Writing, directing, producing and staring in your first film might be a bit too much. But do it anyway. (Part I)

The title says a lot, true. But how does one become a writer, director and producer of a film without any education in the field and any extensive experience? That’s the story I’d like to share in these few articles.

This article is dedicated too all those who are brave enough to jump into the world of cinema.

Writing is just… complicated

For a good story to work, one might consider a screenplay. Sure, there are many films that take the advantage of naturalism and improvisation to share a story, but that’s not my case. All the films I loved have been first written, then shot. So it’s obvious that I would follow the same steps, right?

When I first started writing something it was as close to a screenplay as Britain joining the EU again. It was mostly notes of my experiences, thoughts and feeling scrambled across a Moleskin notebook. It was a form of a therapy for me to write all this down. Once, I had this idea to go back in my notes and read all I had written up until now. So as I was reading I started to see these little connections between the chaotic notes. I started to hear different people telling different stories which made me think two things — one, do I have multiple personalities inside me? Two, does this actually work as a comprehensive story? Answers were maybe and definitely yes! But let’s focus on the second thing…

Once I decided to write a screenplay I realised that I have no clue about writing a screenplay. In today’s age, when you don’t know something, there is only one place you can go to — YouTube. Results on “How to write a short film”, “First screenplay”, etc. might be helpful to many people, but not me. Everything seemed so structured and organised, as if there was a perfect pattern or a template for one to write a screenplay. Instead, I went online, downloaded a few screenplays of my favourite films, turned the films on and read the screenplay as I was watching the film. Then again without the film, then again with the film. Ten films, watched twenty times, read thirty times and I still haven’t had a clue. However, there was one thing that I have learned. Each film, each screenplay was very different from the other. Hence, there isn’t just one way to write a screenplay and every writer has his/her own method.

That’s when I thought: “My story started with some people talking, how about I try to bring them to life and write their biographies?” And so I did, and I wrote extended biographies counting several pages about each character in the film hoping they would start to make sense as real people and have their own language, their own thoughts and most importantly — that they would share all this with me somehow. Long story short, it worked. I was able to write the first draft in several weeks.

States of physical discomfort caused by your work

There were several moments during this process when I felt physically sick. First time was when I read the first draft. It was sloppy, the story was exaggerated and the end was way too dramatic. All-in-all, it just didn’t work. So I went back to YouTube to learn something that is true — screenplay is about the rewrites. As much of cliché as it sounds, it is true.

What it has taken were a few weeks, a red pen and an objective self reflection. Then you just cross things out. Sometimes it’s a word, sometimes a sentence, in my case it was a whole passage containing several scenes. From 32 pages I suddenly had a 19 page screenplay, rewritten and consolidated. The process was terrible and full of insults and wondering: “How could you have written a scene like that?!”. The second draft would be met with more positive feedback than the first one and I thought to myself: “Okay, I have a screenplay. What now?”

To have a screenplay means nothing

It’s true! Undoubtedly. Many people have screenplays in their drawers that will never be made. And for what my opinion is worth, I think it’s a shame. Because I’m absolutely positive that there must be some incredible stories in those drawers that might never be seen. On the other hands, it is incredibly difficult AND expensive to have your story be made. My story and my screenplay was slowly taking this turn until I’ve read it to my mom. I was more nervous than with anyone else, because her opinion means a lot to me. Once I’ve finished, there was a short silence after which these words of her followed: “You must make this film”. “But how? I know nothing about making films.” said I. “Then learn.” was her answer. Yet again, I found myself in a position that was already familiar to me — learn something new. Something that will get you closer to your dream. And guess where I went to seek wisdom? Right, YouTube.

Many videos, articles and other videos later I thought: “This is impossible”. Everyone had a the bullet proof method on how to make a short film, but me. All I saw were again methods that worked for them. I decided to discover a method of my own. I had the basics — you need a phone, some light, actors, locations and that’s pretty much it. Let’s go shopping!

I found a great website where you can purchase lenses and lights for making films and videos. Light, two lenses and a tripod added to cart, let’s do this — but wait! The phone is ringing. Chance would have it, it was my mom. “Hey, I have these items in cart for my phone to shoot the film, let me just checkout and I will call you back” said I. “You’re not shooting this on a phone, are you?” she said. “Well, yeah, I am”. “I think that’s a mistake. Think bigger.” she said. “Do you know how much an actual camera costs, mom? I can’t afford that.” said I, already a bit angry. “Find someone who will help you with it. Find a cameraman.” she said and hung up. Items deleted from the cart, go to Facebook, search for “Filmmakers in Prague”, write a post: “Looking for a Director of Photography (because I already knew who that person is)for a short film”, post! Few hours later, I opened my Messenger with several responses from which one really caught my eye — portfolio attached to the message, no bragging, no agenda, just pure interest in the project. Response with a proposition of time and place to meet, which was accepted. A few days later I am waiting at a agreed upon cafe with wine and coffee when I see a blonde girl come in heading to my table. She sat down, we talked about the project, how much I know about filmmaking, what are her ideas for the film and that’s how I met Jessica Radlovacki, my Director of Photography.

Click here for part two ✌️