Blog #6 -- Project Progress

So our project has changed a bit.  Nick and I are also in Jason's Advanced Production class this semester, and as a class we had to select a script to turn into a film to produce.  Jason provided the class with a few different scripts from his past students as possible options to choose from.  One of the scripts that Jason provided as an option was a script that I wrote.  The class ended up choosing my script and that is now what we are producing.  Jason told Nick and I that we could in turn use this project as our capstone project as well.  So I am the director, screenwriter, and in charge of casting for the film.

Production Agenda:

1) Casting Call - I am currently preparing a flyer to post to get people to come and audition

2)Location

3)Props

4)Production Schedule

Pre Production:

2/19-3/5

Production:

3/10-4/9

Post Production:

4/9-4/23

In terms of capstone:

Because the entire film would not be done by the time we have to screen it for capstone, Jason told us that we need to have at least a 2-3 minute scene edited and ready to show as well as the other deliverables.  (script, DVD, press kit, electronic press kit, stills, promo poster, etc.)

Blog 5 - Resource #2 - Practical DV Filmmaking

For Russell Evans' "Practical DV Film making", we're just going to be using the introduction because it is something that we used as a resource in our Single Camera Production class with Jason.  Evans does an overview of a few different things in this introduction that are imperative to successfully creating a film production.  First off, Evans talks about the film making process and states that there are essentially 3 overall stages in the process.  Each stage is a bit broad, and almost acts as an umbrella category.  The stages are:

Stage 1:  Planning

Stage 2: Shooting

Stage 3: Editing

Stage 1: Planning:  

Evans discusses how important planning is in the production process.  One huge reason planning is so important is because of how expensive changes that have to be made because of mistakes or inefficient planning can be.  There are a few different aspects to the planning process.  One aspect that Evans talks about is "visual blueprints".  Visual blueprints are essentially outlines of how you want your film to look and feel.  This involves writing an outline or a short story of what your project is and all of the scenes that take place.  Another aspect of the planning process is storyboarding. When you storyboard, you are basically sketching out each scene and the action that takes place in detail. The script is another aspect of planning.  Creating a script for your project is a rather important part of the planning process and includes all of your characters' dialogue, director's notes, action sequence details, etc.  

Stage 2: Shooting:

Evans says a few things about the second stage in the production process.  He talks about the usual "practical terms" of shooting which are "planning out a series of shots, go and shoot them just as you planned on paper, tick off the scenes one by one, and go home", but Evans makes a point in saying things don't always go as planned when shooting.  He tells the audience that they should expect obstacles and should therefore know their ideas "inside out".  As well he tells the reader that some shots that are ideal may not always be practical so one should "plan to improvise".

Stage 3: Editing:

 Evans says that editing your film is about "order, priorities, structure, pace, timing, and accuracy".  However, he makes a point to say that it isn't just about those technical aspects but "play, spontaneity, and creativity" as well.  He tells the reader that often it is instinct that tells you how to put scenes in the right order when editing.  However, he also explains that it is difficult to know when to stop editing, so you should know exactly what you want and stop when you get it.  

Evans, R. (2005). Practical DV Filmmaking. Waltham, MA: Focal Press.