Thriller video production tips

When considering the pre-production, production and post-production of our thriller film we will have to think of everything: everything that could go wrong, how to fix things, timings, etc. Below is a summary of everything we will need and how it will relate to the making of 'Raven Calls'.

Stages

- Pre-production (planning) - Longest stage.

- Production (the shoot) - Shortest stage.

- Post-production (editing and effects).
We are currently in the middle of pre-production and very close to the production stage, we are planning production to the best of our ability as this will mean less time will need to be spent in post production as we will know exactly what we want to achieve and there will be few mistakes to correct.

 

Tips/advice for filming

- Pay close attention to mise-en-scene.

- Plan ahead in terms of the weather.

- Maintain continuity.

- Keep storyboard and plan close at all times while filming.

- Make a shooting schedule.
At the minute we are planning our filming: when we will film, where we will film, etc. This will help all of the above to be close to perfect hopefully!

 

Good storyboards should give you:

- Settings.

- Shots and settings.

- What characters/actors will be needed in those settings.

- What props/costumes are needed in those settings.

- An idea of timings.

- You will also need to add when you are going to shoot each scene.

 Our storyboard is almost complete, we are just adding small details to make it as useful as possible whilst we are filming, expect to see pictures soon.
 

Location/setting

- Plan your time there to the hour - especially if it costs to get there or there will be big variations in lighting/environment.

- High streets should be fine: shopping centres need to get permission - be polite, explain the purpose and plan in advance for this.

- Take into account health and safety considerations!
We have decided to film in the woods close to our school as this area will create the mood and atmosphere that we desire for 'Raven Calls' to be as spooky as possible.

 

Equipment and props

- Make, buy, borrow.

- Make a list of what you need and tick it off as you acquire it.

- Be specific but not too ambitious.

- Book out what you need for the shoot - be reliable and reasonable.

 

Shooting

- Shoot for fewer longer periods rather than lots of small chunks.

- Shoot 5-10 minutes more footage than you need.

- If you're not sure if a scene is good enough, shoot it again.

- Don't delete footage - some may be useful.

- Do plenty of cutaways and use plenty of shots.

- Get footage off quickly and label it.

- Back up your footage.

- Film 5 seconds before 'Action' and 5 seconds after 'Cut'.

- Use tripods - handheld shots are difficult and can look sloppy.

- Practice tilting and panning with the tripods.

- Start the pan well before the shot so you get some clean movement and finish after.

- Film in as light a location as possible - easier to darken after.

- Try and stick to the 180 degree rule.

- Get close when shooting outdoors to make dialogue louder and clearer.
We are planning everything, in terms of filming, as detailed as we can to ensure we're not unsure of what to do when we're out there and we're not wasting the time we have the equipment for.

 

Shooting and post production

- Doesn't have to be 'shoot the film' then 'edit the film' if you're well organised - can be done in chunks.

- Don't view post-production as 'clearing up the mess' - think in advance about what effects, sounds or tilting you want and work out how to do them, this will also help with filming.