[Editor's Note: The following primer was submitted by the quirky wit of Al Bouchard and is designed to show a logical starting point for low-budget filmmaking, ideally suited for short subjects. As such, much use is made of mentioning a virtually single person crew. While this works in shorter and more basic projects, it will quickly prove overwhelming and unworkable in longer and more advanced projects. So just be aware that, when you're ready to move up to longer shorts, films that use effects, and feature films, you will definitely need to plan to have more people on your crew than just yourself--which will, of course, require more planning, timing, and food.-JH]
Part 1: Visual Eyes
Since this (talking about film/video/photography/other visual arts) is the purpose for which I wrote this article, let's begin, shall we?
Starting from the beginning...
A spinning ball of hot material began to slowly cool, throwing off lighter elements as it slowed its spin... [Nope. Too far back.]
Let us assume, for the moment, that you've got a camera. You've read the manual, several times, and have shot enough with it to be comfortable with it.
You want to make a movie.
Okay, so now what? With a $100 camera from Big Buy, or whatever, you're not going to be shooting 2001: A Space Odyssey, or even 201: A Spaced Oddity. {Well, maybe... Aaah, not.}
You can, however, shoot something you can be proud of. "How so?" you may ask.
Simple. Follow the Five P's:
Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Yes, for those of you who were in the service, it's one of those little mnemonics they drill into you so you don't forget something critical, and screw up yourself and your buddies. That doesn't mean it has no value; on the contrary, it's an important part of your toolkit, as much so as C-47 Media Attachment Clips (wooden spring clothespins, to civilians) and Gaffer's Tape.
Preplanning has the value of preparing you for the unexpected... which, despite public relations puffery, happens all too often, and all too easily.
Now, to the stages of making a movie. There are four main stages, in order:
- PRE-PRODUCTION
- PRODUCTION
- POST-PRODUCTION
- DISTRIBUTION AND EXHIBITION
We'll discuss them in order as we progress through the article. For now, just remember this lesson from the collected wisdom of no-budget moviemakers:
"The camera doesn't lie... but watch out for the cameraman!"
