What I learned this fest
- Thread starter alex whitmer
- Start date
Captain Pierce
Veteran
I learned that nobody wants my script(s)... 
gabrielflorit
Well-known member
What I learned this fest:
1) The boom operator should always listen on the headphones. The boom should always be placed as close as possible. This means telling him what to do. I shouldn't be nice - I should just tell people what they need to do.
2) Pickup shots, pickup shots, pickup shots. Can never shoot enough "stuff" in a location.
3) Really cold conditions can have adverse effects on the acting.
4) You really don't have to edit to match actions. If we did, 2 hour movies would only be 2 hours long.
5) ADR can be your friend.
6) Don't shoot a dialogue scene because "I might need it". Trust your instincts. If it doesn't push the story, cut it.
7) Sound is 70% of what you see. Do it right.
8) If you're shooting outside, be quick, and white balance every shot.
9) A location may LOOK quiet, but you don't really know until you test it with your supersensitive microphone that shows you how you can hear the interstate from that supposedly peaceful setting.
10) Food has a glorious effect on everyone - cast, crew, even the director. Tasty food makes everyone very happy.
1) The boom operator should always listen on the headphones. The boom should always be placed as close as possible. This means telling him what to do. I shouldn't be nice - I should just tell people what they need to do.
2) Pickup shots, pickup shots, pickup shots. Can never shoot enough "stuff" in a location.
3) Really cold conditions can have adverse effects on the acting.
4) You really don't have to edit to match actions. If we did, 2 hour movies would only be 2 hours long.
5) ADR can be your friend.
6) Don't shoot a dialogue scene because "I might need it". Trust your instincts. If it doesn't push the story, cut it.
7) Sound is 70% of what you see. Do it right.
8) If you're shooting outside, be quick, and white balance every shot.
9) A location may LOOK quiet, but you don't really know until you test it with your supersensitive microphone that shows you how you can hear the interstate from that supposedly peaceful setting.
10) Food has a glorious effect on everyone - cast, crew, even the director. Tasty food makes everyone very happy.
armisiano
Veteran
True dat.
Mile Bozicevic
Well-known member
I learned that lighting is NOT such an easy thing to accomplish as I thought before. Good lighting+a guy who knows to use it properly is neccesary.
Planning in advance, doing test shots so actors can see themselves also helps. (it IS my first film so...)
AND, the most important is the directing itself-tell them what you want, do not 'let it go' just because they're tired and all. It solves the whola lotta problems while editing.
That's the magic of filmmaking; as much all individuals are creative and briliant, team work is neccesary to accomplish the final product in it's best form. I always try to imagine how it would be to put Lav Nikolajevich Tolstoj, Edgar Allan Poe and James Joyce so they can together write a book.
It would be a creative mess and mess itself, and though writing is a lot different than filmmaking, it's not even exaggerating, it's realistic comparison.
Planning in advance, doing test shots so actors can see themselves also helps. (it IS my first film so...)
AND, the most important is the directing itself-tell them what you want, do not 'let it go' just because they're tired and all. It solves the whola lotta problems while editing.
That's the magic of filmmaking; as much all individuals are creative and briliant, team work is neccesary to accomplish the final product in it's best form. I always try to imagine how it would be to put Lav Nikolajevich Tolstoj, Edgar Allan Poe and James Joyce so they can together write a book.
It would be a creative mess and mess itself, and though writing is a lot different than filmmaking, it's not even exaggerating, it's realistic comparison.
Simon Höfer
Veteran
I'm all in for that
gabrielflorit
Well-known member
for me.. next time:
- don't start a film a week before the deadline.
/j
Whoa! Insane.
alex whitmer
Veteran
Wasn't she in 'Little Big Man'? I didn't know she was still hanging around movie sets.
ZazaCast
Major Contributor
No, that was Sitting Bull!
Side note: I just heard that the owners of said Llama got rid of the beast! It kept escaping (smart bugger) and the Sheriffs had been called one too many times. So, please...a moment of silence for the Llama.
Mattykins
Cute Member
1) Sound operators must know what they are doing. And proper levels must be insured. If not - sound needs to tell us to take it again.
2) Camera operators need to call cut or take the shot again when a boom or other equipment enter the shot. And not say, we are good. Let's move on.
3) 35mm adapters need to be powered on in order to work correctly.
4) 35mm adapters should never be brought on set without proper training by camera department despite the DoP wanting one.
5) If using a jib, be sure all bolts are included.
6) Rented cameras can and will go down on set.
7) 25 sandbags will not hold down a tent build on Cstands in high wind.
8) HMIs throw a great deal of light, and heat.
9) Permits will take weeks to go through proper channels and will inevitably be turned down.
10) Even a great visual effects team is powerless working with subpar footage.
11) 35mm adapters are more hassle then they are worth, IMHO.
12) Sound files can only be fixed so much in post. Even on a ProTools system.
13) Without sound, ADR is impossible.
14) This project was destined to fail.
15) If you are going to do something, do it right - or don't do it at all.
2) Camera operators need to call cut or take the shot again when a boom or other equipment enter the shot. And not say, we are good. Let's move on.
3) 35mm adapters need to be powered on in order to work correctly.
4) 35mm adapters should never be brought on set without proper training by camera department despite the DoP wanting one.
5) If using a jib, be sure all bolts are included.
6) Rented cameras can and will go down on set.
7) 25 sandbags will not hold down a tent build on Cstands in high wind.
8) HMIs throw a great deal of light, and heat.
9) Permits will take weeks to go through proper channels and will inevitably be turned down.
10) Even a great visual effects team is powerless working with subpar footage.
11) 35mm adapters are more hassle then they are worth, IMHO.
12) Sound files can only be fixed so much in post. Even on a ProTools system.
13) Without sound, ADR is impossible.
14) This project was destined to fail.
15) If you are going to do something, do it right - or don't do it at all.
gabrielflorit
Well-known member
Amen to that! I'd like to add another one:
- Watch "Sound for Film and Television". Worth every penny.
Mattykins
Cute Member
Eh, I would - what I should have done was gotten a better sound operator. I am trained in sound recording and mixing. Granted I hate doing it, but I am good at it. The final mix I don't mind as much. It's the location sound I dislike. But I failed in getting a capable sound recordist. Another inherent issue with working with students. It's hit or miss. And despite the fact they say they know what to do, getting levels back at -96dB means they don't know what they were doing. And every sound file from the first day was about 5 seconds long.
And another one I can add.
16) Everything that can go wrong will go wrong on set. MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS
17) Despite what the people at the catering department say in Wegmans, you cannot order a pizza in the seafood department, nor at the salad bar, nor the bakery.
18) Hiring a driver is one of the best allocations of funds that is overlooked.
19) Talent should never touch tripod plates wondering what they do. The camera then becomes a disaster waiting to happen.
20) One should never produce and direct at the same time.
21) Pre-production should occur several weeks in advanced. Not even stripboards can keep a film on schedule when equipment failures plague the set.
22) Don't be hesitant to 'fire' a crew member for talking back, wasting time, being overly aggressive, or complaining openly about the set to talent bring set moral down.
23) Learn from every mistake you make and don't repeat them.
And another one I can add.
16) Everything that can go wrong will go wrong on set. MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS
17) Despite what the people at the catering department say in Wegmans, you cannot order a pizza in the seafood department, nor at the salad bar, nor the bakery.
18) Hiring a driver is one of the best allocations of funds that is overlooked.
19) Talent should never touch tripod plates wondering what they do. The camera then becomes a disaster waiting to happen.
20) One should never produce and direct at the same time.
21) Pre-production should occur several weeks in advanced. Not even stripboards can keep a film on schedule when equipment failures plague the set.
22) Don't be hesitant to 'fire' a crew member for talking back, wasting time, being overly aggressive, or complaining openly about the set to talent bring set moral down.
23) Learn from every mistake you make and don't repeat them.
mobiledeli
Well-known member
1) if someone says you shouldn't do that - say who should?
2) for short films with no dialogue - a "beat sheet" is all you need
3) think about what the character is FEELING at every moment and adapt your shot/lighting scheme accordingly
4) you have to love movies to make movies
5) starting a week and a half before the deadline can only lead to complications - but ultimately a more memorable experience
6) going to film school is the life - shoot your buddy's movie in brooklyn from 5am to 2pm, plan your movie until 9pm, shoot till 3am, edit till 5am. ... repeat.... hahga
2) for short films with no dialogue - a "beat sheet" is all you need
3) think about what the character is FEELING at every moment and adapt your shot/lighting scheme accordingly
4) you have to love movies to make movies
5) starting a week and a half before the deadline can only lead to complications - but ultimately a more memorable experience
6) going to film school is the life - shoot your buddy's movie in brooklyn from 5am to 2pm, plan your movie until 9pm, shoot till 3am, edit till 5am. ... repeat.... hahga
Dick Campbell
Veteran
1. boom shadow, boom shadow, boom shadow.
2. get some producer help.
2. get some producer help.
Inexistence
Well-known member
I could care less for storyboards, but I should have made a shot list of some kind. Scribbles on a
piece of paper would have sufficed. Either way next time I'm making a SHOT LIST.
piece of paper would have sufficed. Either way next time I'm making a SHOT LIST.
