Languages On FilmAn Introduction to

Digital Filmmaking

Production Flow Overview

Stage 1 Development What’s Your Idea?

Formulating Your Proposal

Pitching &

Discussion

Stage 2 Pre Production Scriptwriting

Storyboarding

Shot Lists

Sound Lists

Production Planning

Stage 3 Production

‘The Shoot’

Rehearsing

Action

Takes & Shots

Sound Recording

Stage 4 Post Production Picture &

Sound Edit

Mixing

Music

Stage 5 Exhibition Screening Your Film

Archiving

Your Film

Stage 1: Development

Objective Process Outcome

To thoroughly think through the core idea, theme, story or key message of the film idea.

Research and discuss ideas and decide on the best one.

A short written film proposal.

To decide on the genre in which the core idea/theme/story/

message will be told.

- Small group work

- Class presentation

A verbal presentation or Pitch, with use of illustrations or visual aides.

A more detailed Outline or Synopsis of the film.

Stage 2: Pre-Production

Objective Process Outcome

To thoroughly plan and prepare for production

Write a Script, devise a Storyboard and create a Shot List

A short written film proposal

Assign key production roles

A verbal presentation or Pitch, with use of illustrations or visual aides

Create all Pre- production documentation

- Small group work

- Class presentation

A more detailed Outline or Synopsis of the film.

The Script

• Location • Character• Story/Scenario• Scenes

• Read-through

Shot Types

• Know your shot types and how to refer to them

• Get used to using the abbreviations, ie. MS for Medium Shot, LS for Long Shot, HACU for High Angle Close Up

The Grammar of The Shot

• Motivation• Information• Composition• Sound• Camera angle• Continuity

The Shot - Content and Form

• Framing: What do we see within the frame of the shot?• Focus: What needs to be in focus? What not?• Exposure: Is there enough light? Increase if not.• Movement: is there movement in shot? Does the camera need to

move. Choreograph and rehearse movement of subject and camera.

The Shot - Subject/Form

• Static or Moving?: Is the camera Static or moving? If it is moving is it Hand Held or on a Tripod [pan or tilt]?

• Angle: Low or High Angle shots alter the way the viewer responds to the subject with frame.

From Script to Storyboard

• It is important that the storyboard is closely related to the script.

• Marking Up The Script: breaking down the action and dialogue of the script into shots

From Storyboard to Shot List

• A storyboard is a visual representation of all your shots and sound in chronological film order.

• It should represent the shot structure of your film sequence as you want it to appear when edited.

• A Shot List is a list of all the shots you need [and sound] in SHOOTING ORDER

Stage 3: Production

Objective Process Outcome

To gather all the required images for your film at the best quality possible

Use your Shot List and Storyboard in filming and follow it!

Recorded all the video [moving images], stills [photograph images], and sound

To gather all the required sound for your film at the best quality possible.

You can also improvise if something unexpected occurs!

Decide on the right music for your film. Make sure it is COPYRIGHT CLEAR.

Be organized and keep to defined key production roles

Stage 4: Post-Production

Objective Process Outcome

Composite all sound and image in storyboard order.

Reviewing, selecting and cutting footage.

Complete film

Edit image and sound. Add Sound FX Save file of finished film

Save finished film. Add music and titles Make DVD

The Grammar of The Edit

• An Edit is a transition between two shots. Edits are like punctuation, and affect the pace and rhythm of the film sequence.

Stage 5: Exhibition, Distribution and Archiving

Objective Process Outcome

To share and archive your films at the best quality available

Save as files for archiving, screening and broadcasting online

Easily accessible resource platform from which your worked an be viewed

To disseminate your projects and achievements widely

Save as DVD

For coursework folders, individual student archive, school archive.

Permissions and Privacy

• Get signed permission from anyone visible on screen.

• Create a form with opt in and out clauses [ie: for school screening, wider public screening, school website, public website, DVD distribution].

• Give copies to your students and safely archive them.

Exercise

• Make a short film of no longer than 1 minute duration that uses a situation and vocabulary from a topic you have recently covered in class.

Exercise - Stage 1: Development

• In pairs, discuss your ideas.

• Focus on content [what you film is about] and style/genre [how your film will be presented].

• Think of a title.

• Write a short proposal beginning with the title of your film and telling us what it is about.

• Pitch your idea to the group [be prepared to answer/ask questions.]

Exercise - Stage 2:Pre production

• Write a one page script - follow the correct format.

• Create a Storyboard [you can use stick men!]

• Create a Shot List

Exercise - Stage 3:Production

• Go out and shoot it! [using your Shot List and Storyboards]

Exercise - Stage 4:Post Production

• Editing your film using Windows Movie Maker.

• Save your finished Film.

Exercise - Stage 5:Screening

• Screening and Discussion - it is important to evaluate and learn from the films that have been made. What are the lessons for next time? What could have been improved? Does the film convey it’s narrative/message/idea to an audience? If not why not?