my filmmaker's manifesto 2008

Thoms Filmmakers Manifesto 2008
(Inspired by Dogme 95 films)

These are film laws that I promise to hold to for each movie I make from here on out until I get tired of these rules. Then I will throw them away and make new ones.

Law #1: No movie shall go over ten minutes. If it does it better be a pretty good movie.
Law #2: No movie shall cost over $150 to make. If it goes over, there better be a cool car chase, explosion, some death defying stunt, man catching on fire, etc.
Law #3: Use props that are already available whether it be in your possession or borrowed. Taking back items to Walmart does count.
Law #4: Use already available locations. If you need to pay for a permit to use the location then it’s out.
Law #5: No elaborate light set ups. Use practicals, natural, and/or existing light.
Law #6: If it takes more than 20 minutes to set up a shot, freak it and go handheld.
Law #7: shooting the actual movie can only take one day. Pre-production one week, post one week, and shooting one day.
Law #8: Improv from the actors is awesome as long as they are good. This also means that the story can be thought of on the day of shooting and improvised.
Law #9: There can only be two takes per shot
Law #10: If you aren’t doing more than one job on set then what good are you?
Law #11: Rules and laws are meant to be broken. Mine are no exception.

These 11 laws are not meant to encourage crap but to encourage creativity when there is no money and no crew. They are meant for practicing and if the movie happens to be good awesome. I always inspire to do the best work I know how to do with the time and resources I’ve been given. I will always work with a high level of professionalism.

I _________________ hereby obey these laws until I get good and tired of them.

Signed,

Date_________

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Comment by StaciaDWright on August 14, 2008 at 11:47am: Very creative Celeste... I like! Maybe I can feature your "rules" in the next edition of SONscreen eNewsletter: Reel Time...

WDYT?

Get in touch me if so.

Comment by Celeste Thoms on July 14, 2008 at 5:25pm: I was inspired by the fact that I have no time, crew or money to make a movie. So I made up these rules for the next few movies I will make. If they actually work that would be so cool.
I was also inspired by the Dogme 95 manifesto. If you don't know Google it. It was a set of rules on how a group of filmmakers would make their feature films. It was led by filmmaker Lars Van Tier. I thought I would make my own for short films and see how it goes. I hope some others try my list or make their own and see what kind of work comes out of it.