Low-budget filmmaking tip #201
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 #193
Seriously, respect fire. Fire is a special effect that can burn you and things that you love. Fire effects are often powered by propane, which can burn you and a lot of things that you love in a wide radius. Always know where the fire extinguishers are.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #192
LED lights are pricey, but they’re a lot cooler than incandescents. They won’t burn your fingers or melt gels.
Remember to white balance!
Low-budget filmmaking tip #190
If you’re filming a miniature, flood the bastard with as much light as you can without starting fires or flipping breakers. Iris down to darken. Don’t go the other way ’round or it’ll look like a miniature. If you’re unsure of this, watch the opening sequence of Logan’s Run. Fatten up that Depth of Field!
One trick I’ve tried before was to put the camera farther away and zoom in, which also kind of helps that depth-of-field issue, but I was told by one fella that this wasn’t a very good idea….
Low-budget filmmaking tip #185
The lights are hot enough to melt parts of the camera body, as well as melt or ignite other materials nearby. Watch those close shots and if you smell something burning, pay attention to it right then.
For example: don't do this!
Low-budget filmmaking tip #162
When using a microphone, watch the sound levels of the recording device. Never trust your ears to give you an accurate sound level reading. Did you know, for example, that your headphones had a volume control?
Low-budget filmmaking tip #144
If you’re getting a hum in your sound, replace your cables with shielded cables, or new cables, or at least don’t run them next to or across power cables. Make sure they’re properly grounded.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #143
If you have a pyrotechnical device, never leave the arming key in the firing system if you have to walk away from it… NO EXCEPTIONS. And yes, you have an arming key, the removal of which will make the effect impossible to trigger. Of course you do.
(thanks to Brian Oberquell!)
And of course, the only person with the arming key is the pyro effects person. Don’t just hand it to someone.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #138
You know those little adapters that let you plug a three-prong plug into a two-hole socket? Don’t use those. You have to make sure all your electrical is grounded and those are a convenient way to bypass that. You don’t want to bypass that, however, as you’re a professional safety-conscious filmmaker.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #132
The night before a shoot, check all costumes, props, locations, actors, gear, food, and crew. make sure everything’s ready. Make sure batteries are charging, tapes are striping, etc. Prepack the car. Double-check everything. Call other people to make sure they’re prepared, too.
I used to have a checklist, but the last big project kinda scotched that idea. On the other hand, the last big project’s “checklist” was “Bring the trailer. Everything’s in the trailer.”