And so it ended. I finally finished my film and it was a brilliant experience! You can see the film here.
On a very sunny Saturday in April, four strangers – the actors, a sound man and a cameraman, descended on my homestead. We – well I had anyway – planned to start at nine o’clock, under pressure to get the film shot because, for various reasons, I only had the one day to get it done.
One needs to understand, this was my first foray into directing and I was working with people I do not know. Having said that, I enjoyed the whole experience immensely. Everything I wanted to do in the film, I did. And I learned a great deal; about directing, coverage, lighting and shot composition.
The set was a happy one, with the shoot speeding by. I was extremely lucky to have a highly experienced and competent cameraman on set. He was kind enough to guide me through my ignorance when it came to certain things; camera ready, clapperboard and lighting.
It also helped with my editing practice – FCP X for those that are interested – using the latest, industry dividing, editing software from Apple! Sound was interesting as well, especially the last scene. Overall, though the film was by no means a masterpiece, I was happy to get it done and realise that I could actually do it. Now if I could just stop procrastinating, I could get my next film made!
Category: filmmaking
The road has an end, even if I am only in the middle!
The actors have been on board for an age. Initially, I had believed I had a crew, ready to go early to mid March. Then the cameraman got some work. No problem, I could wait. He contacted me; apologises, he could do another date. Okay, I could deal with that. Contact the actors, give them a new date, good to go. Cameraman comes back, got his dates mixed up. He can’t do the weekend he initially gave. Can do weekend after. Okay. Let’s do that. Actors agree, very accommodating. The cameraman cancels again. Says he will contact me and nail down a date. Hmm. Okay…..nothing. it was time to take matters into my own hands. The Web is a wonderful tool for the modern day, would be auteur. A quick Google for film crew people and a sign up to a filmmakers wannabe site – Shooting People – and I was advertising for a cameraman and sound recordist. After much toing and froing – everybody wants to know when the shoot is! – I have finally got a crew and a date. Still a couple of weeks away, so hopefully all will go well! It has been a long haul and it is only a five minute film! Got to love it.
Which girl?
It is almost a week since the auditions and though I am decided on who will play the male lead, the female role is still undecided.
I thought i was decided, but then I watched the auditions again….I will decide by tomorrow.
A step closer.
Today – Sunday 3rd February – I moved another step closer to realising my first ever film; auditions. Having posted an ad on an industry website a fortnight ago, the fruits of my labour were realised today as around fifteen young actors enthusiastically arrived periodically to read and act my own words to me.
Today was the first time I had ever heard my work read out loud. I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was not crap! Aside from a few pacing problems, it read and flowed really well. It helped that, for the most part, the actors came ready to perform and – luckily I am led to believe – took direction well.
Initially I had been quite nervous about the auditions, but the whole thing turned out to be quite enjoyable. I just have to pick the two actors from the quite impressive lot I saw today! Ah well, better too many than too few. Another step closer.
filmsbyq4u 