Table Of Content

The Dos and Don’ts of Successful Filmmaking Mistakes are easy to make, but often difficult to undo. The greater the knowledge and experience a filmmaker has, the fewer mistakes are made by them. This introductory-level guide to filmmaking teaches effective preproduction, production and postproduction with a focus on many of the common mistakes made and how to avoid them. Filled with practical advice and information on the process of successfully making a film, Patrick Winters guides you through the whole process from preproduction to postproduction, teaching how to plan a shoot, accomplish that shoot and then follow the steps needed to edit and mix your film, high- lighting key considerations and potential pitfalls to avoid along the way. The book covers everything from getting your story production ready, securing funding and budgeting appropriately, casting actors, assigning crew members, developing production design, shooting efficiently and effectively, technical and aesthetic camera and lighting choices, sound considerations, picture and sound editing and mixing, to the final stages of distribution and exhibition. Drawing on Winters’ years of filmmaking and teaching experience, this book provides you with all the technical and aesthetic knowledge required to make a film, highlights common mistakes to avoid, and explains where to put your time and money into where it shows, resulting in a successfully made film that will stand out from the crowd. A combination of what to do and what not to do, this is ideal for introductory-l evel filmmaking students, as well as independents just starting out. The online support material includes deal memo templates, walkie-talkie lingo, camera and sound reports, first AD roll call, distribution and exhibition and additional information on booming. Patrick Winters has worked in the film business for 25 years and has taught filmmaking for the last 13 years in New Zealand and the United States. He has experience working on short films, documentaries and major motion pictures including Good Will Hunting, Psycho (remake), Finding Forrester, To Die For and Far from Heaven. He especially likes the challenge of stretching film budgets to achieve the highest production value possible. He is currently operating his own postproduction studio and is the author of Sound Design for Low & No Budget Films. The Dos and Don’ts of Successful Filmmaking Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Patrick Winters Cover images: © Shutterstock First published 2022 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2022 Patrick Winters The right of Patrick Winters to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Winters, Patrick (Patrick O.), author. Title: The dos and don’ts of successful filmmaking : common mistakes and how to avoid them / Patrick Winters. Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2022. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2021027403 (print) | LCCN 2021027404 (ebook) | ISBN 9780367369736 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367369743 (paperback) | ISBN 9780429352133 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Motion pictures—Production and direction. Classification: LCC PN1995.9.P7 W56 2022 (print) | LCC PN1995.9.P7 (ebook) | DDC 791.4302/32—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021027403 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021027404 ISBN: 978-0-367-36973-6 (hbk) ISBN: 978-0-367-36974-3 (pbk) ISBN: 978-0-429-35213-3 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9780429352133 Typeset in Giovanni by codeMantra Access the Support Material: www.routledge.com/9780367369743 Contact author at [email protected] To my life partner, Patti Winters, whose support and encouragement have made it possible for me to write this book. Also, to Garrett Winters and Teresa Winters and the many students that I have had the pleasure to teach and to learn from. Contents Preface xvii Acknowledgments & Credits xix PREPRODUCTION 1 1 INTRODUCTION 3 Purpose: What This Book Is About 3 Audience: Who This Book Is For 4 Outcome: What You Can Expect to Learn 4 Considerations: How to Approach a Project 5 Projects: What Stories Are Worth Telling 5 Layout: How This Book Is Organized 6 2 STORY & SCRIPT 7 Introduction 8 Rights 8 The Concept 9 Genre 10 Theme 11 Three-Act Structure 11 Characters 13 Character Arc 14 Dialogue 14 Voice-over 16 Loglines & Synopsis 16 Treatment (Three-Act Structure, Plot Points, Subplots) 17 Outline or Step Outline 17 Beat Sheet 18 viii CONTENTS Scriptment 18 Script 19 Script Format 19 Feedback & Revisions 22 Kill Your Darlings 24 Shooting Script & Conformed Script 24 Tips 24 3 FUNDING & BUDGETING 26 Funding 26 Pitch 27 Beg, Borrow & Acquire 28 Proof of Concept 29 Talent & Crew–Paid or Volunteer 30 Budgeting 31 Budget Breakdown 32 Budget Topsheet 32 Deliverables 33 Meals & Transportation 34 Production Equipment 35 4 CAST 36 Casting Director 37 Casting Call 37 Casting & Auditions 39 Actors Auditioning 40 Callbacks 41 Minors 41 Extras 42 Casting Name Actors 44 Stand-Ins 45 Actor Responsibilities 45 Continuity 47 Contracts/Deal Memos 47 Confidentiality 48 Actor Tips 48 5 CREW 50 Introduction 50 Team 51 Interviews, Résumés & Work Samples 51 CONTENTS ix Positions 52 Production Crew 52 Postproduction Crew 60 Contracts 62 6 PRODUCTION DESIGN 63 Introduction 64 Location, Location, Location 65 Color or Black & White 66 Color Psychology 67 Costume/Wardrobe 67 Makeup & Hair 68 Sets 71 Visual Effects (VFX) & Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) 74 Props (Properties) 75 Set Decorating & Dressing 76 Artworks 77 Tests 78 Tips 78 PRODUCTION 79 7 DIRECTING 81 Introduction 81 Concept Book or Look Book 82 Concept Art 83 Storyboards 83 Shot List 84 Location Scouting or Reconnaissance (Recce) 85 Casting 86 Table Read 86 Rehearsals 86 Blocking 87 Directing Approaches 88 Acting Styles 88 Working with Actors 89 Doing Business 91 Fights & Intimacy 91 Working with the Producer 92 Working with the First Assistant Director (1st AD) 93 Working with the Crew 93