i made a movie. it stunk.

In 2013, I shot a film called "Sprouting Orchids". Here's a retrospective about the production. If you're a first-time filmmaker, you need to watch this.

[gnaek]

Bad movie turned into the best "making of/behind the scenes" video ever

[Lazdinger]

“I’m Austin McConnell and this is my Master Class.”

[zactocher]

This wasn't a "making of" or a "behind the scenes video". This was a short film about the life of a filmmaker creating their first feature film. Simply an amazing short.

[BusyBeeStitchery]

“Planting Orchids”- a movie about a young director’s challenges as he shoots his first film.
THIS is the movie you should make, my man.

[JimsEquipmentShed]

The important thing, is you did it.
How many people have abandoned a dream before they even started.
You followed, completed, and documented the process.

[mviewsnt]

don't worry guys. this video's revenue alone may 10 times the movie budget.

he did it

[PaulKyriazi]

Walt Disney said, "Everyone should have a big failure at a young age." He didn't say why, but he said it on film. His failure was loosing his Oswald character to a NYC distributor. He invented Mickey Mouse on the train ride back to LA. Hey Austin, you completed a movie. Completed. Congratulations. .

[larryroyovitz]

I'm 44 now, but I spent most of my "youth", lets say 16 to 32-ish, trying my hardest to make it in the music scene. That was a decade and a half that cost me so much money. It was very hard work. It never paid off. There were times when it came close, but something always "messed it up". Although not the same, I know how you feel. We bleed for our art. And now, I'm an old man and have given up on the "dream" for over a decade. I am not bitter though. Some of that time was the some of the best times of my life.

[JackassBauer]

"Everyone have a plan until they get punched in the face..."
-Mike Tyson

[ladyioan]

wow that was brutally honest, well done!

[HouseholdHacker]

Wow, that was deep. Watched the entire thing. Stick with it!

[AlienMythos]

That pain in your voice at the end, I have felt it. Nothing can cut deeper than putting everything you have into something that ends up unloved. It's been nearly five years since you released this video and I'm just now seeing what you and your channel are about. But, I am willing to bet that what you have done with this past five years is awesome.

[ThomasFlight]

Damn man. As somebody who's made a no-budget short film, worked on people making low-budget features, I can relate. You should know this 30 minutes is one of the best bits of storytelling I've seen in a while. I felt more at the end, then I have watching any film recently. You're doing what you set out to do, just maybe not in the way you initially imagined. Here's hoping you get that second go at things!

[FusionAnimations]

As a fourteen-year old who is hoping to one day get the chance to produce a film, I'm grateful that you've shared this story.

[greg]

He's made a movie
He's made a book
He's been the CEO of a company
He's been a voice actor
He's
Done
*E* *V* *E* *R* *Y* *T* *H* *I* *N* *G*

[paulinerenoult]

As an "emerging" filmmaker, I watched your video and had tears coming to my eyes, listening to your testimony. Filmmaking is definitely not an easy art, and talking about PTSD is not out of the charts either. I had to quit my job this year, working on a multi-million production movie, (I was at one of the lowest job in the food chain of that production), because I almost wanted to end my days due to bullying by one of my superiors on top of some extreme bad events happening in my personal life. Since, I got diagnosed with PTSD. Long story short, this inspired me to write a script, which turned out to be a feature length script. I feel it's about time to make this movie happen. So I will, because I need to like most filmmakers. I hope you are doing better (you sound like you are, towards the end of your video) and I wish you the best in the future to make new film projects, whether they will be shorts or features. Take care

[OrrinMonro]

This is by far one of the most expertly crafted, well structured and beautifully delivered 30 minutes on YouTube. Honest, emotional and deeply personal, Austin, thank you for sharing your story.

[EricNorcross]

PTSD from indie filmmaking is a very real thing. It took me five years to deal with my own.

[estebanmendez]

I have no words.


"I see a scared obsessed an angry 23-year-old who knows he's not going to be the thing he told himself he'd by 24".
That phrase hit me hard


This video just hit me hard.


One of my favs original videos on YT.


Amazing video Austin, soon as my financial situation improves, count with my support in Patreon, is the least I can do for you.

[Jontendoo]

evil be like: “stunk is a word i am very happy you used it correctly and are appreciating my language”