Every day is an opportunity to succeed.

The Plan

Organization and communication is the perfect combination for your production to run smoothly.

 

by

Arilyn I. Martinez Cora

 

Revisions by

Gunnar Erzulie

Bridget Hernandez

 

Pre­ & production

 

One of the most important elements in the film industry would be organization. As a student I had to work in several productions and once I started dipping my toes into the shark tank of the film industry then I realized the main difference between a professional set and student set. On the film industry people are already experienced and the ins and outs of filmmaking. However on the student's sets we are all experimenting and learning from our mistakes. In my experience as a student the film set is more chaotic and disorganized because of lack of pre-production. The pre-production is one of the most important elements in filmmaking because it's the foundation, the building blocks, that we are going to used to change words into visuality.  

 

When you finally have the final draft of your script you’re ready to begin the adventure. Usually as a director you are also a producer, assistant director, psychologist, chauffeur basically everything. Here are some steps that I follow and you can follow to have a productive pre-production and production.

 

The steps:

 

Step 1: Open an email account with the title of the short film or movie so you can have that email for things to work and not personal.

 

Step 2: Break-down the script. You can do it by using:

 

• Movie Magic Scheduling

• Celtix

• Final Draft

• Amazon Studios

 

Step 3: Create a budget. You can do it by using:

• Movie Magic Budgeting

• Excel

• Outlook

• Spreadsheet on gmail

 

Step 4: Create a logline which is the story in a sentence, also a synopsis is the story in a paragraph and the treatment is the story but very detail it can be one page or many pages depends on the writer or producer.

 

My own example:

 

• Logline:

The Texture of the Light is based on a single mother who is forced to revisit her past when she desperately needs the stem cells of her ex-boyfriend Javier to help improve her son’s eyesight.  

 

By: Arilyn I. Martinez Cora

 

Step 5: Fundraising

 

Now with the breakdown of the script and budget with the logline, synopsis and treatment you can start making crowdfunding.

 

You can use different crowdfunding pages on the internet:

 

True examples:

 

• Indiegogo:

https://www.indiegogo.com

 

Indiegogo allows you to raise money for students film. You can upload a short-video or trailer pitching your film and say how you are going to allocate the money. In exchange Indiegogo takes a small percentage of your earnings. If you reach your goal Indiegogo takes a percentage of your earnings. If you don’t raise the amount of money you asked for then they will take a larger percentage of the money raised, but you still get some funding.

 

• Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com

 

Kickstarter is more popular than Indiegogo but there is a catch, if you don’t raise the amount of money that you asked for Kickstarter keeps all of the earning which leaves you empty handed.

 

• Gofundme:

http://www.gofundme.com

 

Gofundme is a less risky alternative in comparison to Kickstarter, like Indiegogo you get funding no matter what. In exchange Gofundme keeps a percentage of your earnings.

 

• Seed and Spark:

http://www.seedandspark.com

 

Unlike the other crowdfunding sites Seed and Spark focuses only on media, tv shows, features, short films. Seed and spark is selective on who can be funded, and if your film needs work they will send it back with feedback. They takes a small percentage of the funding you accumulated. My favorite feature is that fans can contribute with gift or loan you an item that you need. For example a camera or expendable.

 ​

• Facebook

And last but not least you can also use Facebook to raise funds.  

 

If the campaign doesn't work it is not the end of the world there are other options:

 

Do you like parties? Well here is some tips:

 

1. You can make a party with your friends, family and your community. Create invitations and sell it around the community. In the party you will talk about how you will be making the movie and for what you'll use the money. You can offer food, drinks and a dj.

 

Create a powerpoint presentation with your artist statement. Name your team players. Make them fall in love with your story.

 

2. To promote the party you can go to the local radio stations, tv and newspaper.

 

3. You can sell candies, cake, water to duplicate the money.

 

4. As a student people are more likely to help. Get a letter from your film department and go by the local store and ask for donations don't be afraid a lot of people will say no but the few people that says yes is enough to cover breakfast, water, locations etc. When the local store donate please ask them for their logos so you can put them at the end of the movie for gratitude.

 

• Create a fan page on Facebook so you can start building your audience.

 

Step 6: Casting the talent and finding your crew.

 

The casting is much easier now than ever thanks to the internet. :)

 

Casting in NY:

 

• New York Casting

• Actor Access

• Casting Network

• Mandy’s

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Backstage

• Craigslist

• Productionhub

 

Here is a link if your actors are part of the union – SAG NYC:

http://www.sagaftra.org/production­center/documents

 

If you're not in New York don't worry here is what you have to do. Create two flyers saying that you're looking for talent and crew. Visit and also email the schools that specializes in film, theater and tv and you'll be able to get the talent and the crew that you need. After you get the talent and the crew meet with them and explain your ideas and how you can all bring it to life.

 

You can use any of this apps if people live far away; google hangouts, skype, facebook, facetime, oovoo etc…

 

Step 7: The locations are very important. Get a location manager and talk about the places that you can possibly shoot. Scout the location and when both of you are satisfied you lock down the location. Visit the locations with the director, 1st assistant director, director of photographer, gaffer, set designer, sound- mixer.

 

The location manager will have a contract that should include:

 

• Days

• Hours

• Equipment

• How many people are going to be on location

• Use of power

• Rules of the place

 

Have an open line of communication with your location manager.  

It's better to be honest from the beginning because you don't want to get kicked out and lose one day of work.

 

Please label the set, parking and  holding space. A few a hours before crew and talent arrive or the day before if its posible.

 

Plan a head of time if you need to lock down a street or side walk please talk to the police and get the permits.

 

NYC Permits:

 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/permits/permits.shtml

 

If you live out of New York visit the nearest precinct.

 

Step 8: Rehearse with your actors.

 

• Talk about your vision for the story.

• Help your actor identify with the character.

• Talk about the backstory.

• Listen to your actors feedback.

 

You can either rehearsal in your house, school or rent a space.

 

Step 9: The Check List where you cross all your t's and dot all your i's.

 

You almost ready to shoot, using outlook or google drive open a folder for each department and share it with each department head.

 

Folder 1 - Script

The script is the bible for the director you should share with the crew. You should do a final run through that way you can clarify any questions that your crew has because open line communication is the key.

 

Folder 2 - Budget

The budget has to be discussed with the producer and the director. It is important to budget for preproduction, production and postproduction so that way you can make sure to spend what is needed for each step.

 

Folder 3 - Director of Photography

 

The movies you film are important to you. Select the movies based on what you like for example the color palette, wardrobe, makeup-hair, camera movements, shot composition and also you could do the same with paintings, pictures, news paper etc... And sit down and talk why that could be important for your movie with your DP.

 

• AC Check the camera equipment

• G&E Check the lighting equipment

 

Folder 4 - Casting

 

This folder must have information about the Casting the Character Bios and talent. Possible replacements in case one of your actors can not attend.

 

• Make sure to have release forms when you are on set for your actors.

 

Folder 5 - Assistant Director

 

To make the Scheduling and Call sheets you need all the information: the list of actors, crew list, locations, floor plan, shot list, route – maps - gps - directions Transportation, equipment list, makeup, hairstyle, wardrobe and props, Breakfast -Menu – lunch - snacks food, first aid box, nearest Hospital with this'll be ready for production.

 

 

2nd AD

 

 

The coordination is very important, make sure that the actors sign the release forms.

 

• Create Call sheets.

 

 

 

Folder 6 - Production Manager

 

• Make sure that the crew sign the contracts.

 

​

Folder 7 - list - Petty Cash

 

Usually there is always something to do and something that must be purchased during production so a PA could do the running.

 

If you will like to be more organized you can create several folders by department. 

• Production

• Locations

• Script Supervisor

• Camera & Lighting

• Art Department

• Costume Department

• Hair & Makeup

• Special Effects

• Stunts

• Production Sound

• Post Production

 

Post-Production

Step 10: The postproduction process may take one month or several months my advice is to ask for

help. Becoming a Filmmaker is about collaborative work and it is important to have a creative team at all times.

You can use several programs to video edit and sound design your short film:

• Final cut pro X

• Adobe Premiere

• Avid

• Cool edit

• Audacity

 

Step 11: For distribution you can use:

 

• https://www.withoutabox.cm

 

If you want to submit your film to the film festivals do not upload your movie on the internet. Because some festivals has some restrictions about it.

 

• Create an imdb page

 

• Create a web page.

 

After the film festivals ends you can uploaded to vimeo and  youtube and get comments from the people.

 

References:

 

Extra information Fair use: http://www.teachingcopyright.org/handout/fair­use­faq

 

Treatment, synopsis and logline:

http://www.wikihow.com/Write­a­Script­Treatment

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/how­to­write­a­treatment.ht ml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_crew