July Filmmakers Club Week 1: Setting Goals For Producing An Independent Film!

Welcome to July Filmmakers Club, Stage 32!

Every movie starts with the best intentions, and in particular, one singular intention: make a great movie, period. Produce a film that connects with audiences, makes the audience feel something, and maybe even provokes them. If you’re really lucky, it can send a message and enact awareness and change. And of course, you hope that it earns a gazillion dollars at the box office so that those involved can perpetuate their careers as filmmakers. As the saying goes, no one sets out to make a bad movie. But even with these best intentions, a bad movie can be produced nonetheless, or at the very least, a chaotic production can ensue. So, what then are the goals that earnest, passionate independent filmmakers can pursue to avoid an unpleasant production, a bad film, or worse BOTH?

In this blog, I will share some insight and wisdom from my time in the trenches of independent filmmaking, to help you glean some tips and guidelines for fostering a positive work environment for the cast and crew, and maybe, just maybe, help you produce a better film!

We’ll use the phases of the filmmaking process itself as the roadmap for this little journey. Let’s get started!

Development:

The Goal: Head into prep with a narratively sound script, which will attract great talent in front of and behind the camera and is logistically feasible from a production/budget standpoint.

As we all know, the foundation for a good film is summed up in three words: script, script, and script. If you don’t have a well-written screenplay full of memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and/or well-crafted set pieces, you’re not getting off on the right foot, or giving your film the best chance to succeed. Choose a script that you connect with, that has something to say, that is cinematic and logistically achievable, and that will yield the best movie!

Ideally, a successful development process will result in a lean script that is ready to shoot. You want to know that everything that is on the page will end up on the screen and that it is necessary and true to the story. Go through each scene and identify its intent, clarify how it moves the plot along, and help the characters grow. You want to have strong central characters with clear motivations and conflicts.

As a writer, this is a key part of the process, and fresh eyes can usually help improve a script and get it into even better shape. Stage 32 provides excellent services to assist during this critical juncture. Whether it’s studio or premium coverage or a script read and 60-minute consultation call, the resources that can be utilized on the Stage 32 platform will help hone your script and fine-tune it to get it just where it needs to be.

You also must be certain that your script is written at a scale that is achievable for the budget that you have. Are there stunts that will chew up time and money? Are there scenes with a high number of background actors? Is your script VFX-heavy? How many locations are you going to be shooting at? Keep an eye on the elements that carry the largest price tag and adjust accordingly based on you’re resources at hand.

Lastly, the script needs to have a clear central hook and premise. Eventually, a distributor is going to have to sell this movie and make sure it finds an audience, and they will always look for movies that have a solid core idea to build around. Additionally, you want to have a script that will attract great actors, a talented director, and a top-notch crew. These will not only improve the quality of the end product but will also provide additional elements that will help the film find an audience.

Prep:

The Goal: Utilize whatever prep time you have to hire the best cast & crew, anticipate any obstacles, have your infrastructure and paperwork in place, and put your production in the best possible position to run smoothly.

Once your script is in good fighting shape, it’s time to start prepping this masterpiece. In prep, attention to detail is everything. Most problems on a set are solved in prep. There will be fires to put out during principal photography, but you will be in the right mindset to deal with them if you have a well-crafted plan of execution and the proper crew and support staff in place. Create clear and workable systems and confirm that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

Now look, some smaller movies just don’t have the money for a lavish prep schedule, but do not let that be an excuse. You can still create a professional, safe, and productive environment with the proper usage of that time, however much or little you can afford. So much of hiring in prep is through word of mouth or a friend of a friend, but even if that is the case, make sure to thoroughly vet your key crew members.

The right line producer, DP, production designer, costume designer, and so on can make or break your production. Make sure they understand and respect your budget parameters and schedule, share your values, have the necessary talent, connect with the overall vision, and bring a fun and positive attitude. As you curate your crew, you will inevitably be sent reels for each key crew member. A second opinion could be very useful, and there are hundreds of execs on Stage 32 who can provide you with professional feedback through the Reel Review and Consultation Call services.

Be thorough on your final tech scouts and have a very detailed and collaborative production meeting a few days ahead of shooting. Make sure everyone is on the same page and has what they need. Communication is key!

Make sure to take great care in finding the right locations, ones that are affordable and distinct. The right locations can bring a unique feel and identity to your production, as can distinct wardrobe choices. Also, your paperwork MUST be in order. Cast and crew deal memos, LLC paperwork, tax credit applications, location agreements, union contracts, payroll, insurance, and so forth. These things might seem mundane and boring, but they are a necessary and crucial part of filmmaking. It’s not all glamour and fun!

Once you have a great cast and crew assembled, your locations are locked, your schedule has been created and your paperwork is in order. It’s time to shoot your movie!

Principal Photography:

The Goal: To make an amazing piece of cinema while also staying on schedule and budget, all the while fostering a safe, professional, and positive set for all involved.

Ok, now we’re on set and shooting a motion fucking picture. HOW COOL IS THAT? On day 1, arrive earlier than required. Make sure everything and everyone is there, and everything and everyone is where they should be. Check in with all of your department heads and crew, and make sure the cast is good with their dressing space and that spirits are high. Call a meeting for everyone before the first shot. You want to make sure everyone is feeling good and positive, let them know that they can come to you with any pressing needs or concerns, and wish everyone the best of luck.

Work directly with the first AD, first thing every day. They should give you a breakdown of that’s day schedule every morning: how long each setup will take, how long each scene should take, where the work should be by lunch, what needs to be accomplished and when by the end of the day. That way you know exactly where you are at any given moment: are you ahead, behind, on time?

Always have a walkie-talkie on you, listen to what people are saying, keep track of the workflow and how people are communicating. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves, jump in and help out when needed. Have a meeting at the end of each day with the director, the line producer, the DP, and anyone else who can speak to the workflow and the quality of the work. If there are stunts that day, make sure to have a safety meeting at the top of the day!

In general, keep the crew informed and, of course, feed them well. They’ve earned it!

Post:

The Goal: Finish strong and wrap up this masterpiece in a bow.

Now comes the easy part, right? Just edit all of your footage into a cohesive film, add in an effective score and sound design, incorporate amazing VFX shots (if necessary), and color-correct the footage beautifully. No problem! Honestly, this is a really fun part of the process. It’s where it all comes together, and when it’s all said and done, you get to sit down and watch your movie in its final, glorious form. Just stay on top of your post schedule, time is money, as always.

Manage the communication of cut notes in an efficient and timely manner. There can be several cooks in the kitchen at times, so keep this organized and collaborative and move it along at a nice clip. Make sure the money is there to pay all of your post vendors or they (rightly) will not send you their finished work. Attend the sound mix and color sessions to ensure timely, high-quality work, and make sure to sit back and learn a thing or two as well. Just like during production, you’re working with skilled people who love their craft. Ask questions and let them educate you on things you may not be totally up to speed on. Then when it’s all done, sit back and watch your movie. It’s the best part of the whole process!

In particular, if you have made a short film, you may want to seek out a professional opinion and feedback. This is where Stage 32's Short Film Review and a further Career Development Call could come in handy. Having an exec, manager, agent, producer, and so forth check out your work can yield not only quality notes and feedback, but might even pique their interest enough to warrant further conversation. You never know!

Phew, wow ok. That feels like a lot. Making a film is such an incredible journey and an indelible experience. It can take weeks, months, or even years. You will feel high highs and low lows. You will laugh, you pull your hair out, you will be incredibly exhausted. But it’s all worth it if you have a detail-oriented plan, a positive and safe set, and solid pros to bring the movie to life and eventually in for a landing. I hope this helps! See you out there, my filmmaker friends!

This Week's July Filmmakers Club Challenge!

For your first week of July Filmmakers Club, we're continuing this conversation about GOALS! By completing this week's challenges, you can set yourself up for success with your goals and be entered to win a FREE Stage 32 Webinar that will be announced LIVE on Stage 32's Instagram this Friday, July 5th at 12:00 pm PT! 

Week One Challenges:

• Comment on this blog below sharing your thoughts, any questions that you have for Nick, or what you're most excited about this July!
• Post in the Stage 32 Filmmaking Club Lounge sharing YOUR current filmmaking goals with us! (You can find it quickly by clicking HERE)
• Comment on at least 3 other members' posts in the Stage 32 Filmmaking Lounge to offer insights, words of encouragement, or support!

Make sure you're following @Stage32 and @rbwalksintoabar to keep up with all of the exciting July Filmmakers Club announcements all month long!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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