9 Basic Tips for a Smoother Indie Film Production
So there we were: my production partner rented some of our gear for a music video and roped both of us in to camera operate. The crew was made up mostly of film students still in, or just recently out of, an expedited 6 month film program. The director had bailed the night before principal photography and had left our DP in charge. Throughout the course of the two day shoot we watched the production slowly implode; not because these guys lacked knowledge or enthusiasm, but because they hadn't gained the experience to "turn the ship around" when a production starts sinking into turmoil. With this recent experience in mind, I wanted to share some advice to novice filmmakers to help their days on set go as smoothly as humanly possible. If you're battle worn then let this serve as a gut check when shooting lean.
1. You Need a Producer
I'm not talking about the guy with the gold chains and cigar "doing deals" in a Los Angeles high rise. I'm talking about a person totally available to help solve problems. A producer is there to help hire crew, wrangle in the Director if something is outside of their scope or budget, to help solve conflicts between or within departments, and to liaise with the location owners or rental houses. Larger productions have the ability to subdivide the work with a producer, a line producer, and a location manager -- but chances are an indie production will have all of these duties rolled into one.
2. You Need an Assistant Director
The assistant director position seems to be the most misunderstood or underutilized positions on a novice film crew. The best way to describe what an assistant director does is this: they make days. The assistant director keeps the crew on schedule by coordinating and applying pressure to each department. They aren't the assistant to the director or a co-director; they're divorced from the creative process and keep the technical end of a production running efficiently. While a producer may run a production as a whole, the assistant director is directly responsible for running the day-to-day. The AD is also the crew's safety officer, responsible for making sure the cast and crew are safe and doing their jobs in a safe manner. Because responsibilities are vaguely similar, on micro crews the producer could act as an assistant director. Wikipedia has an excellent article on the callouts an AD uses on set.3. Stop Living Inside Your Head
We're creative people with active imaginations. You've been brewing this idea in your head for days, weeks, or months. You can't arrive on set with everything still in your head and expect to shoot efficiently. Whether you use full storyboards, a skeletal shot list, or something in-between you should check off your progress throughout the day.
4. Prioritize Important Coverage
When you shoot dialog, prioritize your shot list so you have your master and main reversal angles filmed first. Of course there are exceptions, but if your time is limited or you're inexperienced then this is a safety measure. Once these primary angles are shot, you can then check time and decide if you need inserts or punch-ins, or decide if it's time to move on.
5. Improve Your Reversal Angles
When shooting coverage on dialog scenes, you'll instantly improve the quality of your shots if you match the lens and camera distance on each reversal angle. This matches the size and general perspective of each actor which allows for smoother intercutting during editing. Subtle shifts in camera height can show a dominant and submissive relationship between characters (the restaurant scene between Barry Pepper and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film 25th Hour is an excellent example).
6. Rehearse Blocking
When you move from scene to scene, you should consider running a rehearsal on-set for blocking (an actor's movement through the scene). While full rehearsals can drain an actor emotionally before the camera rolls, a more technical rehearsal can add life and movement to a scene and help you make the final call on where the camera should be placed for coverage. Once blocking rehearsal is done, lighting can be finalized, the camera moved into position, and shooting can begin.
7. A "Get It Done" Attitude
My production partner says "Complaining is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere." And he is completely right, even if he did kind of steal the quote from Van Wilder. It's time to buck up and film something rather than waiting for everything to fall into place perfectly. You can almost always reshoot and you'd be amazed what you can actually use in the editing room. Rarely with low budget productions will you have exactly the equipment you want, the location that looks best, and so on. If you're the director or cinematographer, having a poor attitude because of technical or location issues can affect the morale of the whole crew. If you're facing a problem, step back for two minutes and figure a "second best" solution.
8. Get Comfortable
Make sure you have plenty of water and crafty for the crew, wear good shoes, bring eye drops, and put on sunscreen on location. Remaining comfortable on set will keep you happy and less fatigued. Simple, but nothing is worse than a 12 hour day with your feet killing you because you wore cheap shoes.9. Remain Flexible
This relates to #3 and #7. Many novice directors feel anxious when they see the discord between what they see in their head and what they see on-set. The key is to adapt to what is in front of you; happy accidents happen all the time. Remaining flexible also keeps you open to the creative input from your crew and talent. Working for an inflexible director can make the crew and talent feel oppressed and increase on-set stress.
7 Quick Production Tips for Film and Video Professionals
Running out of time and money? These quick and easy filmmaking tips and DIY production hacks just might save the day.
Image via Paramount
As any filmmaker or videographer can tell you, the real job of the production crew is to solve the various daily challenges that inevitably arise on set. Because believe me, there are always going to be challenges — and you will have to be prepared.
The best way to be prepared for potential issues is to stay flexible and creative. With that said, let’s take a look at a few handy production quick tips and DIY hacks that just might save the day on your next shoot.
1. Don’t Scout a Location By Yourself
Location scouting is a very important part of the production process. When you’re ready to scout your next potential film site, make sure you take the production manager/designer, cinematographer, and audio supervisor. You want these members of the crew there in order to judge if the location is manageable, filmable, and void of overwhelming noise pollution. They’re the experts — listen to what they say.
Video via Film Riot
2. Use a 3D Printer for Small Props
If you find yourself lacking a specific prop, don’t fret. 3D printers are a practical and increasingly common solution. In fact, as wild as it sounds, many of the props you saw during Star Wars: The Force Awakens were printed with a 3D printer. Check out this article from Scott J Grunewald about 3D prints in the latest Star Wars.
Video via Tippett Studio
3. Make It Rain
Does a scene in your film call for rain? Well, until weather-control technology improves, you’re just going to have to fake it. Fortunately, one of the most common artificial weather effects in film is rain.
As seen in the top image, the production crew from Noah used a massive rain rig for certain scenes in the film. While this setup is incredibly expensive, there are far more cost-effective options for indie filmmakers. If you need a cheap DIY rig, check out this video tutorial from Tom Antos and find out how to make it rain for around $15.
4. Use a C-Stand to Capture Sound
If you’re going it alone on your next shoot, but still need a hand with audio, then get a C-stand and a boom holder. With these two pieces of equipment, you can set your boom pole and mic up wherever you see fit.
This technique is great for interview scenes in a documentary film. The setup can also be used on narrative film sets, though its advantages are far less. You can get your hands on an Auray Boom Pole Holder for around $40 and an Impact C-Stand for around $142.
Image via Filmmaker IQ
5. Move Your Camera With a Furniture Dolly
When looking over your shot list and script, you’ll find scenes that call for the camera to move within the space. Now, you can capture this movement with a slider, Steadicam, or dolly track. However, these options all cost considerable cash.
If you’re low on funds (and filming on a fairly smooth surface), then head over to your local Home Depot for a furniture dolly. Place your camera and tripod on this $20 tool and get a decent moving shot for very little money.
Image via My Repurposed Life
6. Create Movement Without Moving
Known as the “Poor Man’s Process,” this is an easy way to capture car movement without ever putting the car in gear. As you’ll see in the video below, the Poor Man’s Process is where you leave the car stationary within the space, but you simulate movement by way of lights and other effects.
These other effects could include using a large fan alongside artificial rain or fog or anything that creates a sense of movement without actually moving the car. Filmmakers have been using this techniques for ages — it’s incredibly effective and allows you to visually control the scene much easier, versus filming in a moving car.
Video via WriterDirector
7. No Lights? Use a Window and a Reflector
I’ve always liked natural lighting. I try to incorporate it as often as possible, versus using a set of lights. One way to do this is through a window. Using a window can be fantastic, especially when you add a reflector into the mix. The video below from The Slanted Lens demonstrates how to effectively use natural window light to capture amazing imagery.
Got any production tips, on-set time savers, or DIY hacks to share? Let us know your secrets in the comments below!
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
1. Location scouting
If you’re devoted to your film and want it to succeed, the first tip is to acknowledge that production design is a priority (don’t deprive your audience).
Great production design is an aid to storytelling, mood, aesthetics and is an integral part of your film. A professional production designer is someone that is responsible for the visual presentation and artistic concept of a film.
In a perfect world, this is a person you definitely need on your team. They will add an artistic touch that will bring unity to a production, making your film memorable and impactful.
The first obvious place to look when you’re on a budget is to location scout where you can shoot for free or close to no costs.
To limit your spendings, find locations in your city and save money on long trips. Concentrate on getting the right location that will bring your vision to life and not a location that is popular and recognizable.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
You’d be surprised how many great places are available to you.
If you’re shooting apartment scenes, rent out apartments for the duration of your production! It can become a place to store your equipment and potentially a great place for naps.
Anna Karenina (2012)
During the production of Anna Karenina, production designer Sarah Greenwood turned a theater into dozens of different sets for the movie.
This saved tremendous costs when shooting the film because the alternative was to fly the crew out to film at the other side of the world.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
2. Consult professionals
The complexity of your project depends on the set that you need. There is no way of knowing what your production design will cost you without getting professional advice.
For instance, you can hire interior designers and convey the environment you'd like to create. They can advise you on how to deliver a cost-effective solution and further explain the type of work that will need to be done.
Consulting professionals will save you additional costs long term.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS ON A BUDGET
3. Hiring production designers
After you have a better understanding of what you will be needing to bring your vision to life, it's time to hire someone that can do the work for you.
Set designers can be expensive, however an overlooked resource is recent university graduates that are looking for job experience. The city where you’re shooting likely has production or set design graduates that are more than willing to volunteer. Allow someone to help you and help them out in return.
Judy Becker, Production Designer for Joy (2015)
You can find production designers through websites like ProductionBeast and Film and TV Pro.
BUDGET FILMMAKING PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
4. Build your own production set
When your resources are limited, you have to get creative.
You might not be able to afford a production design team, but hiring even one professional that knows what he or she is doing will be enough to help you in your endeavors.
You can hire one set designer and get additional help from your crew. Building sets can be a lot of fun and having a professional on board will help you avoid a tacky design.
DIY Production design (on a budget)
Karl Hopf wrote an excellent article about creating a gothic set in a modern apartment. With the right visuals and the right camera perspective, you can achieve the impossible.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
5. Lighting can make a huge difference
Something that will make you feel more optimistic about your ambitious projects is that stage designs are 75% lighting. This means that with the proper equipment, you can make your sets look expensive even when they’re not.
When you’re on a tight budget, choose to invest strategically.
Lighting equipment is key and you can easily rent it without purchasing. Great lighting can alter an ordinary set into a dynamic environment and set the perfect mood for your shots.
Producer Stephen Boatright had a tight production budget for his film Emmeline Muffet Gives Up Her Tuffet and set designer Lune Bateaux built the set for $1,200. Considering the financial constraints, the team still made it work.
Look at how lighting alters their artificial set.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
6. Use film props to elevate your scene
Props are an important part of the set because the details communicate the time period of your setting. With significant funding limitations, you have to get creative about where you find your props as well. In fact, most productions rent their props or purchase them at local or online stores.
Pay attention to the props, how you use them and find smarter ways to get your hands on the right ones. Details are a powerful tool in a production of any size.
Run 8 Rider - Thanksgiving Day (2013)
Director Sean Meehan teamed up with a set designer, Riley Fearon, and transformed a set to different time periods on a budget of $300.
A set designer is usually very resourceful and this example goes to show how a professional can work with any budget and deliver outstanding results.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
7. Composition as part of design
The next best thing to hiring help with production design is thinking about your angles and compositions down to the single frames.
How you approach different camera angles will have a big impact on your audience. Depending on the type of set you’re working with, consider all the creative angles that you could shoot from. This will give you more control over your film and ultimately aid your production design.
Hotel Chevalier (2007)
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
8. Create a mood board
One of the many things a production designer would do is create a mood board or a lookbook to match the aesthetics that you're going for.
Save yourself time and money by doing this yourself.
You don’t have to have mad artistic skills to create look-books, mood boards.
You know better than anyone else the kind of look you have envisioned.
To do this, you can find fitting images and piece them together to show the set designer exactly what you want.
What a moodboard looks like
A great tool that you can incorporate into your work is using the image collection at Depositphotos, which is a diverse stock photo bank that allows you to download high-res stock images and use them for mockups.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
9. Raise money for production design
If you're budget is so limiting that you absolutely cannot afford to hire professional help for production design, consider raising money.
When it comes to independent film financing, we’re lucky to have crowdfunding options in the digital age. Social media is a powerful tool, especially crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Seed&Spark.
The actual process of raising money requires effort and excellent planning.
You need to have a good understanding of how much money you need to raise and in what time frame.
Be smart about how you approach this. If it is production design that lacks the necessary funding, emphasize that in your strategy.
PRODUCTION DESIGN TIPS
10. Planning for your production
Meticulous planning is just part of the process. Make sure you plan all your moves and have an accurate and clear schedule for everyone to follow.
The reason why this is important is because overtime work will cost you more money and in truth, bad planning is one of the main reasons productions go over budget. Start filming only when you have a plan in place, one that is reasonable, accurate and efficient.
Tag all the key elements of your script
If you're breaking down a script, a scheduling solution like StudioBinder can help you easily identify production design elements and share it with your team.
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