How To Make a Film
How to make a film
Where do I start?
Well, it depends on what you call a film.
There are a couple of films that are pretty common.
The first is with your iPhone. Yes it can be done and it can be done quickly but is it a film you can show at your cinema? Not really.
The second is when you simply switch on your 35mm DSLR and record everything. Usually chaotic, boring, and lacks in editing. I would call it a film. I think once you see it neither would you.
The third way is the way we make films.
Idea
Script
Planning
Production
Location
Team
Sound
Cinematographer
Lights
Make-Up
Runners
Food
Timings
Schedules
Call schedule
Players/actors
Editors
Post-production.
That is a list of 18 things ONLY. There are far more and too many to list here.
Let's take a closer look at one of our projects.
We recently accepted a new film commission. The film was a Zombie short.
The first thing we did after our initial conversation was to take a good look at the script offered and then send it over to our writers. The script was then written again as was the plan for the film. We moved the film from comedy to horror suspense.
This raises one question. What do we want the film to do? This really means what do we want the audience to feel when they watch the film? Or - how do we want them to react?
This gave us more room to play with and it also gave the client a stronger showcase after post-production and delivery.
The next thing was how to pull the whole idea together or the production of the film. This can be simple or complicated. The original script had three locations. This meant three huge upheavals of equipment and then taking the whole crew over to the new location. This can add an extra two days to the shoot. So we looked at the single location yet with clever filming and set-up we made a single location look like multiple locations.
This required a lightning man, set planner, and good directing even at this early stage. Once this was agreed the next step is to plan the actual shoot. This means creating a storyboard, mood board, sample shots, the lens to be added and used for each shot, and of course each shot has to reveal a mood or atmosphere of what we are aiming for with the film. This can take a few weeks of planning. Once done we then have to set up the location with lights and then test all of the lighting and other setup arrangements. Each light is carefully set up, measured, and viewed through the camera lens.
The next thing to consider is the actors in the film. Who are they? Who is the main character? What is he or she like? Why should the audience love or hate them? What is the personality of that character and so forth? Once the actors are pulled together and briefed with scripts etc there is also the question of costumes and make-up. For 12 Zombies. They all need around 45 minutes each (in this case because we used fresh zombies). This meant a very early start- for make-up.
On the day of the shoot our director (myself) takes control of the film alongside his trusted cinematographer and team. Everything is carefully watched, stopped, edited, started again from the eye of the director’s monitor.
In this case, we spent around 16-hours filming.
The 16-hours film will eventually be made into a FIVE MINUTE short. Yes, you read that right we spent 16-hours shooting for a 5-minute film.
Why?
Well if you want the highest quality you must have the very best to play within the edit. 16-hours of film gives us a ton of film we can get the very best shots from.
Then of course the post-edit production. Here we like to give ourselves 90-days to deliver a film. It can be done quicker but it depends on budget.
Our cameras cost around £2ok. We turn up with thousands and thousands of pounds worth of film gear and a minimum of 10-12 pros on the team.
So it really depends on what you want when you decide on making a film?
It really depends on your budget?
It really depends on your desired outcome for the film?
Make a plan.
Write a list.
Bring in some experts.
Get started.
But the biggest advice I can offer you if you want to make a film is this…
Plan.
Plan.
Plan.
This will give you the best result.
If you need help putting together the highest quality film with the best team of writers, directors, filmmakers, and creators just ask.