Tips & Pointers

[Darkone8921]

I own a small production company and will shoot my first short in September. The script is done and solid and I have almost all the roles cast. Also, I have almost all of my locations taken care of as well. I'm asking for all of your opinions on how to make a solid quality very low budget film. I only have a panasonic GS-120 but i feel I can make it all work from the strength of the script and the talent of the actors and crew involved. Are there any ideas on lighting or audio or cinematography that any or all of you can give me. I'm sure your tips and advice will do nothing but help. Editing tips are welcome as well.

 

[Digigenic]

Even though the GS120 is a 3 chip camera, lighting will be a challenge because it doesn’t fair well in low light conditions. So you’ll always need plenty of available light. Most consumer cameras aren’t built to pick up high quality audio either, so you’ll want to consider running audio through an isolated source and syncing it up to mix down in post. Example would be to use a few microphones, patched into a mixer that then runs into the Mini Disc Recorder. It will definitely require at least a couple individuals dedicated to sound, but it’ll have the biggest pay off in the end. With regard to the cinematography approach, that would all depend on the degree of stylization the story requires, is it drama, comedy, action, etc…?

 

[DerekEastham]

If you're interested in post production tips... we'll all need to know a few things first...

For instance:
--> What editing system will be used (or which ones are you considering)
--> Will there be special FX?

Anything else you can give us, for details, will help us to help you as best we can.

Looking forward to hearing more about your short...

maybe you would consider posting your script in the screenwriters forum also?

 

[Darkone8921]

The film is a drama that will be edited on Adobe Premiere Pro software. There are no special effects. I just want the editing to be as fluid as the storyline itself. I have some of the shots in my mind but the editing will be key. What else can i tell you?

 

[DerekEastham]

Sounds like a pretty simple & straight forward edit to me...
so I don't know that there's anything more you'll need to tell us.

As for tips on editing... I very strongly recomend that you go out and purchase the book "In The Blink Of An Eye" by Walter Murch.
Walter Murch is a brilliant editor who's credits include 'Apocalypse Now', 'The English Patient', and most recently 'Cold Mountain.'
His technique and insight is just amazing, and I've found his book to be a great help... especially when making cuts. It's opened my mind to an entirely new way of looking at the footage on my computer, and a new way of thinking about cuts.

You can't learn editing from books... but you can gain insight.
I would also recommend watching as many drama's that are similar to your project as possible... but don't watch them as an audience member, watch them as a professional... focus on the technical elements & the editing style, this is another great way to gain insight.
Also, watch even more movies that have little to no similarities to your film... you'd be surprised where the insight and inspiration can come from.


Let us know if you need any more tips or information.