Feature Film - Worth it?

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

 

6 years on my filmmaking journey has shown me that the motion picture game, from indie film level all the way up, is a closed playground for the few. And unless you have the money or contacts, chances of getting to have a kick about in that playground is highly unlikely. That is, if you're playing by the rules.

Based on my my current setup, I reckon I could potentially shoot a self contained feature film within 10 days. But the question I always find myself asking is:

Will it be worth it?

Chasing Amy, Tom, Dick and Ahmed

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

© successyeti.com

"That mother-fucker STILL hasn't got back to me!"

Good morning, day or evening, inter-peeps. How many times have you torn yourself into little pieces over such words? I'm not just talking about that script you sent over to someone, that actor who liked your idea, that peer who couldn't be more up for it or that producer who was all up in your junk over a project. I'm talking about the many energy vampires we seem to stumble across throughout our filmmaking journey. The "Talkers".

EXT. LONDON - NIGHT

Film noir street choked with fog.  

Planted under a shaft of light -- A SILHOUETTE.  Man, Woman or Beast.  Nobody knows.  Just then, JOE FILM-AKER cuts across the damp, cobbled street.  

Nods on approach, eyes unable to make out the murky figure.

Great vs Undeniable

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

I've finally figured it out. The meaning of life... No wait, that's for another time! *Ahem*, on a more serious note:

Over the past few months I've spent some time on movie sets, met up with various people and had interesting chats with fellow peers. One thing I've found repeating to both myself and others is the word 'Undeniable'. As in:

"It has to be undeniable"

What I mean by that is that in order to get the recognition, success and sense of achievement we crave for like suicidal porn addicts, I feel the work we create must be 'Undeniable'. Not good, not great, not amazing... UNDENIABLE.

Here's my definition of the two:

• GREAT - Something you see, feel and experience and then move on.

• UNDENIABLE - Something that gets under your skin and skull fucks you into a submissive state of awe.

As I've said before, there's a shit load of talent out there. Guys'n'Gals that make most of us look like dribbling 3 year olds in terms of the work quality they produce. I watch their films and my loins ache with downright admiration and if I'm truly honest with myself, a little bit of jealousy -- Then I move on. There's no Interest and Interaction. It was great, thanks for the ride, laters. 

What Am I Giving Back?

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)


I've been thinking a lot lately (at least for the past 18 months) on what it is that makes some creatives such a joy to follow and others, well, meh. I think it boils down to a few of things:

• Their content is informative and useful
• They share their experiences

"We are doing/did this... This is how we're doing/did it... More great resources here (link)... Please ask if you want to know more..."

This to me creates the most powerful tool any creative could wish for - Interest and Interaction. The way I see it is this: The reason why we make something is so we can share it with others, to get feedback and ultimately whether we like it or not, to get their APPROVAL (psychologically speaking, I think this stems back to social stature/hierarchy from our knuckle dragging days).

SWAT - When Opportunity Knocks

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article may contain words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)


One thing I've come to realise is that opportunity presents itself in the most subtlest of ways. It doesn't (usually) pop out of thin air and go "Yo, ass face, here I am on a plate ready for you to devour!" A little OTT, but I think you know where I'm coming from.

About a week ago I came across a casting call tweet looking for an Ex US Military person living in London. I'm not an Actor, shit like that doesn't interest me. I could've EASILY scrolled along my timeline BUT, my brother-in-law to be met the criteria. He's not an Actor. I just thought, why the fuck not, maybe he'd be interested. Long story short, he asked asked If I'd help him film something to send over to the casting peeps. Of course I said yes (turns out it was for a major studio movie).

Here's what we came up with. Best to watch first (process and blooper reel below).

I Write American

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article may contain words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

I'm a Cypriot Man who grew up in London, with British values... But I write AMERICAN Scripts.

I don't write Cypriot.
I don't write British.
I write American.

Most of my childhood movies ranged from The Goonies, Back To The Future, Indiana Jones all the way up to Rocky, Pulp Fiction and Se7ven to name but a very, very few. Though I didn't have a clue back then, they've been the predominant backbone of everything I've written and aimed to capture since I left my day job in 2010. Trouble is, when it comes to story and structure, I feel very much at at odds with my homegrown peers who, understandably, embrace storytelling native to this country (UK).

Now how do I say this without sounding like a self indulgent prick...

I believe in a 3 act structure of start, middle and an end with at least two plot points that anchor the story. I enjoy watching/writing films that catch the audience off guard with twists, turns and shock reveals somewhere along it's timeline. The best example I can give is M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense:

That film is the epiphany of "Ho. Lee. Fuck."

5 Things To Consider Before Quitting Your Day Job

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

I was recently contacted by a friend who is seriously considering quitting there day job to pursue a path into filmmaking. They wanted some pointers from someone who was crazy enough to do this --> ME.

Though I don't have the exact answers, here are 5 thoughts I shared with them, and now with you, from my own personal experiences:

1. Know What You Want: 

Sounds simple enough, but it's something you must be sure of before starting your journey. Do you want to be a successful Screenwriter? Director? Cinematographer? Pimp? It's GOT to be specific. Theoretically speaking, it'll be your guiding light in the dark.

Nb: Mine was "I want to make films." In hindsight, this was too much of a broad brush stroke.

THE SOLDIER - Did That Just Happen?

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

Directing Actor Oliver Park

Where to begin...

OK, let's take it from the top. The Soldier is a script I originally wrote for the Virgin Media Shorts competition (2013). I'd entered my previous short film 30 Seconds 2 Late in 2012 but had zero intention of entering this year. That is until around 4 weeks before competition deadline. I suddenly had this idea about a lone British soldier who makes a last stand against enemy forces. I knew I could make it work, shit, even make the tight deadline if I just kept things super simple. One location. 2 actors, max.

RISING [HD] - Mask Time!

You know, sometimes you just have to grab your camera, get out there and shoot something. No thinking. Just shooting. Yesterday was one of those days. So I sent the follow text to a friend:

"You will be in London in 1 hour. You will bring with a Mask..." That was the brief. Here is the result:

I enjoy days like this. It sparks creativity and can indirectly influence other projects you might be thinking of/working on. Try it and let me know how you get on!

DAILY DEAD | INDIE SPOTLIGHT

Promised (short film) shares indie spotlight on the Daily Dead!

Click Me!

"Prior to the creation of Man, one Archangel knelt before another, bowed his head and made a promise never to change his view of him, no matter what happened."

Connect with Daily Dead: @DailyDeadNews | Like their page on Facebook

INDIE BUZZ: PROMISED (2013) PREVIEW & TRAILER

Emma Knock over at The Horror Hothouse has put up this excellent blog preview for our supernatural short film 'Promised'. Check it out!

FULL REVIEW HERE!

"Hailing from The Horror Hothouse’s home town of London, comes an exciting new supernatural short film entitled Promised. Written, directed and edited by Bulent Ozdemir, Promised focuses on a broken promise between Archangel Michael and Lucifer, which brings forth a threat against the birth of Man."

'DINER' - A Pulp Fiction Inspired Short Script

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. If you are easily offended then please do not continue)

1994, some friends and I found ourselves at the BFI Southbank for, if memory serves, a Q&A screening of The Madness of King George. We went up the lobby escalators and onto the first floor. Bearing left, on the corner of this hallway was a cardboard cutout of 4 well known actors standing side by side. Underneath them, the title of a film called 'Pulp Fiction' accompanied by the words 'Coming Soon.' Instant reaction: "Bullshit. There's no way in hell all these actors are in the same movie. Must be a spoof."  Turns out they were all in the same movie... and what a fucking movie! 

Fight Your Demons

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. If you are easily offended then please do not continue)

Since my last two short film outings (Promised and 30 Seconds 2 Late) in 2012, I haven't really had the energy, or quite frankly, the will to go out there and make another. In my childish arrogance, the 'measured' success bar I'd set for myself had not equaled the work load, or should I say pain load I'd put in. Yes. Pain. Both mental and physical. Mentally getting a project off the ground and physically creating the end result, both arduous tasks for one person alone (That's not even taking into account the social aspect of promoting your work!).

So I blamed a lack of a level playing field, my background, perfectionism, the stars, Mother Teresa and anything else I could come up with. I soon found myself in the darkest corners of a fucked up mind, wrestling gremlins and fighting demons that I manifested. All because the 'measured' success bar I'd set for myself had not... all together now... equaled the work load I'd put in. Very good.

Bulent Ozdemir Filmmaker Showreel [HD]

Q&A for '30 Seconds 2 Late' - The Albany

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir

12/02/2013 - Attended a public screening of my short film 30 Seconds 2 Late at The Albany, London. An interesting night made even more interesting when the presenter called me up for an impromptu Q&A! It went a little something like this:

Presenter: "Will the filmmaker, Bulent Ozdemir, please make his way up here for a Q&A."

Me: "Whaaa...?"

SETBACK - Journey from Script to Screen (Pt2)

 Article written by Bulent Ozdemir

(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. If you are easily offended then please do not continue)

©Wolf Valley Films 2011

An Idea, a germ of an Idea forms. It lingers. Asks questions. Born out of the beating my brain's taken from the Sci Fi script I'm writing, it grows by itself. Something completely different. Grab a pen. A pad.

Words spew out onto white space and bleed into each other as my hand tries to keep up. Not sure if it's me writing the story or the Pen. It screams across the pages like a crazed dog with a hot pepper shoved up its ass. To take a breath would be an insult.

16th May 2011. 24 hours after the initial Idea the first draft of Set Back is complete. Not a long script by any standards. A mere 5 pages. Still, 4 days later the final draft is in the bag. The slug hits my ears as quickly as the words hit paper:

" A man finds himself locked up & protesting his innocence over the brutal murder of a young female "

And so the Journey begins..

SETBACK - A Short Script Needs You! (Pt1)

 Article written by Bulent Ozdemir

(Disclaimer: This article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. If you are easily offended then please do not continue)

Christian Bale: American Psycho (2000)

"Ozdemir has some intriguing ideas about looking deeper than the filmic surface – something that all filmmakers should start thinking about.." In Production - Brett Gerry Films

I'm writing this article in search of a small group of talented actors, actresses and Independent filmmakers willing to collaborate on an Interesting yet somewhat twisted little short film. 

Set Back is a short script I wrote within 24hrs of having the initial Idea and weighs in at a mammoth, wait for it... 5 pages! *Ahem* - The story looks at a day in mans life who through a series of baffling events discovers the body of a murdered young female. Though he informs the relevant authorities of this tragic event, he finds himself locked up and protesting his Innocence.

The Initial Idea for Set Back came whilst taking a break from writing my James Cameron Inspired Sci-Fi short K.O.S (more on that later). Oh wait, did I just say whilst taking a break? I'm sorry, what I meant to say was whilst bashing my head against a wall and screaming like a 2yr old in need of a fresh diaper! Oh the joy of writing..