Planning of my Project – Pre Production
Firstly I thought of a plot and a story line I would like to make, I thought about making a comedy short film however I thought it would have been to hard to make up jokes. So I finally decided to make a horror short film because I had lots of ideas how I wanted to film it and the camera angles I was going to use. After thinking of a plot I created a script I would like my actors to say in my short film, it took me a couple of days to create the perfect script for this genre of film. As soon as I created my script I knew who I wanted In my film, if I chose different actors to what I did I think my film would have been not as good as it is. Once I had the plot thought out in my head I started to create my story boards. I created the first story board and I thought of a better idea in my head so I had to scrap the first story board. The reason I thought the first story board wasn’t good enough was because it didn’t meet m expectations of a horror film. It also included way to many cast and way to many locations, it would have been nearly impossible to make. Once I created the second story board it was exactly how I imaged it in my head. By creating the story boards, it helped me when I was going to film the short film on what camera angles to use and where to film it. If I had another chance to do it again I would make more story boards to make the filming process a lot easier. I would also try and make a longer script if I had to do it again.
Finance
To create this film I didn’t really have to spend much money because I already had my own camera and I borrowed a tripod off the college to keep the camera steady to get the perfect shot. The only time I spent money on the short film was getting me and the actors to the location so I paid for the travel. Personally I thought I was quite creative with the budget I had. To manage my finance I had a budget spreadsheet to keep my in check.
Creative Processes
I planned my idea in my head first so I knew how I wanted it to look and then I drew down how I wanted each scene to look like. It took me a number of weeks for me to pull all my ideas together, however I got there in the end and I am pleased with the final result. The first story board I did was terrible so I had to bin it all and start again until I got the perfect one. It was important to plan and be creative in the pre-production because it was going to make filming so much easier for yourself. The first thing I did was I wrote a proposal and covered everything my film was about and going to include.
Logistics
The equipment I needed to shoot my film was a camera, tripod, mic and a computer to edit my footage on. I created an equipment list and a stripboard to show what and went I filmed. I created a contact list with all the cast and crews mobile numbers and emails and I kept them update of what time and where we would be filming. We had frequent meetings talking about the filming process, there was no props involved in my film and the cast and crew were alwsy there to help me out with things.
Personal Management
I gathered my cast and crew together when everyone was available to have team meetings to talk about when and where we were going to film and who I will need and when I will need them. I didn’t need any props for my film and to edit my footage I used the colleges computers because they had the correct software I needed. My time management was great because I met all the deadlines for my pre-production work on time. I planned, so that all my work would be complete for the deadlines given. I created a full Pre Production so that it looks a lot like the industry standard. Every day when I worked on this project I had a diary where I would write what I have achieved that day and what I had to do the following day. I would write the date and what I could possibly do to improve my work. I created a risk assessment so that my cast and crew were safe where we were filming. I thought it was a good idea to create a risk assessment because then it would look professional and to keep my cast and crew aware of any hazards that were around us. I was supposed to have different actors but due to college and time schedules it just wasn’t possible to get the people I wanted. So I had to think outside the box and think of two new people who could play the parts. The second day of filming was horrific because the cast and crew turned up at the location and as soon as I pulled the camera out of my bag out started to rain so we had to go home, so then we had to go back to following day. If I ever did a future project like this I would plan better and make more time gaps to get things done. Everything was done on time however, I was always rushing around at the last minute to get everything done in time.
