Sometimes all of the above.
For certain types of shots, recognize when more is better and communicate that to your crew. For example, more gore, more blood, more vomit, more air coming out of the wind machine.
(more…)Category: Production
Child of tip – Production
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #133
And it’s rarely in HD.
You might think having a setpiece that consists of video monitors tracking action all over a location is a cool thing, and in a lot of ways it can be, but think of each one of those video feeds as a completely separate short movie you have to make before you make the movie.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #132
…assuming you have a trailer.
The night before a shoot, check all costumes, props, locations, actors, gear, food, and crew. make sure everything’s ready. Make sure batteries are charging, tapes are striping*, etc.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #130
Unless it’s a really masterful master shot…
Don’t spend all your time getting the master shot. A master shot is important, true, but you need to get coverage, other angles, lots of things for your editor to use.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #129
Unless it’s a convertible.
Always lock your car doors when you go on set, and keep valuable hidden. Better yet, keep valuables either at home or on your person. Sure, it’s a closed set, and sure, everybody’s buddies, and sure, there’s Security keeping an eye on everything, but still. Lock your car.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #128
Stranger Danger!
If it’s not a small set or a closed set (well, why isn’t it?), make sure that the people who are supposed to be there (cast & crew) have badges or some other clear and obvious identifier. Everybody should keep their eyes out for people who don’t have this identifier.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #126
Explosive charges might not be a good idea.
Actors should never be allowed to take costume gear off set. You don’t have to keep their clothes hostage, but it can help.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #125
Finger-count must remain consistent.
Everybody working lights should get a pair of gloves. Even a cheap-o dollar-store pair of gloves is better than nothing. Lights can get very hot and you don’t want second-degree burns becoming a “badge of honor” on your sets. Spring for gloves.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #124
Eating’s kind of disgusting to watch.
Continuity’s even more important: Dinner scenes are really, really challenging because you have to make sure chicken legs don’t magically heal from one scene to the next. Pay close attention to who is eating what — or just plan to shoot around the plates.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #123
And then get back to work on the next one.
Make a big noise when you finish something. Celebrate, dammit — finishing a movie is a Significant Event!