What do you need to be ready to film?
- a good nights' sleep and show up on time. Ideally, set up your first shot the night before.
- good food to carry you thoughout the day (plan your food ahead of time and have it ready to go!) Critical time can be lost to either preparing food, obtaining food, or trying to work when you are hungry. There is a good reason why food services and catering are front and center in all film sets.
- all film equipment including camera, spare batteries, tripod, chargers, microphones, cables, sand bag, reflector, clapper board, etc.)
- costumes (no school uniforms in your films)
- transportation
- roles! Make sure you've determined who will be the director before you meet to film. Cinematographer? Grip? Actors?
- Keep focused. Serious work will produce a film you are proud of.
- Remember to shoot cutaways!
- You should also record some ambient sounds (i.e. forest sounds, river running, or engine starting)
How do you FILM A SCENE? (BLRS)
Follow these steps for each shot:
- Block - Director gives each actor and extra action and helps them block out their positions (requires individual walk-through)
- Light - Cinematographer configures the camera and lighting and calls the director to approve the frame. Sound prepares equipment
- Rehearse - Entire team does a run-through (including lighting, sound, action). If successful, director calls 'Picture' and filming begins
- Picture or Shoot - film the take until the director is satisfied
- Quiet on the set (director)
- Rolling (cinematographer)
- 'Sound Rolling', or 'Sound Speed'(audio)
- Clapper (scene, shot, take)
- Action (director - after 3 seconds pre-roll)
- Cut (director - after 3 seconds post-roll)