Why Was My Film Rejected? - Response

The guidance offered to film festival applicants on the DC Shorts website was biting, entertaining, and solid advice. However, none of it was shocking or discouraging. It was a practical reiteration of the repeated lessons heard in production classes at UNCW - sound, editing, lighting, and story. It was a poignant reminder, especially to those of us pursuing careers in independent film, that success in filmmaking is enormously demanding. There were certain specific hints offered that were particularly useful. The warning against editing one's own project was a little rattling - so many of us aspire to have a hand in multiple aspects of the collaborative art form. The appeal of a good comedy is obviously rare, but I was a little surprised that the genre was set apart as having a particular pull in festivals. The one really striking piece of advice to me was - Work within the means of your crew, and think simple. Ego is not always a good thing to feed. This does not mean to limit oneself creatively, but merely to think within realistic limits of production. There is definately a level of perfectionism innate in quality filmmaking, and the advice supports that the same is expected by festivals. I look forward to the process - the lost money, repeated rejection, and thrill of filmmaking.
-tod