Research: How to make a short film

I found this video very resourceful since he provided a lot of tips based on different sections of a filmmaking process. I am certain this will help me in the future since I felt like I could relate to a lot of his tips. Some useful information I retained from it is important to keep my budget in mind and your resources to be realistic and know what I am working with. Moreover, another relevant tip that he mentioned that I had never thought of before, is that my first instinct is what my audience is expecting, so I should go the other way. On the same topic, he highlighted the importance of letting theme and tone guide my story, as they will shape it and help me build it if I respect them in accordance with movement, angles, mise-en-scene, and props. Another piece of information that really opened my eyes was his insight into sound. According to him, sound is a priority: he insists on getting the right gear if there is dialogue in the film. If sound gear is not available, he recommends using very minimal dialogue, or even not using it at all. Regarding the editing process, he strongly suggests not doing everything at once. In other words, he recommends stepping away from editing for a few days to get clear ideas of the wanted outcome and to see it more clearly. Moreover, another tip of his is to get someone to be with the editor to get constructive feedback.  

Even though all his tips were helpful, there are some that my group and I will need to work on for our short film. As he said, if we are on a budget, it is okay if we hear everything around our resources. For instance, as none of us have professional cameras, we would be using an iPhone. Now, thanks to him, I know that I will have to work on the material related to iPhones such as a tripod, etc. Moreover, another tip of his that will help is that I need my actors to commit 100%, and to work on the shots until one is perfect. I cannot settle for the minimum; I need to seek perfection. On the same note, to get the perfect result, he insisted on preparing, preparing, and preparing even more. That will help my group members and I to avoid any surprises, not waste time, as well as getting as close to our expected outcome.  

Overall, I found this video more than instructive. I am expecting my group members and I to get even better at filmmaking, now that we have more insight into professional techniques. 

How to make a short film by yourself - FXhome

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