Directing a Short Film
By: Artha Application
Tags: Directors, Film Production, Filmmaking, Guides And Tutorials, Film

Filmmaking is a technical discipline involving a spread of skills and making a short film is a great way to study hands-on filmmaking. The entry barrier to creating a film is less than it has ever been due to advances in technology. Here are some points to keep in in mind when making a short film.

Make a Script

You maybe be tempted to grab a camera and start shooting impromptu scenes, but making a script first is always better for filming effectively. The simplest of films tell a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. A good script ensures that a movie tells such a story.

(Looking to write down your script? do check out Industry-standard screenwriting software)

One can always write a script, but an alternative that can get you to practice filmmaking faster is to download a script from the web.

A duet acting script depicts one ten-minute scene between two actors and sometimes involves nothing but dialogue. Ideal for those just starting, such a script offers an excellent opportunity to dive straight into the method of familiarizing yourself with the shooting.

Create A Storyboard

Once a script is secured, one can make a storyboard, that is, a panel-by-panel outline of every shot. A storyboard determines the flow of the film as well as the sequence of scenes.

The advantage of this work is that it is less costly and time-consuming compared to deciding the flow of a movie while filming. A storyboard need not be an inventive masterpiece; as long because it allows a filmmaker to specialize in special effects when it comes time to shoot the film. Try finding a storyboard template or examples to assist you in building your own.

Scout for Filming Locations

Although the location is going to be determined by the script, it is important to seek out an appropriate setting to start filming.

For example, if a movie takes place during a cafe, one has got to decide whether to film in an actual cafe, which might require permission from the owners or to mimic a cafe environment. If the filming takes place outdoors then one must find a secure and legal location to film. If it takes place indoors, one must find an inside spot where filming will not be interrupted.

Be mindful that it is tough to seek out locations on a budget, so unless you have got the budget, attempt to craft your script around filming locations that you will have easy access to instead of places like banks or supermarkets.

Select A Camera

Traditional movie cameras are expensive, but digital cameras provide a far less costly option for budding filmmakers. It is possible to use an iOS or Android device to make a film. There are a couple of successful feature films that were filmed using only a smartphone.

The main disadvantage of those devices is space for storing, so a prospective filmmaker might want to get a digital motion-picture camera. Although high-end digital movie cameras are expensive, there is a marketplace for less costly consumer cameras as well as rental services. Moreover, they permit footage to be transferred to a computer easily for editing and post-processing.

Edit Your Film

Raw footage does not tell a story and sometimes contains extraneous material not relevant to the script. A movie is ready only when raw footage is crafted into a narrative with a definite beginning, middle, and end.

If you do not have the skills to edit videos, don’t worry as editing has been made easier with the present generation of video editing software. For short films many of the free software packages usually suffice. Windows, for instance, comes with Windows Live filmmaker, which has stood the test of time for years. Most Apple Macs accompany iMovie, a filmmaker designed for newcomers which should also suffice.

Following these steps provides a hands-on experience with filmmaking and can give prospective film students a rough idea of the way to make a movie. Do visit Artha and follow on social media for more.