Ivan Alexiev’s Post

Shooting a short film in a library offers a unique setting that conveys themes of knowledge, mystery, or quiet introspection. The serene atmosphere can create a contrast between calmness and narrative tension, making it ideal for drama, romance, or suspense. However, filmmakers must navigate challenges such as limited lighting, sound constraints due to noise restrictions, and obtaining permission from library management. Careful planning, including minimal crew and equipment, helps maintain the space’s quiet environment while capturing the ambiance of bookshelves, reading nooks, and natural light filtering through windows.

Editing a feature-length film often means tough choices, and sometimes intriguing characters and quirky moments don't make the final cut. But what happens when you dive back into the archives? 🎬✂️ With 'Ride the Divide Returns,' we've revisited all the unused footage to bring those sidelined stories and unique characters into the spotlight. It's not just a re-edit; it's a chance to celebrate the richness of every moment once left behind. Get ready to meet the unseen faces and rediscover the journey through a fresh lens. #FilmEditing #RideTheDivideReturns

The foundation of any successful film is a strong screenplay. It’s the starting point, the blueprint for everything that follows. Crafting a truly unique scene, especially one driven by complex emotions like unrequited love, is a daunting task. As a screenwriter, you’re constantly asking yourself, “Am I getting the point across?” “Does this moment resonate?” “Is this how the character would realistically respond?” And more often than not, the answer lies in rewriting—going back again and again until the scene feels authentic and layered. It’s an intricate process, balancing vision with clarity, ensuring that the dialogue, the reactions, the pacing, all serve the story in a meaningful way. Often, as viewers, we don’t realize just how much of a film’s quality can be traced back to the screenwriter’s work. Every scene, every line of dialogue, and every subtle moment that pulls us in comes from hours of careful thought and rewriting. The foundation of what we experience on screen starts with the script.

So many screenwriters come to us with ideas that are best described as SITUATIONS rather than STORIES. They are usually beautifully observed, often very personal and the writer is always eloquent and passionate about why the story needs to be told. But sometimes it's the need to communicate so much about the characters and their world that ends up smothering the potential story within it. If you're wondering whether the script you are working on has the forward dramatic momentum it needs to be both a satisfying story and deliver your intended meaning, then join us for The Script Factory's FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP. Screenplay Structure for Shorts via ZOOM, Monday 29th April 6.30pm - 7.30pm In this one hour taster session we will re-think the principles of the three act structure specifically for the short film, and address some of the common pitfalls writers encounter when drafting their bite-size movies. We’ll consider: How to create immediate engagement with your central character. How to establish the details of your story world without awkward exposition. How to use a contained time frame to raise the stakes. How to manage point of view within each scene to keep us emotionally connected with the protagonist. How to generate an engaging turning point in the story. How to confront your character with CHOICES to ensure your film delivers compelling STORY beats. The secret to delivering endings that pack an emotional punch. There's still time to sign up for your free place at https://lnkd.in/e2psVghm #screenplay #scripts #filmmaking

The coin toss scene from the Coen Brothers' "No Country For Old Men" is one of the most memorable scenes in the history of American cinema. "What's the most you've ever lost in a coin toss?" Anton Chigurh asks in the iconic scene. The dialogue is engraved in the memories of film lovers around the world. This is a great example of subtext in dialogue. But what is subtext in a dialogue? What we say is not always entirely what we mean. Likewise, our actions have a meaning of their own, indicating how we feel under the surface. In other words, subtext is part of our everyday lives. It follows to create dialogue and behavior that feels natural should also contain subtext. The coin toss scene at the gas station embodies the two points of view within the story. It asks the question, "Is the world going to an evil place where only God can save it, or was the world so bad from the start that nothing and no one can save it?" The coin is subtext for living and dying. And the dialogue asks the man to pick life or death, even if he's not sure about it. Use this technique when you're writing a dialogue next time. #ScreenplayTips #Screenplay #Films #Cinema #NoCountryForOldMen #Writer

First 10 Pages: Part 1 How fast will you turn off a movie? 10 minutes? Less? (It’s usually less… Oof.) So what keeps us interested? There's a lot of heavy lifting that goes on at the beginning of a film. Setting the tone, characters, conflicts and the hook are just the tip of the iceberg. So let’s break it down, starting this week with World Building. One of my favourite horror movies is Fede Alvarez’s Evil Dead (2013) and it’s been my go to example for a first 10 page breakdown since I started doing coverage. The first 6 words in the screenplay are as follows. “Ext. - Woods. Night. A dark forest.” Wild that even 6 words can be deep dived, so let's go! Tapping into our primal fears of the dark, generational programming from folklore/legends about the woods (Brothers Grimm come to mind.), and the exposure of the outdoors all come through from these six words. These emotions set the tone of the story, and the world. Bonus points for phrasing it as “Dark Forest” rather than a forest. It’s outside and at night, we should know it’s dark; but there's a supernatural evil in these woods… So in 6 words, he’s established the tone, a location, and a world with supernatural evil… Talk about heavy lifting! And yes, all dues to Sam Raimi for pioneering this whole franchise with his short film Within The Woods, but I honestly feel that doesn’t take away from the efficacy of these 6 words. From a production side however, what stands out are the complications of an exterior night shoot in the woods. Transportation for cast and crew, equipment, generators, blocking, safety… ect... These are all considered when greenlighting a production, and starting off this way could be a tougher pill to swallow. (I for one am glad they did!) Having a great idea for a screenplay is certainly the first step, but if a screenwriter takes its execution into their writing? Then you already have a leg up on getting a greenlight! What are some of your favourite openers? What makes them stand out to you? Please let me know and if this kind of coverage interests you, please check me out at Coverpagepro.com.

Refining your screenplay now made even simpler! All questions answered, make your story truly unputdownable! 📝🎬 #ScreenplaySecrets #WritingTips #Filmmaking #StorytellingMagic Article link: https://vist.ly/3mndtst

During preproduction, the script can literally make or break a film right off the bat. Most new filmmakers run into the problem of writing the script only to hit the subplots, or B story, and derail the entire A plot. Yes, B plots help delve deeper into characters and lighten up an already A plot filled story. But when you hit the beginning of Act 2 and the B plot becomes the new A plot because we forgot about the A plot, then we have some issues. The promise to the audience you made in the first 30 pages is no longer viable. To remedy this, I personally write down the goal of the film and the goal of the main character on sticky notes. I usually put them on that monitor I'm typing on so I can be constantly reminded of my purpose. Don't be afraid of the B story and subplots. Just dont burn the house down with them. And if you do burn the house down, make sure it's so bad it's good.

https://lnkd.in/gXvwCVNM We're making a substack! Subscribe above! Most filmmaking advice on the internet is (necessarily) general. It has to be: every film has its own challenges and strategies. But if you're looking for some practical, down n' dirty, first-hand knowledge about making a film... We're opening up the books! You'll get a look at every decision, every pitfall, every triumph as we experience them... and hopefully learn a few things along the way.

Ever wondered how the editors do it? As promised, following on from Hayley's Editfest comp submission on Tuesday, here she explains her choices for the edit. Hear the decision making that goes into editing and (in a film about balance), how to balance the cut to achieve the story you're really wanting to tell. #filmmaking #filmedit #creativestudio #craftingmuchlovedstories