Questions About Filmmaking on a Budget
Question # 1 — What advice would you give a new director? How do you do it?
During filming a scene, both the Actor and Director make choices. It’s all happening in that moment.
My job as Director is to guide the actor and remind them whether they’re making a good choice or not, in that moment. I’m not there to conduct an acting work-shop. The actor has created the character based on what he/she/they have read in the script and based on discussions with the Director. And the back-story they jointly created for that character.
When filming a scene, actors are constantly making choices. As an observer/director, I have to decide if those choices are believable. And if the performance comes across as “natural”.
And as a Director, what I perceive to be natural and believable, based on my perception of reality, another filmmaker/director may perceive as unnatural. That’s because reality is subjective, as with everything in the world of Cinema and Art. And that’s alright because there’s more than one way to go about it.
So my advice to people getting started as filmmakers or directors: don’t get over-whelmed by all the information out there. Nothing in the world of cinema is rocket science.
Question # 2 — Should I wait to make my movie until I can afford to rent a RED or ALEXA ?
There’s no doubt that the image quality you’ll get from Red or Alexa cameras would be superior, but I think the argument to “wait until you’re able to rent a Red” or other professional camera is irrelevant now-a-days. Especially since movies being shot on iPhones are screening at A-list festivals and streaming on multiple platforms. I’m not saying that you should shoot your next project on a smartphone, but there’s no excuse for you to not make your movie because you don’t have the budget to rent professional cameras and lenses.
I’d suggest working with an experienced Director of Photography or Camera Operator, who can help you tell your story without you having to go in to debt. Someone who is knowledgeable about lenses and lighting can make your project look awesome. And choosing the right camera is only one part of the equation. Your editor/colorist can also help with the right grading to make your movie look a million dollars. So don’t wait.
