Tips

Making Your Film

The key elements of a good film are a compelling interest, a strategy and creativity. Here are some key pointers to help you get started:

• You should begin to expand your interest in the different styles and strategies of filmmaking that have caught your eye. Look for filmmakers that seem to intrigue and inspire you. A lot of the times it is the unique style that influences your audiences. All directors are essentially projecting their particular identity on screen.
• Determine what you want for the film, what you need and what you have. Once you narrow down on what is missing you can start inquiring around your community or university where you can have some equipment donated, or whether you have access to it and can borrow it.
• Make yourself familiar with the technical equipment you will need. Do you have cameras, the correct lighting, floodlights, audio recording? Consider taking out an ad in the local paper and inquiring for help.
• Be sure to research your subject thoroughly. You are investing your time and other people’s time into the film. Make sure that you know the facts and have thoroughly checked their background. This is where you have the most potential to make your film compelling.
• Start putting footage together the best you can. People will be more apt to work with you if it seems like you are determined.
• Keep a record log of what you are shooting, what you have done so that you are organized and your time in the editing room is much simpler.
• Get out there! Start applying to film festivals, find distributors, and send out copies to everyone in the film genre. And if you don’t know where to start--then network, there are more people interested than you think.