Share on Google+
Share on Tumblr
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Reddit
Share on XING
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Hacker News
Share on VK
Share on Telegram

Man of Many Hats

My Student Film Part 2

As a student at film school – you go to class all day – five days a week – for a year – then use every spare moment to create your film – you’re not only the director – you’re the executive producer, producer, screenwriter, story-boarder, casting director, director of photography, sound, lights, musical director, editor, chief cook and bottle-washer.

Since you’re not gainfully employed for that year – and with no box office money ever rolling in – as producer – expenses come out of your pocket – so you must be frugal – wheel & deal.

I need a Catholic church – try legendary St. Patrick’s Cathedral – no deal – find another Catholic church six blocks away – get permission – no charge – I can shoot exteriors and interiors – but can’t tie up the confessional.

So I buy some paneling, hardware, & screening – build a confession booth in my studio apartment – looks real – leave it topless so the cameraman can shoot overhead shots.

Run ads in the trade paper looking for actors – only need a male lead, female lead, & a couple extras – my classmates will be those extras – struggling actors are always looking for credits and clips they can show when auditioning for a part – so I promise a copy of the film – and they agree to work for free.

I find a priest – not only has acting credits but his commercial’s running on tv every day – you might have seen it – he’s waxing a car & hyping how this miracle wax not only shines but repairs scratches – get him a priest outfit & he looks like Father Karras from the Exorcist – perfect.

Advertise for a young blonde female – great body – willing to do nude scenes – and sex scenes – and ding-ding-ding – a winner – dress her in a sexy dress – black and tight – which accentuates her attributes to a T – or should I say two Ts? – perfect.

One of my classmates is a rich Mexican kid – his family owns a luxury hotel in Cancun – they also own a luxury condo overlooking Central Park – where the kid’s staying while attending film school – he allows me to use a bedroom for the sex scene – no charge.

Now we’re ready to shoot.

Coming Soon – Part 3 – Lights, Camera, Action

Click for Part 1 – Strike a Nerve


Directing a movie is one of the most difficult jobs in the world – as I discovered when I attended the New York Film Academy in 1991-92.

This is what it takes.

I’m America’s Best Crime Writer and I approve this message.

Warner Books published Born to Be Wild in 1992 & it still sells every day at Amazon & Kindle. True story about certain members of the Warlocks motorcycle gang.

The story takes 21 years to play out – with many twists & turns – an amalgam of Sons of Anarchy & Breaking Bad – but these outlaw bikers make the Sons look like Cub Scouts.

102090cookie-checkMan of Many Hats