This document outlines 15 key steps of film preproduction:
1. Lock the shooting script.
2. Finalize budgets and hire key heads like the director, producer, cinematographer and editor.
3. Break down the script, create storyboards and location floor plans.
4. Scout and secure locations then conduct casting.
5. Rev up the art, costume, props and make up departments.
6. Obtain necessary permits and insurance.
7. Create a shooting schedule and crew up the production.
8. Develop a shot list and conduct tech scouting.
9. Secure all necessary gear and equipment.
2. 15 STEPS OF PREPRODUCTION
• LOCK SHOOTING SCRIPT
• FINALIZE BUDGET
• START YOUR BUSINESS LLC NOT APPLICABLE HERE
• HIRE KEY PRODUCTION HEAD (WRITER/DIRECTOR, PRODUCER/A.D., CINEMATOGRAPHER, EDITOR, PRODUCTION DESIGNER)
• BREAKDOWN THE SCRIPT
• STORYBOARDS AND FLOOR PLAN (TO BE DONE BY DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION DESIGNER)
• SCOUT & SECURE LOCATION(S)
• CASTING (DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER)
• REV UP ART DEPARTMENT (PRODUCTION DESIGN, PROPS, COSTUMES, M/U & HAIR
• PERMITS AND INSURANCE
• CREATING A SHOOTING SCHEDULE
• FINISH CREWING UP (DIRECTOR, PRODUCER/A.D., CINEMATOGRAPHER, EDITOR
• CREATE A SHOT LIST
• TECH SCOUT (GO OVER EQUIPEMENT, SHOOT DEMO SHOTS WITH CAMERA)
• SECURE GEAR
8. 4.. HIRE KEY
PRODUCTION
HEADS
WHO ISTHEWRITER/DIRECTOR?
WHO ISTHE A.D./PRODUCER/DISTRIBUTOR?
WHO ISTHE CINEMATOGRAPHER?
WHOWILL BETHE SCRIPT
SUPERVISOR/EDITOR?
WHOWILL HANDLE PRODUCTION DESIGN
(SET, COSTUME, PROPS)?
16. NOTES ON CASTING:
- BE SPECIFICABOUTWHATYOU WANT
- AT AUDITIONS, HAVE ACTORS DO MORETHAN READ LINES
- HAVEA READEROFF CAMERATHAT IS NOTTHE DIRECTOR
- RECORD ALL AUDITIONS
- HAVEACTORSWORKWITH EACH OTHER, IT ISAS MUCH ABOUT CHEMISTRY
- CASTING IS SAIDTO BE 95% OF MAKINGA MOVIETHAT ‘WORKS’
- BE EXTREMELYCLEARWITH REHEARSAL DATES, SHOOT DATES, PAY/NO PAY
17. 9. REV UP ART DEPARTMENT
a. Production Designer
b. Costume Dept.
c. Prop Dept.
19. 10. PERMITS & INSURANCE
FILMING ON ANY COMMERCIAL SITE REQUIRESTWOTHINGS:
- A SIGNED LOCATION RELEASE, SIGNED BY OWNERAND PRODUCER
- PROOFOF PRODUCTION INSURANCE (MORETO COME NEXTWEEK!)
HAVINGANYBODY’S FACE,VOICE, BODY INYOUR FILM REQUIRES:
- A RELEASE FORM, SIGNED BYTALENT
ON PROFESSIONAL SHOOTS, SOMETHINGCALL E&O INSURANCE NEEDED:
- Protects against accidental product or copy written material showing up in film
20. THE JOB OFTHE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,WHILE
COMMUNICATINGWITHTHE DIRECTOR, ISTO
FORMULATETHE ENTIRE SHOOTING SCHEDULE.
11. SCHEDULEYOUR SHOOT
21. 12.CREW UP!
- DOYOU NEED A PRODUCTION SOUNDTEAM (A MIXERANDA BOOM MIC OPERATOR)?
- DOYOU NEED A GAFFER? SOMEONEWHOWORKSWITHTHE D.P.TO LIGHTTHE SETS
- DOYOU NEED G & E? GRIPSAND ELECTRICTO HANDLE HEAVY LIFTINGAND POWER
- DOYOU NEEDTO FEEDYOURCAST AND CREW? YES,YOU DO!!
MAKING SUREYOU HAVE EVERYONEYOU NEED FORYOUR SHOOT!
22. 13. CREATE A SHOT LIST
THE DIRECTOR WORKS ONTHIS:
- WORKS FIRST ONTHEIR OWN
- THEN REFINES WITH D.P.
- DISCUSSES PLAN IN DETAIL WITH A.D.
23. 14.TECH SCOUT
PUT SIMPLY, SPENDAT LEAST 48 HRS PRE-SHOOT SECURING
ANDTESTINGALL EQUIPMENT
- DOCAMERATESTS
- FINAL SCOUT OF LOCATIONANDALL LOGISTICS SECURED
- CHARGEALL BATTERIES FORCAMERA
- CHARGEALL PHONES IF NOT USING RADIOS
24. 15. GEAR UP
• LOGISTICSOFTRANSPORTTO AND FRO
OF GEAR
• SAFETY, BATHROOMSAND NEAREST
HOSPITAL
• CALL SHEETS GO OUTTHE NIGHT
BEFORE