Article by Lorabella
One of the most creative and lucrative professions in the world, filmmaking is also an art form. Films are perhaps the most effective and visual way of communicating and reaching out to millions of people. The process of filmmaking is not unlike any other creative processes and involves several difficult stumbling blocks. There is the matter of finding or writing the perfect script, finding the right actors, getting a producer and a studio to release the movie, planning, editing and finally releasing your work-of-art only to realise that the audience has trashed it. But filmmaking is also one of the most fulfilling professions today. For those thinking of entering the world of filmmaking, planning the process of movie-making is crucial. Here’s a stepwise guide.
Write your script
A great film means writing a great script first. All potential filmmakers need to take their scriptwriting with utmost seriousness. There is a process to the writing with certain rules and guidelines which can be easily acquired from the internet. From detailed descriptions of the set, to the colour of the dress worn by your protagonist to the shape of the chair, to the lines to the movement of the camera, everything has to be jotted down to the smallest detail in your script. Remember your script will be responsible for the way your film turns out to some extent.
Show your script
Now that your script is ready, it’s time to take it around to production studios and sell it with conviction. The fact that studios are already inundated with thousands of scripts, each one probably as good as the other if not more, should not discourage you though. If you believe in your creation, you will make it through. Getting an agent is the first step to showing your script around. Start sending your scripts to different agents. If an agent sees potential in your script, he or she will help you connect with studios and producers. If you are on your own, be prepared to get grilled and answer tough questions such as the kind of budgets you are looking for. You must get your script registered with the right association so that there is no chance of plagiarism in the future. Your script will be yours. Once a studio has approved your story, make sure the paperwork is done correctly keeping in mind your rights and the legality involved. If the studio is buying the script from you then you should get your proper dues and also credit.
Plan your film
Planning your film is the most crucial step in the filmmaking process. You will be collaborating with a producer who will keep an idea of the budget, the production process and suggest changes and value-additions to your script. Various people will be appointed for jobs from casting directors to stylists, to cinematographers to assistant directors. There is also the matter of selecting actors. All this will be done during this stage. The film’s locations have to be done, the costumes planned and the sets made.
Shoot your film
Now is the time to put your story onto film. You will need to make a working version of your original script which is called the shooting script. This kind of script covers all possible details such as the camera angles, the lighting, the expression on the face of an actor, the clothes, music, etc. Once you begin shooting, it can go on for days, months and sometimes years. You will have to work 24/7, spend sleepless nights, get up at the crack of dawn to shoot and battle with unfriendly weather conditions.
Edit your film
You have got reels of footage from the shooting, now you have to give it shape; you have to mould it into a film. This is where an editor comes with his scissors. In order for the film to make sense, flow smoothly, editing is essential. Sometimes reshooting a certain scene is required, correcting the colours of your film, putting every scene in a sequence chopping off unnecessary parts.
Release your film
Before the big release of your film, it is important to get some feedback about it by showing it to a small group of people, maybe friends, family or people from your film school. Their response may or may not help you gauge the reaction of the masses but will certainly give you a direction whether your film is going to be a hit or a miss.
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Question by : Where does scoring a film come in the filmmaking process?
I am curious.
There is this independent thriller I been waiting for.
I read an interview with the composer and he said he just scored the film which will be release later this year.
Does Scoring a film mean it is almost completed.
Best answer:
Answer by eight_foot_bunch
A composer usually scores a film after principal photography is completed, and major scenes are edited. That way, they can get a feel for how long a musical cue needs to be. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Sometimes they write the score after only being told the idea for a movie (as in the case of John Williams’ score for Jaws.)
But I wouldn’t depend on hearsay to try and gauge when your movie will be released. Just check IMDB.com or Rottentomatoes.com
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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