Chapter 3: Screenplay: The Every Other Daily Grind
- Script - 3 weeks and it’ll be over
- Improves work on set creatively and practically
- Allows everyone to literally be “on the same page”
- Watch film and read screenplay at same time
- One page of screenplay = one minute screen time
- There is available screenwriting software
- Use stage directions
- Slug lines carry info about location
- If characters talk, it better be interesting
- A late start is key
- “Stock” - stereotypical, familiar, or overused
- View your characters as complex, multi-hued, and layered
- Stay ahead of audience, don’t let them know where the film is going
- Look at treatment and identify the reversals, should be at least one
- Make a schedule, stick to it, and grind it out.
- Add writing into your schedule, between classes etc.
- Make sure to schedule a reading
- Keep distractions down to a minimum, internet, IM, video games etc.
- Don’t criticize too early in the draft making process
- Do a reading - listen carefully and take notes
- Ask yourself questions such as “ What about the story engaged you?” and “What confused you?”
- If you have camera access, shoot the reading
- Make sure you revise!
- Don’t worry about over-writing, its common to overwrite
Chapter 4: The Producers
- Associate Producer, the Assistant Director, the Camera Operator, and the Sound Engineer will become a large part of the film
- Get adults involved, their opinion can be valuable
- “Gaffers” “Grips” “PAs” and “Propmaster”
- Don’t recruit new people through technology
- Formal and open auditions are a must
- The Assistant Director should run the auditions
- Trust instincts when casting actors to their roles
- Scout locations then schedule
- P - Power, A - Accessibility, N - Noise, and T - Traffic
- Make sure to get permission before shooting on private property
- A prop list is a must, and note which segment they are needed in.
- Actors for the most part provide own costumes, just set guidelines to follow
- Rehearsal is not only for actors but crew too.
- At rehearsal - collect contact info, costume check, technical check, introductions, the pitch, a read through, and a review schedule.
Chapter 5: Time and Money
- Don’t need much money, just be creative and resourceful
- Find three days to shoot your movie
- Cut script into six easy manageable pieces, more complicated scenes go in the AM
- Make call sheets - who has to show up where and when.
- Keep on set, water, sodas, three lunches, a table full of snacks, and sunscreen.
- Watch your budget
Chapter 6: Director’s Preparation
- Combine storyboards and shot lists into “shotboards”
- Practice by creating shotbaords in reverse from movies you’ve already seen and love.
- Share the shotboard with the superfriends
- Make sure superfriends are on same page by walking them through the movie.
