Habbowood TIPS & TRICKS with James Steel

[e5..]

http://www.habbo.co.uk/entertainment.../producer.html

With James Steel

Throughout the Habbowood Digital Movie Awards we will be chatting with BBC director and producer James Steel. He will be sending us his views and opinions on each of our finalists' movies and has supplied everyone with some great tips and tricks.


Who are you and what do you do?

"My name is James Steel and I have been working as a director and producer for the BBC for the last 10 years. I have directed on everything from Chucklevision through to Watchdog and I am currently responsible for CBBC's red button service and producing AV content for the new CBBC website."


How do you get a job as a TV director?

"Getting into TV relies on three things - being prepared to work hard, having good ideas and being passionate about what you do. If you watch TV and think "that's rubbish I could do better" then you may be the sort of person who could work in TV. It doesn't require any formal qualifications and the best director I know left school at 16."


How can you produce a good short movie?

The one absolute essential is to start with a good idea! Knowing if something is a good idea often relies on having made a few films first and having a bit of experience so don't be afraid to make a few films without knowing what you are doing. If a film turns out to be a bit rubbish you are then one step closer to making a successful film the next time you have a go. Map out your idea on a piece of paper, what is going to happen, what do the characters say, what is the ending going to be and what journey do your characters take. Then give it a go, the more movies you make the better they will become. Get your friends (the ones that will be nice to you!) to watch your films and suggest how you can improve them.


How do you start your short movie?

With a short film you need to grab everyone's attention from the first frame. If I'm watching a film I want to know that it is going to entertain me, so if someone hasn't caught my attention within the first 30 seconds I will start to lose interest. Make your characters interesting, have them say interesting or unusual things, create a scene that causes your audience to think "Wow what's going on here...I must watch on to find out."


Finally, any tips on promoting a short movie?

If you are proud of what you have made, shout about it! If you talk up your movie people will go and see it and if they like it hopefully they will get their friends to watch. You can always resort to bribary - offer your friends parts in your next movie if they promote it for you!


James Steel will be present at the Habbowood Gala later this month where he will be making a speach after we announce the UK's overall winner!





James Steel's Comments




Check back every afternoon for the latest comments from James Steel on our finalists' movies.

[le harry]

oh thats cool.

good find.

[Pyroka]

Wow, someone who knows what they're talking about! Sulake have bettered themselves this year LOL.

[bo$$]

Wow, someone who knows what they're talking about! Sulake have bettered themselves this year LOL.

Lmao. So True.
I guess they HAD to get someone good those since there's the trip to Hollywood and everything.. and when you get to Hollywood it'll probably be playing somewhere..

[danny-dyer]

e5 unbanned yet?

Edited by Nick- (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not post off topic.

[theman0001]

e5 unbanned yet?

whats that got to do with this thread :S

anyway glad habbo have finally got someone good, but somehow i doubt that the film has to be good to win...

prove me wrong by clicking here

[Lozzoling]

he directed chucklevision

pmsl

[Jordy]

he directed chucklevision

pmsl

Now we know who to blame for it! And it's not Barry and Paul

[Pyroka]

I respect him for directing ChuckleVision, it was me fav.

[e5..]

I loved chuckle vision