ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

12 years, 2 months ago - Rob Wingfield

I'm with Lee on this one. Get your script tight! Get some different eyes on it. Someone with a sharp and critical mind to go over it with you. Once the script is tight you can start planning production realistically as you will know exactly what you need according to the script. I guess the next step would be to have a pre-production meeting with some HoD's and discuss what kind of budget you will need to pull off your plan.

Hope this helps. Best of luck! Let me know if you need any audio advice :)

Rob

12 years, 2 months ago - Shahid 'Shez' Hussain

” The best way of testing your script and for you to get some early directing practice is to get a group of people or actors to read your script out loud and improvise around anything you are unsure of. “
“ If it helps let me know and I will send you the virtual producer when it is ready. “
Yeah cool. I have had a couple script read- through in past projects and it certainly helps for pacing etc.
Yes please when you have it available send me the virtual producer.

You’re a star thanks Afia.
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“Cost out/budget your script first, even with broad strokes. Start with the number of (correctly formatted) pages, divide by 3, that'll give you a crude idea how many shooting days you need. If there are lots of locations, add 2 hours for each one, plus travel time. Now multiply that time by the number of crew/cast and what you intended paying them per day. “
Yes I have already starting working out a rough estimate.

Thanks paddy for you kind advice.

12 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Cost out/budget your script first, even with broad strokes. Start with the number of (correctly formatted) pages, divide by 3, that'll give you a crude idea how many shooting days you need. If there are lots of locations, add 2 hours for each one, plus travel time. Now multiply that time by the number of crew/cast and what you intended paying them per day.

Any unusual props or expensive things jumping out? Cost them. You want to blow up a solid gold helicopter? Or is it a kitchen sink drama? Each has a cost, you can gets a feel for them. The costs for action films go up exponentially as you need more crew, so more mouths to feed, so more site honey wagons, etc.

Now allow for overheads, insurance, hires, location fees, travel, hotels.

Now allow for post production, editing, grading, score, mix, etc.

Now you can start thinking about publicists etc, but they are not part of the production cost per se.

Got a rough figure in mind now? It will change once you've got a line producer (someone to spend your money) on board of course, but you can say to them 'budget is £x,000'and they can look at how to make efficiencies.

12 years, 2 months ago - Nathaniel Hill

Agree you should get the script up to scratch. Firstly get yourself 100% happy then get some feedback.

However, I would say that now is a good time to get a Producer on board. They will instinctively know a rough budget and can help feed into the script (e.g. write out the helicopter crash) plus they can/should be involved in the script feedback.


Good luck.

12 years, 2 months ago - afia nkrumah

Hi Shahid, I agree with Lee the script is the most important element at this stage. The best way of testing your script and for you to get some early directing practice is to get a group of people or actors to read your script out loud and improvise around anything you are unsure of.

In terms of production, what you need is a step by step kit to help you put your film together properly. I am sending you a PRODUCTION SCHEDULE TEMPLATE which you can adapt for your film's needs. It is a week by week breakdown of all the tasks that need to be done to produce your film smoothly from funding, pre-production to exhibition/festival strategy and everything in between.

I'm in the process of putting together a virtual producer kit which is a one stop shop of tips and templates to help filmmakers with all the creative, financial, legal and organisational aspects for a well produced film. The production schedule will get you started and give you a good overview of what needs doing and when. If it helps let me know and I will send you the virtual producer when it is ready. Best of luck with everything
afia

12 years, 2 months ago - Shahid 'Shez' Hussain

“ I think it can work both ways actually. still looking for funding myself you might get some good talent attached if you have good budget before you start casting. I think it makes a difference to Crew as well.“

This is what I’m stuck on, on one hand I can give myself a budget upfront and work with it-with limitations.
Or on the other hand get the right team on board first and then work out a final number-only problem is I want to have funds left over for a stills photographer and hire a unit publicist for production and for festivals.

I read somewhere “The real work begins after the film is completed and it is time to get the project sold, covered, and most importantly seen”

My goal is to have the film seen and ultimately get funding for a feature length version.
Cheers John
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“ Most low budget, and some big budget, filmmakers go off and make their film when the script isn't even finish or ready. Don't make their mistake. If you need a good script editor, or two, let me know and I can recommend a couple to you.”

I think its a good idea. I may have a good script but It wouldn’t hurt to get a pros opinion. I might post it on simplyscripts.com.
Thanks lee
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“ Let me know if you need any audio advice :)”

That would be great – I will need a good sound department. I will pm you at some stage in the coming weeks
Thanks Rob
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“ I would say that now is a good time to get a Producer on board. They will instinctively know a rough budget “

Now that you said this-I couldn't agree more- this is exactly what I need. Someone with experience, someone to help me take the right steps into production.
Thanks Nathaniel

12 years, 1 month ago - Yen Rickeard

Hi Hussein, you say you have finished pre-production. Have you
. run the script past some other people to see it hangs together for them, or could be improved in any way,
. broken down the script into scenes as described by Paddy, above,
.decided what level of funding you need, and how you can get it or alternatively, which corners you can cut. Many of these corners will be in the script. You can cut locations - making one place do for another by changing the things in the room, by opening the windows and using the 'exterior' view, even just by changing camera position so you are facing different walls (fireplace/window/alcove etc)You can cut characters, giving lines to other people. (time for setting up goes up exponentially with the number of people)
The you are back to stage 1 again...
good luck with it,
Yen Rickeard

12 years, 1 month ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Christian, that's like saying, "Don't worry about those architectural plans for that skyscraper, let's put a budget together first and then build it"... You need the story first in order to know what to budget for. You simply write with a number in mind and fine tune thereafter.

My 2c worth.

@wozyW

12 years, 2 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

You should stop and work on the script till it is right. Get some feedback. Speak to some other writers and producers. Find out if it is any good. Most low budget, and some big budget, filmmakers go off and make their film when the script isn't even finish or ready. Don't make their mistake. If you need a good script editor, or two, let me know and I can recommend a couple to you.

Good luck.

@wozyW

12 years, 1 month ago - christian darkin

I'd say budget - even before script - If you can't make it, it doesn't matter how strong your ideas are.
I'd also say from my own (CGI/VFX) point of view that the most expensive thing you can say on a shoot is "don't worry, we'll fix it in post".... if you're thinking about any post effects, think about them early and talk them through.
good luck.
Christian Darkin

12 years, 2 months ago - John David Clay

Shahid,

I know exactly what you mean. I would get your budget sort out first partly so your cast and crew know the parameters of what resources you are using. I've done things the other way around have got large cast and crew first and still working on the script myself owing to the complexity of screenplay.

I think it can work both ways actually. still looking for funding myself you might get some good talent attached if you have good budget before you start casting. I think it makes a difference to Crew as well. costs and expenses wise. might make a different it toimeframe terms too?

Hope this is of useful and very best of luck with the production.

Good luck!

John