Like the title suggests I want to make a short film, I have a camera and have messed with writing some scripts. But does anyone have any tips/ advice? Like things to avoid, things to try out etc. Thank you in advance! My setup right now is a Sony ZVE10 with a Sigma 30mm lens, no other equipment, I’ve only used it to take photos before.
#Any tips before making my first Short Film?
half mauve
vague orchid
Plan everything. Get a shot list, get a schedule, give yourself time estimates, line the script with every element you need to remember in different colors so you don't forget them. Make sure if you're doing any experimental work, you have to know it works before you do it on camera. Have a callsheet for everyone showing up. Have crafty and food figured out and there before people show up.
half mauve
Plan everything. Get a shot list, get a schedule, give yourself time estimates, ...
Thank you ! Im doing a lot of studying on how a lot of things work, its going to be something small with some friends to get my foot in the door
vague orchid
Thank you ! Im doing a lot of studying on how a lot of things work, its going to...
Be ready to fail, learn from the failure and make the next thing
solemn sage
Like the title suggests I want to make a short film, I have a camera and have me...
Make sure the script is clear and concise. The script is king. As Spielberg once said, if it’s not in the script, it’s not in the movie. That isn’t to say add too much flavor text—don’t do that, add those to your director’s notes. Find a balance, but make it clear to your readers/cast/crew.
Direct internally, not externally. What I mean is don’t tell an actor to “be sad” or “be happy,” give them a little snippet of subtext to nudge them in the direction you want them to go, while giving them the liberty to get there themselves.
Shoot for the edit. Especially in indie when budgets and resources are tighter, you don’t always have a ton of wiggle room to experiment. Plan out your film with shot lists, storyboards, schedules, and director’s notes/breakdown, and if you want to get really into shooting for the edit, make a paper edit out of your shot list/storyboard. The more you can just shoot what you need vs overshoot will help you stick with your resource restraints and teach you about resource management on a project.
Be ambitious, but not too ambitious. It’s good to push yourself to make something cool, new, exciting, and/or innovative, just make sure it’s something that is plausible for you to actually complete. Less is often more in this case.
And generally speaking, I cannot stress this enough—set and maintain expectations/boundaries. When working with others, which we so often do in this field, you need to make sure everyone is on the same page in order to keep the engine working properly.
Those are the broad strokes. It’s nearly 2AM here so that’s what I can come up with on tired brain. Good luck, hope it works out!
thin oyster