How to Make an Independent Film With Your Camcorder
If Ed Wood could make movies, why not you? Independent films are easier and easier to make with the continuing refinement of camcorder technology. With a little preparation, a small amount of money and an iron will, you can shoot a picture that might win an Oscar someday. Here is how to make an independent film with your camcorder.
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Instructions
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Write a script. Chain yourself to a computer and slog through a script. At the least, you need to block out your independent film into scenes and get a rough guide to the shots you need for each scene. Getting the dialogue down would be nice.
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Set a budget. Post-production will gobble up a lot of your time and money. Actors are also high on the list of budget concerns.
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Audition your actors. See, that's why you wrote the script. Sit down with them one-on-one and in small groups and find the best talent that your budget can afford.
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Scout locations. Look for good camera angles, nice backgrounds and cheap access. Get permission from property owners before filming.
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Plan your shooting schedule. Interior and exterior shots, close-ups and reaction shots can be organized to make the most efficient use of your time. If you have a crew, note who you need on a given shot, and who can be working on the next shot.
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Shoot the film. Have fun. Remember to sleep now and then. Eat well. Thank the crew and cast profusely.
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Take into post-production. This is where most movies come to life. Cut and trim all the bad stuff, and polish the good parts until they shine.
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Tips & Warnings
Scripts are not set in stone. Be ready to pitch big chunks of what you've written. Be even more ready to spot-fix problems in the dialog while you are shooting.
Offering a spot in the film's credits can be substituted for currency. Give it a shot. You would be surprised how many people just want to see their name show up in a credit crawl.
Have the details for the next item on the shooting schedule at hand, so if things bog down on the current shot you can keep the momentum going.
Make sure you can legally make your movie. Some cities require permits to film in public areas. Check with your city hall or other municipal administration center.
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Comments
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cool!)
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Because that is all it takes to make an independent film. Seriously, out of all the guides I have read on ehow and wikihow, out of all the stupid "How to roll your sleeves" and "how to tie your shoes" guides that people have made for some stupid reason, this is the worst, this is the absolute worst thing ever posted on here.
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noway, jose
