As a long time reader of your blog, I have finally decided to pose a question to you which for myself irritates and intrigues me. I am currently 18 years old and in the midst of a gap year before taking cinema studies and scriptwriting next September.

However the thing is, as I live in the United Kingdom, more accurately England, I often wonder what is the potential in the future in script negotiations, optioning, etc. overseas? Is this possible, and if not would it be required to move to the wannabe writer over-saturated Los Angeles or attempt to firmly establish myself within my own country's film and television network?

--Paul

Stay in England, study film, then decide whether it’s British or American movies you want to make. I won’t even try to describe the differences between the British and American film industries, but you’ll have a gut feeling about where your instincts lie. (Hint: If you find yourself saying, “This would be perfect for Jessica Alba!” then you belong in America.)

You’ll be at no disadvantage coming to Hollywood at 23 or 24, though you may find the visa situation a little trickier if you’re not enrolled in some sort of university program.

I'm currently planning a no-budget($50-60k) feature and trying to see whether it will work to keep the locations and shot ratio down and do it on 35mm. Any thoughts on getting this to work? Some film examples?

The easiest way that comes to mind for me is to use lots of "fluid master shots," but then I figure the fashion today is medium to tight with lots of camera movement (following Spielberg and Scorsese), and that a feature made up of fluid master shots will look outdated.

--Steve

It is incorrect to assume that by using lots of fluid master shots you will keep your shooting ratio down. What usually happens when you set out to do a very long take to cover a lot of material is that you hit bumps in the road like an actor muffs his line, the focus puller misses a mark, a plane flies over and screws up the sound, or the camera itself hits a bump in the road. Then, because you can’t usually cut into the middle of a long dolly (or hand-held) shot, you end up wasting lots of film and that is of course, an expensive proposition. So… if you want to shoot your no-budget film on 35mm film, then I would suggest you make very precise and compete shot lists with storyboards and shoot your movie in small pieces using very few takes.

However, I would like to suggest that you consider other formats. Digital video or high def will give you so much more freedom. You will be able to do many more takes and let them run much longer; it might even allow you the luxury of multiple cameras. You will save money on transfers from film to video and unless you really need to end up on film, your final output will be far less expensive.

I know so many young filmmakers are in love with the look of film, but there comes a time where practicality and the best use of your budget money should come into play. You really need to carefully weigh the advantages of shooting video against that of film and make a well-calculated decision that will be best for your project.

Hey Oliver, I was wondering what the incentives and benefits of your job are? and why did you choose this career?

-Aka

Nothing like a direct question!

So...

Incentives:

John August's screenwriting credits include Go, Big Fish, Titan A.E. and both Charlie's Angels movies. His current projects include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tarzan, and Corpse Bride. He also maintains a screenwriting-oriented website at johnaugust.com.

Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, John earned a degree in journalism from Drake University in Iowa, and an MFA in film production from the Peter Stark program at the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles.

Got a question about screenwriting? Send it to Ask a Writer.

Got a question about directing? Send it to Ask a Director.

If you are considering working in the movie industry, Oliver Stapleton has written a brief guide available at www.cineman.co.uk.

Got a question about cinematography? Send it to Ask a Cinematographer.