Filmmakers Forum

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:29:31 GMT

I'm sure it happens, I'm sure that it is planned. I feel that we walked a fine line with InSearchOf. I think it would have been easier to market if it was a porn. People have a hard time understanding exactly what it is because its about sex and I have been very open and honest about it. If I would say oh its a porn people would know what to expect, but its not so people are torn which is obvious by what is going on with Hulu right now. The chatter is intersting, http://www.hulu.com/in-search-of. If the script is great I wouldn't shy away from your material. I do believe in realism!

Dr_Gor:

zekezelker:

There is a lot of nudity in the film but no sex, there is a flashback sequence of simulated sex. Yes we have good looking people in the film, more that ended up on the editing room floor.

   Thanks for the prompt reply, Zeke.   The reason I asked about real vs. simulated sex was because many years ago I read about a major mainstream Hollywood production (I can't remember what movie it was) that was rated R and included at least one softcore sex scene.   It was rumored that the actors in this scene were actually having sex and began dating afterwards.   I think this type of thing happens more often than most people think, particularly in low budget B-movies with unknown actors but also in some major studio productions as well.   Do you know anything about this type of activity in the filmmaking world?   As a director, if you were filming a sex scene between two characters, wouldn't you prefer that they were actually having sex rather than just "faking-it" ?   I would think that this would create a more realistic and intense scene on camera.

   I am genuinely curious about this as I have been writing a Horror story, that contains some fairly graphic sex scenes, over the past few years that I hope might be made into a movie some day.

   Thanks!

                                                                                  < GOR >

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

Dr_Gor — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:58:32 GMT

zekezelker:

There is a lot of nudity in the film but no sex, there is a flashback sequence of simulated sex. Yes we have good looking people in the film, more that ended up on the editing room floor.

Thanks for the prompt reply, Zeke. The reason I asked about real vs. simulated sex was because many years ago I read about a major mainstream Hollywood production (I can't remember what movie it was) that was rated R and included at least one softcore sex scene. It was rumored that the actors in this scene were actually having sex and began dating afterwards. I think this type of thing happens more often than most people think, particularly in low budget B-movies with unknown actors but also in some major studio productions as well. Do you know anything about this type of activity in the filmmaking world? As a director, if you were filming a sex scene between two characters, wouldn't you prefer that they were actually having sex rather than just "faking-it" ? I would think that this would create a more realistic and intense scene on camera.

I am genuinely curious about this as I have been writing a Horror story, that contains some fairly graphic sex scenes, over the past few years that I hope might be made into a movie some day.

Thanks!

< GOR >

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:47:31 GMT

Howdy Gor,

We did a test of the film in four markets this past fall and have plans to screen it in more theaters, we do not have an MPAA rating. There is a lot of nudity in the film but no sex, there is a flashback sequence of simulated sex. Yes we have good looking people in the film, more that ended up on the editing room floor. It was not a turn on to shoot the scenes. I was not only directing but also producing and I fly with an AD, but yeah I guess I would not have cast the women if I wasn't attracted to them in some way.

Dr_Gor:

   Hi, Zeke.

   I am the resident pervert here at SPOUT.   Please tell me a bit about your film, In Search Of .   Did it have a theatrical release (and thus an MPAA rating)?   Are there a lot of sex scenes in this film and how graphic are they?   Was the sex real or "simulated"?   Some good looking female nudity?   How much of a turn on was it for you to film something like this?

   Sorry but somebody had to ask these questions and I guess I am the guy for the job.

                                                                               < GOR >

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

Dr_Gor — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:29:47 GMT

Hi, Zeke.

I am the resident pervert here at SPOUT. Please tell me a bit about your film, In Search Of . Did it have a theatrical release (and thus an MPAA rating)? Are there a lot of sex scenes in this film and how graphic are they? Was the sex real or "simulated"? Some good looking female nudity? How much of a turn on was it for you to film something like this?

Sorry but somebody had to ask these questions and I guess I am the guy for the job.

< GOR >

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

seely — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:27:47 GMT

zekezelker:

Jonathan,

When I first started the internet was just taking shape, hell my first e-mail account was an AOL account. The internet has helped me a lot with research and starting conversation but there is no substitute for making personal contact via in person or phone. With all of the social networking sites I am spending more and more time building fan base than I am writing which drives me a little nuts. I now write with iphone, internet and e-mail off so I don't lose my train of thought. I need disconnect to write from such a interconnected world. I am only able to do this 10-15 hours a week.

In terms of making money, we are implementing some new ways to make money on our films via the internet that you would not be able to do in more traditional outlets, unless I got a deal where we screened the first half of the film in theaters then cut a deal with HBO where we would screen the second half. (producer friends laughed at this idea, this would need too much distributor cooperation they say, but still love the idea!!!) One of our strategies is making 300% higher return than the industry norm, another is starting to pick up traction as we work with more and more students.

I do feel that all technology has created a glut of mediocre product, everyone needs to revisit what makes a good film. Mind you I have been criticized and censored on my latest film, InSearchOf. I am telling the story unconventionally and we break a lot of rules but this is the film I set out to make and I am very proud of it. People have become media whores, myself included, instead of consuming art or cinema. The internet affects more people more rapidly.

Great reply Zeke, and kind of what I expected to hear. I applaud you for making the film you envisioned, instead of subjecting yourself to the criticism and approval of everyone else. Really, when Robert Downey Jr. is nominated for an Academy Award for wearing blackface in a cheap comedy, should we really be taking people's opinions very seriously?

I'm right there with you on the AOL email. My first experiences online were with AOL and CompuServe free trial disks (not discs--they were 3.5" floppy disks). :-}

Thanks again for the excellent replies... I look forward to some more as people come up with more questions!

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:21:49 GMT

Jonathan,

When I first started the internet was just taking shape, hell my first e-mail account was an AOL account. The internet has helped me a lot with research and starting conversation but there is no substitute for making personal contact via in person or phone. With all of the social networking sites I am spending more and more time building fan base than I am writing which drives me a little nuts. I now write with iphone, internet and e-mail off so I don't lose my train of thought. I need disconnect to write from such a interconnected world. I am only able to do this 10-15 hours a week.

In terms of making money, we are implementing some new ways to make money on our films via the internet that you would not be able to do in more traditional outlets, unless I got a deal where we screened the first half of the film in theaters then cut a deal with HBO where we would screen the second half. (producer friends laughed at this idea, this would need too much distributor cooperation they say, but still love the idea!!!) One of our strategies is making 300% higher return than the industry norm, another is starting to pick up traction as we work with more and more students.

I do feel that all technology has created a glut of mediocre product, everyone needs to revisit what makes a good film. Mind you I have been criticized and censored on my latest film, InSearchOf. I am telling the story unconventionally and we break a lot of rules but this is the film I set out to make and I am very proud of it. People have become media whores, myself included, instead of consuming art or cinema. The internet affects more people more rapidly.

seely:

Zeke-

I am really curious to hear how the internet has affected, both positively and negatively, independent film distribution and marketing since you've been in the buisiness? Has it leveled the playing field a bit, or has it created a glut of people self-marketing subpar films? I'm assuming that the idea of online marketing and distribution has come a long ways since you started out.

-Jonathan

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

seely — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:08:25 GMT

Zeke-

I am really curious to hear how the internet has affected, both positively and negatively, independent film distribution and marketing since you've been in the buisiness? Has it leveled the playing field a bit, or has it created a glut of people self-marketing subpar films? I'm assuming that the idea of online marketing and distribution has come a long ways since you started out.

-Jonathan

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:34:07 GMT

Ryan, Have you seen InSearchOf? you can download it for 2.99 at http://299.insearchofmovie.com We have some lines that people quote back to me which is always strange for the writer to have someone love the lines that they have written, I guess that is what we strive for.

Working with Actors is fun, I love it. It depends on the project whether or not I mind them improving. With InSearchOf they couldn't because the story is so tight that if they screwed something up it could affect the rest of the story, not kidding. We have put the orginal script online for sale and people can see what was written on the page v. what ended up on screen. The big thing with working with actors is know what you want and know how to get it. If an actor sees that you are a push over they will have control. Directing is matter of control. It's your vision, make it happen.

rjsprague:

zekezelker:

Howdy Ryan,

Please call me Zeke! I personally have a tough time working with a team of writers. What I do is write a draft that I am happy with, spell checked, etc then I send it along to 10 people I respect to give me their honest feedback. If people all have the same problem, well then there's a problem. I write from a director and producer's perspective. Let at least 50 people read your script before you say it's done, especially if you are sending put to producer's to read the script.

I do have an example where I hired someone to write a script based on my concept because I was busy producing other films but I never truly liked what he was doing, then I passed it along to another writer, still wasn't right so here I am now rewriting the 20 something draft of it. I will still give them credit, but I will take the lead writer credit, since I have the most words down on the page. There are WGA guidelines for this.

Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz.

Thanks for your prompt reply Zeke. That is really great information to know. Lately, maybe its been since I started working at Spout, I've noticed some pretty awful, or pretty amazing, lines in films. It always gets me thinking to, who wrote that? Either good or bad, the script has a lot of influence upon me.

The other thing you mentioned sounds like storyboarding. That all makes a lot of sense. Having a "rough draft" of the shot before the shot even happens sounds mandatory. :)

I have definitely been to Dorney Park. Selling balloons as a clown sounds like a fun job. Sometimes I think going back to where we start helps us to remember the lessons we've learned. :)

As a director, how do you handle actors? Have you ever had any actors who have caused problems, or deviated from your scripts? If so, how did you handle that?

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

rjsprague — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:18:57 GMT

zekezelker:

Howdy Ryan,

Please call me Zeke! I personally have a tough time working with a team of writers. What I do is write a draft that I am happy with, spell checked, etc then I send it along to 10 people I respect to give me their honest feedback. If people all have the same problem, well then there's a problem. I write from a director and producer's perspective. Let at least 50 people read your script before you say it's done, especially if you are sending put to producer's to read the script.

I do have an example where I hired someone to write a script based on my concept because I was busy producing other films but I never truly liked what he was doing, then I passed it along to another writer, still wasn't right so here I am now rewriting the 20 something draft of it. I will still give them credit, but I will take the lead writer credit, since I have the most words down on the page. There are WGA guidelines for this.

Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz.

Thanks for your prompt reply Zeke. That is really great information to know. Lately, maybe its been since I started working at Spout, I've noticed some pretty awful, or pretty amazing, lines in films. It always gets me thinking to, who wrote that? Either good or bad, the script has a lot of influence upon me.

The other thing you mentioned sounds like storyboarding. That all makes a lot of sense. Having a "rough draft" of the shot before the shot even happens sounds mandatory. :)

I have definitely been to Dorney Park. Selling balloons as a clown sounds like a fun job. Sometimes I think going back to where we start helps us to remember the lessons we've learned. :)

As a director, how do you handle actors? Have you ever had any actors who have caused problems, or deviated from your scripts? If so, how did you handle that?

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:02:11 GMT

My great grandfather started the Park and my first job was as a clown selling balloons. Anyway, I am definitely a planner. If you take a look at InSearchOf, there is no way we could have made this film without planning and a lot of dedication. We shot throughout a year with people from all over the country. The script is king, without a good plan you will not make a good a film. I sit down with my DP and draw out, create shot lists, and camera diagrams for every scene. Yes this takes days and weeks but if you don't know how you're going to tackle a scene or shot before production you will waste a lot of time and money. I believe in rehearsals. I believe that everything in a frame is purposeful in telling the story. All of these things lessen the amount of takes you will need, thus saving money.

csprague:

zekezelker:

Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz.

...and Wild Water Kingdom! Hell yeah! We tore up those water slides. Sorry, I'm Ryan's twin sister. I butted into the conversation because I can't resist PA references. Anyway, hmmmmm.... questions about filmmaking. Well, I studied film in college and had the opportunity to make a few shorts while I was there. They were just for fun and nothing really came out of them. But I would have to say the most frustrating part is that I'm a planner. I like to plan out every detail, plus plans B, C, and D. Most of the grubby college guys I was working with wanted nothing to do with this kind of organization. They just wanted to grab a camera and run around with it on a steady cam. Failure to understand staging, props, setting, angles, lighting, and sound quality were major frustrations. So how about you? Are you more of a planner or are you a more "fly by the seat of you pants" kind of guy? Do you have a pretty solid script and story board in place before you proceed? Do you take time in setting up scenes with prop placement and light? About how many takes will you do of a scene? Thanks for the insights.

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

csprague — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:52:42 GMT

zekezelker:

Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz.

...and Wild Water Kingdom! Hell yeah! We tore up those water slides. Sorry, I'm Ryan's twin sister. I butted into the conversation because I can't resist PA references. Anyway, hmmmmm.... questions about filmmaking. Well, I studied film in college and had the opportunity to make a few shorts while I was there. They were just for fun and nothing really came out of them. But I would have to say the most frustrating part is that I'm a planner. I like to plan out every detail, plus plans B, C, and D. Most of the grubby college guys I was working with wanted nothing to do with this kind of organization. They just wanted to grab a camera and run around with it on a steady cam. Failure to understand staging, props, setting, angles, lighting, and sound quality were major frustrations. So how about you? Are you more of a planner or are you a more "fly by the seat of you pants" kind of guy? Do you have a pretty solid script and story board in place before you proceed? Do you take time in setting up scenes with prop placement and light? About how many takes will you do of a scene? Thanks for the insights.

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:19:59 GMT

I have been in this business for over 10 years and still don't have an agent, not sure I need one, but someday I might, especially with my upcoming project. Concering success it determines what you classify as success. I am seeing revenue from my films now, I'm not living large mind you. I believe my filmmaking is a business not a lottery ticket. The best way to get noticed by an agent is to have a really great piece of property. Go to places where they might be and be nice, somewhat aggressive but smile doing it. People remember quirky things, hence why I streak whenever I can.

matt60iya:

As a new filmmaker and writer, can I find success in Hollywood without living there and if so what is the best way to get my movie or scripts noticed by an agent?

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

zekezelker — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:11:35 GMT

Howdy Ryan,

Please call me Zeke! I personally have a tough time working with a team of writers. What I do is write a draft that I am happy with, spell checked, etc then I send it along to 10 people I respect to give me their honest feedback. If people all have the same problem, well then there's a problem. I write from a director and producer's perspective. Let at least 50 people read your script before you say it's done, especially if you are sending put to producer's to read the script.

I do have an example where I hired someone to write a script based on my concept because I was busy producing other films but I never truly liked what he was doing, then I passed it along to another writer, still wasn't right so here I am now rewriting the 20 something draft of it. I will still give them credit, but I will take the lead writer credit, since I have the most words down on the page. There are WGA guidelines for this.

Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz.

rjsprague:

Mr. Zelker,

We are excited to have you here with us. I grew up in PA, Lebanon and York mostly, and I'm very proud to have a fellow Pennsylvanian here to answer questions about making films. :)

I'd like to ask a question about scripts. I generally see only a handful of individuals, or perhaps only a single person with credits on a script. Would you recommend having more people involved in a script, and how many people do you let read the script before you would say it is finalized?

Thanks,

Ryan

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

seely — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:26:15 GMT

Ryan reminded me that you may want to subscribe to this discussion so you're notified when new questions arrive, and when Zeke answers your questions!

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

matt60iya — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:56:21 GMT

As a new filmmaker and writer, can I find success in Hollywood without living there and if so what is the best way to get my movie or scripts noticed by an agent?

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

rjsprague — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:54:32 GMT

Mr. Zelker,

We are excited to have you here with us. I grew up in PA, Lebanon and York mostly, and I'm very proud to have a fellow Pennsylvanian here to answer questions about making films. :)

I'd like to ask a question about scripts. I generally see only a handful of individuals, or perhaps only a single person with credits on a script. Would you recommend having more people involved in a script, and how many people do you let read the script before you would say it is finalized?

Thanks,

Ryan

In Search Of Filmmaking Advice? Ask Critically-Acclaimed Director Zeke Zelker!

seely — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Zeke Zelker, director of 2008's critically acclaimed In Search Of, has graciously agreed to let us pick his brain!

Do you have questions about In Search Of, filmmaking, the independent film industry, or about how you can get started as a filmmaker? Here's your chance to interview a filmmaker who's latest work has been compared to Darren Arofonsky's Requiem for a Dream.

Just post your questions here and Zeke will give the best answer he can!

Here's what Independent Films Direct has to say about Zeke and his latest film In Search Of:

The story revolves around several characters and their various sexual behaviors and how it affects their lives and their loved ones. From the opening shots, the cinematography grips the audience and gives them an intimate look at the daily lives of the protagonists. Zelker utilizes mirror shots and other brilliant techniques to add the realistic feel of being there in the scene.
Not one to let something small like a "budget" get in his way, Zeke refinanced his home twice to help get his vision out. After attempting to go the traditional fund-raising route (which he likened to "pulling teeth from an infant") Zelker decided he had to do it all himself. He was able to raise the budget through private equity and loans and succeeded in completing his film…all from his hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Zelker was adamant about filming from home, as it serves not only as his inspiration but gives ISO the "everyday American town" feel that is intrinsic to the film's message.