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Amateur Filmmaking Research


For an english project and other intensive purproses related to the production of Dairy Wars The Movie, I composed this research composition on the topic of independent filmmaking. If you have any intrest in film, this essay can be very informative, even as a film production compoany, we learned many things from this research.

If you have and questions about the paper or for the author please e-mail the executive producers at The Executive Producers Mail


Amateur Film Production

The majority of the American population has at some point seen a film. While the projector whirrs and the silver screen shows monsters, romancers, or cowboys, most people munch away at popcorn, and drink sodas while enjoying the film. However, most of these people have no idea of the amount of work and preparation that goes into the production of the films they see.

As a beginner in the field of amateur film production, my colleagues and I are producing our first film. Filmmaking is a complicated process, and we have much to learn about the process of movie production. Most amateurs in filmmaking create a name for their independent film production company. within the amateur filmmaking field, independent films are most commonly known as indie films. These small town productions usually have little or no budget and are ran by film enthusiasts with little or no film experience.

Successful indie productions are usually aired at film festivals. At these showings, professional talent agents are often present, and they sometimes offer contracts to those most prominent film creators. These festivals are the inspiration and reason for many indie film productions. To even have an entry for one of these festivals, an amateur filmmaker must first produce a movie. To achieve even a semi-professional film, there is a very long process of learning how to implement art of filmmaking.

In a general amateur production, an idea must be written as a screenplay before any film is involved. Next, an acting cast and technical crew along with equipment and filming locations must be assembled to fulfill the needs of the screenplay. Then, the movie is filmed and edited. Lastly, if the production is successful, it is distributed.

Before a successful movie can be filmed, there must be an idea, developed characters, a script, and finally a story board. This is a critical stage because it defines the scale, genre, and type of movie to be filmed. Without these elements, you have no characters, actions, or scenes to be filmed, and preceding without these would be very un-professional.

The first, and most important step of making any movie is the creation of a concept for a story line. Nearly every film starts out as an idea, dream, or even every day event that stands out to a writer. As with most amateur film productions, there is either a minimal, or non-existent budget. The key to a successful movie is to use what you have. From sets, to props, to actors, any idea will be easier to achieve if you already have the people, places, and things the idea will require. A good example of this is the recent movie, The Blair Witch Project. In this horror film, the entire movie is set in a typical town, and then in a forest. These sets were in no way extravagant, but they filled the needs of a good idea.

For any film to be even remotely worthwhile, you must have well developed characters. No number of special effects, elaborate locations, or thrilling action sequences can replace a character that the common person can relate to. Without emotional, historical, and even personal development of the characters, an audience will see the actors as phonies with little expression. When audience members feel as if they can relate with a character, the characters performance becomes much more realistic.

For actors to be able to convey their characters emotions, the script must contain human dialogue. Unless a movie is set in a perfect society where all people say every word exactly to Webster's dictionary standards, characters will not seem to be human. A character with their own mannerisms, tone of voice, and even slang written in the script will be able to further express their emotions and appear to be more authentic as human beings.

A typical film is broken down into three acts. Usually, the first act, or exposition, introduces the main characters, and their antagonist or problems. The second act presents a conflict between the antagonists, and the protagonists. The third act usually contains the climax, and then the denouement (Butler 1). Planning a story that will conform with this will often result in an average length feature film. Writers often use these acts to have a movie in a different time period, place, or condition. When writing a script, it is a good idea to have this template in mind, as it will allow you to organize the flow of events in the film. Within these acts are many scenes. Each scene is a sequence that is typically filmed all at once, in either one area, or one moving shot. Most moves are filmed in this fashion to allow for movements of equipment, and people to different places. Films are usually shot in a studio, or on location. Scene breaks allow for all the scenes to be shot in one location during only one trip. As rental of a studio or location is expensive, this allows a film to shoot all the scenes for one location with only a few days use of a setting, as opposed to several days of the rented setting not being used due to scene changes.

As most independent film companies create their own scripts, there is not much need for filming directions beyond scene breaks, action sequence breakdowns, and some descriptions for props, costumes, and scenery. The visual alternative most commonly used method of stage direction is the storyboard, basically an illustrated version of the film. The end product looks like a comic book, and allows the director, cast, crew, and cameraman to see what the end product should look like. Generally these illustrations are very basic black lead drawings. However, if you lack artistic skills, you can easily personalize yours. Even the popular filmmakers Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Speilberg are not artistically inclined with drawing. Instead, crude stick figures, wooden human models, or even the typical action figures can be photographed in position for a scene. (Acting with a Pencil, Storyboarding Your Movie 1) After a general picture of a scene has been established, arrows, and marginal comments are used to complete the directions for actors, and camera movement, angle, and actions.

Many amateur film productions are cut short by a lack of actors and crewmembers. While professional stars, and technical workers are the best to have, they require large sums of money before they will work in a film. There is actually a surprisingly large demand for roles in even independent films.

As with any production stage, film, or otherwise, auditions should be held for the roles of the film’s characters. As many people will do nearly anything to become famous, or even be filmed, there should be no shortage of talented people willing to try out. During an audition, it is important to select actors that physically resemble your characters in height, weight, hair color, ability to sing, and even tone of voice. If there is any stunt work involved, it is also important to make sure the person has the physical abilities of the character. In many auditions, those qualifying physically are asked to tell jokes, or stories. While doing this, a camera films a tight shot of the persons face. Upon later review, you can tell if a persons emotions are interesting, or if they would be a boring character (A-Z of Filmmaking 3).

Of those who are chosen to fill open roles, it is important to have a confirmation that they will be able to participate in the film. Many independent films are primarily composed of younger amateurs in film who work for free. These teenage actors are subject to unplanned family trips, sports teams, school functions, and bizarre work hours. If you have adult actors, it is also important to make sure that they have sufficient days off for filming.

A movie cannot be filmed without a technical crew. Responsible for lighting, special effects, props, scenery, sound, camerawork, cue cards (if applicable), assisting the producers, and even supplying food, the crew is the backbone of film production. It is surprisingly easy to find people with experiences in these fields. Many schools have film classes, drama productions, and some churches have the same. When selecting a technical crew, it is preferable if they have 24 hour access to the equipment they are familiar with. If they do, it can save hundreds of dollars, and have even better results. If your crew does not have access to this equipment, it is advised to run test shots to make sure that they can correctly operate any equipment.

The aspect that scares many away from independent filmmaking is procuring the equipment for filming. Surprisingly, it is actually rather simple, and not too costly to rent all the technical equipment you will need. Simpler equipment for scenery is easy to find very cheaply at yard sales, closeout stores, and even hardware stores.

Obviously, you need a camera to film a movie. In recent years, the release of digital cameras has revolutionized the art of independent filmmaking. Recently, the 36mm video camera was preferred as it provided most professional and highest quality picture. However, development for one foot of 36mm film was recently priced at as high as fifty cents. As the average feature length production uses approximately 18,000 foot of film before editing (Should I shoot 16mm or digital 1) , development can cost up to $9,000.00 plus $450.00 in New Jersey sales tax. However, a high quality digital camera usually costs approximately one to two thousand dollars. With a good computer and digital camera setup, you can save close to $7,000. The digital cameras also have advantages in operation. They can modify the picture as it is filmed, and you do not need to transfer any film into a digital format for computer generated editing such as blue screening. Recently, Star Wars Episode 2 has became the first film to be completely digitally recorded. With a good digital camera, preferably three chip, meaning it has better graphical performance in low or uneven light situations, there is extremely minimal graphical loss from editing generation to generation. This results in very professional appearing film.

A critical element of scenery, the set lighting is perhaps the least expensive equipment needed for filming. Lighting is critical for indoor scenes as it sets the mood as dark or romantic, normalcy, or very bright as in professional facilities. Also, imitating sunlight, or the use of normal lamps can help distinguish day from night. Usually three to four 100 watt clip-on lamps can be found at local hardware stores for under five dollars a piece. These lamps are recommended, as they are lightweight, and can easily be clamped in place to evenly light a set (Morris 2 : 2). It is recommended to use lights of the same wattage, and avoid fluorescent lights that will cause graphical glitches. Even if filming is done outdoors, it is still a good idea to have lights in the case of adverse conditions such as sudden clouds. Otherwise during editing the light level may constantly change, negatively affecting the cameras focus.

Audio quality is another variable that affects the professionalism of an amateur film production. Many video cameras have a feature that locks onto present sound and amplifies it. Unfortunately, when the sound being recorded pauses, the camera amplifies, and records background noise. Wildlife, passing traffic, and even air conditioners can cause extreme background noise while using normal camera audio receptors. It is highly recommended to use a DAT, or Digital Audio Tape recorder. (Pak 2) A rental of this basic equipment has a cost of approximately one to two hundred dollars. A rental set contains the recording deck and controls, a set of headphones for a crew member to check sound quality with, and a microphone boom. (Morris 2 : 2) This allows you to record only the sounds you want to hear, by placing a microphone on the boom directly over the actors. With the sound control panel the recording can be set not to pick up typical noise like breathing, the camera operating, and even the wind. The tapes used to record come into play later in the editing process.

The most expensive equipment is for editing. Once visual recordings, and audio are on one tape, you can either use the method of dubbing from one VCR to another, or obtain use of an AVID editing device. This machine costs approximately $150 to rent per hour, however, by joining a film editing class at a local college or high school, you can gain unlimited access to one of these machines. The AVID is special because it allows you to use a computer program to edit your film, and then a machine automatically combines the audio, and video together as specified by the editing. This is a much simpler process as compared to the old method where a person must sort, match, and physically cut audio and visual film frame by frame. Another alternative is simply to physically record the video from your camera in to the AV port on a VCR. This process requires you to fast-forward, and rewind to scenes in order, and constantly pause to “cut” the film. This process is very time consuming as you have to physically search for scenes, and must complete the process perfectly since you are editing onto a physical final copy.

Obviously the most entertaining part of filmmaking is shooting the movie. This is the time where everyone and everything you have previously gathered comes together to create the movie. The filming of each scene is very time consuming, as one mistake can cause an entire scene to be restarted. Following the proper procedures here can however save months in editing.

The slate, commonly known as a clapboard, is used to start the filming of every scene. These boards, usually of the dry erase or chalk variety, allow for filmmakers to label their scenes (Schlemowitz 27). In the later process of editing, this becomes critical as it allows you to determine which takes to use, and the exact order to place the selected scenes in. Also, the slate is used as a test to align the audio, and video recording at the beginning of a scene.

Every scene has a very patterned procedure for a successful shot. Before a scene, actors should rehearse, and know their lines. Once everyone is prepared, has examined the scene on the storyboard, and the set is ready, actors should take their places. Once everyone is on the set, lighting should be adjusted so that it is not drastically affected by character movement. If it is a complicated scene including action, large groups, or other extremes, a quick run through is a good precaution. So that scene transitions are apparent you should roll the audio and visual film for a silent ten seconds before the slate is held clearly before the camera. After the slate has cleared the cameras view, the director should call out “action”, and the actors perform the scene as planned. After the scene is complete, everyone should silently wait another ten seconds, and the director will call out “cut”. At this point, the scene is either re-filmed to fix any errors, or this process is repeated with the next scene (Morris 2 : 2).

With modern day computer programs, computer generated editing has never been easier. In any shot a color, usually green or blue, can be painted in place of a prop, or background called a “blue screen”. With a CGI (computer generated images) program, all objects of the color selected for the blue screen, are deleted. In place of the images of blue, any other video or photograph can be placed. A common use of this process is to create a background environment not possible to build (Bluescreening 1). Sometimes, a miniature model is inserted so that it appears that a one sixteenth scale room is actually a giant corridor with characters walking through it. Other special effects can be much simpler. As in some movies, a simple use of fishing line, which is invisible to the camera, can make a model airplane appear to fly. Some video cameras also have built in special effects such as negative filming, mirroring, and fades.

The most tedious and boring part of filmmaking is the editing. In this process the scenes of audio and visual tape are organized, and made into a movie . In the current times with new computer technologies like AVID and other computer programs, many special effects can be added during editing.

If the aforementioned DAT was correctly used, small tracking numbers on the sides of the audio and video tapes should match. By sending the corresponding tapes to a local film developer, you will receive a master copy of all the audio and visual information put together. With this copy, and the slate records the AVID device can be used to automatically find, and cut out all but the scenes and shots needed for the film.

At this point, any difficult CGI effects such as CGI characters, lasers, or extras can be added. In some cases, if a scene is lost through development, or found to have errors, a re-shoot will take place mid-way through the editing. Sometimes upon viewing the final edition, further editations are made. As with the original Star Wars Trilogy, some films are digitally re-mastered, and re-released. This means that the film was sent through the AVID machine a second time, except instead of compiling the audio and video data in the traditional analog film, they are stored digitally, and then recorded on film at digital quality.

The final step in amateur film production is distributing your film to the public. The recent independent film “The Blair Witch Project” has proven that a creative idea, and good acting in an independent film can compete on a Hollywood level. To distribute a film on this level, you must hire a film distribution company which will mass produce and sell your film to theatres in 36mm format, and to the general consumer in video, laserdisc, and DVD format. This process is however very expensive and full of risks. As the production of 36mm theatre quality is very expensive, these companies charge millions for nationwide distribution. For amateurs, there is the option to have the movie developed, and distributed for free, however the company receives forty to fifty percent of the proceeds. However, if your film fails in the box office, you might develop a debt to the distributor.

There are cheaper options with less risk. the process chosen by most independent film makers is the film festival. Usually a week long event, for a small fee your movie will be aired before a live audience. At most festivals, prizes are given for the best films. Usually, Hollywood talent seekers are present at these festivals, so a prize could be accompanied by a contract.

A new solution to the distribution problem is the internet (Kobler 2). As broadband cable connections are becoming more common, a film can be viewed via the net at graphical, and audio quality superior to that of cable television. If your movie was shot digitally, it is very simple, and can be free to distribute on the internet. With web site building experience, you can charge for the movie, and show it in a pay-per view format.

As a last option, you can also air your film on local access television channels. However, this should be a last resort as viewers can videotape the film, and there would be no market for further distribution.

That is the process of filmmaking. Nearly every movie strays from this path because different directors, film genres, and budgets can prohibit, or allow more steps in filming. As with the recent movie “Memento” the movie is shown in reverse chronological order to reveal the past. This is strange but welcome concept that proves that with creativity in the filmmaking process a director can do nearly anything. As filmmaking is cheaper and more accessible than ever, and since United States is the only country where film can be nationally distributed without a governmental review, we Americans have the greatest opportunities to experiment with film. Even if you don’t make millions of dollars, the process of learning about, and completing scriptwriting, auditions, equipment, filming, editing, and distribution is a colossal amount of fun, and serves as a great pastime. It also helps create a great understanding of the work behind the movies that we take for granted.

Works Cited
  	“Acting with a Pencil, Storyboarding your Movie” Guide to Filmmaking. 
		WWW.exposure,co,uk/eejit/storybd/index.html 
		Accessed April 30, 2001
	“A-Z of Filmmaking” Reelscreen.com
		WWW.reelscreen.com/reelfilmmakingA1.html
		Accessed May 8, 2001
	“Bluescreening” Bluescreening.
		WWW.dainter.com/infocus/bluescreening.htm
		Accessed April 30, 2001
	Butler, Nathan. “Star Wars Fan Film Script Writing” Dark Horizons
		Http://theforce.net/theatre/preproduction/story/script_nbutler.shtml
		Accessed April 30, 2001
	Kobler, Helmut. “Internet Film: The new Promised Land” Cyber Film School
		WWW.cyberfilmschool/articles/internet_film.html
		Posted April 5, 2000.  Accessed May 13, 2001
	Morris, Dan. "How to Make Your Movie for $500." Daily Radar.com
		WWW.DailyRadar.com/features/showbiz_feature_page_21_1.html
 		Accessed May 8, 2001
	Pak, Greg. “How to Pick a DV Camera” Greg Pak’s Film Help
		http://Gregpak.com/filmhelp/articles/dvcamera.html
		Posted March 3, 2001.   Accessed April 30, 2001.
	Schlemowitz, Joel. “A Glossary of Film Terms” Glossary of Film Terms
		http://homepage.newschool.edu/~schlemoj/film_courses/glossary_of_ film 		_terms/glossary.html
		Accessed April 30, 2001.
	“Should I Shoot 16mm or Digital?” Cinemagine (UK)	
		WWW.filmmaking.net/cgi-bin/ifcont/dynamic/answer.asp?id=175
		Accessed May 30, 2001


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