The two worst days of making a feature film are 1) wrap - because you may never see some of these people again, and 2) when it's released - because it's over. It's brutal and it hurts and tears out your soul. So you make another one, and another, and another. I've done five in the last seven years, and hopefully I have the good fortune to make another five :-) Thanks for this video and reminding me of the highs and lows.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

That's an awesome position to be in honestly. I would have liked to make 10 more features if I had the time and drive. It's probably just my fear of doing it badly but it's really handy to have made one bad feature beforehand to remind me of how I've grown. Thank you for watching! ❤️

I'm honestly a bit conflicted about the video. I really appreciate the very raw and honest story, and I think the message at the end is a great one. You found success, and I think that's fantastic. But on the other hand, I think your view on your feature is too negative. You made a full-length film and released it in a theater! That's more than a lot of aspiring filmmakers can say. Maybe it wasn't a good movie, but you got it done, which is a huge accomplishment. Hopefully, one day, you can look back on that and be proud. Thank you for sharing your personal experience.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Great point and I may have been too harsh on the film. When there are more than one apparent flaw in the film, I see all of them plus the minor flaws that probably don't matter. It's the association of the bad experience when I watch the film which is probably the only perspective I have. Glad to see some people at least appreciate it 😊

All filmmakers have made one really bad feature film when they first started out but eventually, they try, try, try again. Never give up. I know you'll be successful in what you do because I believe in your passion and vision.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

5 ай бұрын

Amen! I've finally built up the courage to move forward with my next feature, which I believe will be something special. Stay tuned and thank you for watching! ❤️

@cinemasage

5 ай бұрын

I just directed my first documentary feature film and already been selected in three festivals and winning for best feature film. if you want to see it, love to hear you thoughts. i can give you the link. @@kristjan-jonsson-film

@mxfg1535

Ай бұрын

@@cinemasage I know this was a while ago but congrats!

@cinemasage

Ай бұрын

@@mxfg1535 thank you! much appreciated.

@mmongakenzo2884

Ай бұрын

Not true, my friend, not every film director, has made a bad feature film when their starting out. Robert Rodriquez "El Mariachi" his first feature film was great and Robert Rodriquez made the whole film without a crew for $7000. Spike Lee first feature film, "She's Gotta Have it," was successful.

The thing I realized, and told my best friend, director, as we were in production a couple of years ago, is that: in making a movie, you're waging war against reality. It's not supposed and cannot in principle be easy (with the exception of home videos and holyday movies), as what you're actually doing is creating and capturing a small alternate reality within the limits of our own actual reality. Things as simple as unpredictable cloud formations can ruin your shot, or entire day of shooting, or ruing the continuity of your script which says that "the sky is mostly clear". That's why it's so expensive to make even a relatively simple drama film. The further you diverge from the actuality of your own life, the more crushingly difficult it will become. A good director is the one who's willing to lead the entire production forward into unknown terrritory as if it was an actual war - weighting risks, contingency planning, leading everywhere where leadership is needed, unifying the team, while at all times keeping the eyes on The Vision, The Target, The Goal. Werner Herzog, one of my all-time favorites, even calls himself "A Good Soldier of Cinema", and has proved innumerable times these points in his many films. It takes guts and is surely not for everyone. I think more than everything else - artistic talent and vision, technical prowess - the key character trait of a good film director is Leadership. Myself, I wouldn't even dare to start, and I'm perfectly content now in the role of sound director, which by itself is already difficult enough and is a ton of hard work.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Well said! 👏🏻 I was thinking Werner Herzog while I was reading your comment. Kubrick and Coppolla also came to mind. I think it's a matter of how much you're willing to compromise. Whether the attitude is waiting for a clear sky to start shooting or changing the script on the fly. In my film's case, I feel like I didn't know what my vision was. I've learned so much since then

Im 32 now and one of my goals is making my first feature before im 40. Time is flying by fast and waits for no one. Thanks so much for this video and I hope since then you are in a better place mentally.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. After this experience, I feel it's good to know that the process of filming every weekend and/or after work over an un-decided amount of time is always possible to make a feature. It doesn't always have to be a three consecutive week shoot. Any process works, really so long as all the shots are captured. What film-school taught me was mostly practical and technical things but no school can teach you how to do it for real

@jamalrooibees4559

Ай бұрын

I'd like to know about some of your work @LycanVisuals

@LycanVisuals

Ай бұрын

@@jamalrooibees4559 i havent made a short film yet im more concerned about landing corporate clients to pay the bills at the moment.

@DDevospartan

28 күн бұрын

Im older than you and share a similar goal -I want to make a doc feature this year for example- I hope you can achieve this goal

@LycanVisuals

28 күн бұрын

​@@DDevospartan 🥂 same to you.

You speaking your truth did more for me than anyone in my life regarding my dreams of acting and filmmaking. Thank you for sharing your journey ❤

I just made a micro budget movie with my son and appreciate the hard work but we also live in an incredible time where anyone motivated enough can have their dreams and ideas and stories put up on the big screen. Films are like children - you need to love your own film - warts and all cause if you don’t then who will. I didn’t go to film school and have no circle of friends to help me make my film but you had actors willing to give up that time to make your film and that is very precious. Keep at it - no one does you better than you. Make a film you want to see not what will sell. Good luck

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement and I completely agree. This was my baby for such a long time and I didn't know how to take care of it. After becoming a dad I can finally sort of understand it 😂

@failedfilmmaker

24 күн бұрын

Totally agree Patrick!

@roylce8355

18 күн бұрын

Thank you for this 😢 you made me breathe well

This brought a lot of memories back. Thank you for being brave enough to share it.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching and glad it was a positive watch 😁

Don't stop, keep going. Great video. A very honest video that touches on some factors and situations that most filmmakers would not want the world or KZread viewers to know. You use a few of the improv techniques we implement in our filming. It was such a rocky ride for you personally and as a filmmaker -- I love what you said about directing, it's true a lot falls on you.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for checking this out! I drew some parallels also to what you mentioned in your video.

@microbudgetmadness

8 ай бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film Yes! Totally... and making any film is not a waste, as you said, now you have a cool job and you also learnt some stuff.

I appreciate what you did here. As an aspiring filmmaker, and someone who deals with deep anxiety and depression I extremely relate to this video. This is making me feel better about my film career. Never give up on making videos they are awesome!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching! I hope people can realize that mental health is a priority. Nothing is more important, not even your art.

@David-mg1yj

25 күн бұрын

An inspiring filmmaker, or an aspiring filmmaker? Two very different things.

@sirthankless

25 күн бұрын

@@David-mg1yj I meant “aspiring”

Hey brother I am 53 years old and I shot a doc in 2003 that has some strange parallels to your project. Bless you and I hope you realize that the point isn't so much the film but what you learned thru it and how you will use this experience to make a better film next time. Thanks for sharing bro.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

Hey! Interesting. It seems most people fall into the same pits when making something this big, I don't know. There are so many more problems I faced that I didn't mention and every single one has lead me to improve my work afterwards. I'm working on my second feature film atm and I really hope I make some good mistakes and that I have to face some problems. It's the only way through the process now I think. Thank you for commenting. Peace!

@DDevospartan

28 күн бұрын

Can this Fox be seen on the net? I remember 03 fondly and love to see stuff from back then

You definitely didn't fail you managed to make a feature film that people came and watched and that film opened other doors for you by the sounds.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

It did open a lot of doors and connections. It was a matter of what to do with these open doors, I'm still figuring that out

Got me emotional and inspired! Thanks, man!! The road goes ever on...

Hey Kirstjan. This was really great. I am currently on break (or perhaps I should just describe myself as a dropout since it's been quite a few years) from film school and this really spoke to me. Often I've hit similar bumps of thinking that I know far less after passing new milestones, but this feels like a good reminder of the value of the time you spent and lessons you forgot you learned. Hope you keep making films!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching! There were definitely lessons that I forgot I learned making the feature, like how important catering is and how to audition actors. When I was at film school, it was the first time for me on set where more people than me actually wanted to be on set making films. That was a great experience

Hey loved your story! It was very insightful and special. Also motivating as well. Glad to hear you got back into the craft even after the burnout. Excited to see what's next for your journey!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate the comment and I look forward to what next for you also! ❤️

This is seriously amazing. Thank you for putting this together. It’s so raw. I am currently writing a feature I plan to film next year. This helped a lot! Greetings from Florida! I spent two weeks in Iceland during the summer of 2019. What a beautiful country.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I wish you the best of luck and hope everything will be well prepared for the shoot. My next film will be set here in Reykjavik because I can't imagine making a film anywhere else. Besides the earthquakes and possible volcano eruption, I love it here 😂

@GodlewskiWSD

7 ай бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film to be honest with you, I don’t blame you. I would love to film in Iceland one day. I don’t think I could survive a winter up there though! I am looking forward to your other projects on this channel.

beautiful story friend, so happy to see where you are now.

Great work man! You are undeniably talented, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching your retrospective.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for checking this out! This video could have easily been 3 hours so it was a challenge to compress the entire experience into such a short time. Thank you again 😁

Man, thank you for putting this together. This was such an honest and real look into indie filmmaking in a way I’ve yet to see on KZread. Loved watching this process and getting to see you bring to a close. I know the feeling. Please make more KZread videos, the landscape is lacking in this department and this was such a breath of fresh air.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching! I'm working on the next video so stay tuned! 😊

So proud of you bro. Very glad you did this and your dedication is incredible. I'm working on my feature too as well. It's tough, but we are making it work. I loved this video and can't wait to see more

@kristjan-jonsson-film

7 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate it! I wish you all the best on your feature journey and I look forward to see what's next for you! 🙌

Loved this retrospective. We learn from doing and trying. This is such a raw and vulnerable video and I really enjoyed it. The directing of your actor "to break up in real life" is really great. Reminds me of the story of Rob Reiner telling River Phoenix to deliver the performance in Stand By Me by thinking of the time when an adult let him down in the biggest way. It created an incredible moment and performance. Great job.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you so much. I think, for what scene, I was mostly inspired by blue valentine (2010). Some scenes in that movie were directed by telling the actors conflicting information, roll camera and seeing what happens. I also love how that movie uses time to tell the story. Thank you for watching ❤

This is so amazing. Thank you for sharing your story!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! ❤️

Great video and very heartfelt

Thank you so much for your video! I’m and aspiring filmmaker from Mexico, whose been trying to get into film school, with no success yet, so I’m currently working on the preproduction of a micro-budget short film whit the greatest quality as possible, and your video is really useful and motivational! By the way, I absolutely loved the approach you took for your first feature, I myself want to take a similar one for a future project! I think you should be really proud of your project!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching! I was also at a point where I thought: No one is ever going to give me an opportunity to direct a feature, so why wait? Of course I could've studied a lot more about film before making the feature but, back then, it just felt like the right time. If I could give you any advice, it's just to start shooting stuff, show people to get them interested then continue shooting with more and more people. Of course, plan it out better than I did 😂

this video is beautiful, thank you for being so honest. immediately subscribed, hope you make it big and we will be here to support you :)

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for subscribing snf for the kind words 🥹 Lets hope for new opportunities for all in the new year 🎉

I absolutely loved this share. Thank you for your transparency. Mad respect!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching and commenting! 🩷 this was a lot to get off my chest and I'm very happy that people enjoyed the video 😁

I love a good reflection. So many lessons learned. Subbed!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! ❤

Fascinating story man! Keep it up! I expect to see more films soon ;)

@kristjan-jonsson-film

8 ай бұрын

Thank you sir! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

great video, love hearing these stories

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching ❤

Thanks for making this video! And congratulations for completing the film all the way through. So many wannabe filmmakers talk about it but never actually pull through, trying to just be snobby and perfectionist with people who actually do stuff. And also congrats for sticking to your goals and going to film school. It's an experience so many of us filmmakers go through but it's not fully understood by others. At the same time, it seems to me filmmaking or being a director wasn't the issue you had (which I'm sure you know). It was a mental health problem that had to be checked on. Filmmaking is stressful enough. Having a terrible mental health would make the process much worse. I believe you have the power to make a new feature film, learning from the mistakes you made in this one. Keep going! You got this. Plus, regardless of what job or thing you do, you're gonna take on stress and gonna have to deal with responsibilities/mistakes. Even in a 9-5, it can be draining. Film production or any creative endeavour is draining too, but it can be much more satisfying and purposeful.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I love what you said about this experience and how no one else will understand the rollercoaster of feelings when you've poured yourself into something like this. It seems there are more videos from first-feature filmmakers talking about their experience and the best example for me is "I made a feature film. It stunk" from austinmcconnell. Thank you again for watching 💪

thank you so much for sharing this 🙏🏾🙏🏾

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching 😄

Bro I feel your pain, I went through almost the same thing, only I had a proper crew, and decent budget.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching ❤ It's awesome that you got support when making your film, the problems wouldn't necessarily be fewer, but I imagine you had to deal with different types of problems. No film is problem free but the director's attitude is what matters. I would love to see the making of video if you ever make one.

Thank you for your story🤝

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching ❤

Super insightful video man!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you liked it! 😊

Congrats on making your dream a reality! And you learned and grew: that’s never a failure!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you! This dream was far different than I originally thought and strange to have fulfilled it already. After making this video I can finally breathe a little easier.

amazing thank you for sharing !

@kristjan-jonsson-film

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! 😁

I already fell in love with you narration. Trust me, One day I know that I will get to see your film in a theatre in India. Don't give it up. Stay inspirational.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! I'm working on my next one at the moment. Hopefully it will reach far but, time will tell 😊

@mxfg1535

Ай бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film You got this

This is an amazing video!

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🩷😁

Thank you for sharing this experience. It might not feel hopeful for you but I think it is

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you. I'm more hopeful for the future but also kinda scared making my next feature. It's great reading these comments and knowing this connects to some people ❤

Wow you had a lot of bad luck. I planned my feature big time and that does solve a lot of problems in advance for sure. But you being hit by a car is a total random act. I had a guy fall over some rocks and it looked like that might be the end of the movie but thankfully he was OK. Also thankfully I had not told him to go up there...but random stuff happens and you can't control everything. But you should control as much as you can. If you ever need help let me know. I'm only in the UK, it's not far away.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! The snowy weather had something to do with the car crash but un-avoidable nonetheless. One thing I didn't mention was that while I was shooting the party-scene, an extra knocked the camera off a table and the lenshood broke. I was careful not to get too angry but it was my fault for putting the camera there 😂 Thank you again and if I'm ever in the UK, I'll buy you a pint! Cheers 🍻

The SD Card issue got me laughing XD it's all about the learning apparently so you'll get better man

@kristjan-jonsson-film

7 ай бұрын

Yeah haha still one of my most embarassing moments. But, since then, I always bring back-up

I really like the cinematography

@kristjan-jonsson-film

12 күн бұрын

Thank you very much 😊

very brave video

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you ❤

Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on your degree and Tv job, I don't wanna sound nasty but most of your problems during shooting the film were your fault: you have to check equipment, you need to have a shot list, you need to lock locations, etc I hope your next film (if you decided to make another one) goes well

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching and I 100% agree. Almost all of my decisions were the wrong ones and it's almost a miracle it was finished 😂 good mistakes though

@ernestocaro9802

25 күн бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film Absolutely 👍🏾

❤

I just finished my first feature film and really enjoyed watching this. I know it was a hard experience but did you ever get distribution for the movie and make money off of it?

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. I thought about charging tickets at the premiere but most of the audience was family and crewmembers so it didn't feel right. I got some comments about issues and problems with the movie and quickly realised it just wasn't good enough. I just abandoned the film after the premiere, pretty much.

Vel gert🔥

@kristjan-jonsson-film

8 ай бұрын

Takk mann 💪😎

Attempting anything is hard.

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

For sure. If you want to do something the best you can, it should be hard

@failedfilmmaker

24 күн бұрын

But attempting nothing can be the hardest thing in the world.

Great channel keep up good work real talent these days have lot less views in contrast with tik tok shit with million views

@kristjan-jonsson-film

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! It's true tiktoks get more views in general, but the views on there don't necessarily equal engagement. Which is often frustrating because comments like yours really make my day! 😎🤩

🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝

Man you are so reckless to be a director but I hope you can made it and become a Big director someday

@kristjan-jonsson-film

24 күн бұрын

Thank you ❤ I was probably really influenced by all of those filmmakers that just say "Just do it!" And didn't really think much further than that

Maybe you should convert this into a feature film…

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

You mean like a bts documentary? Maybe 🤔 like D4Darious did with his feature, which I highly recommend. Thank you for watching ❤

@dirapropa

22 күн бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film Actually I mean not as a bts documentary…If you have seen the movie “disaster artist”, you may get an idea of what you should do with your experience. And I recommend you to watch “adaptation” also. When I watch this video it reminded me of adaptation. Good luck with your work buddy!

Come on bro 😭 you gotta think things out

@kristjan-jonsson-film

25 күн бұрын

I know right? Haha

How much did the film cost?

@kristjan-jonsson-film

20 күн бұрын

The dollar equivalent would be around $6000. But there was no set budget so it's not exact

Why didn't you let the producer handle all that?

@kristjan-jonsson-film

22 күн бұрын

I couldn't fit every little thing in the video, but basically I was producing most of the film myself and when I asked the supporting actor to help me produce, he didn't really know what that meant, but he mainly just got extras when we needed, like for the party scenes, and made sure we finished on time, which was great, but he wasn't always on set, that's when I took over. Very unorganized and amateur, but we learned a lot about what each role entailed

@21stcenturyscots

21 күн бұрын

@@kristjan-jonsson-film Sounds Like a Turbo Highway to Burn out. You were wearing a lot of hats! Respect! Well done!

I was in a relationship for around 3 years.a few months before we broke up we had a fight. After that i wrote a film about losing someone who we love. It was based on she and me. And a few months later we broke up. I decided im gonna do that film anyway, now that i look back at it, i wanted something to keep me busy. But since most of the dialogues are real conversation between she and i, it was hard for me. I spent a lot of money on that film and production was a mess. For some scenes I wasn't even on set cuz it was hard to hear those dialogues. And in the end it was a mess and i lost a lot of money. I don't think I'm recovered from everything yet. It's been 2 years since the breakup 🥲