Wonderful World Of No Budget Filmmaking: Stealing Shots

Listening to director's commentaries are always hit-and-miss, especially with big name directors who usually just relay what we see on screen, followed by long pauses.  Some directors love the format though, and it shows.  I'm not especially crazy about Robert Rodriguez movies, but if you can't afford a film school class you might as well buy one of his movies and go through the special features. He breaks it down in a language anyone can understand, and specifically makes 10 minute film school crash courses, which always run a good five minutes overlong. Ridley Scott always has fascinating thing sto say about his movies, along with Werner Herzog, Paul Thomas Anderson, Larry Cohen, and Cronenberg.

I was surprised to find out how many great directors stole shots.  It's stupid to get a permit for an outdoor location if you can get away with it.  Mike Nichols stole a shot for, "The Graduate" where Dustin Hoffman chases after Katherine Ross, following the strip club scene.  They're running down Sunset Blvd on a busy night where the streets are packed with people- he got the shoot from across the street with a zoom lens. 

A fantastic example is Larry Cohen directing Fred Williamson in, "Black Caesar"  Fred Williamson is clutching his bloody shirt, staggering down a busy sidewalk in New York City- passerbys are looking at him with concern, but not really going to his aid, probably confused by the cameraman.  We get an awesome bird's eye view from on top of a building, looking down at Black Caesar as he stumbles into an intersection.  Then he gets into a taxi and two men chase after it holding up pistols, haha!  Talk about balls- no permission no permits and brandishing weapons in broad daylight.  Larry Cohen also had a crew member dress up like a cop, so he could handle crowd control- pretty smart...and stupid.

You've probably seen the wonderful crowd shots Sofia Coppola captured in Tokyo with her little guerrilla crew on "Lost in Translation".  Scarlett walking around the city.  When there's that much traffic on the street it can work for or against you.

Another insane example is Peter Bogdonovich's, "Targets" where a madman who has just killed his parents, climbs atop some industrial building and starts shooting speeding motorists on a freeway.  Bogdonovich shot the whole thing silent and then added all the sound effects later, but the crazy thing is that he kept radio contact with all his stunt drivers, and when they approached the shot, they would jerk the wheel and fly off the road like they'd been shot.  Meanwhile LA drivers are whizzing by- very dangerous and stupid.  It's a hell of a scene though, the Bobby character is sipping his coke and looking through his sniper scope taking out drivers.

Spike Jonze made a ton of music/skate videos in fantastic locations with no permits.  He had his little jerry-rig camera bag that he held by his side, filming the Beastie Boys inside a casino.  That dude is fearless though, he just doesn't give a shit.

I couldn't for the life of me secure a photo booth and everyone wanted money.  I ended up going to one of my favorite bars downtown and stole the shot.  Had the camera in my backpack and the photo booth was conveniently around the corner from the bar, so no one would could catch wise.  Still, it's a little nerve wracking to throw some blood in a photo booth and then get my actor to do several takes while the bartender is twenty feet away.  Then I quickly cleaned up the blood and it's like we were never there.  We did the same thing at The Standard downtown.  They have that great red elevator and then a room with psychedelic images projected on a white wall.  It's amazing what you can get away with, as long as you don't waste time stalling because you're too chicken.  Get the shot before someone starts asking questions- the film gods may take pity on you.  They did for me.  I had Turen and Yvette yelling at each other on the street during peak club hours.  Every time we cut a cop drove by, but when we rolled we some how got away with two two of them screaming.  Just another night in Hollywood.

There was that close call during, "Glue Junkies" where we staged an accident and someone called the paramedics.  Yeah, that was probably a dumb idea, but we still got away with it.  I'm not saying any of this is a good idea..., but it'll save you from a $10,000 permit, or hiring a cop, or dealing with extras.  Mic your actors, shoot from a steady surface far away, and then zoom that sucker.  Or make like a film ninja.  However you do it, be fast and look confident, you're less likely to get caught if you look like you're there for a reason.  Besides, everyone shoots in LA, you must have a permit right?

Now go steal some shots.

Welcome!

So I thought it was about time I escaped facebook and created another website I could set up, specifically for the movie.  I think I blew like 70 bucks on a webhosting site and I couldn't even figure out how to manage it.  Never let your friends influence you if you have the slightest doubt.  Or if you're an idiot

(raises hand)

I didn't realise how simple it was to manage a blog until I started stumbling onto others. Anyway, I'm not just going to post stuff I put up on facebook, i'll get more into detail here with updates, journal entries, video blogs and the lot. I know there's only a select few that even give a shit about the movie, but I have to be obsessed because I've come this far.  So I won't let the fire burn out until it gets distribution.  Otherwise, I'll go back to handing out scratched dvds on the street.  I thought I'd start out self-deprecating, but I get more positive as I go along I swear.  I'd really like to be inspirational too, because that's what got me this far, and I'd like to pass it on to you. 

"No thanks Marty, I'm good."

That's good.  If you're good I'm good.

There are things that I do that I guess are kind of ridiculous.  I fantasize about a talk show interview some day.  I record snippets of dvd commentary, and try not to sound pretensious.  I post up deleted scenes, which is like showing someone all your weaknesses.  I ramble on video blogs because it's theraputic.  Trying to come up with the perfect poster design.  I give out dvds to my friends because I'm always looking for approval.  Constantly craving feedback.

The movie is better now.  I've cut it down- it moves faster, I got all my original music from up and coming artists- very exciting.  Tweaking the sound, which should take another week or two, but I'm coming very close to getting this thing sent out.  I cut out a major scene after regaining some perspective- it's hard to know what works when you see the same thing over and over, but I've stepped away where I could recognize a bump in the road.

Anyway, thanks for dropping by.  I'll keep you posted.  Or I'll post and feel free to check in.  Thanks for all your support!