How to make a movie? - Writers Forum

CrimsonMoon · 12-21-2004, 07:39 AM

I have to make a movie. Well, not an entire movie but, a portion of a movie. I'm actually taking the scene I'm doing directly from my book. I'll probably have to find some place with either long dark hallways or snady beaches. I really don't think the second one can happen since I live in Hershey. Does anyone have any good movie making tips for meor advice on how to create realistic looking scenes? And, where is it better to be; performing or directing?

Ozmandius · 12-21-2004, 09:06 AM

That's a bit of a tall order since you neglected to leave out any details. What's your budget? What format are you shooting on? What's the size of your crew? What access do you have to equipment? Do you have a cast? Do they have any talent?

Without any further clarification I can't help you much. But the one thing I can tell you is that a film is made or broken in preproduction. If the planning isn't there and done right, then it will fall apart the second the camera starts rolling. Work out every single detail: what props do you need, what the scene should look like, what are the actors wearing, what equipment is needed, etc. Write everything down until you are sick to your stomach of lists and notes. And then write down some more.

Oz

Nazareth · 12-21-2004, 06:45 PM

You could always do what the Blair witch people did and walk through the woods weith the camera real close to face & scream alot lol-

Sorry- I don';t know diddly about movie making

Nimbus1944 · 12-21-2004, 08:55 PM

Unless you're making Matrix Part 4, skip the dingy hallways; you'd have problems in lighting, echoes, etc.

For realistic looking scenes, use real locations. Hershey may not have palm trees and acres of sand, but a "shady beach" can be any place with grass and trees down to the shore -- which is probably going to be on fresh water.

All I know about Hershey comes from Google -- but heck, you've got rivers galore, camps, trails, even one spot where a steam train runs along a river. If all that fails, head up north to Memorial Lake park. Time to do some virtual site-hunting!
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fis...trailguide.htm

http://www.google.com/images?as_q=&s...h=&safe=images

CrimsonMoon · 12-22-2004, 03:15 PM

Hallways would be difficult to work with but, it is a major part of my book. Although I may have to just deal with it.
Anyways, my budget is limited. Basically I don't have a lot of cash to shell out right now. I do however have access to a large variety of equipment, and as far as a crew goes... well right now it consists of three people.
What's the best way to hold successful auditions?

demonic_harmonic · 12-22-2004, 05:35 PM

ahm, making movies is quite a project. i am taking a video production class right now, and its alot of work.

do you have editing equipement? lights? tripods?

do you know how to center people for closeups? and do you know that you dont actually put a close up in the direct middle of the shot? do you know about leave room?

can you white balance your camera?

really, there's alot to know...

stereomuse · 12-22-2004, 06:28 PM

easy, build a beach.

demonic_harmonic · 12-22-2004, 07:10 PM

if you built a beach, i would love you forever.

actually, its not that hard to do. my friend's older brother built a very small one. in his dorm room. in one day. for his beach party in the middle of winter.

alright, so here's the thing, if you would like to spend a few hundred dollars on sand and have one hell of clean up job, dont build a beach. especially indoors.

you could be really cheesy and green screen...

CrimsonMoon · 12-23-2004, 10:57 AM

Okay everyone, look; I know plenty about making movies. I've made a few short ones, and one full length one myself. I have access to lighting and tripods, and cameras; just about all the filming equipment I need.
What I do need is advice on how to make cheap yet realistic sets and advice on how to hold a successful audition. Any other advice is always appreciated. Does anyone think that any business would contribute anything that they might have lying around?

Ozmandius · 12-23-2004, 01:19 PM

Well you've whittled it down a bit, but your questions are still a little vague on details.

Quote:

What I do need is advice on how to make cheap yet realistic sets and advice on how to hold a successful audition.

So...you've made a couple of movies before but you don't know how to make a set or how to audition? Never heard that one before. Umm, does that mean that you've only shot on location and without actors?

Allright, let's refine this just a touch more. Do you have studio space, and do you know how to make a flat? I'm not trying to be a dick here or to blow smoke up your ass, this is important. I build sets and props for a living, so I can help you out so long as you are specific on what you need to know. I don't know you from Adam, so I have no idea what you have experience with and what you don't. Be clear and specific on what your experience level is and how far you have taken your productions.

As for auditions...I'm guessing that you've only used friends and aquaintences before, otherwise you wouldn't be asking about auditions.

Draw up a casting call flyer with a list of characters you need along with their personality type and physical description. You also need to be clear on whether this is a paid or unpaid gig on the flyer. It's really bad form to bullshit the talent and will earn you a bad reputation real quick, so be honest. Good places to post your flyers are at colleges with theater programs, acting schools, local theaters, and anywhere that actors are likely to hang out. Also there are a number of publications, both print and online, that cater to actors and allow you to post casting calls. Again, be specific and be honest.

If you need pointers on the actual audition interview, then let me know and I'll cover that next.

Oz

CrimsonMoon · 12-23-2004, 03:21 PM

No, actually I should be the one to apologize. I'm just a naturally vague person. It's my personality, yet for some reason people are surprised when they meet me. Generally it's because my writing is so acurate and detailed, and when they meet me they consider me either a snob or just rude. I can't help that but, I am sorry for being avasive.
Anyways, no I really don't have a studio. I do however have access to a large auditorium which, does have lights. Unfortunately that's about all I have.
As far as auditions go, I generally try to give my friends a shot first, but I have held an audition before. It just flopped big time. I'd say if Steven Spielburg were a 10 and a 1 was someone who's never made a movie before, I'd be a 4 or 5.
Yes I do try to shoot with real live sets. Unfortunately this time it just isn't going to happen. What I need to film is a portion of the novel I wrote. I haven't decided which piece yet but, I can tell you what type of sets are from the book. An old tavern in a small tavern, a beach (only with black sand), catacombs, the inside of a plane, and let's see a hotel room or two. If I remember right those are the only type of sets that would work, and I really don't have access to any of those.

Ozmandius · 12-23-2004, 04:18 PM

Well at least I know what kinds of sets you need, but you still left out the two key details that I need to help you further.

1. Do you know how to build a flat? Any further discussion of sets will revolve around this as I need to know how much info you need and how much you know. I've built every one of the sets you mentioned and can walk you through all of them, but I need to know where to start first.

2. Do you need help on the audition process itself (the part where you actually interview the actor). And guessing from how vague you tend to be, I'm guessing that that is the case. Auditions don't tend to work well unless you are very specific with what you want from the actor.

Oz

Ilan Bouchard · 12-24-2004, 11:32 AM

A hotel room doesn't sound impossible to do. If you're looking to avoid large set building, maybe you could just use someone's guest room or something. As long as it looks devoid of personality, clean, and mostly empty, it should work fine.

CrimsonMoon · 12-26-2004, 01:55 AM

I would most definately love to have you walk me through the steps of any of those. As far as flats go, my knowledge is non-existing.
I did however clear it with a nearby school for me to build onto or use their auditorium stage. It's not huge or anything and I don't even know if I can use it for a set but, at the least I'd imagine I can hold auditions there.
I do need help clearing up what types of questions I should be asking. Also, the first time I did this I dressed and held it as fairly informal. Meaning, I just wore my street clothes. Is that a mistake?

Ozmandius · 12-26-2004, 10:47 PM

Quote:

As far as flats go, my knowledge is non-existing.

In short, a flat is a simple frame built of 1x2s with a skin of either canvas or luan supported by a jack board on the back (a jack is just a 1x2 kicked out at a 45 degree angle for support). Luan is prefered in filmmaking because of its strength, whereas canvas is preferred in theater for its lightness and ease of moving. Which one you use depends upon your needs, budget, and space available. Nail them together and mud over the joints to get seamless walls. Also windows don't need glass, just a hole with light behind it.

Organic shapes, like catacombs, are extremely easy to pull off. All you need is a light wood frame of 1x2s covered in chicken wire. Mold the wire into the shape of rocks that you want and cover it in either paper mache or expanding foam. Paint it to suit and light it well, as the lighting is what will make or break a set like this (or any set for that matter). Even if the set looks crappy to your eye, with the right lighting the camera won't be able to tell the difference between it and real rock.

Now for auditions. Informality is good, but at least try to dress decently so that you project professionalism. A director that looks like he just slept in his clothes doesn't make a good impression.

Have a scene prepared for them to read and have copies available to them to look over beforehand in the waiting area,. Make sure there is plenty of dialogue for them to read and some good emotional ranges for them to display, and maybe a little physical business for them if you want to see how they move. (Note: an actor's "business" is the props and other things they have to keep their hands busy. Keeps them from looking like talking manicans. You don't actually have to supply the props during the audition and it might also help to see how they pantomime the action.)

If you like their reading then ask them to do it differently so that you can see how well they take direction. For instance, tell them to do it with more anger, or faster, or slower, or more somber, or whatever. It doesn't have to fit the script or how you really want it, you only need to see how quickly they adapt and how well they respond to your direction. Make them stretch a bit to see what they've really got.

Keep clear records of everyone you interview and make notes so that you can remember who you liked and what you liked about them. Also it is a good practice to videotape the interview. Ask them to state their name, the agency (if any) that represents them, and that you have their permission to videotape them. All of these are very important. You need a name to put with the face, the agency so you can contact them, and you must have their permission to videotape. If they say they don't want you to tape them, then interview over. If they are not comfortable in front of the camera now, then they won't be comfortable on the set. Plus it's a legal liablility.

Lastly, I would suggest that you practice the interview process with a friend or two so that you can get comfortable with it. If you are comfortable and confident about what you are doing, then so will the talent and they will give you a better reading. Also, do the interview yourself. Have your friend play your part and go through the entire thing from signup, to read-over, to actual audition. Walk in their shoes for a few minutes and you will have a better understanding of what they need from you.

Feel free to ask for clarification on anything.

Oz