pre-production
This page articulates everything that must be done during pre-production. You have roughly 5 hours to get this done.
directors:
- approve the Production Designer's breakdown (the "breakdown" is the list of every prop, costume, location, special effect, and piece of set dressing that is required for the movie. it also states whether you will make, borrow, or purchase each necessary item.)
- let the production design team know how much money they have to spend.
- come up with a rehearsal schedule and let all your actors know when they are called. (you will need everyone's conflicts first.)
- rehearse your actors. use this time to experiment and to make sure your cast is giving you what you want.
- look over the lined script and the shot list when the camera department has it ready.
production designer, art department, and production assistants:
- make a preliminary breakdown of the script (the "breakdown" is the list of every prop, costume, location, special effect, and piece of set dressing that is required for the movie. it also states whether you will make, borrow, or purchase each necessary item.)
- find out how much money you have to spend (talk to your director and facilitator.)
- give each person a different job.
- set to work getting everything together! bring everything to the classroom early (do not plan to bring things the day of the shoot.)
camera department (d.p. and a.c.):
- read the camera "coverage" and cinematography basics pages of this website.
- print the final version of the script.
- learn how to "line" a script (ask an AFF mentor or your facilitator.)
- line your script.
- get the lined script approved by the director.
- make a shot list. order the shots in the most efficient order possible, using the following criteria: 1.) shoot the master shot first, 2.) next shoot everything you need from one direction (on character a), moving from widest to closest, 3.) then move the camera to the other side and shoot everything you need in that direction (on character b), moving from widest to closest, 4.) continue this with all other characters, 5.) finally, get any inserts or specialty shorts.
- get the shot list approved by the director.
- practice with the camera equipment.
assistant directors:
- make the shooting schedule so that the scenes are in the order that is most efficient (this will be based on where the locations are in relation to each other as well any actor conflicts.) you won't be able to finalize the schedule until the locations are all locked.
- supervise all departments. make sure people are on task and help problem solve.
documentarians:
- document a little bit each day (using both video and still photography).
- help the production design team afterward.