Lights, Camera, Action! 5 Things to Consider When Making a Film

Making a film is difficult work. What you actually see on screen is only a small fraction of what it actually takes to make a movie. When making a film, there are a lot of pitfalls for the inexperienced.

So how do you avoid these mistakes and produce something great? This article lists 5 things you need to consider when producing any kind of film.

Have a Good Script

A good script is perhaps the most vital part of movie production. If the script is poor, then it doesn’t matter how good everything else is. On top of that, viewers might be prepared to look past imperfect lighting or acting if your script is on point.

You should take the time to get the script perfect before you start filming. Making a film can quickly fall apart when the script isn’t well written. Having to make excessive amounts of edits while the filming is underway is also a quick way to mess up your film.

A good script is also central to planning your filming. If the script isn’t complete, it could lead to planning errors.

Have a Storyboard

Having a storyboard is another essential part of planning. Without a good storyboard, you’ll struggle to film your scenes. Basically, a storyboard allows you to plan out your shots before you get to the actual filming.

This speeds things up significantly as it lets you simply execute your vision on set. If you’re still not sure what your shots are going to look like by the time you start filming, you’ll probably struggle.

Have Backup Plans

Whether you’re making a short horror film or making a Star Wars fan film, you can almost guarantee that something is going to go wrong. When planning, you should always factor in backup plans.

For example, if a filming location falls through, will you be able to film somewhere else? Having solid backup plans could be the difference between success and failure.

Have the Right Equipment

Problems with equipment can result in days of filming being lost. If you’re making a short film on a small budget, you probably can’t afford this. That is why you need to pay close attention to the equipment you use.

High-quality, reliable gear is quite expensive, so you might consider using a video equipment rental service.

Have a Schedule

Making a film is incredibly time-sensitive, so you need to make sure you make a schedule. A schedule ensures everyone knows what’s expected of them and it means that you won’t waste people’s time.

Making a Film Is Hard Work

Ultimately, making a film comes down to hard work. A lot of the work happens before you even get on set. You need to make sure you have a solid script, a solid plan, and reliable equipment.

If you want to learn more about other similar topics, take a look at our blog posts.