BTS: Production

Story Is King 

The pre-production of most projects is sustained and nurtured by the story. Vision boards, inspirational words, hyperlinked texts, character analyses, etc., all contribute to this foundation. However, once production begins, it can feel like everyone—often in an oddly aggressive way—tries to take the story away from you, the director. The DP may be fixated on that perfect shot, the actor might want another take, and the AD may be eager to move on to the next scene to stick to the schedule. No one is intentionally trying to derail the process or disrupt what needs to happen for the film to be complete, but it can occur. Make sure you finish each day with what you need to tell the story; everything else is just icing on the cake.

Know what your safety shot is for EACH scene 

This has a direct correlation with my previous point: story is king. At the beginning of every scene, the first shot should be the safety shot. More often than not, everyone sets up for the wide shot. It’s your job as the director to determine what the actual safety shot should be—whether it’s a close-up of a single actor, a pan through the room, or a pull-out on a specific object. Don’t waste time shooting a generic wide if it won’t serve your story in post-production. 

Do not make shirts an incentive for fundraising 

Just trust me…It seems like a no-brainer to say, 'We’ll probably make shirts anyway, so let’s just give a few away if people contribute a certain amount of $$$.' Heed my warning - This is textbook instant gratification. Whatever money people contribute for that incentive, is likely going straight into making their shirt, adding an unnecessary expense. With all the post-production costs and submission fees, you’ll quickly realize the money is gone, and you still need to keep your end of the bargain. Lesson. Learned. 

Be specific and intentional with your communication 

Whether you’re securing a space, scheduling, or asking for sponsorship, much of film production relies on your interactions with other people. It’s easy to fall into the trap of sending general emails or making surface-level introductions. However, truly knowing who you’re reaching out to and being able to articulate exactly how they can support you goes a long way.

Embrace the newness

In a lot of ways you have three different films at the end of each phase of creating a film, one for pre-production, production, and post-production. Trust the work that was done in pre-production, and embrace the changes that arise throughout the rest of the process. The journey of creating a film is about adaptability—being open to impulses and spontaneity often leads to the most memorable moments, both on and off camera.