Ante Up

Here is a link to the Short Film I directed last spring. Comment, Critique, Enjoy!
http://www.vimeo.com/19762545

Top Five Sites for Filmmakers

Sharing and collaborating is an important part of nearly every profession, but it is vital in the film making business. I decided that it would be a good idea to share the top five websites I visit regarding how to improve as a film maker. Here Goes:

5. JohnAugust.com

Why? John August is a writer/director who has been in the business for about 20 years. He has been a favorite of Tim Burton for a while, writing Big Fish, The Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory(the new one...duh) and a few others. August knows the Hollywood system of execs, directors, writers and insiders. His blog hits several key aspects of the industry including writing and directing. He's smart and straightforward with his posts. Also, he is a great writer. I'd encourage you to watch The Nines.

4. The 99%

Wait...this site isn't a film site? Whats the deal with this site? Why? The 99% is a site for creative leadership/individuals, so naturally that fits for film. There are tons of great articles on leadership, productivity, collaboration, discipline and a number of other topics. Every article I've read on the site can be related to film making in some aspect. Its clear and easy to navigate and has a lot of great stuff to say.

3. ScriptShadow

A daily blog run by a guy who reads scripts, both professional and amateur, and writes reviews that are constructive; pointing out the strong suits and the weak points in the scripts. He knows what he is talking about. Also, you can send your scripts to him for a beating. He doesn't review every script, but if you have a good logline, he may choose to review it. If you want to be a director, its a good idea to read scripts because you will be doing that for a living. Producers can find great info about what to look for in a script and writer...well its one of the best sites for writers simply because of all the reasons stated above. 

2. Go Into The Story

Another blog run by a screen writing professor from the University of North Carolina, and he also teaches out of the Writers Extension Program at UCLA. He has had a few scripts produced in the late 80s/early 90s. Essentially, he has the accreditation you'd want from a writing professor...and he teaches (for the most part), his classes on his blog. He posts nearly bi-hourly, and he posts a TON. Anything from produced scripts to tips from writers, to interviews with them, directors and anything else you can think of regarding film making. Also, the guy replies to emails and comments. I sent him an email not expecting to hear back and he wrote back within a week. There is an extensive library of info on his site, so it will take you a lifetime of reading if you want to know everything he has posted, but I recommend taking a look at his archives. 

1. Zoetrope

Zoetrope is a website created by the one and only Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now. The site is an enormous virtual studio for nearly all aspects of the creative film making process. You are able to post, read, review and be reviewed by professionals, amateurs and people who like to read scripts. I've had two of my short scripts reviewed by a number of professionals and reggos alike. It's a fantastic form of collaboration. I've had several scripts sent to me by people interested in having them made. There are rules and regulations on the site that help control theft of ideas, so you are OK to post nearly anything you've made. 

That's it. Go check the sites out, visit them and let me know what you think.

Do you have any sites you like to visit? Post them in the comments section so I can check them out and share them with others as well.

A Note of Congratulations

I'd like to congratulate the Green Bay Packers for the rough season they experienced and the Super Bowl trophy they won. Injuries plagued the team throughout the season, and some of that crept into this game; they lost a key player on both sides of the ball, but they still pulled it out. Way to be a tough franchise and get the win in the end.

I used to dream of playing football as a kid, my parents had to sit me down in 9th grade and explain how I wasn't good enough to make it, in nice words: "Mike...if you want to play in the NFL you're going to want to grow six inches taller and become fast...maybe you should be a plumber?"

Love my parents. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be a film maker.

Hope you enjoyed Super Bowl XLV.