Edwin Adrian Nieves: Director in Tarrytown, New York.

The Making of the Tree of Life

Enjoy this 28+ minute look into the making of Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, with Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and others. Malick is truly a visionary, and this short presentation will show you why and inspire your own filmmaking. http://a-bittersweet-life.tumb...

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The Making of The Tree of Life
The Making of The Tree of Life
The Making of The Tree of Life Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is an enrapturing experimentation in pure cinema, and the 28+ minute The Making of The Tree of Life is as captivating. The...
Edwin Adrian Nieves

Good job with the interview, Trev. We're on the same boat with admiring Malick's filmmaking.

Eric Stacey

Thanks for putting this up, Edwin. Terrance Malick has long been inspirational for me.

Sam Rivera

Absolutely loved this video, truly all the best! Edwin Adrian Nieves

Steven Harris Anzelowitz
Open to any and ALL suggestions on how to get the $$ to make my film: "Hope Saves Manhattan".

I have the script. I have tried Indiegogo (7) times. No success. I at least know by now if I do that again I have to post a video. I have read the book "Bankroll" by Tom Malloy--"How to finance your independent film". I realize this will be the most challenging part of getting my screenplay produced...

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Steven Harris Anzelowitz

Al- I am saving it . It's my get into movies last resort I have tried everything else my Uncle Hy Anzell(IMDB)was great with you can you give me a letter of introduction card. P.S. Yes I have met him...

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Lucifer Divinitas

For one thing when you're asking for money never give a range. Know exactly what you can make it for and stick with that budget. It makes it look like you don't know what you're doing when you don't have an exact budget. Investors are thinking, "Well which is it $100,000 or $250,000."

Al Hibbert

Steven- thanks for sharing your story. It's actually nice to know that someone besides me rambles on once in a while! ha ha. I totally agree with your strategy of keeping powder dry till you're ready.

The Magic of Editing: The Rule of 6 with Walter Murch

Walter Murch has waved his magical editing skills on a number of classic films. Apocalypse Now earned him editing and sound mix Oscar nominations, leading to a win in sound mix, while The English Patient brought home the little gold man for both categories. He was also honored with an editing nomina...

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Asgar Rahimov

Murch is a big figure in world cinema.

Jeremy Hunter
Does the length of you're script really matter?

I just finished the second half re-write of one of my scripts. I've never been this satisfied with anything I wrote before. Every scene adds to the story, there doesn't seem to be any filler, the actions and dialogue were written with ease although the length, which I've been told most screenplays s...

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Stefano Pavone

No. As long as you've got a well-crafted story, length isn't that much of an issue, the reader's going to be sucked in.

Craig D Griffiths

Yes.

Being on the short side is always better. Think of a meal. You finish a great meal. The chef says I have more if you would like it. "Yes please," you say. And more arrives.

You had a desire for mor...

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Richard Bruce Stirling

I aim for 110 pages or less - ideally 105 - just because the books says "120 pages," remember that each extra page is $$$$$$$$ - don't write and write assuming the reader will read on - if you don't h...

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Jackie Sass

Hi Edwin! I appreciate what you wrote in your bio and your approach to film. Maybe we can work together someday! Thanks for reaching out. :)

Personal Filmmaking: There is “No Alternative”

A must-read article if you need one as a filmmaker, William Dickerson really hits a home run on this one. Very inspiring and encouraging. Here's an excerpt: "Harvey Weinstein recently said in The Hollywood Reporter, 'The studios don’t care about making smart adult films for the public, but rather on...

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Marli J Monroe

I hadn't heard of No Alternative or The Fifth Wall movement, but I will now be learning more about both. I agree wholeheartedly with this article. Thanks, Edwin!

Edwin Adrian Nieves

Glad you enjoyed the article, Marli!

Is There a Market for Shorts That Debut at Film Festivals?

Awesome and essential read for independent filmmakers, especially those with the entrepreneurial mindset like myself...your career is your investment! http://www.indiewire.com/article/short-film-festival-market-place-money-......

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Edwin Adrian Nieves

Shorts can be a great tool to build audience and for the filmmaker to distinguish him or herself. Digital technology has democratized filmmaking so, especially for an independent filmmaker, they allow...

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Marli J Monroe

I agree, Edwin. Plus, some ideas are better served through a short film. When I watch a feature film where the concept feels 'watered down', I think about the impact it would have had as a short. It's...

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Charles Rule

Thanks for sharing the information and "A Reasonable Request"> Truly, brilliant, funny, dare I say 'Heartwarming".

How to become an Independent Film Director - 1

How to become an Independent Film Director – 1 Intro – So I have decided to share my experience about filmmaking, first of all sorry for my english I am from Canry Islands, Spain, it is seven little islands north-west Africa on the Atlantic Ocean a place far away from almost everything, seven little...

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Victor Peceno

I want also to annunce, that I am writing the development of my first length featured movie :) I hope to have the first draft around June, it is a Drama with a subgenre familiar drama with a mix of ge...

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Victor Peceno

anyway I will do it by myself, so don´t be committed..., I just want to share...

Victor Peceno

ok a good producer will be welcome... :)

Three Brilliantly Beautiful Rule-Breaking FilmsTo See This Weekend

Three great films that interest myself, and maybe you, too. Wild. This one is definitely going to clear my sinuses. Reese Witherspoon plays award-winning writer Cheryl Strayed in her journey of healing and self-discovery as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail. The screenwriting, based on the book, mak...

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Bill Costantini

Edwin - you're right about Mr. Vallee. He's been very prolific over the last few years. William - you're right...that's a really great opening scene.

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"

Wild features an unexpectedly cool performance from the love W. Earl Brown (Deadwood, Black Mass). He's a nice man and one of our greatest character actors.

Edwin Adrian Nieves

Just came back to Stage32 from watching Demolition...highly recommended!

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"
Phillip's philosophical question for a Fabulous Friday

And here it is... wait for it... Do you consider your screenwriting results art?

Bill Costantini

Not to get off-subject....but since the beginning of time, the creation and interpretation of art has been and continues to be personal and subjective. I wouldn't say "this isn't art" if someone else...

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Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"

Bill: Here's the hair secret. I cut is short and spikey like Kirk in Spartacus. Then while it's damp, I use Crew extra hold molding stuff and then spray with any cheap hairspray, voila! it's a quick,...

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Linda Bradshaw-Rogers

LOL, that was great Phillip. And yes, I believe screenwriting is art...actually fine art.

Picasso on Success and Why You Should Never Compromise in Creative Work

One of those artists with a career to learn from and apply to your own career, I enjoy the double insight of 1) pursue your passion and 2) don't suffer for your art but make it a successful profession. Let it inspire you, too! https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/05/05/brassai-conversations-with-pica....

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Marli J Monroe
The 50 Most Daring Film Roles For Women Since Ripley

This article was originally printed on June 26, 2015 in The Dissolve. I'm sure it's already been posted on Stage 32, but I felt it was worth risking a repeat...The 50 Most Daring Film Roles For Women Since Ripley. It's a long list of wonderful films and incredibly talented female actors. I would sug...

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The 50 most daring film roles for women since Ripley
The 50 most daring film roles for women since Ripley
Starting with the watershed moment of Sigourney Weaver's tough-as-nails space heroine, we look at some of the female roles that broke ...
Marli J Monroe

These are great additions! Alicia Vikander was also amazing in Ex Machina and A Royal Affair. She's one of my favorites, but I still need to see Pure. Emily Blunt is another favorite of mine and Miche...

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Edwin Adrian Nieves

Oh, and Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years!

Marli J Monroe

Absolutely, Charlotte Rampling is brilliant in everything, from Stardust Memories and The Look, to her guest appearances on Dexter! It's powerful to play such a memorable character in a series about k...

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The seismic shift in the world of film festivals

This is an interesting and perhaps an essential read for all filmmakers looking to submit their films into festivals, a look at how the system works and its history with submissions. https://stephenfollows.com/the-revolution-in-film-festivals/...

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The Film Masters

Stanley Kubrick, Andrei Tarkovsky, Robert Bresson, Ingmar Bergman...these are some of the names that come to mind when we think of masters of film. Who in your opinions are contemporary masters of film, those living today--let's step outside the box and think of "master" not like a "Picasso" of film...

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Edwin Adrian Nieves

List of today's filmmakers I feel accomplish "masterly" work in film: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Steve McQueen, Martin Scorsese, Wong Kar-wai, David Lynch, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, Terrence Malick, Nicola...

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Marli J Monroe

This is a great list, Edwin! I didn't recognize a couple of the names, but I will definitely check them out. Thanks for sharing!

Edwin Adrian Nieves

Awesome, Marli! And if I can be of any help with where to start, let me know!

Francesco Tresca

Hi, my name is Francesco Tresca, I am a musician and soundtracks composer/sound designer from Italy, but thanks to internet the distance is not a problem (I work with people all around the world). Here you can listen to some of my works, I use them only to promote my job, then of course I create new...

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Edwin Adrian Nieves

Always be studious as a filmmaker, and watching films is definitely one way to do so and to evolve your filmmaker's style. Here's a list of 21 films streaming on Netflix that will "nourish your love for the art of cinema." Enjoy. http://a-bittersweet-life.tumblr.com/post/125531889589/21-films-on-net...

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21 Films on Netflix to Inspire Your Film Passion
21 Films on Netflix to Inspire Your Film Passion
Mirroring the original 21 Films to Inspire Your Film Passion, I have created an additional list of 21 films that have not only touched me as a filmmaker with their bold stories and direction but have...
Crowdfunding Series

Crowdfunding Series is a recently developed series on A-BitterSweet-Life to showcase the crowdfunding campaigns of films that strive to inject independence and artistry into filmmaking. The latest in the series is for Neither Shadow of Turning, "a film about marital love and impenetrable control." L...

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Crowdfunding Series: Neither Shadow of Turning
Crowdfunding Series: Neither Shadow of Turning
Isolated deep in the woods during the worst winter on record, Conrad and Anna grasp tightly to hope when she falls ill with pneumonia. A film about marital love and impenetrable control. Neither...
If you had to give TWO pieces of advice ONLY to someone who is interested in making films, what would they be?

Receiving this question not too long ago, two responses naturally came to my mind. How would you answer? http://a-bittersweet-life.tumblr.com/post/85239044349/if-you-had-to-give......

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A-BitterSweet-Life
A-BitterSweet-Life
If you had to give TWO pieces of advice ONLY to someone who is interested in making films, what would they be? Great question. These are two pieces of advice that naturally came to mind... The first is...
Dave McCrea
  1. It's a team sport. It's basketball not golf. No matter how talented you are, you ain't that special until you're paired up with at least one or two other great actors/directors/writers/producers. Eve
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Dave McCrea

Vincent's advice is good too!

M L.

Hire a career 1st A.D. and listen to them., Raise a budget big enough for what you want to do and cast name actors

The Complete Citizen Kane: Making of a Cinematic Classic

A great watch for film lovers and filmmakers alike! "One of the most celebrated films in history, Citizen Kane epitomizes the significant impact of originality and how a cinematic visionary can inspire filmmakers for generations to come. As essential as the work is to film history so is the document...

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The Complete Citizen Kane: Making of a Cinematic Classic
The Complete Citizen Kane: Making of a Cinematic Classic
One of the most celebrated films in history, Citizen Kane epitomizes the significant impact of originality and how a cinematic visionary can inspire filmmakers for generations to come. As essential as...
Vaitahavya Vadlamani

this was the film that changed my whole perspective towards films. watched it in film school since then it is my bible

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