First Short... No Budget... Advice?

jerzythepeddler

jerzythepeddler

Member
I am about two weeks away from shooting my first short film. I've worked on a couple promo videos and a music video but this will be my first fiction short. I feel relatively prepared but figured I should get some advice on general knowledge stuff that I might be overlooking. A local filmmaker told me to take alot of still photos to use for any number of things( behind the scenes, dvd cover, website). I guess that is the kind of thing I'm talking about, just stuff you guys do on every shoot. Also, any info on working with non actors (aka - friends LQTM) would be appreciated. Should I try to get them to learn lines to some degree? I don't really want them to feel like they're working, but I want to be able to get stuff done efficiently.
 
You're shooting something narrative with non-actors... thats the first thing I'd strongly recommend against. I technically shot my first two movies with my friends and I will never release them publicly. Part of the reason they were so bad were my own, I didn't have certain tech know how... but also when working with friends, they seriously don't care, at least no where near in the respect that you do. They aren't going to invest emotionally into a character or take the time to memorize any lines. In the end, you get ultra dry performances that even you cannot subjectively analyze and start looking for ways to improve on your next piece. You won't be able to see through your friends performance to the character and see your own flaws and mistakes. I would highly recommend going on craigslist or finding people from a theater department in a college or high school at the very least.

Find people who want to act. Who cares if they have never acted before. They'll be much better than your friends and at least you'll both learn and grow from the experience. Have your friends help you crew and plan. That they will do and they'll usually do it well if they are good friends.

Also... take lots of stills :)
 
Also... you said you don't want them to feel like they're working... with people who want to act, they crave exactly that. They want to channel that creativity and energy into a character, into a story. In the film world, work = action, in any and every capacity, we're craving work to flex creative muscles. You'll find this in people who want to act but not in your friends. Don't get me wrong, they may be great friends who are even excited to be in your movie... but their excitement is only skin deep.

Also, don't worry about having no money. You can make good stuff for nothing but the cost of food so long as you have access to a camera and a computer :)
 
I have one non actor I work with and that's because he's does great comic relief. You'd do better working with college theater majors than working with non actors.

-Nate
 
Wow... I am now terrified. LOL... Seriously though, thanks for the great info. It seems the consensus for working with non actors is DON'T. Lets say you had to. What would you do? Just try to let them get from point A to point B in some type of controlled improvisational chaos? HAHAHA....
 
If I had to work with non-actors... at this point, I would flat out not make the project. I wouldn't want to put creative energy into something that other people are going to look at as an excuse from playing video games one afternoon.

It seems like you are forced into this situation; is this for a class project or something? Just curious how you could have no other option but to use your friends.
 
I agree with Geoff. Find people who really want to act.

I've worked with non actors on a number of films now, (friends) and it sucks. Even if they are natural performers, they don't have the first clue about film acting - or the desire to learn about it (which is most important)

People who are passionate actors are best because they don't complain about long days or takes (well...generally speaking), as they understand the process. They've also probably taken a course in film acting or at least watched a lot of films and studied actors performances. So they know how important the eyes are and subtle movements and all that jazz. That's so important.

Now, if you are forced to use non actors (Say if it's for a class thing) then don't stress, it's not always all bad. Run rehearsals and meetings and get them fully prepared, make sure everyone knows the process of film before you start. A lot of non actors have absolutely no idea how movies are made. They often don't know about "takes" and sometimes get very annoyed when they find out how long it takes to shoot one scene. So the more pre work you do with your "actors" the better, that way everyone understands what they are in for.

At the very least you could get them watching performances in the style you're aiming for, studying, reading up, etc. Some sort of basic crash course before. Rehearsals/workshops with your actors beforehand can make a world of difference - especially if they're new to the whole thing. It also means that when you get on the actual set, things will run more smoothly, which is good for you and your cast.

If it's not essential you use non actors, go out there and find some. There are people willing to work for free if the script is good and they are passionate enough about making it into the business.
 
Well, it is really just a self imposed schedule. I have slowly been acquiring equipment and for the last 2 years I have wanted to make a movie. I always say "I am going to make this film next month" then usually blow it off. So I am trying to make myself follow through this time. I know this may not be the perfect solution, but I have already asked my friends to be in it and I think they will do a good job. I do however have a couple more ideas for short films and on those I will try to find some local actors. Thanks for the advice.
 
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Well, there's nothing stopping you from putting up an ad on craigslist and looking for some actors in your area. I have a feeling that actors would respect your schedule moreso than some friends who may party the night before and then be too tired to get up and spend a day making a movie for you. (I've had that happen).

Craigslist is one of the best things for a low-budget filmmaker. Post an ad, list some of the roles and take some meetings one day at a local coffee house. Find people you click with and who might work for the character and pass them the script. Sure, it'll be less comfortable for you to work with actors than your friends but that's great because in that discomfort lives new knowledge and experience that'll start shaping you as a filmmaker. Better to just dive in the deep end of the pool.
 
jerzythepeddler said:
I am about two weeks away from shooting my first short film. I've worked on a couple promo videos and a music video but this will be my first fiction short. I feel relatively prepared but figured I should get some advice on general knowledge stuff that I might be overlooking. A local filmmaker told me to take alot of still photos to use for any number of things( behind the scenes, dvd cover, website). I guess that is the kind of thing I'm talking about, just stuff you guys do on every shoot. Also, any info on working with non actors (aka - friends LQTM) would be appreciated. Should I try to get them to learn lines to some degree? I don't really want them to feel like they're working, but I want to be able to get stuff done efficiently.
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If you are going to work with non-actors, then put of shooting until you have rehearsed your script with some set of your 'friends', to find those that may be more able to do what you want to do.

Perhaps even have them in front of you camera... and see how they behave, how long it takes them to settle down from 'gee i'm in front of the camera' feeling.

There are many people who used 'non-actors', and even some film disciplines, make it a point to use non-actors. But you need to be The Director enough to get something out of them.

And you may loose some friends, if they feel they were doing 'good' and you don't agree...
 
Seriously work with actors. I agree 200% with the other post. You need people who care about acting, acting is hard and technical. Actors use very complex technique to achieve there craft. So by going with non actors, your short will be tag with the label amateur... I can tell from 200 miles when an actor do not refer to certain techniques of acting.

Put the project on the ice, search for acting school and ask for talent. Most beggining actor want to work for free, so they can have material to show their craft.

Hope it help.

And an other trick on directing, when you gonna have real actors, please, trust them, don't try to munch to control them, let them own the character and some times bring them back on the track, but avoid being to precise or controlling. Actors make your story become alive, they are the story.
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate all of you taking time to reply and give me some very useful advice. Like I said, this is my first "real" movie so I defiantly have alot of learning and I think the best way is to learn from people who have been there and bought the T-shirt. So again, thanks to everyone who has replied.

Josh
 
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