MOTOR Texas

Epic Reasons to Make a Car Movie

By: James Wilder

Ninety percent of car movies are uninspiring and barely entertaining. We need to fix this.


Photo j.wilder. Filming of Computer Chess in Austin.

I see these guys on electric hoverboards shooting video of rows of cars.

I don’t know what ever comes of these videos. Maybe they add music, some visual effects and upload it to YouTube.

I would like to challenge you video people to go a few steps further.

Make a car movie.

Make a Car Movie

When you think about making a movie things get complicated really quick.

However, I would approach it by first removing mental barriers.

Start with making a one-minute movie.

Yes. Constrain yourself to one minute.

Make ten one-minute movies.

This will cause you to focus on the story and not the technology or editing.

The story is key.

Market While Making

Start marketing and promoting at the very beginning.

Build up an audience, because if you start making one minute movies, people are going to talk about it, because you are doing something exciting.

However, don't do this on impulse.

Think long and hard before beginning.

Decide, do I want to keep doing this? Am I committed to following this wherever it leads me? Is this who I am?

Let Me Encourage You

I know someone reading this needs a little push.

If you have a seed of passion for video and cars, you might be the one.

You might be Neo.

Consider me Morpheus.

Let me encourage you.

Keep reading.

There are no Gatekeepers

You do not need permission.

You do not need credentials.

Everything you need to make a movie is free.

Roger Corman

Do you know Roger Corman?

He can make a film on any budget.

And still make a profit.

C'était un Rendez-vous (1976)

In English, "It was a date."

It is one of the most famous car movies ever.

8 minutes and 36 seconds in length.

Gone in 60 Seconds

Dude owned a wrecker yard and wanted to make car movies.

He did.

2 Fast 2 Furious, Overdrive

Screenplay written by two Baylor grads, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

They also wrote Overdrive, starring Scott Eastwood.

You

Yes you.

You should be on this list, but obviously you're not.

Let's connect. I'll get you added.

Let's Do This

Hollywood will not give us the movies we want.

Do you agree?

Why not be on the cutting edge of short film history?

Take action now.

Just you and your camera.

Not a video guy?

I need you to Share this article with a car enthusiast that loves to shoot video.

Short Films by Car Enthusiasts

To create a movement, we need to connect.

So I created "Short Films by Car Enthusiasts," a Facebook group.

The goal of the group is to "Connect with car enthusiast film makers to share your creations, learn from others and start a movement. Let's make car movies!"

This is NOT about shooting videos of car shows or event promotion videos.

It's about taking it to the next level.

It's about telling a story through video.

Films tell a story.

If you want to join the movement, join the group:

Short Films by Car Enthusiasts
facebook.com/ShortFilmsByCarEnthusiasts

Let's make car movies!

James Wilder

James Wilder is the owner, writer, photographer, designer, and developer for MOTOR Texas.

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