Has Anybody Ever Shot A Feature Over an Extended Schedule?
- Thread starter c.g._eads
- Start date
I've just finished shooting on my low-budget feature, and we started shooting at the start of July, so I think I probably meet your criteria ;-) The reasons for the extended schedule were pretty much the same as your own.
Aside from maintaining interest and enthusiasm from cast and crew over a longer period, one of the main problems is ensuring that everyone maintains their look, especially with regard to hair length and colour, over that time.
Luckily I had a dedicated principal cast, who were happy to keep themselves looking the sae for the sake of the project, although a couple of the bit-part characters did prove problematic.
I've posted director's diaries on my website, as well as some stills, which will give you a more detailed idea of what we went through:
www.caliburnproductions.com
The best thing I can do is wish you luck. You're going to be an exhausted wreck by the end of the shoot ;-)
Cheers
Pat
Aside from maintaining interest and enthusiasm from cast and crew over a longer period, one of the main problems is ensuring that everyone maintains their look, especially with regard to hair length and colour, over that time.
Luckily I had a dedicated principal cast, who were happy to keep themselves looking the sae for the sake of the project, although a couple of the bit-part characters did prove problematic.
I've posted director's diaries on my website, as well as some stills, which will give you a more detailed idea of what we went through:
www.caliburnproductions.com
The best thing I can do is wish you luck. You're going to be an exhausted wreck by the end of the shoot ;-)
Cheers
Pat
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
I've done this, and it's a challenge.
First, be aware that whatever schedule you think you can set and stick to, things are going to happen to extend it. Think you can shoot in 10 consecutive weekends? Forget it. Actors or crewpeople will have other opportunities pop up, or they'll get sick, or some family situation will cause you to postpone. Your schedule will get longer than you expected.
There is also the danger with some people that they will lose interest midway through the project, or become difficult for some other reason. Suddenly you will no longer have an actor -- someone you still need to shoot critical scenes with. That's a disaster!
Other things can take critical cast or crew away too -- accidents, illness, injuries, etc. With actors -- people get or lose suntans, gain or lose weight, lengthen/shorten/color their hair for other projects, etc.
As I said, shooting over an extended schedule can be challenging. But if it's what you have to do, then do it. Do everything you can to make the schedule as short as possible -- and try to keep everyone happy so your problems will be minimal.
Good luck!
First, be aware that whatever schedule you think you can set and stick to, things are going to happen to extend it. Think you can shoot in 10 consecutive weekends? Forget it. Actors or crewpeople will have other opportunities pop up, or they'll get sick, or some family situation will cause you to postpone. Your schedule will get longer than you expected.
There is also the danger with some people that they will lose interest midway through the project, or become difficult for some other reason. Suddenly you will no longer have an actor -- someone you still need to shoot critical scenes with. That's a disaster!
Other things can take critical cast or crew away too -- accidents, illness, injuries, etc. With actors -- people get or lose suntans, gain or lose weight, lengthen/shorten/color their hair for other projects, etc.
As I said, shooting over an extended schedule can be challenging. But if it's what you have to do, then do it. Do everything you can to make the schedule as short as possible -- and try to keep everyone happy so your problems will be minimal.
Good luck!
Allen Achterberg
Active member
don't do it Unless you have no other choice. I worked as a 1st AC on a feature, shot on the SDX900 over weekends, I started when I had just turned 17, I'll be 21 in Feb and it's still not done. Granted weekends turned into every other weekend, then to once a month, then to random pick up calls. Hair changes over time, actors move, some had kids, some got married, luckily no one has passed away.
But it can easily turn into a never ending cycle of pick ups, because this or that has changed, something isn't right. Just take the month off of work, and shoot straight through! You'll sleep better, and have an easier time of it.
I started working on it, not expecting pay, then I began to get paid work and grew up, I depend on a nice paycheck, it's never easy anymore to think of going back and working so hard when you don't need to gain the experience from that project, and when you have bills to pay. Crew members don't come back (I did but I eventually started getting a little money from a camera rental on pick-ups) It really can turn into a serious headache man. And I'm speaking from a crew members POV, I sure as hell wouldn't do it this was if I was directing especially not if I was producing, you will likely lose more money that way too doing pick ups because your actor cut his hair too short, or moved away.
good luck
But it can easily turn into a never ending cycle of pick ups, because this or that has changed, something isn't right. Just take the month off of work, and shoot straight through! You'll sleep better, and have an easier time of it.
I started working on it, not expecting pay, then I began to get paid work and grew up, I depend on a nice paycheck, it's never easy anymore to think of going back and working so hard when you don't need to gain the experience from that project, and when you have bills to pay. Crew members don't come back (I did but I eventually started getting a little money from a camera rental on pick-ups) It really can turn into a serious headache man. And I'm speaking from a crew members POV, I sure as hell wouldn't do it this was if I was directing especially not if I was producing, you will likely lose more money that way too doing pick ups because your actor cut his hair too short, or moved away.
good luck
I directed a 63 minute docudrama about what happens when you get caught drinking and driving. Because of actor availability, location availability, etc., it took seven months to shoot. Male lead gained quite a bit of weight, female lead changed hair style. The biggest problem was vegetation changes, there were many outside scenes. Keeping my interest level up was also challenging as I was also building a new house at the same time.
I wouldn't do it again!
Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.
Good luck.
I wouldn't do it again!
Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.
Good luck.
Allen Achterberg
Active member
don't do it Unless you have no other choice. I worked as a 1st AC on a feature, shot on the SDX900 over weekends, I started when I had just turned 17, I'll be 21 in Feb and it's still not done. Granted weekends turned into every other weekend, then to once a month, then to random pick up calls. Hair changes over time, actors move, some had kids, some got married, luckily no one has passed away.
But it can easily turn into a never ending cycle of pick ups, because this or that has changed, something isn't right. Just take the month off of work, and shoot straight through! You'll sleep better, and have an easier time of it.
I started working on it, not expecting pay, then I began to get paid work and grew up, I depend on a nice paycheck, it's never easy anymore to think of going back and working so hard when you don't need to gain the experience from that project, and when you have bills to pay. Crew members don't come back (I did but I eventually started getting a little money from a camera rental on pick-ups) It really can turn into a serious headache man. And I'm speaking from a crew members POV, I sure as hell wouldn't do it this was if I was directing especially not if I was producing, you will likely lose more money that way too doing pick ups because your actor cut his hair too short, or moved away.
good luck
But it can easily turn into a never ending cycle of pick ups, because this or that has changed, something isn't right. Just take the month off of work, and shoot straight through! You'll sleep better, and have an easier time of it.
I started working on it, not expecting pay, then I began to get paid work and grew up, I depend on a nice paycheck, it's never easy anymore to think of going back and working so hard when you don't need to gain the experience from that project, and when you have bills to pay. Crew members don't come back (I did but I eventually started getting a little money from a camera rental on pick-ups) It really can turn into a serious headache man. And I'm speaking from a crew members POV, I sure as hell wouldn't do it this was if I was directing especially not if I was producing, you will likely lose more money that way too doing pick ups because your actor cut his hair too short, or moved away.
good luck
i definitely don't want to do it this way but I simply cannot afford any other way of doing the movie. I've spent two years trying to raise money and nothing has come of it. I'd rather spend 4 years making my movie than 4 years waiting for money and *saying* I'm a filmmaker. There just comes a time when you're like, 'f*&k it. i wanna shoot.' I would honestly be happy just getting to weekend number 2 and all my actors quit than sit here waiting and waiting and waiting.
It is what it is. Any other advice besides "don't do it"?
It is what it is. Any other advice besides "don't do it"?
How long do think it will take to shoot if you just shoot on weekends?
Can you use vacation time to get some 3-day weekends in?
I feel your pain on wanting to get on with it.
I said I wouldn't do it again but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Spend alot of time in preplanning so you can be as productive as possible when you are shooting. A storyboard with camera setups will be a huge advantage.
Can you use vacation time to get some 3-day weekends in?
I feel your pain on wanting to get on with it.
I said I wouldn't do it again but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Spend alot of time in preplanning so you can be as productive as possible when you are shooting. A storyboard with camera setups will be a huge advantage.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
yes, if you're going to do it this way, have everyone commit to the schedule beforehand... in a deal memo or contract. you don't want to be calling everyone for their availability every week for three months. schedule the whole production out as you would if you were shooting it all at once. this will complicate things with SAG though.
Justin Kuhn
Veteran
Shoot out one location a week if possible, give or take. If you schedule it right you could be done in a month or two.
I'm fortunate in that I might be able to get some 3 to 4 day weekends in there. Of course, that will also depend on the availability of everyone else. I will definitely plan out the entire shoot beforehand. Another one of the reasons this movie would've been so expensive to shoot consecutively is the large number of locations. Every budget-maker told me it was impossible and would cost a fortune. But if I spread it out, going from location to location every weekend (instead of every day), it should be relatively manageable.
SilverWolf
Veteran
If you are going to shoot this way make sure that you get a good trailer up as soon as you can. Doing so will keep peoples interest because they can actually see a product come out of it. It will also be a good idea to to give clips to you lead actors of some scenes they were in that way they can put them up on whatever online site they may have up. I know you might not want to do that because people will see some of the movies but the more you allow the actor to promote the movie the less chance they will bail out of it.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
c.g. i don't know who told you it would be cheaper to spread out a production but they are wrong. you will spend more, ultimately, because it will take more days to shoot. which means you're paying for more food, more gas, more daily rates for cast and crew. and valuable time will be eaten up picking up, packing and dropping off rental gear (at least two hours out of each day). and you will have a hard time negotiating lower rates for equipment rentals on each weekend, as opposed to one solid chunk of time.
i'm curious in what way they said it would be cheaper?
i'm curious in what way they said it would be cheaper?
Silverwolf,
Great idea.
Zack,
They're definitely not wrong. There's a million ways to make a spread-out shoot less expensive than a consecutive one and vice versa. Some compromises just have to be made. Everything will be shot with already-owned equipment. I agree that if I was renting everything, it would be much cheaper to shoot consecutively. Crew will be small. Ten people. On the weekends my film and non-film friends will be able to give me their time for free. If I wanted them during the week (or told them to drop their jobs for a month), I would obviously have to pay them. Would I like to have a fully-paid professional crew? Sure. Did people give me enough money to do so? No. Therefore have to move to Plan B.
A good reference is the DV's Rebel Guide to Filmmaking. He lays it all out much better than I can. Coincidentally, I decided to do it before I knew about the book. When someone suggested it to me, I read it and it reinforced my decision and gave me a few more cost-cutting ideas.
Great idea.
Zack,
They're definitely not wrong. There's a million ways to make a spread-out shoot less expensive than a consecutive one and vice versa. Some compromises just have to be made. Everything will be shot with already-owned equipment. I agree that if I was renting everything, it would be much cheaper to shoot consecutively. Crew will be small. Ten people. On the weekends my film and non-film friends will be able to give me their time for free. If I wanted them during the week (or told them to drop their jobs for a month), I would obviously have to pay them. Would I like to have a fully-paid professional crew? Sure. Did people give me enough money to do so? No. Therefore have to move to Plan B.
A good reference is the DV's Rebel Guide to Filmmaking. He lays it all out much better than I can. Coincidentally, I decided to do it before I knew about the book. When someone suggested it to me, I read it and it reinforced my decision and gave me a few more cost-cutting ideas.
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filmman
Veteran
It will take longer than you expected -- very likely.
If you're forced to shoot weekends, you should consider rewriting the story to fit the shooting schedule.
Finish each sequence in one production period. Each sequence should stand on its own.
Essentially, you'll be shooting new episodes for a compilation movie.
It's better not to make a movie if it's going to be a nightmare, because nightmare movies never go away. You may hurt yourself badly as a filmmaker.
Can you guess if I've done that myself? LOL
If you're forced to shoot weekends, you should consider rewriting the story to fit the shooting schedule.
Finish each sequence in one production period. Each sequence should stand on its own.
Essentially, you'll be shooting new episodes for a compilation movie.
It's better not to make a movie if it's going to be a nightmare, because nightmare movies never go away. You may hurt yourself badly as a filmmaker.
Can you guess if I've done that myself? LOL
Capt Quirk
Veteran
There is a documentary called The Great American Movie... I think. It is about an almost everyday guy shooting his indie horror flick with his friends helping out. I think it took him almost 7-10 years to complete. Is that extended enough for you?
Will Clegg
Veteran
That doc is called "American Movie" - I just watched it again recently. The documentary is great, but the horror film that is the subject of the documentary... not so good.
It does expose some of the problems discussed in this thread though: actors getting their hair cut, other massive continuity problems, extras and crew members not showing up, etc, etc. It should be noted though that the main problem with the film was the director's alcoholism and emotional problems.
Go for it CG! You just have to have a different set of expectations than if you were shooting all at once, but it sounds like you are aware of the risks (and there are clearly many). Best of luck.
It does expose some of the problems discussed in this thread though: actors getting their hair cut, other massive continuity problems, extras and crew members not showing up, etc, etc. It should be noted though that the main problem with the film was the director's alcoholism and emotional problems.
Go for it CG! You just have to have a different set of expectations than if you were shooting all at once, but it sounds like you are aware of the risks (and there are clearly many). Best of luck.