9781422287088

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FILMMAKING & DOCUMENTA RIES

after seeing it, and, especially if it is a documentary, what action do you want them to take after seeing it? Some filmmakers make a storyboard, using pictures to show the key points of the plot. This can be helpful to people who find it easier to visualize things instead of read about them. Preproduction Making a plan is pretty much necessary for much of life. It’s true in ev- eryday life and in making a movie or documentary. During the preproduction phase, plans are made for all the technical and creative parts of the project. This is also when those involved in the project imagine all the problems that can come up during production. Plans for solving them can be made in advance. Problems delay produc- tion, and delays can seriously increase production costs. Not a good thing, obviously. Film actors are cast during the preproduction stage. For documenta- ries, those who are to appear are contacted and arrangements made for filming them. One of the most difficult things to plan is the schedule. It’s important to establish a schedule as soon as possible. Among things to consider when setting a schedule is how many days will be needed to complete the project. With this information, you can plan your schedule to maxi- mize efficiency and stay within budget. Someone will also be responsible for finding shooting locations, and designing and making sets, if needed. Basic camera shots will need to be planned. And since things seldom go as planned—even with good preproduction—contingency plans need to be made. Production Whether a movie or a documentary, actual shooting occurs during the production stage. A well-written script and good planning during pre- production can make shooting easier and efficient, saving money.