Advice on a process

[corderouge]

Hi all,

I believe this is my first thread on DVXuser... I've been lurking for over a year now.
Now, I'm a student in high school, studying film, and we have a film we are required to make which is between 4 and 10 minutes.

Now I looked at my resources (a lack of money, a few talented friends who can act - all between 17 and 20, two friends who could crew for me, and are very quick learners, a few quality lenses I can borrow) and I've worked it all out to end up with a first draft of the script. It's a little longer than I wanted (six minutes), but I'm not sure how to go on from this point...

So my question is, now that I've written the first draft, how do I go about objectively working out the kinks?

Also, it's got a lot of dialogue. How would that possibly skew the 1 minute per page rule?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Kingswell]

Normally i would just put it to one side for a few weeks and forget about (or at least try) then come back to it later on with a fresh mind. I actually go through the script as each character-not just reading it but actually acting every part out. The i write in the voice of each character what is happening from their view point. This way you can work out any inconsistencies with plot and character development.

Another thing you could do since you've already got some actors raring to go is actually just rehearse your first draft with them and see if the script works.

 

[Sad Max]

Table reads. Get together with people who are willing to sit down and read through the script with you, out loud. It can be a very good way to identify clunky dialog, logic gaps and rhythm problems. Plus an opportunity to make notes, along the way, as you and other people think of things in need of planning, changing, emphasizing or dropping.

Time allowing, download a copy of sketchup (it's free) and use it to make simple storyboards (it's very easy to learn) so as to have some ideas for shots worked out, ahead of time.