Post by devindimattia on Oct 1, 2007 17:18:24 GMT -5
This is kinda related to Stephen's post about the Apple Insomnia Film Festival, but it's also good as general advice when working on a film for a "time sensitive" contest like One Take or 48 Hour Film Project.
John August, the screenwriter for "Big Fish," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Burton version), and "Go" writes:
You can read the full article at www.johnaugust.com/archives/2007/insomnia-festival
John August, the screenwriter for "Big Fish," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Burton version), and "Go" writes:
1. Think about the most obvious ways to incorporate the required elements. Then don’t do those.
2. Avoid bad puns. If all you have to offer is a witty title, you won’t score.
3. Go funny. While there will no doubt be one or two dramatic shorts in the finals, the winner will be funny.
4. Don’t forget to write a script. It’s tempting to rush out and start shooting. Spend a few of those first hours writing. What is the story? How does it progress?
5. Sound matters more than picture. If we can’t understand your dialogue, you won’t win.
6. Lighting matters more than resolution. A cheap camcorder with thoughtful lighting is better than a Red One at noon.
7. Prepare to edit. You don’t want to get back to your computer only to find it’s impossible to get footage from the UDX-HR5 into the Mac.
8. Protein, not carbs. Because you’ll likely be working all night, sugar will send you into a crash.
9. Plan ahead to think of what locations, props and (most importantly) people you might have at your disposal. It’s also fine to think of general story ideas, but don’t get locked into anything. If the required elements feel tacked-on rather than integral, you won’t win.
10. Lock your picture edit with enough time to tweak sound and music
2. Avoid bad puns. If all you have to offer is a witty title, you won’t score.
3. Go funny. While there will no doubt be one or two dramatic shorts in the finals, the winner will be funny.
4. Don’t forget to write a script. It’s tempting to rush out and start shooting. Spend a few of those first hours writing. What is the story? How does it progress?
5. Sound matters more than picture. If we can’t understand your dialogue, you won’t win.
6. Lighting matters more than resolution. A cheap camcorder with thoughtful lighting is better than a Red One at noon.
7. Prepare to edit. You don’t want to get back to your computer only to find it’s impossible to get footage from the UDX-HR5 into the Mac.
8. Protein, not carbs. Because you’ll likely be working all night, sugar will send you into a crash.
9. Plan ahead to think of what locations, props and (most importantly) people you might have at your disposal. It’s also fine to think of general story ideas, but don’t get locked into anything. If the required elements feel tacked-on rather than integral, you won’t win.
10. Lock your picture edit with enough time to tweak sound and music
You can read the full article at www.johnaugust.com/archives/2007/insomnia-festival