Shooting A Short Film? Here’s How To Think Like The Best Production Studios

There are many reasons as to why you may wish to shoot a fun, modest short film. It could be a promotional effort to drum up exposure for an event you’re running. It may be an advertisement for your modest business, or perhaps a behind-the-scenes look at its operation. Maybe you just wish to document your new lifestyle with care.

Of course, hiring a small production studio can be a good idea here, but may also turn a modest project into an expensive effort. Cutting costs is probably one of your priorities, and in a world where fantastic films can be shot on iPhones now, it’s hard to say that this strategy is misguided.

So if you’re shooting a short film, fresh content, or perhaps just trying to get footage to later define in the editing room, taking a few tips from the production studios you would have hired can be a great use of your time. In this post, we’ll discuss a few techniques for achieving exactly that, and being the productive producer you hope to embody:

Minimize Logistical Strain

Minimizing logistical strain when planning and attending to your shoots is important. Make sure equipment bags are properly able to carry your equipment can be the starting point here. We’d also recommend bringing equipment that can simplify the production process, such as an excellent fibre camera adapter and a portable lighting rig. On top of that, small investments like a monitor you can hook up to a camera and view footage on the fly will allow you to reshoot scenes. A foldable green screen may also help you when it comes to planning for post-editing.

Recce The Locations

A location recce is basically a location inspection, where you check on the lighting, the weather at that time, how certain scenes may be shot in a given area, and of course the practical realities of booking a venue or being given permission to film on private land. In some cases, expenditure may be necessary here to rent out areas, in other ways, you’ll be able to recce locations for a more precise shot plan you can bring on the shooting day. On top of that, you will be able to determine the flow of people surrounding the possible set and how to manage that as necessary.

Storyboard Appropriately

It’s good to storyboard your scenes step by step so that all of the angles, interlocking scenes and editing possibilities are considered in advance. This way you can set up master shots, and then place your two cameras at opposite sides for A and B-roll respectively. Storyboarding can also help you figure out practical issues ahead of time, such as needing to bring with you a track to place your camera on for smooth, static and parallel shots. The more you can frame your storyboard and remain comfortable in it, the better the outcome will be.

With this advice, you’re certain to shoot a short film in the best possible light. We wish you the best of luck on the day and in your realized project.

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