Hints for First Time Filmmakers
There is no one way to make a movie, but there are certainly many steps necessary to producing a successful film. These suggestions will briefly touch on areas you should be thinking about if you are totally new to the filmmaking process.
Take a Class
- Montana State University has a number of informative production classes. However, if you can’t invest
that much time, there are also weekend film schools offered by The Hollywood Film Institute’s Dov S-S
Simens (800-366-3456) or from Robert Bordiga’s Nuts & Bolts Production Seminars (800-755-7763).
Both of these courses are offered at various times throughout the year in a variety of locations.
Script
- The one essential element to every film. Not only must you have a script, but it has to be “good.” The
story is everything. Use the script as your guide and make decisions based on what makes sense for the
story. Anyone can make a film, but not everyone can make a good film.
Crew
- Depending on the length of your story and how involved it is will determine how many crew members
you need. A documentary about your next door neighbor will require far fewer crew members than a 50s
western. Positions to think about—Producer, Editor, Director, 1st and 2nd Assistant Directors,
Cinematographer, 1st and 2nd Assistant Camera, Script Supervisor, Sound Mixers, Production Designer,
Costume Designer, Hair/Makeup, Gaffers, Grips, Composer, Casting Director, and Production
Assistants. An explanation of crew member positions is available in the Filmmaker’s Dictionary (see
Good Books To Read When Researching the Filmmaking Process below).
Cast -
Unless you are using friends, you’ll more than likely have to hold some kind of casting session, so think
about location(s), time(s), advertising, videotaping the session, paperwork for the actors to fill out, etc.
Talent Agencies can also be a great resource when looking for actors.
Locations
- Locking down locations can be a very time consuming task because of the necessity of obtaining permits
and permission from various owners. Check the Montana Film Office on-line production guide at
www.montanafilm.com for federal and state land permitting guidelines.
Equipment
- Unless you own a camera, you are going to have to borrow or rent one. You’ll either shoot on film or
video and you’ll need lights and sound equipment, as well as camera supplies.
Insurance
- Getting insurance can be the single most important thing you do in pre-production...especially when
something goes wrong. Most location owners and production rental houses will not let you rent property
without insurance. Since this is an unusual type of insurance, contact your insurance agent to have them
point you in the right direction. Students are usually covered through the University, but don’t just
assume.
And last, but
certainly not least....FINANCING!!! - Where are you going to get the money needed to make your film a reality? Only you can figure this out
by researching how much things will cost —actors, locations, crew, catering, travel, lodging, film
processing, film transfer, negative conforming, postage, and miscellaneous expenses. You can probably
get donations or reduced rates on a lot of this, but filmmaking isn’t cheap, even with generous
contributions. I’ve found that as a student filmmaker, a good rule of thumb to follow is almost
$1000/minute, shooting on film. I’ve seen it done much more cheaply, but you don’t have to ask the
filmmakers how much they spent to know that.
Click here to download a PDF file of this page. (This document was written by Kelsi MacIntyre – MSU Graduate 1999).
Good Books to Read When Researching the Filmmaking Process:
- Location Scouting & Management Handbook
By Robert G. Maier
- The Complete Film Production Handbook
By Eve Light Honthaner
- Filmmaker's Dictionary
By Ralph S. Singleton
All three books are available on the Internet at www.amazon.com. There is also a large selection of film production books in the on-line store at www.ifilmpro.com.
