Make a short film

Posted by andrew in filmmaking on May 17th, 2010

If you want to make a short film there are several things you will need to do and have depending upon how ambitious you want to be. Firstly, you will need an idea of what to shoot. This could be a sketch that you have written that is funny, quirky or a simple punchline with a set-up. Or it could be more complex than that – perhaps a one minute drama or thriller. You might be thinking of a longer piece. It can be anything; the point is you need to be clear about what it is. if you don’t know exactly what you are trying to do you will end up wasting time with the camera and coming away with nothing usable. If you want to make a short film, rule number one is define what you are doing! You can call this having a clear goal, a clear vision or whatever you want just be sure.

An essential part of this being sure then is to totally flesh out your sketch, minute long trailer or longer project. Write the script! Write it out and write it again to improve it. The process of redrafting is simply going over your material until it is the best it can be. Professional writers do this all the time and directors do it all the time. Sometimes they may be pressured by outside elements like studios who make them start filming before things are as good as they can be but that’s the reality of the business. For you starting out or following your own projects without backing, the script or story is all you have so you better make it a good one.

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Film terms and movie speak

Posted by andrew in film business on January 22nd, 2010

It is almost as if there is a whole other language when it comes to the film and movie business. There are an awful lot of film terms and film terminology that seem designed to keep out all but the most persistent cine-phile and wannabe artist who dreams of someday directing a film themselves.

Granted, there are many industries who operate under the own arcane gobbledegook. ‘Management speak’ is often touted as an example of language gone loopy. Movies, however, are a very public affair and if you have the slightest interest in getting under that glossy and glamorous sheen to see how they are really made, then you will soon come across some very mystical incantations which will befuddle your brain and murk your mind. Reading like something out of “The Lord of the Rings” are words, phrases, job titles and techniques from “Gaffers to gobos, dollies to doughnuts, apple-boxes and Auteurs.” Were you aware that if you are at all interested in looking through the camera then, one day, you may have to put your face against a “teddy bear’s asshole”? I’ll leave you to find that one out for yourself.

Anyone getting to grips with film terms and movie terminology should be rewarded with a certificate of achievement and a badge. If you have ambitions to study film technique, make films yourself or just appreciate the art and craft of movie making, then at some point you will begin to encounter these obscure and esoteric nuggets of mouthery that are found nowhere else. They are mysterious and strange and, like some ancient Masonic code, designed to act as a barrier to those who are merely curious and of the fair-weather variety.

To the committed seeker though, they represent the first layer of initiation into the movie world. They are the first test of worthiness which you must conquer before those who have travelled before you will even consider looking down upon you and letting you fetch them a cup of coffee.

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