When the filmmaker gets the full, bounded script in his hand in the form of screenplay, the next step is to find right people who could do the right job. If your film is a low budget film, then it is not obvious that the crew will have minimum number of people. There is no such rule. In fact, many people are connected your film directly or indirectly. For example, if you are hiring the camera from someone, then you have to make sure that the person provides you the equipment on time. Though, he may not be present on shooting sets, or any other part of film-making, his contribution makes a difference.
Crew consists of actors, assistants, music composers, technical crew working on sets and in studios, etc.
If you’re an independent filmmaker, I will still suggest you to have at least two assistants to help you. Many times it happens that you have to look after some person, while there is no one to keep check on other things. Here, the assistants play a big role.
Concerning actors, you can pick any one. I have asked many of my friends to act in my short films. I never had professional actors working with me. If you have enough money and contacts, then it is always better to work with professional actors, no doubt about it. In one of the previous articles, I had said that a wise filmmaker will first take a look at his own resources and accordingly he will take his steps in every level on filmmaking. Walking on the same idea, when you add characters in your script, look around, search for the people who you think can act, and then approach them.
There is also a secret of finding professional actors who can work for free. I will disclose it in my coming articles.
The importance of using original soundtrack can only be understood when you see series of short films using popular theme songs and within those films, one film that has used an original composition. Original music composition impresses the judges and the audience, the film critics too. I remember one occasion in which I had to visit a film festival. It had 20 short films to screen to the people. Out of 20, about 19 films had popular music playing as background score. Most of the times, it went along with the scene, but I didn’t feel the completeness. It is my opinion. When I heard an original composition on one film out of 20, I was more impressed. Though, it was not as good as others, the sound created a soft corner in the minds of judges and audience. It is an honest attempt and people would love to see more of originality in your work.
There are other technicians like video editors, sound recording artists, light arrangement people, voice artists, etc. Again, in most of my films, I used my own instincts to place lights and give effect. I used colored non-transparent plastics and shiny papers to reflect light. I asked my assistants to place and hold the lights. I learned editing on Windows Movie Maker and started experimenting on Adobe Premiere too. If you don’t want to play with these soft wares then you may have to take help of your friends or may be you have to pay to professional technicians.
This was a little summary on how to find the right crew for your short films. I will go in more detail in my new articles.
Crew consists of actors, assistants, music composers, technical crew working on sets and in studios, etc.
If you’re an independent filmmaker, I will still suggest you to have at least two assistants to help you. Many times it happens that you have to look after some person, while there is no one to keep check on other things. Here, the assistants play a big role.
Concerning actors, you can pick any one. I have asked many of my friends to act in my short films. I never had professional actors working with me. If you have enough money and contacts, then it is always better to work with professional actors, no doubt about it. In one of the previous articles, I had said that a wise filmmaker will first take a look at his own resources and accordingly he will take his steps in every level on filmmaking. Walking on the same idea, when you add characters in your script, look around, search for the people who you think can act, and then approach them.
There is also a secret of finding professional actors who can work for free. I will disclose it in my coming articles.
The importance of using original soundtrack can only be understood when you see series of short films using popular theme songs and within those films, one film that has used an original composition. Original music composition impresses the judges and the audience, the film critics too. I remember one occasion in which I had to visit a film festival. It had 20 short films to screen to the people. Out of 20, about 19 films had popular music playing as background score. Most of the times, it went along with the scene, but I didn’t feel the completeness. It is my opinion. When I heard an original composition on one film out of 20, I was more impressed. Though, it was not as good as others, the sound created a soft corner in the minds of judges and audience. It is an honest attempt and people would love to see more of originality in your work.
There are other technicians like video editors, sound recording artists, light arrangement people, voice artists, etc. Again, in most of my films, I used my own instincts to place lights and give effect. I used colored non-transparent plastics and shiny papers to reflect light. I asked my assistants to place and hold the lights. I learned editing on Windows Movie Maker and started experimenting on Adobe Premiere too. If you don’t want to play with these soft wares then you may have to take help of your friends or may be you have to pay to professional technicians.
This was a little summary on how to find the right crew for your short films. I will go in more detail in my new articles.
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