Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Script and Storyboard
• Part 2 of 4: Preparing for Filming
• Part 3 of 4: Filming
• Part 4 of 4: Film Editing
• What do you need

Every aspiring director dreams of a successful film career. Try making a short film first. At first glance, the task may seem overwhelming, but in reality it is not that difficult to create an interesting short film. With the right training, equipment and skills, filming will only require fresh ideas and the right approach to filming.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Script and Storyboard

1. 1 Come up with an idea for a movie. Imagine a story that can be solved in about 10 minutes. Focus on the central idea to keep things simple. Choose the style and genre of your movie - horror, drama, experimental.
   • Think of an interesting event in your life for inspiration as you write your script.
   • Consider the scale of the story and the ability to make such a film on an affordable budget.
2. 2 Write a script. If you are an aspiring screenwriter, then write your own screenplay. Shorts consist of a beginning, a middle and an ending. The script for a ten-minute film will take about 7-8 pages.
   • If you are on a budget, then you don't need to come up with scenes with explosions and expensive special effects.
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   Gavin anstey

   
   
   Video Producer Gavin Anstee is Cinebody's Chief Operating Officer. Cinebody offers custom content creation software that allows brands to quickly create original and engaging video content by working with creators from all over the world. Prior to pursuing a career in software and video production, Gavin studied journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

   Gavin anstey
   Video producer

   Consider the audience when writing your script. Whatever aspect or topic you cover, you need to understand which viewer your picture is aimed at and what might hook them.

3. 3 Find the script online. Don't want to write a script? Try to find ready-made material on the Internet. If you want to make a commercial film, be sure to contact the author for permission.
   • Some screenwriters may sell their work for a certain amount.
4. 4 Make a storyboard. A storyboard is a sequence of drawings with an outline of each scene. Such drawings should not be detailed or highly artistic, but clear and understandable so that the director can get an idea of ​​all the scenes. Storyboard before filming so you can remember the events of each scene and not waste time trying to remember plot twists.
   • If you are not good at drawing, then use schematic drawings of characters and elements of the scene.

Part 2 of 4: Preparing for Filming

1. 1 Find suitable locations. Find locations that fit the scenario. Contact small companies, cafes and shops to use the premises for filming. If the events of the plot take place in the house, then you can shoot in your own home. For outdoor filming, find safe and legal locations.
   • Permits to shoot on private or public property can cost a lot of money.
2. 2 Find actors. If your budget allows you to hire professional actors, advertise auditions and audition. If you just want to make a film for yourself, seek help from relatives and friends. This is the easiest and most affordable way to find actors for a movie.
   • Select actors who are physically appropriate for the role, and ask them to read script passages to gauge professionalism.
3. 3 Find a film crew. The production team shares responsibilities for different aspects of filming - cinematography, production, lighting, editing and sound. Depending on the available budget, you can hire specialists or be responsible for most aspects yourself.
   • If your budget is tight, invite friends who are interested in filmmaking to take part in filming.
4. 4 Buy or rent filming equipment. For filming, you need a camera, lighting and sound recording equipment. Choose equipment based on your filming needs and budget. If you don't have enough funds, you can use a compact digital camera or even a smartphone camera. If funds allow, use an expensive SLR camera, which can cost several tens of thousands of rubles.
   • Purchase a tripod for additional image stabilization.
   • When shooting during daylight hours, you can use the sun as a light source.
   • When filming indoors, you can't do without spotlights and spotlights.
   • For sound, you can opt for an expensive cannon microphone or a cheaper external sound recorder and small wireless microphones.
   • The built-in microphones of photo and video cameras are not suitable for capturing dialogues.

Part 3 of 4: Filming

1. 1 Drive the scenes. When everything is ready for filming, ask the actors to run the script on the set. Then offer to act out a scene. Talk about what you want to see, how they interact with their surroundings, and what aspects of the game need to be tweaked.
   • This process is called casting. You can run the script anywhere, but you should place the actors on the set.
2. 2 Ask the actors to change into costumes. If the role requires a certain outfit or makeup, then before filming begins, you need to make sure that the actors are ready for the role. After running the scene, hand out the costumes to wear.
   • If the actors are going to wear cultural or religious clothing, such as a hijab or a yarmulke, during filming, be sure to check the information on how to do it correctly. You can't just put on such clothes anyhow, you need to be as accurate as possible.
   • If your budget is tight, you can ask the actors to use their own wardrobe. Most importantly, make sure these things match your vision.
3. 3 Film scenes from the movie. Use the storyboard you made earlier. The film does not need to be shot in chronological order. Instead, start with the simplest scenes. Consider the actors' schedule and work on days when locations are available for filming. Once you have access to the set, try to capture as many scenes as possible. This will save time and no longer return to the site again.
   • It is not necessary to shoot the scenes in chronological order. Shoot the way you like - the chronological order of scenes can be restored during editing.
   • Plan your outdoor scenes in advance. Especially if you have conceived a scene in certain weather conditions, for example, on a gloomy rainy day or a bright sunny day.
4. 4 Focus on the image. In a short film, the narrative is often inferior in importance to the visual series. Choose memorable locations for filming and make sure that the lighting complements the general plan.
   • Make sure that the characters are in focus and that no extra objects fall into the frame.
5. 5 After filming, thank the cast and crew for their work. Finish storyboarding all scenes and submit footage to post-production for editing. Thank everyone for their work and promise to announce the completion of the feed.
   • You can thank everyone at once or in small groups: actors, film crew, costume designers and decorators.
   • If someone is not there that day, be sure to thank them in person - face to face or over the phone.
   • If during the filming there were a lot of difficulties, for example, the weather changed dramatically or the shooting took longer than expected, be sure to thank everyone for their patience and efforts, for example, by throwing a party.

Part 4 of 4: Film Editing

1. 1 Upload your footage to your movie editor. Load all video files into the editing software. Sort scenes into separate folders for quick access to files. Organization makes work easier. After transferring and sorting the files, start editing and editing.
   • You can use Avid, Final Cut Pro, or Windows Movie Maker as your editing software.
   • Use a program whose interface is clear to you and which has all the functionality you need.
2. 2 Rough cut scenes. Start collecting shots in chronological order. Follow the order and logic of the plot development. During a rough cut, you need to make sure the integrity of the plot.
   • Write down the moments that don't suit you. The reorganization can be done later. You may even have to reshoot something.
3. 3 Working with sound. Add audio tracks with dialogues and sync speech with video. Also, don't forget to add the music and sound effects provided in the script.
   • Soundtracks and effects must be kept separate from the video. This way you can change things like sound without touching the video.
   • Make sure the background music and sounds are quieter when the actors speak. Otherwise, the voices will simply not be heard.
4. 4 Analyze and shorten the scenes. After the rough cut, watch the film with the producer and other editors. Hear feedback and criticism, then return the film to the timeline. Now focus on the fluidity of the plot and the pace of the story.
   • Use a variety of editing techniques such as fades to transition between scenes.
   • If the scene looks uneven or tight, then "squeeze" the dialogs by adding cuts between cues.
5. 5 Review the film and make final edits. Review the film again with all producers, directors and editors. Collect final feedback on required changes and improvements.
   • When all the actors are satisfied with the final cut, show your film to the audience.

What do you need

• Photo or video camera
• Microphones
• Lighting
• Actors
• Editing software