oh thats fire. Thanks!

[@adamsenior5504]

Honest question Zach, what advantage do you see in presenting the 12K budget? it's really a personal gripe of mine. As someone who works in a more commercial space, I find myself on youtube to learn ways to elevate the deliverables we're providing to our clients. Yet I often find these videos, either "zero budget" or projects like this where the amazingly creative executions and examples that you're showing are kinda lost on me when you lead with the budget. How much time did you do in the planning of this project? Is that accounted into your budget? I also tend to get frustrated as the most expensive thing in my experience is peoples time. I just don't see a way you're making this work with a 12K budget unless most if not all of the people here are working for free? Then what about editing time? I feel like your creative skills and educational material are setting up counter productive expectations. I am always trying to best maximize client budgets and due to that, can be very limited in how we utilize that. Just some food for thought - I feel like this would be perfectly fine focusing on the way you did it, rather than that lead in of 12k?. Anyways - the visuals look incredible!

[@ZachRamelan]

Thanks for sharing! I intend to be transparent with my budgets to show how much passion projects cost, not commercials. I think the industry is diluted with 0-dollar films and million-dollar films, and there's no information on the in-between films. Sweat equity is not equated to the budget because if it were, I'd be adding up 15 years of experience lol.

[@adamsenior5504]

@@ZachRamelan Appreciate your response Zach! I've followed your work for a while - though that's part of my point. Your 15 years of experience is the value, as well as the DP, Production Designer, Grip, Makeup, etc - and the fact you've added a monetary spin on this project - are you in turn opening up this question? This is coming from a genuine place. I feel like as creators - there is always the want to do a passion project, yet learning what value is and how to present that in the creative industry is really important. I've seen very little on youtube that actually breaks down how much things cost - or explores the fact of diminishing returns and then the knock on effect to the client/budget. Larger projects are as successful due to the whole team, and their experience/time. I just think that this in a way sets that interesting expectation of "work for free" to get "experience" vibe. And as someone who is constantly trying to find ways in which one can hire new people on my productions, while also battling with budgets and clients and all those things - this just seems a little tone deaf? or maybe thats just me. Either way - I respect your work and think your success is down to your drive and the people you surround yourself with.

[@danieldreams222]

@@adamsenior5504 Great points your making. I share your sentiment.

[@AustinWestbro]

I’m commenting before I watch. RGB lights. Let’s see if I’m right

[@ZachRamelan]

We brought out the RGB, Halation, anamorphic, and zoom-ins.

[@mmm57097]

This might be a stupid question but HOW I CAN WORK as a director ? Like How to enter in the cinema industry ?? I was never on a set but I would love to... I make some short by myself but with a budget and a crew this would be awesome !! Thanks OH and fckg great video by the way ( obviously)

[@ZachRamelan]

This is a great question and not stupid at all. I wondered about this for freaking years until I woke up one day and realized that's what I was doing it. There are a million steps; my favourite is just making movie after movie, each one a little bigger than the next. Eventually, you get better, the team you have gets larger, and you've found an audience. I talk more in-depth about it in my course, the 4 week filmmaker. 😉

[@mmm57097]

@@ZachRamelan Thank you very much Zach for this honest answer you're the beeessttt !!

[@imKeshav]

0:20 - I've got the same handycam as well, lol. Recently salvaged that old relic on a side quest in my fortress of a house, gotta get it repaired soon. Great video btw, got to learn so much from this breakdown. I'm also gonna produce something in the A24 Style based on a script that I've recently finished.

[@ZachRamelan]

I loved my Handycam and wanna shoot more with my old one. What's the film you're making? Is there any way the Cinematic Academy can help?

[@dejavuking]

Tbh this didn’t need to cost $12,000. I think that’s where the film industry is going to go in the near future away from these bonkers budgets!. There is plenty of short films on KZbin that are easily as good as this one, filmed by two mates with the camper and lights they already have in locations they’ve found or asked to use. All for the price of the petrol to get there and lunch!. With how the economy is going more and more companies, individuals are going to have smaller budgets. Which means cutting crew. The persons who can shoot video, setup audio and lighting are laughing!. Because these huge expensive crews for short films and productions just aren’t it they are not the future.

[@raaithyt]

This was such a cool video :D (1st comment)

[@andrewharris6347]

What about the sound guy?!?!

[@ZachRamelan]

You're totatally right! In my next video I talk about our sound team. Carter Buckmann and Keith Sivakumar are my cinema soulmates - they crushed it.

[@sergioivan1944]

You as a Director should be the only one that gives direction to your actors. It looks like your DP was directing your actors. A good DP will respect the director and any communication needed with the actors will go through the director.

[@Tykeandy]

I agree for the most part but a DP sometimes needs to convey to the actors blocking for camera. A real Director and DP should work side by side to capture the Director's vision.

[@ZachRamelan]

Nik never directed the actors; he gave them notes on dialled-in blocking to optimize the framing. Nik's a rockstar DP!

[@theghostsofgiants]

Making a lot of assumptions about their entire process here.

[@CINENIMUS]

be great if you didnt swallow your mic though

[@fakerapperakachipibin7737]

What did I just watch 😡🤬

[@ZachRamelan]

oh no, you didn't like it!?!

[@immaculatesocks]

This vid title is the pinnacle of cringe youtuber filmmaker clickbait

[@ZachRamelan]

Sorry for the cringe.

[@odigskimedia4919]

@@ZachRamelan He’s got 1 subscriber and 10 super weird videos. I wouldn’t listen to him