Digital video has revolutionized filmmaking.
With the explosion of the digital revolution, the movie-making floodgates have burst open as the lower cost to make movies using digital video as opposed to shooting with film allows you to explore this visual medium without a massive amount of money invested. Despite this technological innovation, there remains much more to making a movie than simply pointing a camera and yelling "Action." Independent movie-making is a discipline that requires multiple talents.
Instructions
1. Determine the budget for your movie. Keep in mind that you will need a cast, crew and one or more locations for shooting. If you spend long days shooting your movie, the cast and crew will need to be fed and, in case of any accidents, money may be needed for first aid. If you don't shoot on a soundstage or your own personal property, you will need to persuade location owners to allow you to shoot on their property for little or no money.
2. Write a script that allows you to shoot the movie you want within your budget. A movie with continuous explosions and vehicle chases may be a blast to write but unaffordable for you to actually make. "Break down the script" by combing through every element within the script and identifying every prop, location, cast needed in the shot, things that must be acquired for the shoot and anything else required to make certain you can get the highest possible production value for the budget you have available. Know what you have at your disposal and craft the best script you can using those elements.
3. Seek out and enlist the services of a good assistant director, or AD. Make certain you and this individual can have a compatible working relationship. The AD will help you, the director/writer/producer, enormously by breaking down the script, scheduling the shoot, preparing call sheets for cast and crew and otherwise freeing you to fully concentrate on the creative elements of the movie you want to make. Once you actually bark, "Action" and the production is running smoothly, you'll thank your AD for her work. Many independent productions fall apart because of poor organization in the preproduction phase.
4. Prepare! Familiarize yourself with the workings of your digital camera and know exactly how you want to shoot each scene before the time to actually shoot arrives. On the set, communicate with your actors to help them find the mental and emotional state in which to play their roles correctly. Be specific in your direction to obtain the objectives you seek in each scene in your movie. Explain to novice actors that movie production is often a slow, tedious process to help them pace their energy throughout the shoot. Rehearse and, if possible, host a social event with the cast and crew to improve everyone's comfort and boost camaraderie.
Tags: cast crew, will need, your movie, down script, each scene, help them, movie want
