Filmmaking
Overview · Filmmaking tips · Interviews · Focus · Tribute · Actor - director relationship · Scriptwriting · 21st Century Film-making · Film Funding · Film schools · Useful websites · Production documents · Premium articles
How to work with actors?
There are many good books written on working with actors, so try to have a look at the library and your local bookshop. You can also try to find workshops for yourself in your area. However, the best experience you always get is by working with actors and learning from them and from your own mistakes you make while working.
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CANNES FILM FESTIVAL (SFC - Short Film Corner) - part II
After the while, we're bringing to you the second and last part of our recollections from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and our advices for you regarding this event. In the first part we tried to describe he general experience of the festival as well as show you the best ways of getting around the palace and attending the screenings. This time we'll talk about the Short Film Corner itself, getting aroud Cannes as a city and a bit about the fun in the whole thing.
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL (SFC – Short Film Corner) - part I
2011 was the first time bulletfilm.com team has attended the Cannes Film Festival. Our short film The Man With The Spying Glass was screening at the Short Film Corner.
Since it was the first time for us and everything was new, we have decided to share our experience with you guys. It’s for your convenience so when you attend the festival you will be a bit more prepared than we were.
One page sheet
ONE PAGE SHEET is a single document that informs and advertises that the film is ready for sale and/or publicity.
Promotional sheet
PROMOTIONAL SHEET – is a document used for promoting your film. A new promotional sheet should be used at every stage of your production therefore ensure that changes can be made.
Case study - "The Man with the Spying Glass" - part II
Last time I started telling you of how I work as a filmmaker on the example of my recent short The Man with the Spying Glass. We covered all the stages leading to actual filming. Now it is time to reveal all the cards.
Case study - "The Man with the Spying Glass" - part I
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Below is the case study I created on the basis of my last short film as well as my general experience as a filmmaker.
Prints on the CD's and DVD's covers for film festivals
Always check the rules and regulation of the festival since in one of the sections it might be stated what is required for the DVD cover or CD (press kit) cover.
Film Festivals - 2 lists of the most important festivals.
Being a filmmaker you eventually get to the point where you have your film ready and are beginning to think how to show it to the world.
Festival Circuit for short films
Before you set off to promote your short film, at film festivals, you have to clearly identify the goals for your film. Is it just to show it to the world at the festival, perhaps to find a sales agent? Or could it be to find an investor for it or maybe for your next film?
Film Festivals- Tips
Film Festivals are great places to meet people, to network, to watch the films that you would never normally see otherwise and of course, and most importantly, to get your films watched by the audience.
Film markets
Film festivals are cultural events that concentrate on promoting films to film fans and film professionals. Film markets are trade events where business is conducted (finding distributors, selling films to different territories, etc.).
Sales Agents
For the purposes of this article we are just going to talk about the shorts sales agents. A sales agent is an individual or a company who will try to sell your film to as many networks across the globe as possible.
Terms and definitions for film directors/actors
a. SUPER OBJECTIVE: The overall OBJECTIVE that carries the character through the entire story.
b. ACT OBJECTIVE: The OBJECTIVE that carries the character through a single act of the story.
Press Kit
PRESS KIT – is needed for film festivals, film markets and also when you send the film to a potential sales agent or distribution company. You must ensure that your press kit looks as professional as possible.
Indie Producers Must Rethink The Filmmaking Process by Price Jaccobi
Filmmakers shouldn't make movies the way they've always been done if it means nothing gets done. The existing filmmaking paradigm was created by large companies with contract players, large pools of skilled labor and lots of money. You aren't a big film studio and don't have any of their resources, so why make movies the way they think they should be made?
Daily news
DAILY NEWS – it is a document prepared by the director and his assistant for the benefit of the cast and crew. The purpose of its is that the work on the set can run smoothly or at least as smooth as possible.
Press Notes
PRESS NOTES – this is an outline of what information you will need (if you distribute your film yourself) to include in the press release kit.
The Director’s Journey with Mark W. Travis
During the Munich Short Film Festival Mark W. Travis, the film director, ran one of his workshops called “The Director’s Journey”. I attended the workshops and found it really useful. Below are some pointers, thoughts and ideas from the workshops which I thought I would share with you.
Film Speak - Guidelines
This article was created to get the people involved in the process of film making speaking one language, so once you are on the set you know what everyone is talking about.
Film distribution
This is always the hardest part of filmmaking because once you have your beloved film finished what do you do with it. Many books have been written on the subject, so I would definitely recommend going to the bookshop and checking some out. The titles and publications keep changing quite often, just like the ways of distribution, so the best way would be to go online or bookshop and choose one that you think would be helpful.
How do I get money to make a film?
This is a difficult question and I get asked it over and over again. Many countries have organizations that deal with film funding and not only national organizations, but also local organizations (check up my notes for the useful websites).
How do I get work in the film industry?
When I began my media degree in Film the first thing we were told was that if we wanted to get a job when we finished, we should change course. I am not going to lie to you it’s hard and that is why some people say that it is better to go into the media/film industry without a degree, since you will still start at the bottom with or without a degree.
How to work with actors?
There are many good books written on working with actors, so try to have a look at the library and your local bookshop. You can also try to find workshops for yourself in your area. However, the best experience you always get is by working with actors and learning from them and from your own mistakes you make while working.
How to work with the crew?
Regardless of whether you work on a small set or a large one, you need to communicate well with all the members of the crew. By that I mean explaining very clearly to the head of departments what you want and need from them (Head of department will be dealing with the rest of the crew members. If this is a small production you will probably only have heads of departments. So you will communicate with everyone directly). If you are not satisfied with what is delivered or with someone’s work, be straight with that person and say it; otherwise it might complicate things later on.
Making a film
Filmmaking is a long process, very often it takes years before a film is made. The short I am working on right now, I started writing last year but it’s 15 months later that I am going to make it.
Rehearsal
Rehearsal is an important and integral part of any film production. I, personally, like to give myself as much time to work with the actors as possible so once in a production I can concentrate on shooting the film. Below is the list of rehearsal techniques you may find useful.
Script writing
There are many good books and websites on script writing so I am going to be very brief on that subject. And please do research your local bookstore or a library for the books on the subject.
Should I go to film school?
This is a question I get asked a lot these days, and answering it is far from easy.
I've been to film school, but it doesn't mean that everyone else should. I went thinking I had no other option if I wanted to pursue a career in filmmaking.
I didn't have any equipment, and since I'd spent all my money on tuition fees, I became stuck.
What do I need to make films?
To make a film the most important thing is to have the script or the idea for the film. Without that you will not be able to make anything, just imagine that script is the spine of your entire project.
Where do I find cast and crew?
The easiest way to find the cast and crew is to look online. At the moment there are many filmmaking websites, which are helpful in finding who you are looking for.
