We’ve covered some challenges you may face in the world of filmmaking, so it only makes sense that we go through some helpful tips to aid you in your filmmaking dream. Work with what you have Don’t write scenes into a film that you can’t realistically produce. For example, if you want a scene with a large crowd, but don’t have the actors for it or an event you can use as a backdrop, find something more achievable. Play into your own strengths that allow you to find something unique that you have access to that you can use in a movie. Study films Making mistakes as a new filmmaker is easy if you pay close attention to your favorite films. Pick a movie you love and try watching it without the sound. Pay attention to the camera angles, editing, and lighting. Watch short films on YouTube and see how you can tell an epic story in five minutes. You don’t necessarily have to meet the same production value, but having a good idea of the filmmaking craft can help you get ahead. Develop an entrepreneurial spirit As an aspiring filmmaker, you’re likely focused on creating a great product. You want to create the best shots, cast the best talent, and create the film you’ve always wanted. Of course, all of these things are absolutely important for filmmakers of all skill and experience levels. However, you should be attempting to make connections with other people in the industry to help get your foot in the door. Having an entrepreneurial mindset has to remain in place for the entirety of your career. Treating your passion as a business project is the best way to keep yourself on track. Continue Learning Early on, Mike Tyson was known for studying his opponents before every match, and he became one of the most impressive boxers of all time. This is something that filmmakers should consider doing as well! You have to be willing to learn every step of the way. Even if you become a famous filmmaker, there’s always more you can learn throughout your career. Never get too comfortable with your skillset and actively search out new methods and techniques to bolster your filmmaking skills. Be ambitious, and respectful When you’re in the process of making a film, you’re going to have to work with large groups of actors and get permission to film in certain locations. If you are rude or testy while you’re going through this process, you’re not going to have actors who want to stick around. It’s important to market yourself, not just your filmmaking skills. Afterall, we all want to be respected. If you sour a relationship with a property owner at a key location, they may not want to have you back. Take it from iconic director Spike Lee: being polite and approachable only benefits you more. These are just some tips to consider when you’re a new, up-and-coming filmmaker. Everything is a learning process, so there’s no shame in learning from your peers and expanding your knowledge base. Being a beginner filmmaker is no joke, especially if you’re coming from one industry and moving into another. There are common challenges that just about any filmmaker must face, and avoiding them early on will save you a lot of headaches in the future. It’s important to know that everyone learns differently, and it’s common to have missteps and blunders along the way. Most of us learn by experiencing these challenges firsthand. So, what are some of these challenges and how can we avoid them? Let’s explore the topic together. Writing a weak story Writing the perfect story isn’t easy, and requires a lot of time and revision to get it just right. However, sometimes in our excitement, we may be quick to get the story down and get straight to work. The problem here is if you write a weak story, this is going to lead to aimless acting that doesn’t compel your audience the way you want. It happens sometimes in amateur films where the characters don’t have clear-cut goals based on the story. If they don’t know what direction they’re going in, it’s going to impact the effectiveness of the story. Don’t be afraid to sit with your concept and rewrite it. Just like most things, the first draft isn’t the best version of what you can create. Ineffective scripting When you’re first getting into script writing, there’s the potential for mishaps to occur. Writing scripts isn’t an easy feat for beginners, and is another area you need to really practice to get it right. This can cause a lack of connection between characters. If you don’t write an effective script, your characters' dialogue won’t gel together, which can make things seem awkward. This is common when you rush your script writing, which is understandable. When you’ve sat with a concept for so long, it’s easy to want to see it come to life quickly. However, like anything you truly want, you need to invest the time. Reread your script and try reading it out loud. See how the dialogue feels coming off your own tongue and adjust the delivery accordingly. Misusing sound equipment Can you imagine a film where you can see the characters’ mouths moving but you hear nothing? Sounds pretty silly, but this can happen between takes if your sound equipment isn’t up to snuff. This happens when you use sound equipment that doesn’t serve your needs or don’t know how to use the equipment. Invest in decent equipment and make sure you know how to use it. This doesn’t mean you have to buy the latest audio equipment on the market, but finding a good middle point will save you a lot of grief in the future. Improper casting selection The casting choices you make can go a long way to make a movie successful. New filmmakers sometimes cast the wrong characters for the role, it happens. You need to consider your vision and choose someone who fits the character. This can be difficult when you want to give opportunities to everyone who comes through your door, it’s natural to feel that way. However, making the right choice can make or break your film. Take the time to review prospective casting options and see how they match up with your vision. Poor shot composition The background of the movie helps make the film interesting. When it comes to shot composition, there’s a concept we call “dead spaces.” These spaces are areas in a scene that has no activity taking place. It generally isn’t good to have too much dead space because the shots lack depth and balance. It’s a simple thing to overlook, but as you train your eyes, you’ll learn to spot them. Take the time to look at each shot and consider having a shot list handy to help you avoid this issue. Poor Lighting Similar to not having the right sound equipment, if your scenes aren’t properly lit, your movie isn’t going to look good. The last thing you want is for your film to not match the vision you have inside your head. Consider the natural lighting in your scenes and when applicable, make sure you have lighting equipment to properly light a scene. Unnecessary pauses Sometimes, amateur movies contain a lot of unnecessary pauses. Imagine seeing two characters talking and the scene is paused to draw in the audience. This is a great way to bring in dramatic tension. However, if you overuse pauses or put them in the wrong place, things can translate awkwardly to your audience. Use pauses sparingly and only when they add something to the scene. These are just some of the common challenges new filmmakers face while they learn how to hone their craft. If you’ve made any of these, don’t worry – there’s always room for improvement and no one starts out knowing everything. Continue to study and practice your art and you will definitely find improvement in the future. |
AuthorBardya Ziaian is a Toronto-based business executive, film producer, actor, and entrepreneur with specific expertise in the areas of Fintech, brokerage services, and financial systems. Archives
February 2023
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