Xixax Film Forum

Film Discussion => News and Theory => Topic started by: Thecowgoooesmooo on September 18, 2003, 04:50:05 PM

Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Thecowgoooesmooo on September 18, 2003, 04:50:05 PM
I have this idea, and the idea is simply, the XIXAX community helps put together a film.

Everyone here, knows their movies, and for the most part, everyone has similiar tastes and everyone knows what a good film is. I really think this idea could be put forth into motion.

A script could be chosen by the XIXAX community.
A director could be chosen, producer, ect.
With help from community members and other financiers we could raise enough money to complete this project.
Maybe, we could get a contribution or support from everyones favorite director, Mr. Anderson. Also, community members could help raise money for the film. (ex. Coen Brothers while raising money for blood simple)

Further, with proper funding, we could have members fly out and meet somewhere to complete this project. We could aim for Sundance, and run the festival circuit.

We have a legitimate website here, and we have a good film loving community, I think this project could be amazing.

So you guys, tell me what you think about this idea. And if everyone seems to be for it, I will put my effort and time into a future XIXAX film.


chris
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: rustinglass on September 18, 2003, 04:55:14 PM
Cool, I could do portuguese subtitles for... let's say a dvd edition.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Weak2ndAct on September 18, 2003, 04:58:49 PM
In a perfect world, it would be really nice...  But I suspect that idea would turn into a mess in a NY minute.  Once you start competitions and bring taste into it (I could imagine the "you didn't pick me" fights already for script, favortism accusations... yikes).

If members wanna band up and do something, by all means, go for it.  But the minute it gets competitive and there are 'chosen' ones, people get left out, feelings get hurt, and the insults start flying.  That's just my 2 cents.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Thecowgoooesmooo on September 18, 2003, 05:06:36 PM
QuoteIn a perfect world, it would be really nice... But I suspect that idea would turn into a mess in a NY minute. Once you start competitions and bring taste into it (I could imagine the "you didn't pick me" fights already for script, favortism accusations... yikes).

If members wanna band up and do something, by all means, go for it. But the minute it gets competitive and there are 'chosen' ones, people get left out, feelings get hurt, and the insults start flying. That's just my 2 cents.

A competition is not set in stone. I was just using this as an example, this is just a preleminary idea right now.

But on that note, if people are upset if, for example, if someone's script was chosen over theres, then thats tough shit. And they need to stay away from this project. Those type of people, who act like that, they don't make films, they talk about others, and there films.

Everyone could contribute to this project in some way, shape or form.


chris
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Weak2ndAct on September 18, 2003, 05:26:35 PM
Don't get me wrong-- I'm not shooting down your idea or dissing it.  Stuff like that is why I dig this site-- a place where a bunch of people w/ similar interests and tastes get together, where they would never meet these people otherwise.  Why not extend it into making a film?

BUT the 'tough shit' attitude is exactly where things could go wrong.  Making films shouldn't turn elitist, like making the assumption...

QuoteAnd they need to stay away from this project. Those type of people, who act like that, they don't make films, they talk about others, and there films.

It's a collaborative medium...

QuoteEveryone could contribute to this project in some way, shape or form.

And that's what should be the goal.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Thecowgoooesmooo on September 18, 2003, 05:48:35 PM
QuoteBUT the 'tough shit' attitude is exactly where things could go wrong. Making films shouldn't turn elitist, like making the assumption...

Quote:
And they need to stay away from this project. Those type of people, who act like that, they don't make films, they talk about others, and there films.



It's a collaborative medium...


What I meant with that statement was, if people were to whine or complain that their script or whatever it was... if it was not possibly accepted by the majority, or if people like that starting throwing insults and being negative instead of being positive about the project, then I don't think these type of people should be involved in this project. It just makes sense if you want to have a productive team.

But anyways, yes its a collaborative medium, i agree totally on that.


chris
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Leatherface on September 18, 2003, 05:52:44 PM
I am new here, I do not know any of you but I will tell you, it will be messy. The same type of idea was purposed on another message board I go to. We were quite qualified to do the job, but it just got confusing and messy.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: thedog on September 18, 2003, 07:31:18 PM
I agree, with the amount of large egos on the board, this is the type of project that could destroy the world.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: SHAFTR on September 18, 2003, 07:34:38 PM
Why not make a collection of shorts based on a particular subject/location.  People who are interested can work on each other's projects and also direct their own...i don't know...i'm interested.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: prophet on September 18, 2003, 07:35:49 PM
it will be mass hysteria. if there was more members and everyone gives 10-20 bux that would be lots of money.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on September 18, 2003, 07:37:42 PM
I'll make the making-of.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: MacGuffin on September 18, 2003, 08:41:38 PM
What they did on Project Greenlight was give the chosen directors in the last round the same brief lines of dialogue; no slug lines or descriptions. It was upon the directors to interpret the vague lines and film them as they saw them (as a comedic scene, or dramatic, etc.). If interested, we could try that. It's not exactly bringing every one together (and yet it is), and it wouldn't be a competition, but just to see all of our techniques and interpretations for fun.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: picolas on September 18, 2003, 08:42:31 PM
Quote from: MacGuffinWhat they did on Project Greenlight was give the chosen directors in the last round the same brief lines of dialogue; no slug lines or descriptions. It was upon the directors to interpret the vague lines and film them as they saw them (as a comedic scene, or dramatic, etc.). If interested, we could try that. It's not exactly bringing every one together (and yet it is), and it wouldn't be a competition, but just to see all of our techniques and interpretations for fun.
that would be so cool--like a massive feature presentation thread. let's all do that right now.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on September 18, 2003, 09:00:47 PM
Quote from: MacGuffinthe same brief lines of dialogue; no slug lines or descriptions. It was upon the directors to interpret the vague lines and film them as they saw them

Let's do it!  :-D
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: ShanghaiOrange on September 18, 2003, 09:28:12 PM
Let's make a documentary about this board trying to get a movie made and failing miserably but entertainingly.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Sleuth on September 18, 2003, 09:29:40 PM
:( ?
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Cecil on September 18, 2003, 10:25:14 PM
im up for something like that
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Find Your Magali on September 18, 2003, 11:35:55 PM
I am willing to help make this work!

I offer up my services as any of the following:

1. Script proofreader
2. Assistant caterer, in charge of cookies
3. Manual labor (50-pounds-and-under division)
4. Stunt corpse
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Anachronism on September 19, 2003, 02:47:03 AM
My partner and I have just decided to creat a whole slew of test shorts to better familiarize ourselves with varying techniques, this sounds like something we could have alot of fun with. Count us in.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Duck Sauce on September 19, 2003, 08:54:13 AM
I cant offer my services for the actual making of the film but I will sure as hell be there to try to criticize it in the end    :wink:



if any of you ever make it big time or even medium time, get in contact with me as Id love to come visit the set
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Monsoon on September 19, 2003, 08:05:14 PM
I like the idea of this board putting a cohesive project together a lot.  However there are quite a few logistical problems of course.  For one thing, geographically many of us are pretty separate and not blessed with a great deal of free time in the schedule and cash to rendezvous in a certain city for production.  Couple that with the problems of egos and I think a mess could be inevitable.  But I still think the idea stands a good chance if done a certain way, with some democracy involved so that no one (or at least most interested parties) feels left out and everyone has a certain amount of freedom to put forth their creative best and their own personality.  Anyway, I appreciate that I'm kind of a newbie with this being only my second post and all  ( :oops: awww shucks) but if I may propose a template that might work:

As mentioned before, we could do a series of short films and collaborate with whoever from Xixax it is convenient to work with or whoever you want to work with.  We decide with something resembling a consensus or some kind of vote what sort of ground rules to lay down to provide cohesion to the project.  For example, all films should be under 10 minutes, must employ a theme of internet message boards, mention Xixax at some point, somehow involve certain things that are symbolic of Xixax (if there are such things), whatever sort of guidelines we set down.  Similar things have been done with short film fest concepts like the 48-hour film fest, 24-hour film fest etc. and a few years back there was a series of films done about the coming of Y2K (of which Don McKellar's "Last Night" was one).
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: picolas on September 19, 2003, 10:00:42 PM
Quote from: MonsoonFor example, all films should be under 10 minutes, must employ a theme of internet message boards, mention Xixax at some point, somehow involve certain things that are symbolic of Xixax (if there are such things), whatever sort of guidelines we set down.  Similar things have been done with short film fest concepts like the 48-hour film fest, 24-hour film fest etc. and a few years back there was a series of films done about the coming of Y2K (of which Don McKellar's "Last Night" was one).
although that's a good idea and i like it, i prefer the everyone's given the same script thing... we just need an impartial party to write it and a due date and we're good.. maybe this should be a poll..
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: aclockworkjj on September 19, 2003, 10:34:49 PM
I make a mean ass cup of coffee if you guys need that for yer Xixax Xpendatures movie????
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on September 21, 2003, 09:17:34 PM
Who would the "impartial party" be? Should we take volunteers? And maybe a new poll thread is necessary once we figure out what we're voting on.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: ©brad on September 21, 2003, 09:25:10 PM
well i don't have the right stuff to make one, but i would luv to write the script for u guys. does it have to be an impartial party?
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: MacGuffin on September 21, 2003, 09:26:32 PM
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanWho should the "impartial party" be?

budgie.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: thedog on September 22, 2003, 01:55:30 AM
I've never seen project greenlight so correct me if I'm wrong. But the basic idea is everyone gets about five or seven pages of dialogue, with nothing BUT dialogue (no "This guy walks up to that guy" or "this guy starts eating an orange" or anything), and it's the director's job to decide how it's going to go down? If that's the case, then that sounds like a lot of fun and even I might want to try doing that.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: budgie on September 22, 2003, 08:58:55 AM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanWho should the "impartial party" be?

budgie.

I hate dialogue.

I will be happy to impartially choose a script, however. And I'm a fast reader. All we need is a deadline and a word count. Subject open.

And no Lynch rip offs trying to win my favor, I'm not that shallow.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: MacGuffin on September 22, 2003, 10:14:12 AM
Quote from: thedogBut idea is everyone gets about five or seven pages of dialogue, with nothing BUT dialogue (no "This guy walks up to that guy" or "this guy starts eating an orange" or anything), and it's the director's job to decide how it's going to go down?

Just so you get the idea, here are the words from the Project Greenlight script:

"Oh, hey, I didn't see you."
"Well, I saw you."
"You did?"
"Yeah."
"What exactly did you see?"
"I saw enough."
"Enough?"
"What is that anyway?"
"What?"
"That right there. Where did he/she/you/it/they go?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? What's going on here?"
"Just got here."
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: ©brad on September 22, 2003, 10:39:12 AM
okay, that's what i thought- no action paragraphs or character descriptions, b/c obviously its up to the director to interpret the dialogue in his/her own way.

a couple questions;

how long should it be? (as short as this example? i think we should aim for sumthing a little longer)
any limitations in the number of characters?
how exactly is this thing related to XIXAX content-wise, or is it at all? i was a little confused on that part. we can write just a random script, yes? it doesn't have to be based on members here or anything like that.
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on September 22, 2003, 03:31:19 PM
Quote from: ©dawghow long should it be? (as short as this example? i think we should aim for sumthing a little longer)

That little piece of dialogue could be stretched out for 10 minutes. It depends how abstract it is. First we need a word count for the script. Then the time limit for the actually shorts will depend (Dr. Xixax should decide that, based on what fits w/ resources and everything).

Quote from: ©dawgany limitations in the number of characters?
how exactly is this thing related to XIXAX content-wise, or is it at all? i was a little confused on that part. we can write just a random script, yes? it doesn't have to be based on members here or anything like that.

I don't think we should limit it in any of those ways. It should be completely open, and the only limits should be the script and the time limit (which I'm sure will be reasonable).
Title: XIXAX: The Future Film by the xixax community.
Post by: MacGuffin on September 22, 2003, 03:43:13 PM
To elaborate, the scene I listed was a truncated version. You can read the entire 'scene' and the rules here (http://projectgreenlight.liveplanet.com/contests/pgl2/director/top10sceneassignment.pdf) (in PDF format).

You can also watch the directors' videos here (http://projectgreenlight.liveplanet.com/contests/pgl2/director/top10.jsp) (under Top 10 Scene Assignment) to get an idea.