I'm 42 and been in politics my whole life because it was sensible. Cant even get out of bed anymore because I'm so miserable. In one month of watching your stuff (and a few others too) your explanations have inspired me and reignited this passion (I used to make movies on a super 8mm camera from 5th to 12th grade). I've now got the gear and will be shooting very soon. Thank you very much for the inspiration and knowledge. You're amazing!
It's ridiculous how high quality the information layed out here is. There are so many "tutorial" channels that set up just to get views but here I see all the hard work it really takes to effectively educate. Thanks a ton.
I went to film school and I can tell you is overrated. If you really love filmmaking you can learn in channels like this, or studiobinder. The only benefit from film school is that you know people, but a lot of those people don't end in filmmaking industry. It's a craft, so you learn more doing than in classrooms.
It takes a while at first, but the more you think of a story or think of ideas the faster you can come up with an idea. Thats the experience I had. ;) But my channel is dead. :(
Here's a good way to get an interesting idea: open up a dictionary to a random page. Then pick a random word. Then make a film based around that single word
A small detail I really appreciated. Jus a few minutes in you say “are you gonna be able to make a Hollywood blockbuster by yourself?” And instead of saying no you say “Probably not” it’s a small detail but that hint of inspiration keeps me going
Me too .... it's actally going to be a scene from an existing screenplay in order to use it to help crowdfund the budget needed to make the feature ;-)
I have friends but I love to travel alone because of freedom. When you travel with friends there’s this mob mentality that we just have to see all the main attractions as fast as possible and only take pictures of it... with us in it. Take a shot then move on. It sucks. I want to travel slow, truly appreciate the place and film it in near perfection within my capabilities and the capabilities of my gear. This vid is helpful for solo travellers like me.
Darius honestly thank you, I'm at a time in my life where I know I want to make short films, but school is so expensive, and youtube is the only way I can information on how to do this alone, thank you
I think it's so awesome that you still shoot on cheap DSLR, you're a real testament to the low budget side of us that we all claim! Good job, don't change (:
I just found you, and totally felt in love. I needed that, I'm always alone when talking about filmmaking and it's great to have this help. Thank you, dude!
I always wanted to make films, but i am too shy and to afraid to ask friend for help or perform in my movie. Now i will practise doing it by myself. Thank you very much! You have realy amazing videos!
I've learned a lot. I watched the whole video. You are a very talented person. Thank you for sharing your ideas and "how tos" in this video. You are awesome.!
A great and easy idea for a short film to tell a story - Try a poetry or a script that sounds like you're reading out of a book telling a story with clips of the story. Say you were telling a story about your younger sibling dying you can get shots of the swing set empty or animate a disappearing figure (that's a lot more complex but if your good at animation go for it) I do very short 1-2min films like this because it's easier,budget friendly and you can get it done in a short amount of time while gaining knowledge of the shots and story you want to completely tell in the future.
Currently on day 6 of your 30 day learn filmmaking video. Been wondering how i'll go about stuff by myself. ..............AND THEN YOU COME OUT WITH THIS VIDEO!!! You are the greatest!
I literally just finished another short or micro-film that I did all alone. My friends are busy, I only have an iPhone at the moment (next month I should have enough for a camera) but this video and this channel has helped me so much through the moments where I feel like what I'm doing isn't good enough because of what I lack. You've showed me that it doesn't matter what I have, but what I do with it. I am subscribed to many others channels as well, but the advice and encouragement I get here feels more like you're in it for me; the guy starting out with nothing. And that has been the best advice I have ever gotten. Thank-you for all of these and I hope they keep going for years to come.
Christian Clark the iPhone (I have a 6s) is a great camera to start off with. It has gotten me through so many small films I've made just messing around. But the more I push it for story the more it can't keep up. It gets very noisy even in moderate light and I find that I don't want to keep buying adapters to make something more like something else. To me it's like owning a motorcycle and then buying two more tires and a cover to make it more like a car. Why not just save up and get a real car? All that and I'm looking to go pro, and nothing looks less professional then trying to convince someone to let you film a commercial for them, on you iPhone, for money. Haha.
RJDiaz11 That's true, I was debating whether to buy a camera or use the 7 plus, it depends on your budget I think, but any camera under a thousand really doesn't seem to pop from a well shot short on iphone with a gimbal (I use the Osmo) When I heard about the Tangerine film at Sundance, I was sold on the iPhone and the idea that everyone can make great shorts with the talent, whether you have a red weapon like Ridley Scott or a super 8 like Spielberg. What camera are you looking at though?
Christian Clark The iPhone is defiantly coming forward as a more standard camera. It is very hard to justify spending more on something else but I know I want to get into more and I have to start somewhere. I did a lot of research (and watched D4's video on cameras) and, for my budget, I'm looking at a Cannon Rebel T5i starter bundle. It won't break my wallet and it'll give me a good starting point to know what I like in cameras before I going blowing all my cash on something that ends up not having features I really care about, because I didn't know what I want. I know he quality won't jump greatly over the iPhone, but with my old 6s the digital noise is getting really noticeable to me. Plus the bundle sets me up to be able to spend more on a good camera body then a whole other bundle. So just one step at a time.
Lol, but for real, this was well done. many useful tips. I never would have thought of the phone thing, but that's because my phone sucks at recording audio. I'll just do it all on my Zoom H1, haha. You continue to show how much can be done with very little if you know what you're doing and you put in the work. Thanks, man!
I discovered your channel yesterday, I was so inspired I decided to do something, that something ended up being myself recording. Today I found this tools and I and blown up. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Damn this was super dope. And that short you did was pretty dope homie. The fact you only used practical lighting is even better. You are the real MVP.
It's after mid-night... now it's my Birthday... Whooo Hooo.. What am I doing? I'm watching your video... Wondering if I'm ever going to get my manuscript (already written) into a movie script... and I hear your words at 4:53, when you say, "There is something that I'm missing... and I can't figure it out!" I had just said those exact words right before I sat down with a glass of wine, getting ready to watch your video... Your video/tutorials are "REAL" ... Your videos speak to me... You noticed I didn't say, "You speak to me"... that would have been a disrespect/injustice to you, because I don't think YOU realize, just how much you really put into your videos... I'm not talking about time and money, that is a given. I'm talking about .. Your Heart and Soul... so when I say, "Your Video" speak to me that means "The EVERYTHING" you put into the WHOLE of all that you do... Believe me Brother D... You are so appreciated... especially from this "Want-a-be" movie producer/actor/teacher/camera person etc... Thank YOU so much for all the work you do.. You give me hope. God Bless You...
Had to say I watched this film first when I got an spark to start filming and I didn't think it was possible especially doing it alone, but after watching this it gave me the inspiration I needed to get started I just wrapped up two short films and I plan on doing many more to come thank you for your hard work, artistry, and outstanding passion you have taught me so much I wish you nothing but success!
Always such an inspiration ! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a reason I jumped into my big around the world filmmaking project ! Thanks A LOT, may our paths cross someday so I can buy you a beer for all that motivation you gave me !
I really appreciate you're videos and tutorials. I'm preparing to shoot a video for the 72 Film Fest in Frederick, MD and these videos help me think of how to prepare. We get 72 hours to shoot a film and screen it the following weekend at the Weinberg Theater in front of a packed house. I gotta be sharper than last year and this helps!! Thanks again man!
i really appreciate how much you breakdown the different steps. the audio comparisons especially were so helpful. doing this for fun and audio has been challenging in recent home projects. this will greatly help in the next one!
I have watched this a dozen times at least plus many of your other videos! I just love your style of teaching! EVERYBODY else I have seen including many who deem themselves as professionals pale in comparison! You ROCK man!
Man, your vids are level 10000000 boss! Learning so much more than exactly what you're talking about its crazy. As a non-student film maker there are so many things to learn. Thanks so much for your epic content!
So great! I can relate to everything! SOUND IS SOOOO IMPORTANT!!!!! I love the cell phone idea. And recording the "wild sounds" Its really a great solution to creating a solid soundscape on a budget!
Last night I was speaking to a friend and I was so frustrated. Wanting to make movies but filming and acting by myself. I've done little microfilms but they don't have much of a story. Today I see this video, I want to make something great but going to do it by myself. It isn't the most luxurious way to make a movie but this is where I'm at. Thanks for the push, Darious!
Watching your videos has taught me so much about making a movie. There are so many things that I was not aware of in making a video. Thanks again for sharing. Dominic
I’m glad you said what you said about experimenting with shots. I’ve always preferred that and it’s nice to know there’s still support for that. Hopefully I’ll be uploading my own soon, that’s motivation!
I’m always alone and it’s inspiring to see the quick “I love it, let’s shoot it!” Way of making something on the fly. Thanks brotha keep up the good work!
I like what you said about shooting Micro films first before you have a crew, its just so difficult. I made one short film without even any actors - I'm trying to get better at that. Have you ever shot a film without any actors/crew before? Thanks for reading!
When I first started it was just a few friends but it got less and less it was just two of us for close to two years, once your work gets better however more and more people want to help and eventually you run into those people, I now have a crew close to 30-40 people to ask for help, as crew and actors. I also shoot a huge amount now, things do get better! :)
Duuude!!! I've had this video on my "Watch Later" list since 2019 and I JUST watched it today. So glad I did. That short film was amazing, and YOU sir are brilllant!!!
Dude. This is gold. So awesome. I began making vlog style documentary videos of my backcountry mountain bike rides and adventures a few years ago. I'm 100% self-taught and do all of my shooting and post production completely alone, so I can completely relate to everything you have said here. I've had to learn how to be creative in my choices of equipment since I carry 100% of my gear on a bicycle, and also had to learn and become creative in how to use the equipment, and shooting styles etc. I mostly shoot "off the cuff", totally unplanned, random stuff. My early videos were total crap, but that's to be expected as a beginner. My quality and production value have improved immensely but I still have lots to learn and lots of improvements to be made. Cheers man, I just subscribed.
I'm a children's author looking to do some short videos with my character CORNBREAD, and this has been the BEST video I've seen for novice filmmakers. Great job, man!!! Never even thought about the "wild sounds" but loved how you shared this using the iphone.
D4arious i don't have any good audio or lighting and in 14 and just blew all my money on a camera lol. But I found some solutions for lighting. I found that using a normal flashlight and pointing it up or taping paper to the flashlight. You should try that out and use it for another budget video. Or "How to make a film with items at home"
I just found this video and yet I absolutely love it. I, myself, am a person that films alone mostly all the time and uses a lot of audios. Seeing this video does help with newer information to learn from that can definitely be useful enough for me to improve better with my work later on in future from a professional like yourself that knows how to create videos alone. Well done D4Darious! Keep up the great work you do each day. 👍🏻👏🏻
14:14 180 degree line broken (shooting over the right shoulder of the daughter, and then shooting a close up of the daughter to the right of the mother's right shoulder). I get that the 180 degree rule is more of a guideline and not a strict rule, but it was more distracting than serving the scene to cut between them both looking in the same direction at the beginning of their conversation.
Yep, after all the studying I have done I can comfortably say that it is a strict rule due to the very fact you mentioned: it is distracting and anything that takes the viewer out of the moment doesn't help the project, it hurts. Very first thing I noticed watching the short - which was as good as the tutorial but I had to get past that distraction.
I've only ever had a prepaid phone, never an iPhone like normal people. what phone & app did you use? and would that sound quality be on most smartphones?
I’ll check it out. My wife and I filmed a feature “STEEL CHAMBER” You can watch it on Amazon.... www.amazon.com/dp/B07B9HC2HX/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc#customer-review-section
I just wanted to say thanks for making this. I've been filming skits for myself for years now and I feel like most film people won't admit you can get a lot done by yourself. So thanks!
I once shot a film alone with no gear and just my cheap phone. It was ok but I'm never making a film without gear ever again. I've already started collecting money for a mic, camera and tripod. I'm just going to shoot in golden hour for lighting. Then I'll start saving for lighting and get a lighting kit later.
Hey thank you very much for making this video man. I've been having so much trouble lately with finding inspiration for creativity and the reason was I was aspiring to make something far too ambitious. Little films and stuff here and there is a great idea for mastering the craft.
YESSS!!! Finally found the video I was looking for!!! Thanks so much! There are guys who can make this kind of video but they don't! Thanks bro! Respect for your work!
This is the first video of yours I watched. I have no idea how your channel didn't pop up in the past since I constantly am looking up content about filmmaking. Great video! I happily subscribed
Hey, I just watched “Untouched”.... My God man, an incredible movie. I hope more people watch it. I watched your first short too ... you’ve inspired me ... I’m just starting out in making micro-short movies .... thank you for being totally you and letting me see what you do.
an incredibly helpful video, thank you! you summarise everything so well and have touched on everything relating to both tech and also process. Awesome stuff.
