Hi Friends,
Howdy? Hope you enjoyed reading last month's post on the adrenaline rush of high-voltage action films that has got our pulses racing all through 2015!
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| Image Courtesy: filmdoctor.co.uk |
Thus when this opportunity presented itself before me through an advertisement that appeared in the local city newspaper, I asked myself the following questions- Are there any technical specifications specified? Is this film doable? With the limited resources at hand,can I pull off this one on a shoe-string budget? What is the idea? And what are the requirements to put this idea in motion? And when I got the answers to the questions that I was looking for, I began working towards putting my jigsaw puzzle together piece by piece.
Often,it is when the technical specifications are relaxed that you get a breather. For instance in a digital submission of film through video sharing websites,it is a major reprieve when you as a filmmaker are not hassled on renting high-end cameras and miscellaneous paraphernalia to get you started. In fact, I have a Sony Handy Cam that has HD (not the broadcast quality though) and a tripod so that I can seamlessly record my film sans jerky movements. These days there are Mobile film festivals too that require a filmmakers to shoot their film on their smartphones. And in my view,these are excellent platforms to get you started for they require zero investment at your end.
Thus you as a filmmaker can channelize your energies and focusing wholly and solely on the concept/story of your ad/ short film. Once you have a neat concept with minimum locations (one is the most preferred for me at least), fewer costume changeovers and miscellaneous other requirements, then it's time to get your friends involved by assigning them duties both in front and behind the camera.With their networking skills on board,you might just end up shooting your ad/short in one of the best locations in town and that too free of cost!So never rule out the possibility of involving your family,siblings and friends in your projects. I always try to do just that since I do not have much contacts to boast of. Most of my projects have been the fruition of the encouragement and assistance that I have garnered from my family and friends alike before I decided to look around for some more helping hands especially those who were willing to commit some more of their time and energies towards my project.I do hope that in this whole process they took home an all new experience in film production as well.On my part,I always made it a point to reward them with a small memento or letter of appreciation (besides of course acknowledging them in the closing credits of the film) just to let them know how invaluable their contribution was towards the making of the film.
Since, I oft deal with newbies both in front and behind the camera, thus it gets difficult at times dealing with it singly at both ends...but I have learned to take these things to my stride keeping the larger 'picture' in mind i.e. the film in itself.
[Kya Aap Kuch Bhool Rahe Ho - film by Sonaal Pannu from Sonaal Pannu on Vimeo. Kya Aap Kuch Bhool Rahe Ho? is my entry to the "Road Safety India - National Filmmaking contest 2014"]
Some years ago,when I made my first short film,my Production Assistant who assisted me during the making of it was not even remotely connected to films.She was a bright young girl pursuing Arts and who was eager to learn something new,thus it was easier for me to explain her the duties expected of her which she assimilated quickly.m Fortunately for her,I had prepared all the charts of the shoot,schedule,location,scenes and props required and that made it easier for her to keep track of the progress and continuity of the shoot.
When it came to the actors,I would share the script and story with them days in advance.We would then have rehearsals days before the shoot after which I'd ask them to memorize their dialogues keeping in mind the emotions behind each of the scenes.So,on the day of the actual shoot the entire cast would be all charged up and confident to face the cameras and give it their best shot. Many a times, I even kept lesser dialogues and relied more on their facial expressions keeping in mind their limitations as an actor.
Of course,there are times when the story demands a performance-oriented actor to get into the skin of the character depending on the complexity of the role.Then under these circumstances,do not compromise on your actors. Though you may have budgetary constraints to hire the best actors in town,but that doesn't mean this aspect of your film must be overlooked.There are dime a dozen drama schools thriving in your area where you can scout for fresh talent and if need be you could even hold a small audition where you'd find enthusiastic and wannabe actors wanting to make their break in your short film. So keep an eye for that.
[Kya Aap Kuch Bhool Rahe Ho - film by Sonaal Pannu from Sonaal Pannu on Vimeo. Kya Aap Kuch Bhool Rahe Ho? is my entry to the "Road Safety India - National Filmmaking contest 2014"]
Some years ago,when I made my first short film,my Production Assistant who assisted me during the making of it was not even remotely connected to films.She was a bright young girl pursuing Arts and who was eager to learn something new,thus it was easier for me to explain her the duties expected of her which she assimilated quickly.m Fortunately for her,I had prepared all the charts of the shoot,schedule,location,scenes and props required and that made it easier for her to keep track of the progress and continuity of the shoot.
When it came to the actors,I would share the script and story with them days in advance.We would then have rehearsals days before the shoot after which I'd ask them to memorize their dialogues keeping in mind the emotions behind each of the scenes.So,on the day of the actual shoot the entire cast would be all charged up and confident to face the cameras and give it their best shot. Many a times, I even kept lesser dialogues and relied more on their facial expressions keeping in mind their limitations as an actor.
Of course,there are times when the story demands a performance-oriented actor to get into the skin of the character depending on the complexity of the role.Then under these circumstances,do not compromise on your actors. Though you may have budgetary constraints to hire the best actors in town,but that doesn't mean this aspect of your film must be overlooked.There are dime a dozen drama schools thriving in your area where you can scout for fresh talent and if need be you could even hold a small audition where you'd find enthusiastic and wannabe actors wanting to make their break in your short film. So keep an eye for that.
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| Image Courtesy: www.timeupsoft.com |
1. A good subject/ story-line: This is the backbone of your film and here's where your skill as a storyteller lies on how well you tell the audiences your story. If you have a good story to tell then you have everyone's attention. Having a story in itself does not make you a victor.The way you choose to tell your story with a good character arch and a right blend of treatment is what gets the viewers involved in your film and what ultimately counts in making your film a success.Bottom line is that the more unique your story line is the more likely it is going to create a buzz be it at film festivals or on social medias.
2. Slick editing: While you may overlook your technical limitations when it comes to camera work due to lack of professional equipment but your editing prowess is one area where you can compensate for this shortcoming.You have many software's like Pinnacle Studio, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie etc. available online these days where you can not just only enhance the quality of your video but it is here where you can also clip your film to make it crisp with just the right amount of special effects and transitions together with a good background score to give your film a new lease of life!
3. Get the right cast and crew on board to give your project wings! Like I mentioned earlier,it is absolutely alright to work with novices in your short films (at least to begin with). Sometimes you might just end up extracting good performances from them for they may turn out to be natural born actors or they could even be used as extras to pep up a given scene in the film. Alternately, you have drama/film schools to turn to if you need artistes and crew who have the caliber and know-how of film making.
Bonus: If you get a sponsor (in film terminology: a producer) who would pay you a decent sum for the entire project then it's hitting the bulls eye in your first production itself!
All in all, never underestimate your skills as a story-teller! So get your handy cams out and start shooting right away...you never know that at the end of the day what clicks and ticks with people who finally end up watching your film across the globe! Good luck!!
Love,
Sonyaa
1 comment:
Hello Sonyaa,
Three cheers to your great post on film making in the age of internet. In fact you have made story telling through a film as simple as just picking up a smartphone and getting the people together...start shooting, edit, tune in music and with many of these resources free online its a done job over a weekend!!! Yes indeed I also enjoyed watching your films on Road Safety which is anyway a serious issue around the world. Thanks and keep up the good work
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