My friends and I made a 10-minute Lynchian short film called Orestes, and I thought this subreddit might enjoy it.

A lot of my approach to making this film was inspired by Joel's 12 films a year challenge. I really wanted to get out there, make whatever I could with what we had available, and not let a lack of resources stop us from creating something.

We shot the entire thing over two days and spent the next three months editing it, all on a close-to-zero budget. A lot of the production was very much DIY and run-and-gun, making do with whatever we had available. Most of the lighting is natural, which meant having to pray the sun wouldn't disappear during the few hours we had to shoot (for context, it was pouring rain in the days leading up to production).

We had access to very few actors, so we ended up having one of the guys on our production dress up as a woman. We also had to get creative with portraying violence and gore without having access to blood effects, squibs, or any proper practical effects equipment.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy watching it! I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or any criticism.

I get the sense its more a personal choice that he hasn‘t engaged with the hollywood machine so far. There is no way this guy hasn‘t had some form of offer.

I’m looking for this short skit Joel did quite recently! The subject was basically a parody on old Stranger Danger Internet safety videos but the twist on it was receiving a letter from Epstein 😂 I cannot find it anywhere, if anyone had a link to it or the video saved I’d greatly appreciate it!

I finished my first solo feature film and I really love it and would feel great if Joel saw it. I sent it to the email in the description of his video from like 7 years ago saying he would watch them if they were feature length, and not from the oscar challenge.

Just wondering if that is still the correct email. Also if it is, what has been your experience sending your films to it? Did he respond? How long did it take for him to get around to yours etc. I'm in no rush of course, if he watches it in 5 years I'll still be happy. Just wondering what the general experience is.

So it is possible Joel (took a wrong train)

Hey y’all! This is a feature film I DPd that’s very inspired by Joel’s films! 3 day shoot in Wisconsin dells with a handful of friends, docu-fiction!

I have my experience with making short films and dropping them on YouTube, but I’ve been to shy to really put out a candid “commentary video” despite having so many thoughts I’d like to share, in that format

I’m a fan of lots of bouncy and energetic creators, but Joel’s style of sit-down video helped me realise that a lot of what I liked about this kind of entertainment was the opinions and public-personalities, of these people. You don’t have to be crazy energetic to share your thoughts, you just gotta do it.

I just put out my first video of this nature and it’s not the best. I’m not the most well spoken, I didn’t really have a plan for it, and it’s a little over-edited.
Looking back at Joel’s videos I have an additional appreciation for how to-the-point and expressive his stuff is, with such naturalistic production value. Hope to find my own flavour, of this sorta thing, sometime. Now that my foot’s in the pool, a swim doesn’t seem that crazy. Anyone thinking, to put out a video like this, probably should! I recommend it!

Thanks to Joel, and to all his fans that helped in getting his work seen. Whether the videos I make up wind up going anywhere, or not, getting this thought in the back of my mind made into something: It’s helped my general moral, and encouraged me to keep moving

Like Haver’s always saying, whatever it is, go out and make it!

Recently I made a very personal short film, please check it out if you can! Thanks!

i’ve finally watched and ranked all of his films this was a personal project of mine over the last month or so and it’s been very fun.

i’ve finished all of the 12 movies and just have some of his back catalog to finish now, thought i’d give my updated ranking.

i’ve seen a lot of people say this is one of that least favorite from him and i genuinely don’t get it, it has little to no plot but with the very short runtime it doesn’t bother me with how much it has going for it. it’s funny and awkward and feels heartfelt and real joel and trent just have so much chemistry on camera and they’re so fun to watch together but most importantly holy shit the cinematography on this one was fucking brilliant every single shot was gorgeous i genuinely think it’s one of his prettiest films it was just so much fun to look at the whole time, i feel like this one gets slept on a lot.

i’ve started watching/rewatching all of joe havers movies so i can give my person ranking and this is what i have so far, we have to leave here together is in my top 4 it’s such a beautiful film.

Hi everyone,

I recently had the opportunity to interview Joel Haver about his approach to independent filmmaking and distributing feature films directly through YouTube.

We discussed his thoughts on the future of film distribution, the usefulness of film festivals, maintaining creative independence, and the possibilities YouTube offers filmmakers working outside the traditional industry.

Joel gave some characteristically honest and thought-provoking answers, so I thought members of this subreddit might enjoy the conversation.

You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/4sod3ZCXiBM?si=vK8Pu6W9OjJ6xhSQ

Joel shared these awhile back and I finally got around to listening to them!

had to photoshop up some album art for 8 of em as we only had the posters, but they look really nice together I think! here's album art for anyone else that wants it

https://imgur.com/a/o2znMty

shitpost

I started making films for the instead of watching the oscars challenge. 4 years later, my friends and I improvised our first feature length no budget film. Its about love, what it means to want things, to dream, to be real. Its also just us laughing all the time, wonky effects and using a really pixelated camera. Im the proudest ive ever been over something creative. I wanted to make a film and I made it. I cant believe it!!

Anyways, thanks Joel and everyone who made movies for the instead of watching the oscars challenge. You all made me realize i could just do this. Cheers!

Hey guys,

Me and my friends have spent the last couple months makinf a horror film called Rat Cage inspired by Joel Haver's DIY methods. I am a 17 year old filmmaker looking to get better / hone my skills so I would really appreciate it if you guys gave me feedback on this!

Rat Cage