Amar Sraan BA (Hons) Film & TV Production

& Media TechnicianLONG ROAD SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

IN THE WORLD OF FILMMAKING

PREPERATION IS KEY

GOOD PLANNING IS THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS.

THERE IS NO GUESSING OR LUCK INVOLVED.

YOU CAN NOT BE FULLY CREATIVE

IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY ORGANISED...

Filmmaking is made up of different creative processes:

Script writing Storyboarding Test shooting

Shooting Editing

These processes all add layers in building your final product.

If you miss out on them – you are missing out on using your

own talent.

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: LOCATION RECCE ALWAYS do a location recce.

Find your locations and diagnose any problems. Make notes on what you see/hear.

Take photographs.Source local information – car park, toilets, food

etc.

A location recce could make or break your shoot!

STEP 4: DIGITAL STORYBOARD

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

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

Use Google Earth to get birds-eye view location maps.

STEP 5: SHOT LIST

ALWAYS have a shot list.

Annotate your script.

STEP 5: SHOT LIST

STEP 5: 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 6: TEST SHOTSGet used to location

Get used to equipmentHelp polish up your script

Identify props/costumes neededHelps the edit process

Will DEFINITELY help you before the real shoot

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. .

STEP 8: YOUR FINAL SHOOT!IF YOU HAVE FOLLOWED

ALL THESE STEPS :

YOU ARE READY TO FILM!WELL DONE.