subject: Tips For Anyone Who Want To Delve Into The Filming Industry [print this page] If you have the "golden idea" for breaking into filmmaking, you often may find yourself stymied by the sheer cost of producing a Hollywood-style big budget blockbuster. But this doesn't have to be the case, as this article will hopefully try to point out.
To begin, focus on your story. This is where you have the most control over your film. This is also where you are most likely to engage your audience regardless of the quality of the end product. As always, a good story well-told is the essence of a successful film.
Remember to be realistic. There are certain things you just simply won't be able to do. But creativity will win out. While you can't manage that big, flying-car car-chase over the streets of Manhattan, you can imply such a chase or simply drop it altogether in favor of something even better.
You don't need the fancy equipment. That stuff costs a butt-load, and the amount of value it will bring to your production is negligible in effect. Always turn to rental equipment when possible. This is more cost-effective in the long run and will save you a ton of money in relation. Also, remember that there is much that is cheap or free nowadays. From lighting equipment to open-source editing software, you shouldn't have to crack your wallet too wide.
You have a limited number of resources out there. Once your script is finished, break it down into scenes and then break those scenes down into individual shots. Each shot should be planned as comprehensively as possible ahead of time.
Think about everything engaged in the shot process. What angle will you shoot from? Are you doing a wide shot or a close up? Try to shoot toward the editing phase with as many alternate angles as you can manage for any given scene. This is called safety and it will keep your movie safe.
The reason for all the planning, of course, is to limit the amount that can go wrong while you are on set. Think you may not have enough video tapes or flash discs to record all your media? Splatter a few extra into your camera pack. The key phrase here is those who fail the plan, plan to fail. You will suffer severely for any undersight.
You don't have to wrestle with the big dogs. You can succeed as a filmmaker without all the fancy school education that they have to go through (along with the student loans that come along with it). Don't go that route, when you can easily learn just from doing it. Live the dream.
