Posted by Jim Shady at wmgate1.wmintl.co.uk on August 16, 2000 at 12:01:37:
In Reply to: about making a film posted by nick.T on August 16, 2000 at 07:12:42:
Hardly my place to answer (as I know bugger all about making films), but what the hell?
I seem to remember Kevin saying he liked strong dialogue, characters and storylines in films, which I would think virtually all of us do as well. Something to bear in mind.
Clerks was set in a convenience store in the present. Mallrats was set in - well, a mall. He set a scene, and it was one that everyone is familiar with. If you want to set your film a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, you're more than welcome to, but a country town / city in Australia would probably help your location budget somewhat. I said country town because there's all that fabulous scenery.
What do you like? As it's your film, you can have whoever you want in it. You want girls in your film? Have girls in it. You want two witty dealers / slackers / heroes in your film? There they are. You want a one-legged parrot juggler? He's right there, swaying in the wind.
What's your film about? Goodness knows - what do you want it to be about? There's plenty of films with people just hanging out - most of them tend to be fairly rich in dialogue though. If you're really stuck for inspiration (and assuming the film is purely for your own amusement), why don't you remake one of Kevin's films from an Australian perspective? Use Aussie music for a soundtrack, Aussie reference points - anything you like. You may discover that your own story starts to break through, and you'll veer off in your own direction. The best idea initially is to write about something that is familiar to you, unless you're mad for research, or you wish to tease your imagination a little.
This probably isn't much help, but remember: Follow your dreams. You can reach your goals. Beefcake! BEEFCAAAAKE!
(Apologies for the South Park reference - I can't write original dialogue either).