First up: Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture.
Dunham made this film in 2009, at the age of 23. She wrote it, directed it, and she plays the lead role (her mother, photographer Laurie Simmons, plays her character's mother, and her sister plays her character's sister). It premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin in 2010, where it won an award for Best Narrative Feature, and it went on to win Best First Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards. Here's the trailer:
If the trailer appeals, I think you'll enjoy the movie. If not, not. It's an accurate encapsulation. On the IMDB message board for the film, you'll find a post entitled "Natalie Portman's favorite film of 2010," as well as one entitled "Could be the worst movie I've ever seen." Personally, I enjoyed it, though it's very much a New York Indie (or more specifically a Tribeca Indie--it was shot in her mother's loft/art studio) about an immature, neurotic twenty-something with a sense of entitlement. Much of the humor and emotion springs from witnessing Dunham's character behave in sometimes cringe-inducing fashion. And anyone who has ever been (or is) a twenty-something will, unfortunately, find at least something to relate to.
Did I mention Dunham made this at age 23? I'll mention it again. And I'll add that it was shot entirely with this:
This is the Canon EOS 7D, which currently goes for $1,500, not including lenses. It's a digital still camera that also shoots HD video. Shooting movies and TV shows with such DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras is becoming more and more common. It's very economical, and, as you can see in the trailer, the results are pretty impressive. Ever considered making a movie?
No? Consider this: After Tiny Furniture gained attention, Dunham was signed by Judd Apatow (writer/director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, producer of Bridesmaids) to create a series for HBO. And she did. It's called Girls (starring herself) and premieres April 15.
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