We created a short film based on the title 'Exchange'. Following this simple list to make sure we succeed in the task.
Do's
Stick to the brief
We were given the genre of mystery. But the genre ended up mystery/ comedy. Doing this during a real production will cause the company the back out of the deal to finance your film due to it not being what the company wants.
Stick to the brief
We were given the genre of mystery. But the genre ended up mystery/ comedy. Doing this during a real production will cause the company the back out of the deal to finance your film due to it not being what the company wants.
Always plan a story board
You should use a story board as it helps you to plan what you are filming next and know where the story is going. Through our filming, we did not know what was next in the sequences so the story did not make sense. Editing was a problem as the story did not flow when filming was put together.
You should use a story board as it helps you to plan what you are filming next and know where the story is going. Through our filming, we did not know what was next in the sequences so the story did not make sense. Editing was a problem as the story did not flow when filming was put together.
Appropriate props
Using props that will be used for a horror and not another genre. E.g Knife, gun and blood are all associated with horror.
Using props that will be used for a horror and not another genre. E.g Knife, gun and blood are all associated with horror.
Well casted
If your genre needs a little girl to play someone possessed you do not cast an elderly man to play the character.
If your genre needs a little girl to play someone possessed you do not cast an elderly man to play the character.
Where possible use a tripod
Using a tripod will improve the shots and make them steady. Using shaky shots is really hard to edit.
Using a tripod will improve the shots and make them steady. Using shaky shots is really hard to edit.
Plan your location carefully
This is very important as location is key to creating a create horror film. Find places like a cellar or forest to create a scary set for your production. Don't film on a location such as swimming pool as it doesn't fit your genre.
This is very important as location is key to creating a create horror film. Find places like a cellar or forest to create a scary set for your production. Don't film on a location such as swimming pool as it doesn't fit your genre.
Risk assessment
Always do a Risk Assessment as some places you film on will need permission for weapons used before you use them.
Always do a Risk Assessment as some places you film on will need permission for weapons used before you use them.
Be clear
Make sure the audience knows what genre you are doing. Also the characters can be spotted easily.
Make sure the audience knows what genre you are doing. Also the characters can be spotted easily.
Keep story lines simple
Always keep story lines clear to make sure you do not confuse the audience. E.g Have a climax and anti-climax. Have notes of what will happen and make sure it makes sense.
Always keep story lines clear to make sure you do not confuse the audience. E.g Have a climax and anti-climax. Have notes of what will happen and make sure it makes sense.
Fewer people the better
Always have a few people in the shot or focus on one person to make the story simple but effective. E.g focusing on Sidney in the film Scream.
Always have a few people in the shot or focus on one person to make the story simple but effective. E.g focusing on Sidney in the film Scream.
Make every shot different to the last
Having two of the same shots together becomes boring and does not flow.
Having two of the same shots together becomes boring and does not flow.
Don'ts
Don't film drama
Having drama on screen becomes boring and loses the target audience.
Don't film drama
Having drama on screen becomes boring and loses the target audience.
Don't Zoom
Zooming in makes the shot seem sloppy and not focused. Film a close up shot and extreme close up instead of long shot. This will create a high quality shot.
Zooming in makes the shot seem sloppy and not focused. Film a close up shot and extreme close up instead of long shot. This will create a high quality shot.
Don't have long period Shots
The audience would loose focus on the story line.
The audience would loose focus on the story line.