SOPHMORE IN HIGHSCHOOL UNSURE OF WHERE TO BEGIN TO MAKE A SHORT INDEPENDENT FILM!
Question: alright, so i know ive got talent, i need a way of showing it. no better way then by creating my own short film. i could find some actors at my school, the only problem is the camera. and a useful way to keep it steady, since i obviously cant afford the normal equipment. i know a tripod it great but i enjoy the technique when i can move along with the actor rather than just keeping the camera in one place. any help from independent film makers? i need suggestions on what to use when putting this together? any useful editting software names would be helpful aswell.
Answers: alright, so i know ive got talent, i need a way of showing it. no better way then by creating my own short film. i could find some actors at my school, the only problem is the camera. and a useful way to keep it steady, since i obviously cant afford the normal equipment. i know a tripod it great but i enjoy the technique when i can move along with the actor rather than just keeping the camera in one place. any help from independent film makers? i need suggestions on what to use when putting this together? any useful editting software names would be helpful aswell.
You first need to write out a script. Make sure the story is good and tight with few (if any) holes. Something edgy and fast paced, nice twists in it and so on.
After the script, you need to storyboard it. Plan out all your shots you want to use in the sequence in which you want them. Draw them all out and don't be afraid of closeups. It seems that a lot of beginners are afraid of closeups. Storyboarding is one of the most critical things you can ever do in a movie and it can help you greatly. It'll definitely make everything go much more smoothly and if everything goes smoothly then it'll lead to happier actors.
Next, make shot lists for each scene. This makes everything so much easier. You can organize how you want to shoot everything as you want to (out of order or all in sequence). This is a hell of a lifesaver when you're in the field shooting and will save you lots of grief and time.
Equipment-wise. Be creative. That is the most important thing for any filmmaker. Creativity saves money, the all important figure in making a movie. Try to figure out how to use the equipment you have in new ways. I don't have a stabilizer or steadicam and instead I got fluid following shots by tightening my tripod pan arm and I put it up on my shoulder to stabilize it. Don't get hung up on equipment, this is what most amateurs do. They try to get the best equipment and don't know how to use it or compose a shot well. Focus on composing good shots and people will forgive lack of equipment.
Not sure what you mean by "putting this together." I'm guessing you mean editing. If you're looking to get into editing full time as a career, invest in a Mac. You can get Final Cut Pro which is an excellent NLE (non linear editing) system. You have tons of tracks and a lot of leeway to make your own effects. You can also go with the industry standard of Avid. Great NLE and a very useful program to know since most of Hollywood uses it. However, FCP is only Mac based and both FCP and Avid are very expensive. If you want to go a cheaper route, you can go with Sony Vegas (terrible program in my opinion, poor workflow format), Adobe Premier Elements or Premiere Pro, or Pinnacle (very buggy system IMO). These all run for about $100-$200 and work on PC. Not sure if Adobe Premiere works on Mac or not.
You can also go with an extremely basic program that everyone has: Windows Movie Maker or if you have a Mac: iMovie. Don't ever be ashamed to use these programs. They aren't flashy but making a movie isn't about how many effects you can put in (unless you're Michael Bay) but instead its about how you cut the movie together to make a story compelling and fluid. I've edited on WMM and they came out better than people who used FCP. It's all about how you tell the story, not about what equipment you use.
Let me know if you have other questions or need help in a particular area of production. I can give you a bit of creative feedback that can help your movie along. IM or E-mail me.
PS. If you've got actors working for free...at least offer them food....they'll be thankful for it and will be happier to help you out later on.
Personally I think that you are an arrogant spoiled lied to child that more than likely has no talent whatsoever!
To the first answer: I don't know what their problem is. It's rare to find someone now-a-days that isn't so down on themselves. I think it's great that you recognize your talent.
Anyway, not sure about software, I usually just use Windows Movie maker. It's okay for simple things. But for your camera, my friend and I make short videos for fun, and we just use a cart with wheels on it. It sounds kind of cheesy, but in the end result it looks pretty good!
Check with your school to see if there is a camera club or Tech club. Contact the nearest cable company or PBS channel. You may be able to use their equipment and facilities. Get to know the people who do this in your neighbourhood and volunteer with them to gain some experience.
Put the tripod on wheels or dolly and you can roll it along as well.
You do not have to reinvent anything. Work with a mentor to pick up methods to refine your own style.