If you’re a film fanatic, then it's only natural for you to want to dip into the world of filmmaking yourself. Making your first film is an exciting endeavor that you should look forward to. Yet as exciting as it is, it also comes with its challenges.
Knowing the right tips ahead of time can help you not only achieve a better film, but also enjoy yourself more in the process. To help you, here are some of the best tips for making your first film.
Plan Ahead
Pre-production planning is everything when it comes to creating a great film. It helps you to stay organized and on the right track throughout the filming process. You want to make sure that you have a list of everything you'll need. You may require certain props like a black watch, or need a particular location. You also want to consider factors like lighting and building a team. The more you think ahead, the easier it will be to stay focused and efficient from start to finish.
Revisit Your Script
Creating a great script alone isn't enough. You need to visit it again and again to ensure that it's exactly where it needs to be. Work with your plot and ask yourself whether it has a clear beginning, middle and end. Most importantly, you should let other people read your script.
During the beginning phases you may be feeling insecure about sharing it with people, so feel free to wait until it's done. However once you truly believe it's done, you should let as many people read it as possible, and accept their feedback! Use their insights to refine your script as needed, and keep revisiting until you finally feel like you have a solid script on your hands.
Budget Wisely
Even a low budget film requires a considerable amount of money. Everything costs something, from the lighting to the sets to the actors. If you can manage to get as many free things as possible, hopefully you can manage to stay within your budget.
Staying on budget won't just help you avoid unnecessary financial stress, but it will ultimately mean you can finish your film. If possible, seek funding from sponsorships, or crowdfunding sites and come up with other creative ways to fund your project whenever possible.
Don’t Forget The Power of Editing
You can have the best script and director in the world, but if it's not a well edited movie, then all your efforts will be lost. Editing with precision is critical when it comes to putting together a refined final form of your film. Take your time and go through each clip carefully to ensure you're only including necessary footage that when weaved together has a good pace and flow.