FILM DIRECTING TIPS FOR

5

CARTER BOEHM

BEGINNERS

Directing a film can be an extremelyrewarding creative experience. The

finished product is truly incredible towatch because you know it is the fruit

of your labor.

But the process leading up to thiswonderful moment can be long andstressful. When you’re directing a

film, especially if it’s your first, it canbe difficult to know where to start.

Here are a few tips to make thefilmmaking process easier:

as much as possible.Plan

Before you start directing, it’s a goodidea to create a scene-by-scene plan

for the whole film. You should make ashot list of every scene throughout

the entire firm.

It may be tedious but it is extremelyhelpful to the rest of the filmmaking

experience. This way, you becomefamiliar with every detail within the

script, even details that anexperienced director might overlook.

After you make your shot list, you canstoryboard every single scene. It's okay ifyou’re not the best illustrator. The point

is that the process allows you to thinkthrough your story. You can then send

your storyboards to an illustrator tomake them look must more high-quality.

After you make your shot list, you canstoryboard every single scene. It's okay ifyou’re not the best illustrator. The point

is that the process allows you to thinkthrough your story. You can then send

your storyboards to an illustrator tomake them look must more high-quality.

Really

feelthe performance.

A director's job is to be the barometer forthe emotional truth of the scene. When

the camera starts rolling, immerseyourself fully into the performance andtry to feel it. It may help to stand close to

the lens.

You should continue to be emotionallyinvested throughout the editing process,

the music selection process and more.Feel the movie the way you want the

audience to experience it.

Make sure you workwith the right people.

The people you collaborate with for amovie have to be people whom you can

spend a lot of time with. You need tosurround yourself with like-minded,

selfless people whom you trust.

The way to create a successful film is tohave a cohesive and hard-working group

of people behind it.

Find someone who can wear

many hats.

You need at least one person on set whocan do nearly anything they put their

mind to. You may call this person on set tobe a production designer and find thatthey can also be an assistant director.

This person should be not only skilled,but also fearless enough to step up to theplate and take on a role that they haven’t

done before. Make sure when you findthis person, you continue to empower

them and constantly have them on set tohelp with whatever is necessary.

Be open to

New ideasbut don't stray from

your vision

When you’re the director, you have a veryparticular image of what you want yourfinished product to look like. While it’s

important that you still to this, it’s a goodidea to get feedback so that your

production is the best it can possibly be.

Be open to other ideas but make sure youaren't damaging your initial inspiration.

Only make suggested changes if theydon’t completely alter your vision.

Being a new filmmaker can beoverwhelming, but with these tips, the

process of directing your film should gomuch more smoothly. After the process isover, you can look back on the experiencefondly, and with greater insight for your

next film.

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