According to William Wyler (above) we only have 10% of our work left during production, right? Not exactly. I’m sure Wyler knew he contributed more than 10% on set. But we get the point. Production is where the hard work but in during development and pre-production begins to pay off.
For modern directors breaking in, production often means wearing a lot of hats. From operating camera to setting up lights, hauling equipment, buying craft services and then finally the actual act of directing a scene! It’s a lot to juggle. Here are just a few things you’ll need to know:
From 3 & 4 point lighting setups to c-stands, diffusion and so much more. Lights are a key way you control the emotions of your scene. A film with pro lighting stands out from the rest.
A cinema camera is far from “point and shoot.” The craft of making movies demands a lot more. Directors must know the capabilities of their cameras and what settings to choose for the right outcome. From shooting raw to frame rates, compression quality, aspect ratio and so much more!
Many beginning filmmakers overlook the importance of production audio, and weep bitter tears in post. The great news is that capturing clean audio is not rocket science. But you need a basic understanding of what gear to get and how to do it right.
Where you place your camera, your framing, movement and angle have a HUGE impact on your scene. Beginning directors have something in their favor, and that’s the availability of equipment like DJI Ronin gimbals which allow moving shots that required a dolly or steadicam operator in the not-so-distant past.
The director is responsible for getting the performance needed from an actor. Sure, actors must possess creative ability, but it’s ultimately the director’s job to get what the story needs. Actors trust directors who know what they’re doing. And directors must know how to work with their talent.
In addition to lighting, your production design “paints” the scene. An attention to detail for each of your locations makes the difference between amateur and pro. But it doesn’t have to be expensive. Asking and a contagious passion for your movie can go a long way.
And there’s so more…
If you’re just starting out as a director, understanding film production is paramount. But so is a knowledge of development, pre-production and post production. Modern directors trying to break in to the industry must know it all or they’ll lose years depending on others.
The Write & Direct online film school teaches film production along with the other phases of filmmaking. It’s a self paced school with an attached private community that will help you start out right as a film director. Act on your dreams and enroll in film school today!
If your answer is yes, Write & Direct is your inciting incident. It's your catalyst in the journey to becoming a filmmaker. There's nothing else quite like it. Enroll today or find out more below:
