Week 2 – Prepare, Prepare, and Prepare
Jude S -
After meeting with my mentor this past weekend we have been able to discuss how to decide what course of action my project should take. Currently, my goal with this project is to create a feature-length film based on the Oscars definition which is a film of over forty minutes. Per her instructions, I wrote a paper on the differences between the philosophy of making a short film and a feature-length film. To summarize, the main difference between creating them is time. In both, there are characters, plots, and arcs. However, the more time in the film itself the more characters and plots can be added and the story becomes more complex with more complex themes. Also, to create something longer obviously more time will be needed to write, plan, and shoot.
The limited time of this project could obviously lead to issues which is why I have planned to have a short film within the full-length feature to still create a quality story even if time doesn’t allow my dream project. I am still planning to hold myself to my criteria of making this project while simulating the barriers to entry a full-time minimum wage job holds which is an estimated 65 hours per week of free time and $58 of disposable income per week if 20% of the paycheck can be saved. With these barriers an aspect that I am currently researching becomes even more important: pre-production.
With pre-production, the film is outlined, written, storyboarded, and shot-listed while the shooting is planned and scheduled. Locations are also scouted, equipment is prepared, and actors are given scripts and character descriptions. Full productions have even more as my research has shown, as offices and sets must be rented, calls must be made and taken, and a whole part of the production becomes paperwork organizing every detail of a shoot. Pre-production is arguably the most important aspect of filmmaking since without it the production and post-production completely fall apart. Planning anything is truly important, without planning an experiment could get contaminated or an essay could get an F. It is a truly universal skill that I am glad this project is emphasizing. Often, I improvised when it came to creative projects, but with the scale this one will require I know I must meticulously prepare. As a solo filmmaker pre-production means exercising the skill of multi-tasking. As I am writing, I am also location scouting and figuring out possible actor’s schedules. Keeping an organized space to plan all these aspects has been the most helpful as beyond simply allowing me to remember everything it also allows me to see the film come together like a puzzle.
I know that the creation of this film will lead to many new challenges, but I plan to face each one head-on and with hopefully great preparation.
My film recommendation of the week is Come and See (1985)
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