18/06/06 - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Went on a "location scout" last night. That is to say we went to Ruth's parents house which had been suggested as a possible for the Sunday Dinner scene. Excelent dining room and garden areas and Lee and Myself started planning shots straight away. Seeing the actual location is ESSENTIAL as early as possible as your ideas for shot choices may need to be addressed and changed.
80% of how I imagined I would shoot it will be achieveable, and the rest is easily adapted to suit the location limitations. If it was the other way round, with much not achieveable, then obviously I would not want to adpat so much. You have to remain as close to some kind of vision you had when you wrote it. You can't use just anything if you want to be a professional. But if most elements are in place, with a little set dressing, go with what you can afford and what you have available.
This did get me thinking about a recent post to a film makers forum I saw. The site in question, to which i am a member, is a great community resource for questions and tips etc.
Now, I will try not to get too negative with this but I feel it is an important point to make.
It would appear to me that many filmmakers out there enjoy "playing" at being filmmakers too much. A recent post (and it is not alone) was requesting "Audition Space" for casting. The person was obviously on a micro-budget (like myself) and yet was requesting audition space that had waiting areas and the likes and a professional look / nice decor.
OK...it's like this.....
If you are on a micro-budget, don't waste your money on luxuries like this! Do you really need to play it like you are on a Hollywood budget? Do you really need to rent a swish audition office with waiting areas? Get down to earth, trim the fat, and concentrate on the FILM, not the luxuries of a film lifestyle.
Get a cheap hall....better still, don't get everyone round to wait. Select applicants and invite them round to your house! How much would that cost? NOTHING!
This is not an isolated kind of post / occurance either. Many many times I see peoplle looking for things that clearly state they are on a mini-budget (as most UK independant film makers are) and yet are wanting to play the game of filmmaking and looking good.
We all love the film world, and it's all very exciting. But change your approach, you are not a Hollywood mogul! I got just as much of a kick from home auditions / readings as I would if I were in a classy space with a whole bunch of actors waiting outside. That would only build nerves for them anyway and surely affect the performance. Keep em relaxed!
I got just as much of a kick sitting down with Ruth and drawing up props lists and costume ideas as I would if I were in a "production meeting" with my "wardrobe and props department".
I got just as much of a kick going to someone's parent's house to "location scout" and plan camera shots as I would if i were on a "real" location scout with a crew (who would have to be paid to be there on a fully funded film!).
So the point I am making to any budding, low (or no) budget filmmaker out there who may be reading this.....bring it down to earth. the making of a film should be FUN...not an extravagant ego trip!!! No wonder a 10 minute short can run up a few thousand pounds budget.
Keep it improvised, flexible, adaptable, cheap and down to earth. I feel this approach is effective for moeny and will no doubt serve me later when someone else is paying to make a film! How cool to already know how to keep it tight and cheap!
80% of how I imagined I would shoot it will be achieveable, and the rest is easily adapted to suit the location limitations. If it was the other way round, with much not achieveable, then obviously I would not want to adpat so much. You have to remain as close to some kind of vision you had when you wrote it. You can't use just anything if you want to be a professional. But if most elements are in place, with a little set dressing, go with what you can afford and what you have available.
This did get me thinking about a recent post to a film makers forum I saw. The site in question, to which i am a member, is a great community resource for questions and tips etc.
Now, I will try not to get too negative with this but I feel it is an important point to make.
It would appear to me that many filmmakers out there enjoy "playing" at being filmmakers too much. A recent post (and it is not alone) was requesting "Audition Space" for casting. The person was obviously on a micro-budget (like myself) and yet was requesting audition space that had waiting areas and the likes and a professional look / nice decor.
OK...it's like this.....
If you are on a micro-budget, don't waste your money on luxuries like this! Do you really need to play it like you are on a Hollywood budget? Do you really need to rent a swish audition office with waiting areas? Get down to earth, trim the fat, and concentrate on the FILM, not the luxuries of a film lifestyle.
Get a cheap hall....better still, don't get everyone round to wait. Select applicants and invite them round to your house! How much would that cost? NOTHING!
This is not an isolated kind of post / occurance either. Many many times I see peoplle looking for things that clearly state they are on a mini-budget (as most UK independant film makers are) and yet are wanting to play the game of filmmaking and looking good.
We all love the film world, and it's all very exciting. But change your approach, you are not a Hollywood mogul! I got just as much of a kick from home auditions / readings as I would if I were in a classy space with a whole bunch of actors waiting outside. That would only build nerves for them anyway and surely affect the performance. Keep em relaxed!
I got just as much of a kick sitting down with Ruth and drawing up props lists and costume ideas as I would if I were in a "production meeting" with my "wardrobe and props department".
I got just as much of a kick going to someone's parent's house to "location scout" and plan camera shots as I would if i were on a "real" location scout with a crew (who would have to be paid to be there on a fully funded film!).
So the point I am making to any budding, low (or no) budget filmmaker out there who may be reading this.....bring it down to earth. the making of a film should be FUN...not an extravagant ego trip!!! No wonder a 10 minute short can run up a few thousand pounds budget.
Keep it improvised, flexible, adaptable, cheap and down to earth. I feel this approach is effective for moeny and will no doubt serve me later when someone else is paying to make a film! How cool to already know how to keep it tight and cheap!
posted by Ricardo Lacombe | 20:24
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