Some facts about film making that you may not have considered are it will require three times as much time as you plan. If this is what you expect (you set up, you film the part of the movie you planned on filming on Monday and you are finished until Tuesday) then "you have much to learn grasshopper."

You have allowed a half hour for setting everything up, filming three segments by noon, breaking for lunch, resuming on time and finishing three more segments of film before you say "Let's break for today, see you all tomorrow."

Try to hold a short meeting each morning to discuss what your plan is and what "might" go wrong to delay your plan. One important factor unrelated to all the filming talent you bring to this enormous task is, does everyone like each other?

Undoubtedly, not everyone will like each other. Two actresses may secretly think one is getting more attention than the other or prettier costumes. Someone in charge may be too bossy. Another actor may fumble his lines because he didn't memorize them adequately (or had a hangover). All of these problems are now "your problems."

Most of the actors want to cooperate. Have a meeting and explain the storyline and each actor's role in it. Figure out what will inspire each one to give their best performance. These are not technical people. The functions of the camera and editing procedures are your field of expertise. Actors are artists and artists are temperamental. Most are eager and will respond better to compliments and suggestions than crude orders. Pamper them a little and it will work out well for you in the long run. You will need to rehearse before making your movie of course. How many times depends on how well everyone does with their lines and emotions.

Before starting the actual filming be sure you notify everyone where to be and what day and time to be there. You may want to call each person the day before shooting begins just to say hello and make sure they know the schedule. The crew should get there early to put everything in place and discuss the time frame for the day. That way, when the actors arrive you will be prepared to give them their directions as to time and what scene will be shot first, etc.

Now comes the most exciting moment in your day. Probably in your week and month too. You are ready to start shooting your movie. Try to relax. If you take your time you'll get your camera angles right. You will always shoot more video than the finished product will use. Remember, everyone is in costume at the right place, right now. Shoot an extra half hour's worth of film cause it's easier than gathering everyone together later for a second go around. When the moment of completion arrives and you can shout "it's a wrap" everyone will feel a sense of achievement. However, while the work of the actors and crew members is finished you have a final phase to go through.

All your scenes are in completed. Your wonderful story is finished. Consider the steps you have gone through to get to this point. How eager you must be to show it to the world. Now though, you must enter the final phase called post production.
You can make your film the way you envisioned by cutting and editing and adding sound effects and completing all the technical improvements to your movie. Have fun with it - you are now a professional film maker...

See Part One For The Preparations Required Before Filming

 

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