Resources
Do you like making movies, even home movies, but have a problem doing a good job with it? You might want to read on about how to make a great movie.
- Decide if you are recording to edit or assemble later (archival video), or editing as you shoot, to view exactly as shot later. This is the most important perspective to understand.
- Think of a plot. You don't want it boring, but you don't want to kill yourself and get lost in the sub-plots.
- Write the script/screenplay. Screenplays have special formats unlike any other written works, even plays. Unless you know how to write in the proper format, write it like a play script. Your screenplay should feature every line in every scene, actions performed by the characters, the settings, and when the scenes change. Rotate all of these things.
- Find actors. People in your community might work for low budget films, but it would always be better to have a well-known name starring in your movie.
- Gather your cast and find a place and time to shoot it! Home movies will be relatively spontaneous, but structured films should have a schedule, even if informal.
- Get your equipment. You will obviously need a video camera, several if you can manage it. Other things will help, such as additionial microphones, lighting fixtures, spare tapes/discs, and tripods.
- Create sets. You can use wood and paint for very simple set modifications. Take advantage of actual locations. It is easier to just film in a diner than make a room look like one.
- Film your movie. Shoot multiple takes from multiple angles. It will be more interesting in the end. You must also make sure to try again after every mistake. There shouldn't be a single flub, or your movie will look terrible.
- Take it to your computer--upload the stuff you shot, and edit it. Trim off anything boring. The quicker you cut, the more interesting it gets. Also, remember when I said to use multiple angles? Well here's why: by editing between the angles, you can quickly show multiple things going on in the same scene. Use your editing system's split or razor tool to create smaller clips from multiple shots, and then mix and match. You'll get the hang of it.
- Remember that people will get annoyed if they get covered in syrup(fake blood)in every script.
- Export to a digital format, or burn to a DVD.
The following web sites provide lots of information about film-making and
software:
iMovie - http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/
Freely downloadable digital video editing tool for Mac OS X
Final Cut ExpressHD - http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/
Final Cut ExpressHD Final Cut Express HD lets you achieve truly professional-looking
results and comes bundled with LiveType and SoundTrack.
Final Cut Pro - http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/
Final Cut Pro is the creative, professional and extensible tool for editing
and finishing in SD and HD formats.
Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group - http://www.lafcpug.org/
Ken Stone Final Cut Pro Tutorials - http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp_homepage_index.html
The ultimate resource for video on the Mac - http://www.macvideo.tv/
Digital Production Buzz - http://digitalproductionbuzz.com/
DV Magazine Online - http://www.dv.com/
Digital Content Producer - http://digitalcontentproducer.com/
The Digital Video Information Network - http://www.dvinfo.net/
The Freeplay Music Library, is a comprehensive collection of High End Broadcast production music - http://www.freeplaymusic.com/
Royalty Free Music Library - http://www.incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/
Applause Sound Effects, Applause Sounds, Free Sound Effects - http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/soundfx/applause.shtml
Free Sound Effects Library - http://www.findsounds.com/
High Quality Sound Effects and Loops - http://www.soundsnap.com/
Music/Composition Release Form - http://www.moviefest.org.nz/music_release_form.pdf
Talent Release Form - http://www.moviefest.org.nz/talent_release_form.pdf
We will be adding more resources as time permits.
