Sherri Sheridan
Member
How is writing a script for a digital no budget film different than writing a screenplay? Is it wise to even think about making the film while writing the script? It is if you are the one making it!
Some quick no budget digital screenwriting tips:
1) If you are shooting in straight DV make a list of local settings you could use in your story and write them into the script. Focus on the mood and symbolic meanings of each location.
2) If you will be using live actors or voice actors write parts for people you know who can act or do the voices.
3) Take an inventory of everything you have to use. I shot a bunch of pictures at Jim Morrison's grave in Paris way back when and was able to repurpose them as a 2D Photoshop collage set for an After FX animation called Goth Grrls. I was able to do 11 minutes of 2D animation in under 2 months using this Southpark simple style, which I think is one of the best production styles for indie filmmakers to embrace in regards to time and money when creating films. Here is a YouTube link to that film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8PAyDmG6Yw
4) If you are doing a 3D animated film keep the visual style really simple and low geometry for rendering and once again look at all the models, characters, and sets you already have or can download to create story ideas fast.
5) Focus on getting to the emotional truth of each moment and scene in your story. Many no budget films have 0 believability in regards to universal truths in my opinion. You need to really FEEL what each character is feeling and get into it on an improv level in your head where you are playing out all the characters and situations. Honest emotions are really missing in many films these days.
6) If you are doing an animated film using 2D or 3D you need to really push the story to do all the wild things animation can show.
These are just a few tips. I have a new 94 minute free online digital microbudget screenwriting class at www.MyFlik.com with a workbook. This online class is perfect for getting a film idea together fast. It is based on a 20 hour DVD workshop called "Writing A Great Script Fast" that takes you through a complete screenplay process. Based on my books "Developing Digital Short Films" and "Maya Character Animation" (New Riders). If you want to just check out certain steps on plot points, conflict, suspense, setups, symbols, twists or other areas use this link:
http://www.mindseyemedia.com/films.html
Anyone else have any tips for no budget digital screenwriting? Without a great story or idea to shoot you have nothing. The best camera in the world will get you no where without something to say! Unless of course you just want to shoot stuff for other people...
MyFlik groups are starting the San Francisco Bay Area and other cities around the world so email me (sherri@mindseyemedia.com) if you want to be involved. Focus is on great storytelling using microbudget digital filmmaking techniques.
Happy Filmmaking!
Some quick no budget digital screenwriting tips:
1) If you are shooting in straight DV make a list of local settings you could use in your story and write them into the script. Focus on the mood and symbolic meanings of each location.
2) If you will be using live actors or voice actors write parts for people you know who can act or do the voices.
3) Take an inventory of everything you have to use. I shot a bunch of pictures at Jim Morrison's grave in Paris way back when and was able to repurpose them as a 2D Photoshop collage set for an After FX animation called Goth Grrls. I was able to do 11 minutes of 2D animation in under 2 months using this Southpark simple style, which I think is one of the best production styles for indie filmmakers to embrace in regards to time and money when creating films. Here is a YouTube link to that film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8PAyDmG6Yw
4) If you are doing a 3D animated film keep the visual style really simple and low geometry for rendering and once again look at all the models, characters, and sets you already have or can download to create story ideas fast.
5) Focus on getting to the emotional truth of each moment and scene in your story. Many no budget films have 0 believability in regards to universal truths in my opinion. You need to really FEEL what each character is feeling and get into it on an improv level in your head where you are playing out all the characters and situations. Honest emotions are really missing in many films these days.
6) If you are doing an animated film using 2D or 3D you need to really push the story to do all the wild things animation can show.
These are just a few tips. I have a new 94 minute free online digital microbudget screenwriting class at www.MyFlik.com with a workbook. This online class is perfect for getting a film idea together fast. It is based on a 20 hour DVD workshop called "Writing A Great Script Fast" that takes you through a complete screenplay process. Based on my books "Developing Digital Short Films" and "Maya Character Animation" (New Riders). If you want to just check out certain steps on plot points, conflict, suspense, setups, symbols, twists or other areas use this link:
http://www.mindseyemedia.com/films.html
Anyone else have any tips for no budget digital screenwriting? Without a great story or idea to shoot you have nothing. The best camera in the world will get you no where without something to say! Unless of course you just want to shoot stuff for other people...
MyFlik groups are starting the San Francisco Bay Area and other cities around the world so email me (sherri@mindseyemedia.com) if you want to be involved. Focus is on great storytelling using microbudget digital filmmaking techniques.
Happy Filmmaking!