IN THE WORLD OF FILMMAKING

PREPARATION IS KEY

GOOD PLANNING IS THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS.

THERE IS NO GUESSING OR LUCK INVOLVED.

YOU CANNOT BE FULLY CREATIVE IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY ORGANISED...

Filmmaking is made up of different creative processes:

Script writingStoryboardingTest shooting

ShootingEditing

STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPT

You should write your ideas down – don’t rely on memory.

Write it down in a simple way –

actions and emotions.

STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPTA male student is at college. The student is listening to music on his headphones as he

walks across the car park with his bike. He chains up his bike and fixes his bag over his shoulder, holding it carefully.

The bell rings in college and students start to disperse to their lessons. The bell doesn't

appear to distract this student. Instead, with his eyes fixed and headphones still on, he heads towards the quadrangle, walking in the opposite direction to other students.

Other students glance over their shoulder with a confused look, wondering where he is going. He continues to walk across the quadrangle - staring ahead of himself.

Suddenly he stops dead in his tracks, almost freezing. There appears to be nobody visible around him. He pulls down his headphones slowly and brings his bag around to his front, while continuing to stare forward. He calmly reaches into his bag. We see one

final look of his stare, before he closes his eyes tightly shut.

END OF SCENE.

STEP 1: WRITING YOUR SCRIPTEXT. - COLLEGE CAR PARK – DAY

A male student is at college.

INT. - BEDROOM – NIGHT

The student is in his bedroom.etc.

STEP 2: WALK THROUGHWalk through your script. Act it out.

If possible, do it on location. Will help you identify any problems with script

/any problems with the potential locations.You will learn more about the potential

successes or failures of your project. Find the problems early!

STEP 3: DIGITAL STORYBOARD

Take a variety of different frames, angles and shot types.

Print them or put them on your phones as reference for filming.

STEP 4: SHOT LIST

ALWAYS have a shot list.

Annotate your script.

STEP 4: SHOT LIST

STEP 4: SHOT LISTFront of college:3. Wide shot of college

Car park:1. CU of face2. CU face and headphones4. Long shot bike5. C/U Chain and handetc....

STEP 7:SHOOTING SCHEDULE Organise your shooting day/time.

What restrictions do you have?

If you are organised – you can shoot on time...and possibly shoot more (more options when editing).

STEP 7: SHOOTING SCHEDULE10.00 Pick up equipment. Everyone meet at Johns house.

10.30 Leave Johns. Go to LOCATION 1: The Park.

10.45 -11.30 Shoot ‘playground’ location (map 1)Shots 3,4,7,12,14

11.30 - 13.00 Shooting ‘forest’ location (map 3)Shots 1,2,5,24

13.00 Travel to LOCATION 4: Claybury Fields

13.30 - 14.30 Shooting by the canal. (map 2). Shots 16-21. .

Mark SchemeThere is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the

following technical skills:holding a shot steadyframing a shot, including and excluding elements as

appropriate; using a variety of shot distances as appropriate;selecting mise-en-scène including colour, figure, lighting,

objects and setting; editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer;using varied shot transitions and other effects selectively and

appropriately for the task set; using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task

set; using titles and production logo appropriately.

ConventionsProduction Logo Titles entering appropriate to

atmosphere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20EO4XMBQgM&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d01wQVRJcqY&feature=relatedhttp://thrillerproject.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Student%20Thriller%20OpeningFits the conventions of a thriller genre

AdviceUse additional lightingShoot more footage than you think you need (approx

1 hour)Shoot from a variety of camera angles (levels)Start shooting before actionTake shots of randomly connected imagesTake advantage of training sessionsUse youtube for tutorials (After Effects and Final Cut)

Editing can’t compensate for poor footageLighting hardest to get rightNeed everyone’s phone numbersUse adventurous camera anglesExperiment!Re-shoot, re-shootTake ‘filler’ shotsGet the mood rightSimple storylineChoose music first – take storyboard/ music along

Guide to filming

Poor planningGroup lets you downToo ambitiousSilly friendsMiss the beginning of footage

Things that often go wrong

Composition

Atmospheric Lightinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BDx6ZPHV4whttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ZphC0_XpDp4&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrRoV0smaJghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcErS6pI_0M

Basic LightingThe technique uses three lights called the key light,

fill light and back light.

Key LightThis is the main light. It is usually the strongest and has

the most influence on the look of the scene. It is placed to one side of the camera/subject so that this side is well lit and the other side has some shadow.

Fill Light

This is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side of the key light. It is used to fill the shadows created by the key. The fill will usually be softer and less bright than the key. To acheive this, you could move the light further away.

Back Light

The back light is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear. Rather than providing direct lighting (like the key and fill), its purpose is to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subject's outlines. This helps separate the subject from the background and provide a three-dimensional look.

Getting CreativeRemoving the fill light is a great way to intentionally

leave shadows on the subjects face.You could also choose to use only the back light, turning your subjects into silhouettes.

SmokeWater

Other creative ideas....Candle LightIf you want to set a romantic mood, either inside or

out, candles can help you achieve it. Use a variety of candles to create interest.

Christmas LightsChinese lanternsLots of lampsColour Gels Torcheshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cQkzuXkID0

TitlesCooltext http://cooltext.com/Swish max http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=OoCHFQ1rVpE&feature=related

Other editing effectsChroma Key

http://www.youtube.com/user/hurtwoodhousemedia#p/u/109/nYUQS7DK8jc

Black and white (lighting)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzsoU254zBU