FILMMAKING                             
                        FROM SCRIPT TO CAMERA                                                           

Writing your script can be a long process.  But if you can envision it in your mind then the process should come a long a lot easy.  Heres how it looks...

ACT 1                                                        
25%
This is an introduction to your characters and for your audience to get to know them.

ACT 2
50%
This is where all the important stuff goes. At this point we should have already have gotten to know the characters and whats going on.

ACT 3
25%
And now this is where you end it. 

Remember if you want to succeed you need to focus on whats your strongest genre. If its say horror then stick with that genre. Plus know your audience. Not everybody will like what you do. So focus on your audience that loves your work.  If you feel that certain genres don't work for you. Don't give up. Find your niche.  I'm a horror writer. But when starting my first film it was a drama and have been doing more dramas then that of horror.  So you never know. Horror isn't as easy as one might think. Its tough to scare people. But I'll get into that later.  A lot of aspiring filmmakers are so hyped up about doing a story they rush it with out thinking about it first. Usually when rushed its like anything it just doesn't come out the way you wanted it to. Stay focused and you'll see that your script will take form the way you wanted it to. 

                                                     StoryBoarding & Shot Listing                                                   

Storyboarding:

You don't have to be an artist to do storyboards. You can create stick people. Storyboards are just for references on how you want to set up certain shots within your film.

Storyboard from Hitchcock's iconic film Psycho. Here the infamous shower scene is mapped out in storyboard format.  If you really watch Psycho it was a masterpiece in filmmaking. The shower scene alone with the quick cuts to bring out the tension of the scene was genius.  Hitchcock truly was a master filmmaker.  Hitchcock really was  the master of suspense and knew how to draw his audience in.  In some film studies this is what you'll be taught. To really watch a film and see what they do to hook their viewers in. You master this you'll get to where you want to be.  I'm adding the shower scene and really watch it. Its a simple little scene but a very strong part of the plot. And its not often where you'll find a film where the lead is killed off so quickly.  True genius.

Janet Leigh will be forever remembered as the character in Psycho that gets slashed up but the psychotic Norman Bates(Played by Anthony Perkins) in the shower. At the time of its release people often said they were now afraid to go into the shower.  A remake was of coarse made starring Vince Vachon as Bates and Anne Heche. But it didn't catch what Hitchcock had done. The remake was a complete and utter failure.




      Psycho Shower scene(Click to view)



Shot Listing

Well a shot list is pretty much the same thing as a storyboarding. The difference is this time around your doing it with words and numbers instead of drawing it out.  You can also number your script and line the two up. Say you have Scene 24 on the script and then you add it to the shot list. I personally usually use storyboarding. But its what ever works for you as a cinematographer or D.P.

                                  WHAT IF I HAVE NO MONEY?                                            

Well this one comes up quite a bit. If you have no money dose this mean you cant make your film? No. If you have a script, equipment and some devoted actors anything is possible ladies and gentleman. My 5 minute short I did in 24hours. Had myself manning the camera. A script and actors that were committed to it. Having money is power yes. But its not everything.  Its about proper story structure. Telling a good story is the key to making great films if done right.  I've made quite a few films with out a budget.  It can be done.

Another great idea that has propelled a few to higher ground within the studio machine.  One being most noted is James Wan with SAW. Wan created a short on SAW as a pitch idea. It worked. Usually if you do it this way its easier. Simply because a million scripts go over the desk of studio execs everyday. Something visual is more appealing.  Another film that comes to mind was in the form of MAMA. A short that was done by a brother and sister team(Andy & Barbara Muschietti) that caught the eye of Guillermo Del Toro.  This little short got the brother and sister duo a feature film deal from this short film.  Sticking a long the lines of the no budget to small budget subject. Remember all the well known filmmakers you idolize all started out somewhere.  Playing the film festivals is a great start. If your a serious filmmaker you'll want to do this and see how far you can take your film or films.  Remember just because your American or Canadian doesn't mean you shouldn't invade the worldwide market. I'll explain more about this later. Anyway so you haven't got a pot to piss in. No problem. Heres a few solutions...


Small Crew that commit.

- Having a small crew limits the amount of problems.  Often when your crew is to large problems occur with jealousy or not enough cash to feed a whole lot of people. Remember if you have limited funds how can you feed 20 to 30 people? Studios have funds. You don't. Its good to at least have about 10 people or less in a crew.


Upstart actors or Actors looking to do your film(s) for demo reels.

- Usually newbie actors are eager to get the experience to build their resume. But test them first to make sure they can in fact actually act.  Because most of the time if they can't act your looking at a longer day then you really wanted. Plus if you have scheduled locations that really messes that up.  Say if you have a location from 9am to 2pm. You have somebody that can't act your screwed.  Another scenario is if you have a few locations to shoot at in a day. Well same deal. Sometimes an actor starting out can surprise you but you really need to bring out their strengths.


Gorilla and/or Run and Gun shooting

- Well this is simple. You have no money obviously you can't afford insurance and/or permits for locations. So you goto plan B. You find a location you want(One thats usually away from civilization) and you get in there. Shoot the scenes really quick and get the Hell out of there.


Friends and family that have available locations

- Well if you have friends or family that have a place they can offer you to shoot at then this is a plus.
It saves you from spending any money to obtain a permit or doing it "Gorilla Style" or "Run and Gun". If your friends are true friends then there always happy to let you shoot there.

                        NO YOUR NOT TARANTINO                                            

Okay your looking at the title and thinking who the Hell does this guy think he is? I love Tarantino and want to make films like him. WRONG. This isn't meant to be negative and I'm not saying you can't. But DON'T. Why? Because he has his own style and has mastered it for over 20 years now. You should find your own style. I mean its fine to incorporate his style into your films. But to actually try and mimic a man that has been doing it for over 20 years.  Even Tarantino would tell you the same thing if he was writing this. He still watches other peoples films. All I'm saying is find your own niche.
Remember originality in this business is key.  Thats what made Spielberg, Tarantino, Lucas etc House hold name because they were unique.  Take Robert Rodriguez for instance. Like he's stated before his films are shot low budget but are made to look expensive. Saves you money to leave more spending on other film projects you have on the table.

 Here is a 10 minute video on Robert Rodriguez teaching you film in 10minutes. For the most part this video tells the truth. Learning this in 10minutes is really saying its easy. Its not. It takes a lot of work & dedication when you take it seriously. Anyway take a look at it.





                    10 Minute Film School


               FILM SCOOL the WEB and OTHER STUFF         

- Film School

Film school is good for Networking as there are like minded people that want to make films just as bad as you. But my personal preference as well as a lot of big name filmmaker will tell you that film school is a waste of money. I got a call from a major school that I won't list here. Told him I was already out there doing it and he asked why I contacted him for and that I don't need it. The real reason? To Network.  But in the end its by choice really.



- Green Screen

Picture yourself going crazy because you can't obtain a location you've always wanted. You can't sleep.  Your pacing through out your home or where ever. Not to fret.  There is hope. Make yourself a green or blue screen.

DIY: GREEN SCREEN Stand

The possibilities are endless with Green or Blue screening. My preference is green but either colour will work.  Say if you want to have one of your characters in Paris France and your other in New York City. You can with the magic of green or blue screening.  The key is your imagination when it comes to this technique.  



- Cheaper but effective editing software

There is cheap editing software out there ladies and gentlemen that are effective and do the trick. Such as FCP X. I use it and have had absolutely no issues or problems with the software at all.  And I've worked with them all. Editing software is editing software. The key is to get your film done and out there for the world to see.


- Using the Web.

With so many video uploading sites out there like youtube, vimeo, dailymotion, blinkamovie etc You have quite a few platforms to showcase your respective work.  Believe it or not some filmmakers have shot to a higher platform within the film world just by showcasing their shorts to features on these and other sites. You just never know. Distribution is one of the difficult parts within the film industry.  So use the web and take advantage of its resources.


           WHAT IF I NEED A BUDGET?         

Well there is a few ways you can go with this.  You can do it by going through privet funding which often means you'd have to go in front of possible investors and show them a detailed look at your film project. Another route with privet funding is going through family and friends.
Then there is through corporations. If there is business's  out there willing to front you some cash its usually the same same deal to which you'd still have to provide information about your film. Next up web resources. Only two so far come to mind in that of kickstarter and indiegogo. These two sites are like pitches for your respective projects. You make up a video or show your product to people and if they like your ideas then they'll put up money. Yes that simple. But you must offer something in return like a credit in the film, or a copy of it, or if you have a star within it then autographs or lunch or on set with them. Something that will hook people in. But be cautious. You may not make the amount you desire. If you do don't waste it on a RED camera just because you think its cool. I know people RED cameras and they don't have a clue on how to use them. Remember hook them in with a detailed presentation.


          INDYpendent vs HOLLYWOOD      





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                       VS


Believe it or not us indy filmmakers have access to CGI effects as well and with a little imagination we are both on an even playing field in terms of tell great stories(Often better ones).  I mean take District 9. A great film which some would say is a Masterpiece(Including myself). You to can do the tricks they did within that film. If you can find a great matte painter and CG artist and add a little green screening its a match made in Heaven.  Plus playing around with colours correction is also a plus to set the proper mood. Usually with Sci-Fi its green. When its nice and sunny out its a brownish tinge. With winter usually a blue. But my advice fool around with it a little. But heres another difference between the two sides. Bigger crew. Yes HollyWood can afford thousands of people. This in turn makes the film process go faster. But remember their on deadlines. With them they want a film done and in post like in 6 months. They want it out there to sell it. HollyWood thinks money. We think about creating good films with our minds instead of with our wallets.   The best genre to use up and coming actors is in horror and sic-fi.  A lot of filmmakers and actors started out in horror and sic-fi. Such as Johnny Depp in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Kevin Bacon in Friday the 13th. Jennifer Aniston in Leprechaun and so on. Horror is still a HUGE draw at the box office, VOD and other outlets.   But the thing is HollyWood doesn't want independent to exist anymore. They pawn off some of their films at major film festivals like CANNES, SunDance and TIFF as independent. But fact is they're not. The films have big names in them as well as studio backing. The major studios have bought out several web outlets so they can control it and so you'll only watch their films. True independence means imagination.  But overall the true struggle here is money. Money equals power and freedom.  Plus if us indy folks had that kind of cash we'd be on easy street.



NEXT EDITION:

- Lets burn the house down with out even playing with actual fire.

- Stanley Kubrick(An artistic Genius)

- Playing with Shadows

- Is X-Rated films really considered filmmaking?

- Lighting a green screen and where your subject should stand

- 180 Rule

- FILM vs Digital

And More.....