It's something I want to do over the next year; for myself more than anything as I think it will benefit my writing. For those of you who have done this, what advice can you give? What are the things to avoid? What runs up cost? etc

I have a short 3 page script. Two scenes. Two speaking roles, which I think will be a good one to use as my first.

I have access to cameras to shoot on from the university where I studied at and where my brother studies film. My brother is close with some actors there, though I haven't met them personally.

I teach at a college which has recently, through funding, developed a shooting suite with a green screen etc. We have editing facilities as well, so I have access to things here which will cut cost.

I'm curious for any tips and advice and to know the major pitfalls. I don't want to dive into something unprepared.

All thoughts welcomed.

Sound is of paramount importance. Bad sound will ruin your short faster than anything else.

Definitely agree on sound. Don't believe the "fix it in post" bit - just get it right on set.

The number one thing - pre-production. Work your ass off in pre-production. Take care of everything and anything that can come up. You'll still get throw lots of curveballs, but you'll be able to handle them. Plus, your film will be better. You'll make less mistakes. And you'll look like you know what you're doing to the cast and crew. Just because you plan it all out, doesn't mean you don't improvise and go with the flow, it actually allows you to do that without forgetting important things. If you don't work hard in pre-production, you pay for it.

Sound - get someone with experience and their own equipment.

Camera - high def.

Lights - you will need them to make your short look good.

Actors - audition. Look for charisma. Make sure they are serious about acting. You're cousin might be free but is he an actor?

Food - more important than the camera, sound, lights, or location. Feed them well (PB&J doesn't count) and have plenty of water and snacks.

Location. Make it interesting and real. Don't go green screen if you can help it. It adds to the cost and editing time.

Editor. Use someone with lots of editing experience in the kind of work you are doing.

Music. Use original music that you can get the rights to. Either a band or a composer.

DP - someone experienced in getting a good picture. Look at their previous work.

Grip and Gaffer - people with experience who can move your equipment in and set it up quickly and professionally.

I'll think of more but that's off the top of my head.

Oh, and have fun.

Your cousin.

Thank you Paula, Irin and James. Very helpful.

No problem. Any other questions you have or advice you need, don't hesitate to ask.

James,

Irin is right about preproduction - it is the MOST important part and can help you avoid many pitfalls.

Two things that I felt were important on my first film was -

1 - shot list - make sure to have one and use it. It is easy during the day to forget it and check it off, espc. if you don't have someone dedicated to do so. You may then end up in editing going - I wish I had that or where is that shot.

2 - Give yourself time before action and cut of scene - a few seconds of film time - this is heloful during editing and those few seconds can really make a difference.

Have fun but be aware that something always goes wrong - don't stress it and go with it - your planning will help make any problems easier.

Good luck,

Kevin

I have had a couple of shorts made by the simple rule of having found an indie director/producer who wanted to make it and then sat back and let them do their jobs. The question I have is do you want to be a writer of do you want to produce and/or direct? Since I want to be a writer I stick to that and allow oithers to do their own jobs. I have some other shorts that have been looked at by other producers but that require computer graphics to make. One in particular is quite good according to the producers that have read it but their budgets will not allow for the CG needed to make them. I expect that if you look hard enough, there is some budding young but talented director at the university who wants a good script to make a film you want. If you utilize their energy with all of the work you already have already put into your project, you will get your film. Just a thought.

It's very easy to spend other people's money and filmmaking can be a money pit.

I suggest you go one of two ways. Get a producer who knows what they are doing to gather all of the crew and guide you through the process from pre-production to post production. This will allow you to focus on directing the short.

The other way to go is to keep it very simple. You, the DP, and an assistant (PA) who can double as the boom operator. Get the footage, edit it yourself, and make it a learning experience for a more ambitious project.

A two scene, 3 page script with 2 actors should not take more than a day at most. You don't need a large crew just cover the basic functions. I was the only crew on my first 3 shorts (it's tiring but not impossible, just depends on your equipment and skills). Now, if your "scene" is that the 2 characters are touring some famous castle when they are attacked by a hoard of ghost Huns, well then, that's different.

James,

I started producing my own stuff seriously in the spring. Modify my advice based on your own situation and goals.

I researched the heck out of cameras and went with a Canon EOS 7D. It's a DSLR one step down from the 5D MkII (the season finale of HOUSE was shot on a 5D MKII). I love this camera because the video it shoots looks like film...I have a friend with an XH1A, and he's jealous at the colors the 7D captures. He needs software color correction to get the same effect.

The downside with the 7D: it uses more expensive CF memory cards, it's limited in its frame rate and resolution (though it can capture at full HD in 30 or 24 fps), and after a couple hours nonstop shooting, the camera started to overheat. (It's only happened once, but I usually shut down between takes to conserve power and it seems to mitigate the overheating)

The bundle I bought with the camera came with a zoom lens and a bunch of stuff (cleaning kit, flash, tripod...); I picked up a Canon 50mm prime as a second lens. The 50mm is freaking amazing - the first video I made I was tight in on an actor friend's eyes, and you could see me reflected in her eyes.

The 50mm prime has a wide aperture (down to f1.8) and really sweet control over depth-of-field. With a little practice it looks like it cost a lot more than I spent on it. Between these two lenses I can do a lot (I got one with the camera).

For audio I've got a Zoom H4N digital audio recorder (if you watch Ghost Hunters, it's the gizmo with two mics on the end). The audio it captures is beautiful; in a pinch I've done voiceovers in my "mobile studio" (my wife's car). I've also got a shotgun mic and a camera mount for the H4N. (I can get 25 hours of audio on a 16MB SD card).

I tried the homemade pipe steadicam and hated it (unweildy and heavy as hell), so I picked up a Manfrotto ModoSteady. It transforms from steadicam to shoulder brace to tabletop tripod, and it's a lot lighter and more comfortable. I shot some video at a concert last month with it in shoulder brace mode, and it really comes in handy...especially when you're working with a small camera like a DSLR.

I've edited on Pinnacle Studio and Sony Vegas. Vegas is much more powerful but Studio is more user-friendly.

I got a basic light kit off eBay - three lights, two umbrellas, fixtures and bulbs - for $63 with the shipping. If you go this route, watch a few auctions, know what you want to pay and stick with it.

Everything I need - including my laptop and tripod - packs into a backpack and a duffle bag.

We entered the 48 Hour Film Project in our state (a blast), I've got another film into the NH Film Festival, and both are up on my YouTube channel. (YouTube is free and unlimited)

With the exception of my co-writer and one actor on 48HFP, I found everyone on the project through Craigslist. That's six people out of a team of nine. (It was also the second short I made after buying the 7D...which was nuts but fun)

If you enter film festivals through WithoutABox (www.withoutabox.com) you get a page on IMDB for your short. If you're accepted to a festival, as I understand it, you qualify for an IMDB entry.

Obviously you can save money (buy the camera used or refurbished, go with the homemade steadicam)...or you can do like I did and spread out the purchase over time. It took me about 6 months to get everything, and the whole time I was researching, shopping around, and comparing prices.

Good luck!

Oh - one more thing.

I see people raising money for short films on Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com).

I haven't done that *yet* but I'm planning to in January...I'll keep you posted on my experience.

VERY interesting thread, you guys. Lots to think about. Thanks!!

I would not recommend buying your own equipment unless you will be a DP full-time. Spend your money on other expenses (and there will be plenty). Technology is changing so fast and if you do everything you won't have time to enjoy the process.

You can take a film class at the local community college or university. They should have everything you would need, including cast, crew, and equipment.

You can also check out IndieGoGo.com They also have a partnership with Fractured Atlas and SFFS which is good for fiscal sponsorship (meaning people can make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation). Kickstarter doesn't offer that option. My project is on IndieGoGo and is fiscally sponsored through Fractured Atlas so feel free to ask any questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arGzXbxkTC4

Fun piece about those cameras. The image is amazing. It's got about half the 'resolution" as the red. It is a bit more finicky. We decided to go with an EX 3 (or even Ex1) on a recent project because we needed more of a run-and-gun camera.

It's cool that people are taking things into their own hands and making movies. Cool!

The technology and the delivery mechanism have arrived. :D

And if anyone's interested in wasting 7 minutes you'll never get back:

Saving Face http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s1dpK8gY4E

(Our entry into 48HFP)

Cool, Tim! Inspires me to want to make my own.

Great thread! Appreciate all the insites and advice.

Question about short film distribution. Seems like youtube and film festivals are the two main ways to get your short seen. Are there any others you know of? And doesit hurt your chances of getting into a fest to already have your movie posted on youtube or on your own website? In otherwords should you try to get into fests first before you post your short on the internet?

Andrew - it's going to depend on the festival. Like screenwriting contests they have their own rules. Most are going to want to be the first to show your short, but you will find others that won't care.

Along those same lines, getting into film festivals is just as challenging as screenwriting contests. Many go the youtube route because it's cheap and you have a chance of someone seeing your film.

Yeah that's pretty much what I figured. Thanx Paula.

Yes - do the fests first, the web next. Most festivals won't screen you if you're available on the web.

If you submit to a festival through WithoutABox, there's an option for distribution. I'm not sure how it works but I'm looking into it...

48HFP has a section on what you can and can't do - you can put it on YouTube or your own site as long as you don't sell it and leave the "This film made for the 48 hour film project" on it.

If a festival has concerns, they'll be listed in the rules.