Lessons Learned

Just decided to make an attempt to spruce up the board with a random post.

If you could give one piece of advice or one lesson learned to new fan film makers what would it be?



Mine is never underestimate the time it takes to make a fan film.

 

super hi-8 sux

Moonz

 

Forests are your friend

 

dont say your fanfilm will be the best ever before its written

 

Feed your cast and crew well.

 

Mine goes along with what WhisperingDeath said: Never underestimate the time, energy, money, and thought have to go into a movie.

Also, msuic people are very hard to get if you have no money.

 

Wear a cup. I'll just leave it at that.

 

NEVER exclude an action scene or gag outright just because it SEEMS too difficult or not funny enough to film.

You never know, it might just be the best part of your movie...

 

PRE-production!!

Pete

 

Think of what kind of review I would give it before a single inch of film is exposed.









(sorry ... I couldn't resist)

 

Find reliable actors.

 

Make sure you know what you're doing before you shoot.

EDIT : I thought of a better one...

Make sure that your lightsaber blades don't bend and also make sure that your actors don't start holding it on the blade.

 

Rule No. 1:
Everything takes longer than you expect. Even when you take Rule No. 1 into account.

Other than that....

Shot lists are your friend.

Have fun!

 

Don't try to make a costume out of tin foil.




Rick McCallum loves you!

 

There is no substitute for good planning. Nothing will save you more time and energy.

-tm

 

Planning, planning, planning!.


Then of course there is planning. And ask as many RELEVANT questions as you can.

 

Wow these are all great answers, except for JediTac

1. I would also include not having your lightsaber on unless you need to. There?s a reason they only have them on when necessary in the movies, and it isn?t to conserve on battery power. Rotoscoping takes time!

2. When having a lightsaber fight remember that the opponents are trying to kill each other!

3. Reflectors are your friend.

 

have many many extra lightsaber blades (wood dowels) on hand if you really get into the combat. heh

 

Never, ever, EVER, EVER say I'll just fix it in post.

 

I recall saying that a few times.

Another lesson learned:

Get the script to your actors in good time, leaving them enough time to learn their lines well enough to shoot.

 

STORYBOARD EVERY SHOT! Well, at least 99 percent of them. Then create a shot sheet organized by camera angle and actor- that way you will be way more efficient come time to shoot. If you can't visualize it before hand and write it down, then you will have lots more work the day of the shoot and you might miss that key close up. Then, once you think you got enough shots- get more close ups!

DON'T use the audio from the built in camera mic. YUK!

 

"soon" = never

anyway,

Nick "Sooner than you think..." Long

 

Yes listen to NickLong never give a release date for your film until its finished, backed up, three copies with a friend, and on a website somewhere to download!

 

-Get Movieplanner

-Use Movieplanner

-Don't put out a trailer until at least all principle photography is complete

-Always bring spare batteries for the camera.

-Get as many 2 for 1 pizza coupons as you can find.

And did I say get movieplanner?

Sauja

 

Hell Yes! Movie Planner is the ****! I can not emphasize how much it does help in the visualization process!

EDIT: watch the language, please.