Thinking of writing/directing a movie

[djzen17]

I decided that I want to write or make a movie somehow. Where should I start? I got a good idea....

[Lee J B]

Well, I guess you would start with writing the whole story, then figure out cast, how many etc... then re-write it into scripts. Then figure the target audience, from that you can determine backgroud music, action, violence, language etc, once you think that your ready enough that you can pick your cast and with only help towards props and scenery you can start, then begin phoning agencies etc. I take it your not going to fund this primarily yourself?

[AdamJM]

Just to get your feet wet I would start either with a documentary, a faked documentary (Blair Witchish), or a play. It takes a lot of resources to make full blown movies right to beggin with.

[dana82]

um.. I am pretty sure you need an agent or representative to start out? Then they pretty much take care of it...

[Kitara]

Dana's right. Most producers won't even look at a script unless it comes from an agent. BUT -- that's the bigger name producers. You MAY be able to find a producer that it lesser known to look at your script right off the bat. Try http://www.movie-producer.net. There is a message board there that might be worth your while to take a look at.

Best of luck. It's an EXTREMELY competitive business.

[Kitara]

Originally Posted by Lee J B

Well, I guess you would start with writing the whole story, then figure out cast, how many etc... then re-write it into scripts. Then figure the target audience, from that you can determine backgroud music, action, violence, language etc, once you think that your ready enough that you can pick your cast and with only help towards props and scenery you can start, then begin phoning agencies etc. I take it your not going to fund this primarily yourself?

All that stuff would be done by the producer. Writing and/or directing wouldn't entail all of those things. (a few, but not most) The producer funds the entire project and pays the directer and purchases the script from the writer. Then then hire the rest of the people from the last unknown extra to the person to bring that extra their water. If you sell a script to a producer then it's pretty much out of your hands how that script is produced.

BUT -- if you're talking about producing your own script then all those things need to be done along with a whole lot more.

edit Whoops -- he did say "make" a movie. I read the title and was only thinking along the writing/directing lines.

[Julius]

good luck, your going to need an assload of it...

[CrazyR]

ok having worked in the film industry for several years your best bet is to learn more about the industry and make some contacts before embarking on a project of your own

the best way... volunteer on short films at any well known film school

in the meantime buy a scriptwriting book to help you make your ideas concrete