Ban All Trailers for Fanfilms!

Well, not ban, but limit. Here is a tip to all those wanted to make their own fanfilm; Try not to release a trailer, or even a teaser until the film is almost ready (like two weeks-almost ready, not six months.) It seems a lot of fanfilm makers rush to put an awesome trailer/teaser up and then either never release the film, or it becomes a running joke on the TFN board of when it will be released (I.E. Knightquest, Son of Suns, etc.) The main reason I say this, is that way too many films release their trailers prematurely. I fully understand that the filmmakers are using their own time/money/effort and are doing it for free, but it seems that a very high percentage of movies are seriously delayed, or never come out period. There is a lot of time wasted of people asking, "When is Knightquest coming out?" (as an example)

We are producing a very large scale fan film that will raise the bar of Star Wars films by a great margin and nobody on TFN will hear a peep about it till it is "out the door" and totally ready. I for one don't want to release a trailer and get everyone hyped up and then get bogged down in post production and/or never release the film and then have to make up lame excuses like,"My hard drive crashed and we forgot to back up," or "We underestimated post production, about six months underestimated." I hope everyone understands my point. Of course there are going to be detractors who will say, "Bwaaah! How dare you say not to release a trailer before the movie is done!!! That's the point of a trailer!!!"
This is true for most REAL movies. Real movies, produced by real studios to be shown in real theaters. The studios release a trailer to spark interest in their film that is in production and that WILL be released. Fanfilms, because they are done for free and the producers of fanfilms generally have real jobs and real lives, can only devote a certain amount of time and attention on the film. Most fanfilms don't have a set schedule and have very vague release dates "I.E. Summer 2002." Sum it up, If you are considering making a fanfilm, forget the trailer until you are almost done with the film, don't get caught up in cutting together a good trailer until the movie is almost (if not totally) ready. Just my 2c.

 

"We are producing a very large scale fan film that will raise the bar of Star Wars films by a great margin and nobody on TFN will hear a peep about it till it is "out the door" and totally ready."

peep! - Sorry, coudn't resist!

I think the trailers are great. They are very hard to do, much different than the movie, and are an art in and of themselves. I thought they were going to be quite easy until I tackled one. Since this isn't hollywood this is the place to try things. It is disapointming when films don't get made and get delayed. (That does happen in hollywood too) I also think it is important to generate a buzz on the internet. I want many people to see my film, REBEL ALLIANCE - nov 18th! and may put out 2 trailers.

Anyway, take care.

 

Before anyone flames you, if they are. I would like to point out to everyone that is thinking about flaming him, and writing down quotes from his post.

That is HIS opinion. And he is entitled to it.

Kyle

 

Welcome to the world of fanfilms!

anyway,

Nick "This arguement is older than Daft!!" Long

 

"This arguement is older than Daft!!"

Wasn't that an argument Charles the Hammer made right before defeating the Muslims at Tours?

"Back! And take ye bloody fan film trailers with ye, bloody crumpets cricket blimey and other Brit words, blast ye!"

 

We are producing a very large scale fan film that will raise the bar of Star Wars films by a great margin

Right. You, me, and everyone's grandma.

M. Scott

 

That description was almost like a teaser trailer in itself, i.e. it didn't give much away but got people intrested in your fan film. You have just created a lttle hype.
I hope that your film gets finished, and you don't inadvertantly jinx yourself with this post. Sounds interesting. I look forward to seeing it.

Also, if I may add to your proposal. I belive that your film merits a full trailer if it is 15-20 minutes or longer. If you're doing something as long as Duality, posting a link to a page of snapshots is just as good. But then again, trailers are fun to make. Sometimes when you're itching to make a certain kind of movie but don't have the time, money, or resources, you could just make a teaser trailer and your creative thirst is at least partially quenched.
Try it some time. It does work.

 

DorkmanScott beat me to it.


Let's see, I think I recall the teaser trailer for The Phantom Menace being shown in theaters about EIGHT MONTHS prior to the film being released. This is an outrage ... and I think our new member pinklightsaber (who cleverly hides his/her age) should write to George Lucas and tell him tto stop doing this because it is wrong wrong wrong.


The only part of the original argument I agree with is the practive of releasing a trailer and NOT finishing the film. It's a sad fact that this has been the case with enough FanFilms to make it somewhat annoying and disappoiting (all factors being considered).

On the other hand, having shot one's principle footage and beginging post-production work, putting together a trailer (teaser or otherwise) can also serve as an additional motivation factor for the filmmakers to finish their projects ... especially if the trailer is well received.


To be honest ... what people REALLY shouldn't be doing ahead of time is saying things like:
We are producing a very large scale fan film that will raise the bar of Star Wars films by a great margin ...




JediTAC

 

I haven't even decided if I'll even be releasing a trailer for my film, or simply releasing the final film and let word of mouth do my hyping for me. Action trailers are easy enough, but I've got no clue how to edit together a trailer for a dramatic film.

And the whole "our fanfilm is going to raise the bar" line is right up there with "my fanfilm is going to be the best ever". Everybody says it, nobody can meet those kind of expectations. I could say the same thing about my film, but nobody would listen. I'll say that I'm going to TRY to make the best fanfilm ever, and push my limits to ATTEMPT to raise the bar, but someone else may beat me to it, you never know.

 

And the whole "our fanfilm is going to raise the bar" line is right up there with
"my fanfilm is going to be the best ever". Everybody says it, nobody can meet those kind of expectations.


Good point, Jedi2016.

Although, I think that certain productions who HAVE released trailers (Sins of the Jedi and Tydirium come to mind) depict, at least, the potential of such films in meeting the "raise the bar" expectations. I guess it all depends on the particluar filmmakers and production.

It's really a double-edged sword ... just like the "REAL" movies. The trailer could be the best thing ever, but the film fails to live up to the hype. Sometimes, however, it does . . . remember DUALITY.

 

I'll do your trailer, Mike

And while everyone is making proclamations about their next big epic films to come, I'd like to tout my no-budget, one actor, small scale ten minute film (with a trailer, dammit ). Be there!

Trailers are an art in and amongst themselves. They're fun to do and show even if they can be counterproductive sometimes. And they're kind of a practice run of sorts. A way to see some of the footage in an actual edit with music and sound, and I don't think anyone should be denied the right to go through that.

And in all fairness, a lot of trailers come out with the filmmakers full intention of having the finished product ready shortly after, but as with a lot of fan productions, timetables can be grossly underestimated, or problems can arise late in the game.

I say enjoy trailers for what they are. Bring em on

 

Well... As far as what people have been writing online and from what I've learned is that people make fanfilms USUALLY for fun and to pay homage to their favorite saga in their own way... Some are doing it purely to show who's the better filmmaker or just having the best one out there all round and very competitive.

Personally I think if you KNOW you're going to get it done, I don't see any reason why you can't post a trailer months early. I think maybe you have a patience problem, but on the other hand, I've seen an AWFUL lot of trailers to movies which we've never seen the actual movie released to, so your point is valid in that aspect.

If any of you have been watching my trailer, there is definitely a lot of material in it. We currently have over 50+ tapes each 1 hour filled with footage that has been our 5 years work, and still more to come. I have no inch of doubt this movie will get done. The committment from friends and family have been extremely good and personally I'm not about to give up on something we are so close to finishing. That's for the record... YES... we will finish. "I'll guarantee that." 10-15 people closely involved with the movie I know personally can back this up.

It's a shame for some of you people that do release these trailers or people that say you're going to raise the bar in fanfilm making and then months later we see no progress or updates from you. If you've only got a script right now, we may know where this is headed. I wouldn't be afraid to show some stills from your production as stuff people can look at and slowly become interested in as your production progresses. I don't know how many times I posted updates on these boards about Toy Wars. I of course didn't wanna spoil anything, but I wanted people's interest. Maybe you could show us some stills or some material that we could see. I always enjoy seeing what other people have created or have to offer as well as their progression on what their doing so we can see that the team is actually working on it and that it is in production and developing. Evolving...

Finally on the statement of raising the bar for any fanfilm... Better be careful of that remark. you're setting yourself up for an audience with HIGH HIGH expectations. So we expect to see something incredible from you now!

Good luck with your project!

TAC: DUALITY?!

 

Alright, obscure references to Dark Age Germanic rules aside this time:

There are a few things to remember.

1.) Many fan films *are* just trailers.

2.) Many of the fan films generally complained about for trailers being out so long had their first trailers released very early in the 2nd generation of fan films, right as TFN Theater was starting. At that time, TFN was chomping at the bit for ANYTHING new and high quality to put up, and actually seeking trailers knowing full well that actual films were a long way off.

3.) Relatively speaking, a trailer doesn't tend to take much time out of the production process, but it gives people waiting for the film something new to see. It's better that than loss of interest. Hell, we've got 2 trailers out for PTH and new footage being shot to beef up the film the first weekend of November. But I guarandamntee you that you haven't seen the last PTH trailer before release. It's a matter of appetite and fulfillment.

4.) Saying you're going to "raise the bar" requires more than words. To make the claim without anything yet to show for it is simply optimistic thinking. For example, we are pretty sure that we'll be able to help raise the bar for storytelling depth (recurring themes, symbolism, foreshadowing, alliteration and plenty of philosophical/political monologues), but we don't run about saying that at every turn. Why? Because aside from those who have been able to read the script and really give their honest opinions about it, no one has the ability to determine if such a claim is true or absolute "piss and wind." It doesn't matter what you expect of your product and whether or not you know it will meet your expectations of it. All that matters is being able to have something to show for such statements before you make them.

By the way...hell of a first post, Pinklightsaber. Way to get off to a good start.

 

YES - DUALITY.

You can clammer all you want about "story this" and "story that" (and by the way, there was a story), but DUALTIY certainly lived up to the expectations predicated by the teaser trailer. YOU may not have liked it, but as I recall, it was received extremely well by the FanFilm Community when it was ultimately released.

In that case, the trailer did it's job and the film that followed, overall, was a success.

 

Yes. It did do well. It was probably the better ones of its time. I'll give it that.

 

"Here is a tip to all those wanted to make their own fanfilm; Try not to release a trailer, or even a teaser until the film is almost ready"



Here's a tip for all those in general.
How bout we just mind our own frikking buisness when it comes to other peoples films. I think there are GUIDELINES for upcoming films on TFN.


There will be a trailer for AQOF2 - heck there may be an entire series and faux marketing bits sponsoring generic brand cereal. 40 different variations of the "fear" trailer.

DEEEEAAAAALLLLLLLL WITH IIIIITTTTTTT.

 

3 months, eh? Didn't The Hulk release their teaser with Spider-man? And that movie doesn't even come out 'till May.

 

I like trailers. They're easy on my internet connection, and I get to see glimpses of what's to come.

I do think, however, that trailers should be timed well to be most effective. I think this is what our friend pinky is trying to say. Sometimes a trailer pre-dates the film by such a long time that people forget about the film by the time it comes out. This happens with 'real' movies, too. GL can get away with it because SW fans remember SW films and watch trailers many times before release. With fanfilms it's not that easy. You really have to make an impression for people to remeber you a year later.

My only other opinion on the matter is that I think trailers should be made up of actual production material. This just makes for a better representation of the film, in my opinion. This also limits how early a trailer can be released, and increases the chances that the film will actually get released.

So, in a nutshell, to each his own. If you want to release a trailer 2 years before the film, so be it. I'll watch it and enjoy it. I might not remember it by the time your film comes out.

Just my opinion.

 

My thoughts: stills out a couple months beforehand; teaser out a month beforehand; tralier(s?) out a couple weeks beforehand. These are flexible, of course, so as your final date changes so du your trailer dates. Don't release your final trailer until you've got one more frame to rotoscope and you have a definite release date.

 

The film I've been working on for about 18 months or whatnot is getting close to completion and I don't plan to even make a full trailer till it's fully done. Then I'm going to put the trailer out on like Monday and release the film on Friday. You can see a teaser by going here.

How the Sith Stole Christmas

 

is that your work ?? nice, I saw it like last yer , but it was great

 

Sorry bud, but I dont think that you have any right to be criticising. I'm sure you may miss a deadline or two, or something may happen. This may be your opinion, but you are directly telling people what to do. We can release trailers whenever we want. You don't have to watch them, of course. If the post says coming summer 2001 and it comes Fall 2002, Who cares? It happens!

And, about your large scale fanfilm. Can I ask you how long you have been planning it? How are you so sure that it will completely raise the bar? I think everyone has this perfect vision for their fanfilms. I even had one for Jedi Academy. When it was done, even I knew it wasn't a prodigy. I didn't even think it was great! I thought it MIGHT be classified as decent, although I was SOOO sure I was making the next big thing. I'm getting sick of people with dates May-October of 02 coming in and saying that they will be sooo much better than everything else. I don't think you understand how much this happens, and how few people fall through. I wish you wouldn't announce your oh-so-perfect project before you even have a rough cut. I'm sick of it.

But otherwise, taking everything from a purely opinionated point of view, I suppose you are right. The trailers shouldn't be released before anything is definite, but I dont think you have any right to TELL them.

~Neszis~

 

"There will be a trailer for AQOF2"

I will be the first to download that trailer. The photos from the Dallas Knights website look amazing.

 

There's photo's? on the website?

Oh...those are like 6 months old -

 

Dont gimme that crap. I am probably the DK's biggest fan, so theres no way ull dl it before me. I...I dunno how cuz im on 56k, but I STILL WILL!

~Neszis~