Thinking Small

[The Elder Brain]

I have a hard time thinking small. If I make a film I want it to have epic gunfights, large armies colliding, battles in outer space. I love film, and I love making it, but it really is hard for me to come up with ideas that I can actually do. I want to make the kind of films that I like, and while I like a lot of films, those epics are the ones that really sell it too me. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? If only there was some kind of alternative way. I'm not about to walk away from doing the things I love, but it gets frustrating when my best ideas are impossible to do.

[Vaughn Whynot]

can't get overwhelmed man
one day you will think of a wicked movie that is doable and bring you back into the spirit that you where when you started

[BlazingProductions]

well if you have an idea that's intense and out of your ability, still write it down. If you really love the idea write the entire script, who knows someday you may be able to make it.

[Nonsensical studios]

I like thinking big, and writing scripts I know I won't be able to shoot. As Blazing said, one day you might be able to make it.

If you want to think small, think of something you can do with just you, a tripod, and a camera.

[TheMightySeamus]

I know what you mean. I just write it down as I think it: if it's huge, I leave it.

[stikyfingas]

Work off what you have. Go out and look at your locations and your props. Then write, in 'El Mariachi' Rodriguez said he had a bus and a dog, guess what he used in the film? We dont have giant budgets so instead of saying "I have a great idea all i need is a warehouse, APC, 35 people...". Think of what you have available and work around that.

I have been working on a film this year I have the first act written and most shot by using locations where I live (my apt, the apt building's storage space, my old apt, my work) But the 2nd and 3rd act, I have the story arcs written but I don't have either the second or third act scenes actually written because I'm finding free locations. Once I see what I have available to me then I write the specific scenes; that way I'm not writing outside what I can produce.