Any filmmaking tip
Don’t be afraid to get close with the camera. A movie made all out of long shots (because the Director was afraid to get close) is a movie without any emotional context whatsoever. Get in there and get some of that!
(more…)To simulate a full moon, try strapping a 1K Lowell DP, at the end of your longest tripod or C-stand to the top of a fully extended extension ladder. It worked surprisingly well for us. We were able to cut the light through apple trees, which made for even niftier shadows. Gel it if you want. Spooooooky!
(more…)If you’re going to trigger a cue with a countdown and decide to trigger it early to get a better reaction of surprise, you should be confident your actor(s) can handle the unexpected so you don’t have to reshoot the scene should they break character.
(more…)If your actors absolutely cannot act whatsoever, or freak out once the camera’s on, make a big noise about your DP turning the camera off while you run through some off-camera rehearsals. Have the DP filming this secretly (“Just pulling focus, guys — don’t mind me!”). No matter how crappy an actor might be, they can usually be themselves with some reasonably convincing skill.
(more…)If you’re stealing a shot (and we all do it), be quick, quiet, fuss-free, and the bare absolute minimum of crew. Get in, get the shot, and get out.
(more…)It’s probably the case that someone else has done it before, but don’t let that worry you. No one’s done it quite like you plan to, and for each story out there, there are a million variations.
(more…)Making movies is fun. Never forget that. Maybe some folks do it only for the money, but I doubt it. I think they still want to have fun, and making movies is fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re probably not doing it right. Don’t get me wrong — it can be hard work, but the big picture is that it should be fun. Have fun!
(more…)There’s nothing wrong with getting paid, or with volunteering, or with accepting credit and copy. Some people need money, some people need a fun activity, and some people need to build up their portfolio. Everyone has to take care of their own soul, and no one ought to be lording it over anyone else.
(more…)Do not upgrade your system in the middle of a big project. You can wait until it’s finished, and then do your upgrade. This includes OS upgrades, CPU upgrades, application upgrades, etc.
(more…)On every shoot, there’s at least one person whose phone rings. The first time it happens, there’s a little bit of razzing, and then you move on quickly. The second time it happens, it’s trouble. If it’s not you that first time, use that tiny bit of razz-time to make sure your phone won’t go off. Even if you’re sure, check again. The second phone must never be you.
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