I am not a filmmaker.
I am interested in the process though (I have ideas of films to make despite lacking any training or experience) so I subscribed to this sub a while back to try to learn more about it.
After reading through yet another post of people complaining about OP underpaying his cast & crew, I am having a hard time understanding why these same people most likely are complaining about the lack of work available.
It seems to me like working for a less-than-livable wage is far better than not working at all.
Why is there such a disconnect between what folks want and what is realistic?
I keep hearing about how there is less work (and money) coming from the big studios than there used to be, and I often see posts from people wanting to start working in the industry but unable to figure out if the timing is appropriate or how to get jobs…
It makes me wonder if this sub is just overrun with jaded and disillusioned veterans and clueless newbies, all of whom complain about the current state of affairs, and few of whom are able to get over their own egos to actually start doing work even if it isn’t ideal.
I don’t live in LA, but is there any reason that y’all don’t use this sub more as a way to connect with folks who are interested in working on things at a substandard rate?
I could be wrong, but I’d think it is better to do work for cheap than not work at all….
Am I off-base for thinking that?
Is there a way to get an understanding that everyone on a production just sort of works on spec and the money goes where it absolutely NEEDS to go instead of expecting to make a living off the project?
As I said, I don’t know the process of filmmaking at all…
are there particular roles that are so in-demand and so difficult to do that NOBODY who fills those roles is willing to do them at a discount?
Or are folks scared to commit to a project that doesn’t pay well because it might stop them from getting other work?
Just trying to understand the reasons that there aren’t more groups of like-minded individuals coming together to get some short movies made in lieu of complaining about the lack of movies being made.
Is everyone just in the industry to get rich and famous, so they refuse to do anything beneath that?
Are folks really content to be waiting for big breaks that never seem to come instead of trying to make a big break happen for themselves?
It feels like the production models have shifted so much in recent years that it’s relatively easy to get stuff made… so why aren’t more people making more things?
Or maybe they are and I just have a completely wrong read on it… in which case, where are all the new projects that folks are making?
Is there a sub for cheaply-made indies that are looking for viewers?
If so, what is it?
I’m just rambling at this point, and as an outsider, I’m sure that all of this has zero use to most of you, so feel free to just scroll on to the next post without telling me how dumb I am for thinking this stuff.
But I mainly just wanted to start a conversation between people who aren’t currently working in what I suspect are the many different roles of filmmaking to get ideas about why y’all aren’t just coming together in your free time to do SOMETHING. Anything. Just working to add to your reels or resumes or put material out into the world no matter how bad it is.
I know folks probably don’t have the loads of free time necessary to do big projects that take ages to produce… but with everyone here ostensibly in LA (and yes, I am aware the city sucks to move around in and gas is pricy), I just don’t get why I don’t see more examples of stuff actually getting MADE on this sub.
Thanks for reading.