Contents

introduction 4

1 Pre-Production 5

Examining Your Motivations and Goals 5

The Right Script 6

Writing it Yourself 6

Hiring a Writer to Script Your Idea 7

Optioning a Script 7

Storyboards 8

Essential Storyboard Elements 8

Assembling the Cast, Crew and Locations 8

Finding Competent Professionals to Assist 9

When Amateurs Will Do 9

Casting Actors 10

Location Scouting 10

2 Film-making on a Limited Budget 12

Money Well Spent 12

Camera and Lens Rental 12

Sound Capture 13

Make-up 15

Catering and Craft Services 15

Lighting Packages 16

Believable Sets 16

Items to Work Around 17

Sponsorship Deals 18

Avoiding Legal and Labor Problems 18

Using Tone to Make Difficult Scripts Work 19

3 Production 20

Film or Digital? 20

Managing Production Time Wisely 20

Sticking to a Production Schedule 21

The Importance of Punctuality 21

Keeping the Crew Busy and Happy 21

Letting Your Crew Manage Things 22

Director of Photography/Cinematographer 22

First Assistant Director 23

Line Producer/Production Coordinator 23

Script Supervisor 24

Your Role as Director 24

Directing Actors 25

Getting the Coverage You Need 25

Monitoring Takes 26

When to Call it a Wrap 26

4 Post-Production 27

Video 27

Using Your Home Computer or a Good Post House 27

Final Edit 28

Color Correction 29

Audio 29

Additional Dialog Recording (ADR) 29

Foley 30

Output and Distribution 30

Conclusion 32

Introduction

If you've watched, studied and loved film for years, perhaps you would make a good director. It's easy to get the bug, but how to actually make it happen?

The ability to see a story in pictures and manage people is a must, but so is the ability to see the project through from one end to the other. There's hard work and long hours ahead, but if your goal is to have a finished project you can be proud to show around, you can do it, just as so many before you have. It's important to realize that just because it's not easy, doesn't mean that it can't be a fun and truly rewarding experience that you'll either talk about for years to come or actually set you off on a new career.

This book will show you how to go from your unrealized dream of being a director. We'll start of by showing you how to doing all the planning that will help this film project go off without a hitch and avoid some of the more common pitfalls that commonly plague first-time directors. Next, you'll get a look at the production itself, from how to keep your crew happy and productive to directing actors into giving the performance you've imagined. Lastly, your vision will truly come alive in the post-production process – this book will give you hints and tips for making the most of the footage you have.

More importantly, perhaps, this book will show you how to actually make enough money or notoriety that will allow you to make a second film, preferably with someone else's money.