The Independent Filmmaker

This is a brief guide in bullet points giving an insight into the basic things an aspiring filmmaker should consider when making a film.

Pre-production:

• Synopsis – the basic idea
• Key aims
• Key messages
• Style and Treatment – is it going to be funny, serious, documentary style…
• Target audience & outlet

The role of a director/filmmaker:

• Brief the designers and graphics personnel
• Direct the camera-person and the editor
• Shots, and Reccee selection - Must do in pre-production
  
• Creating a happy and workable environment
• Storyboarding - Must do in pre-production
• Directing the actors/actresses

Things to think about when making and editing the film:

• Every scene has it’s own life span, and within that scene every shot has it’s own life span – you have to know this, and learn when the right moment is to change to the next shot
• Is the scene absolutely necessary? If you take it out will it take away from the story?
• What does this current shot tell you? What am I saying?
• Unfold your story – frames should link together
• One shot can tell a million things about the sort of organisation and budget that has been involved

Added notes – Things to think about:

• What is your motive for making this video
• What do you want your audience to think or feel
• How do you motivate those who don’t care and those who do
• There are no half-days – payment is full for budgeting
• Daily Budget costs – crew, equipment, food, travel…
• Shooting schedule & crew schedule
• Handheld shots are normally associated with documentary and horror
• Know the rights to filming – handheld is fine, but once you set up a tripod you have to have a license and pay for rights

Remember, that the most important process of making any film is in the pre-production. Plan your pre-production in full depth and detail, and you will then find that the rest of the filming process becomes much smoother, and less stressful. Nothing is more stressful when shooting and not knowing what shots you want and how you want them, or when doing the editing process without a storyboard.

Written by i-genius member: Barry Crisp