There are some essential things filmmakers need to know (or they find out the hard way) before they step onto that first set. These lessons tend to come with experience, but in a world of youtube filmmakers and DSLRs, it’s better to list them out now to avoid painful mistakes later on during filmmaking.
It is only meant to help you aspiring Directors out there in building the relationships and experiences you need now to be successful later on.
DO Watch a lot of movies. The history of film is out there. And don’t just watch films – read books, go to museums. Inspiration can come from anywhere – a car show, who the hell knows? Go to bookstores and really listen to everyone around you. If you hire the right people, listen to them. There are great ideas from everyone. You get the greatest ideas from places you’d never expect.
DON'T Ever assume that what makes good news (i.e. true stories) translate into Oscar worthy short films. While they sometimes do, more often than not reality is not really that exciting on as on screen "entertainment" (unless you are indeed an Oscar worthy documentary filmmaker in the making of course).
DO Read the script every day and make sure that there isn’t a piece of fat on the script. When you’re working on a lower budget, you can’t waste four hours on a scene that won’t make it in the final cut.
DON'T Doubt the potential of your story and never doubt your ability to get it done.
DO Make sure that you've got a dedicated team and not people those who are hungry for wealth and fame. Chose not only talented people, check out that they're passionate too.
DON’T Cast drama queens or time optimists. Or actors that suck. One bad actor can ruin your film. Much like one that is always late or a no-show can break your budget.
DO Keep in mind that the audience is smarter than you think they are. You don’t have to give all the exposition.The audience is smart. They read a lot, are smarter and know how to fill in the gaps.
DON’T make the crew wait on you to do something non-production related. Unless you’re 10-1 or it’s an emergency, you are also on the clock. Put away Farmville for a few minutes.
DO Get creative. Don’t be afraid to be different. Who said you can’t make a short film about the emotional life of daffodils? If you are going to go out there, go all the way.
DON'T Be afraid to take a risk. Take chances!
DO learn the production schedule. Or at the very least, look at the call sheet. Have an idea of the shooting order. Always keep a mini-sides or mini-schedule clipped or tucked somewhere on your person. This helps immensely.
DON’T Let your film go on and on and on and on…. Us the editor for editing. If hesitant about any part of your film, take it out and see what you think – less is almost always more when it comes to short films. However, if it stinks, only cutting it down to 00:00 will help you.
DO Pick good collaborators. While your best friend, who also happens to be unemployed, is dying to be your cinematographer – remember that skill and experience is everything in a filmmaking team, so choose your collaborators wisely.
DON’T Get caught up in repetition. Don’t make short films for stupid people, make it for people who are switched on enough to get your joke in one twist, don’t kill off your story and comedy or drama with exposition and repetitious ****shit.
DO Make sure that you have a good script. Continue to condense your story and fine tune your characters. Your script will be the spine that carries your story through from shoot to screen, without it you could be a lost ship.
DON'T Have too much footage.
DO CREATE SHOTLISTS Holy god. But honestly, you want to see a shoot go smoothly? Sit down with your DP and make a nice, detailed shotlist to guide through production. It’s not set in stone, but goddamn does it help. If you can’t do that, at the very least, walk through the scene ahead of time with your AD & DP. The AD can at least write down shot ideas and go from there.
DON'T Showcase everything in the trailers which is there in the film. Do not give an over hype so that the audience expect a lot from the film. If they don't get of what they expect, they will surely regret watching the film. Try to understand the pulse of the audience beforehand.
DO See that the film has decent production values too. Not even for a second, the audience should feel that this scene would have been more realistic, this doesn't seem like a fight. Or else the audience should be able to connect to the story in such a way that even they see mistakes, they're not able to point them out.
DON’T Rush into production. Make sure your script (or at least your story) is in solid shape. While production will allow you to see new things and venture into new territory, you will not find your way back unless you know where you are going in the first place. Don’t lose your story before production even starts, by neglecting the importance of your script.
DO Know what the audience expects from the film and give them that. Now, what the audience expect depends on your promotions, the posters,teasers,trailers.
DON’T be upset if a last minute change you wanted to make can’t come to fruition. There’s a process to scheduling that involves many phone calls, emails, blood, sweat, and tears. Sometimes we can get that bull to set at the last minute to be an awesome background item for the shot, but sometimes that bull is booked on other gigs and if it wasn’t booked in advance, you’re shit out of luck.
Happy filmmaking! Good Luck!
