New hobbies are exciting—even more so when you get a groundbreaking idea. However, it takes more than just an idea to create a breathtaking and entertaining movie. From professional equipment to the right talent, it’s time to gather your tools to make your directorial debut. This will be the best filmmaking checklist for your first movie, so keep it in mind as you prepare.
The Right Idea
Every groundbreaking film started off as the seed of an idea: “What would happen if…?”
However, before you max out your budget on this idea, ask yourself a few follow-up questions. Is there an audience for your movie? Has the story been done too many times before? Retelling an old story can grow trite, but if you put an unexpected spin on it, you’ll pull your audience in. Consider where your movie will fit in amongst all of Hollywood’s offerings.
Necessary Equipment
Storyboard your movie, both in your head and on the page. If you’re envisioning adventurous and difficult shots, you’ll need supplemental camera equipment to back you up.
Slow, suspenseful tracking shots will require a dolly. Meanwhile, if you plan to shoot lots of action scenes, a vest stabilizer will keep your camera from shaking as you move. You’ll get crisper, cleaner footage with a stabilizer than with a simple handheld camera.
A Solid Story
Even if you want to incorporate improvised elements in your movie, you’ll still need a solid outline for your story. Many screenplays consist of three acts: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. For your first movie, take extra time to shape your story and have a clear motivation for every scene. Create strong, memorable characters and take them on a journey.
Dedicated Artists
Assemble a group of optimistic, talented people to work with you. This includes the on-screen talent (your actors) and a dedicated crew. Lighting and sound designers bring their own creativity to your movie, so work with them! Collaborate with other artists to make a movie you’ll all be proud to put on your resume.
Take care when casting your actors, too. Some actors may be extremely talented and hardworking, but just not right for the role. When you have a clear idea of your characters in your head, you’ll find actors that will fit in and make them their own.
Make your directorial debut the best it can be by being thorough with the preliminary work. Equip yourself ahead of time so that you’re not scrambling during the shoot. Keep this best filmmaking checklist for your first movie in mind as you do that essential pre-production work.
Adobe Stock Image Credit: #198471003 Photo By: gnepphot
Behind the scenes of silhouette people working in big production studio with professional set and lighting for making movie film or video commercial.