GP Tips

Low-budget filmmaking tip #204

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:32:40 +0000

Before you write a script, it doesn’t hurt to also write down a little explanatory copy for each character. It’s important to know — for each person — who they are now, who they want to be, and what’s preventing them from achieving that.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #203

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:04:55 +0000

Even a cheap homemade dolly (or wheelchair!) can give you interesting results. Sometimes it’s better than a tripod. But be sure to stay smooth!

Low-budget filmmaking tip #202

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:49:46 +0000

Once your production gets to a certain size, seriously consider insurance. A carrier can offer you a policy even for a single project, and it’s a lot cheaper than you might think.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #201

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:24:54 +0000

Setting up and “balancing” a multicamera shoot is a lot of work at the beginning, but the results in the editing room can be miraculous — all the continuity and action matches perfectly. And if you organize it right, you shoot in half or less the time!

Low-budget filmmaking tip #200

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:52:25 +0000

Keep an eye out for “shooting gifts.” Yes, you’ve got to shoot what you plan, but you might see a perfect “spooky” tree, or a row of birds on a rooftop, or one of the extras doing a really great bit practicing in the corner. It’s okay to grab a camera and nail those little things, as long as you keep flowing in the right general direction. Some of this stuff can be gold in editing.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #199

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:54:21 +0000

For any project with more than two or three of anything (people, props, sets, shooting days, etc.) organize it all using a good tool. CeltX, Yahoo groups, FaceBook, Voodoo Pad, whatever works for you and everyone else. Don’t let your org tool be the bottleneck, though.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #198

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:05:59 +0000

Know your health. If you’re sick, don’t show up on set. If you’re the boss and you’re sick, reschedule the shoot if possible until after you’re not sick. No one likes getting sick, and especially not from someone on set.

One guy shows up with strep throat thinking he’s got it all under control and the next thing you know, shoots are being canceled because everyone’s got it.

But…

If you and the bossman have an agreement, and you’ve got to shoot right then (which makes sense), then drug-up, keep your hands clean, and do the best you can. Let everyone know if you’re contagious so they can take appropriate measures, such as wearing a mask.

(none of this applies to mental health — doing the things we do requires a certain kind of mental disorder, apparently)

Low-budget filmmaking tip #197

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:54:02 +0000

If the owner of your location declares a limitation, find a way to obey that limitation. If it wasn’t important to them, they wouldn’t have said anything. This isn’t a game to see what you can get away with on their hospitality, or how you can skirt their rules. Follow the spirit and the letter of their requests.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #196

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:33:27 +0000

Every shoot has problems that, if you let them, will throw you off and make a mess out of things. The shoots that succeed are the ones where everybody’s constantly in touch with each other, everyone knows what’s going on, and everyone’s moving in the same direction. That’s magic.

Low-budget filmmaking tip #195

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:31:45 +0000

Sometimes you work for people who appear crazy, unpredictable, or worse. You aren’t able to fix them or “out-mature” them. You can only decide how much Crazy Pie you are willing to bite off. With any luck, they pay.

(I ain’t naming names)