Pre-Production Theory.
It is important that you do the following before you make your first film because it will help you plan what you're doing before you start. If you start before you have made plan things might not go better than expected and you might not be able to keep up with what you have done which means you will get confused and it might take you even longer to finish your project of choice.
For if you're making a TV production-
Firstly, you need to make a choice of what type of production you're making for example TV, film or video. Different production's consume different time's. If you if you are making a TV production you need to know:
Script-
Scripts are what you need so the actor/ actress know what they are saying in your TV production. You will also need it because you need a original plan with out the script you would not be able to produce anything on TV. Also in the script it will tell you about what type of props you will need and why you need them. If you need props you need to let the set designer know before you start the production because if you don't then it might make things on set complicated. The script tells you where the location for the TV production is to but it tells you it more in detail in the call sheet. Also if when you're making a script don't write it on Microsoft word,you should write it on Adobe Story because it sets it out the way a script should be written which means it will make it look a lot more professional.
However when making a script you should take your time because you need to check it for spelling mistakes and make sure everything is set out the way you want it to be and they're no mistakes. The actors will also need to practice their scripts so they know what to do when it comes to their part. It might also take you a long time to find the right actor/actress for your TV production. Also you might have to wait some time so you can find/ get the right props and when you get the props you might have to hire them just like some of the filming equipment so you will have to find out how long you can have them and when you need to take them back to the person you hired them from.
When you make a script it will say where you need to go and what thing you need in the production. These things will not come cheep so you will have a budget and the best thing you can do is to stick to it. You might need to pay for certain sets or pay to go to different places so you can film there and have permission. Also you will most likely have to pay for props which might cost a lot depending on your TV production idea. You will also need to pay your actresses/actors and your team because they might not do it voluntarily.
Script breakdown-
With the script breakdown you can go over your ideas again and find out what you need for you production. You need to do this so you're sure you have everything and you can tick it off when you collect it so you can keep up with the list and not get confused. It helps you make sure that you're prepared and you have everything so without it you might get confused and not keep up with everything. For example you might be doing a scene and not have the right props or not even have the props, or you might be doing a scene and realise you have not got the right actor/actress for the role. This will lead to you losing time when you could producing your TV production.
You need to talk with the people you're working with when making your production because you might say something and they might do the opposite because they did not understand you. This will cost you a lot of time when making your production. You need to talk to them so they understand what you want them to do. You also need to communicate with the people filming or the set designer so they know what they need to do or what they need to get so you will be ready to film. Also with the script breakdown. You need communicate with the props/set designer person as well because they need to know what you need for your TV production.
Budget-
The budget is a big part of your TV production because if you don't have a big budget then you have work with what you can get which might mean your sets, props, actors/actresses, ect might not be the best. But it depends what type of TV production you're trying to do. However if you have a big budget you might be able to branch out and get better sets, props, ect. Also you should stick to the budget because if you don't you might spend a ridiculous amount of money on something but you still get the same feed back you would have when you would have spent less money and stuck toyour budget. You should see if you can find props for cheaper prices because it could save you a lot of money and you might be able to get more props for your sets. Make sure you don't pay a lot ofmoney on something you could have got cheaper.
Risk assessment-
You have to make a risk assessment to make sure people are safe when you're filming. This will be given out to all of the cast and other people you will be working with. You have to check all of your sets and make sure that they are safe otherwise no one can work on it. If someone has allergies or any other problems with the risk assessment or any of the sets, props, ect then you need to communicate with the person who is making the production or the person who made the risk assessment.
Call sheet-
A call sheet is for the people you're working with so they know where to go and it will most likely have directions on how to get the place you're filming. If people don't know where to go you will miss out on filming time and then it will take you longer to make your TV production. Also you might have a certain amount of time on each set which means that your cast need to be there so make sure your call sheet has the right time and directions to your TV productions destination. If everyone is there and everyone know where to go then your production should run smoothly.
Storyboard-
Storyboards are made so you know how the production is going to go. You can do it on a computer or you can draw them out. Its really time consuming because you have to make sure the storyboard matches the descriptions on the script. It especially takes long if you draw them out because you have to add details from the script and match them with your drawings. You need to talk with the people you are making your TV production with so then you definitely listen to each others ideas and put the final thing on your storyboard and if you would like to change anything you need to discuss that to. Its important to communicate with each other on this part because if you have a great idea it might improve your TV production. Always share your ideas!
Schedule-
You need the schedule so then you know what order to everything for example to start off with writing your script, then script breakdown, ect. If you don't do it in order you might miss out on things or do something but not do it in as much detail as you wanted to. Also if you miss out on something you might remember at last minute and rush it or you might miss it out all together. But you might do it in the wrong order which will lead to you becoming confused and possibly messing your production up. If you don't do the schedule correctly it could cost you a lot of time and money and you messing up your production. You should talk with everyone to organise times and seeing when they can be at the places you need them to be at so you get your production made correctly. You need to find time to audition people and to make time to find props. Try to stick with the schedule because then your production will produce more smoothly and easier.
For if you're making a film:
If you're choosing to do a film production ad you want to do it correctly, nicely and professionally you need to read the following:
Script-
When you write the script you need to use capital letters for your characters name so then we know if its a new character but don't do that every time you introduce them. You only need to do that once. Also if there character name changes for example if you give them a new nickname you still have to write there original name otherwise when people read the script they might become confused. Also the only people allowed to read the script are the screen writers, script editors and producer. When you are completely finished with the script (probably after the script breakdown) you have to lock the script. That means that you can not add anything else to the script. You need to know who is going to be in the script and what role they are playing. You need to write every detail about what is happening in your film. This might take a long time but if you don't do it right you will have to start all over again which will make your film production take even longer.
Script breakdown-
You need to see if anyone else has any idea's for the script (the people who are involved with the script). They could help you improve your story, script and film. You need to make time so you can listen to everyone's opinions before you lock the script.
Budget-
You need to work out how much money you need for your film production and to make sure you don't go over the budget. Also depending on your idea, some things could cost a lot more than expected so you need to be prepared for that and make sure that the film props and sets are not out of your budget. Also if you have something that needs insurance you will have to talk to some insurance advisors before purchase it and bring it on set. But you will also have to have enough money to pay everyone who is helping you with the production. However if you're making a small/short film like I did you might need all of those people which means you will not have to have a huge budget or you could try and find people who might volunteer to help you. But that's up to you.
Risk assessment-
You need to make sure that's your sets are safe and secure before anyone goes on them. It might take a lot of time and communication because you need to talk to other people who are helping you or making the sets so you can make sure that the safety matches up to the risk assessment.
Call sheet-
The call sheet will help people who are helping out with your production. It will let them know where to go and how to get there. The call sheet should also come with directions. If you didn't have that your actor/actress might turn up late which you might have to start filming late and it will just ruin the work flow. It will also ruin the work flow if anyone else is late. Also you will need to make sure you have all of your resources because you might not be able shoot certain scenes with out them.
Storyboard-
When you make a storyboard you need to talk to certain people around you so then you can get some artist inspiration or even help you add some new ideas. They can also check if your work is sensible or correct. You can draw your storyboard which might take a bit longer but you don't have to go into to much detail you just need to make sure that you put enough detail in your drawing that it matches the description in you script. You can save time by doing them on the computer but you might no be able to do it in as much detail.
Schedule-
The reason you make these is so then you can make your film production easily. If you don't organise it correctly you could lose out on time when you could be filming you need to communicate with people to find out what time is best for them to be at certain places, or for certain auditions, ect.
For if you're making a video-
When you make a video it could be slightly different. If you are making a video production you need to:
Script-
You need to make sure your script is up to professional standards and that everything is correct. If you write the script wrong it will take you a long time to correct it. ( look above at the other script parts if you're doing a professional type of video). If its just a random video you usually don't need big professional scripts.
Script breakdown-
This will help you know what props you need and what other things you need for your production. If you have a script breakdown it will help you have an easier work flow. Which means that you are less likely to get confused and not know what to do next. You need to talk to other people in your 'team' because you might need to purchase something for example a prop and they need to know what specific prop you need otherwise you could get the completely wrong thing and then you might not be able to film a certain scene.
Budget-
Depending on what type of production you are trying to do you might need a bigger budget or a smaller budget. You need to communicate with your 'team' so you can decide on the right budget for your production. You don't want to over pay someone for acting or for purchasing a prop when they could have found the same thing cheaper. You need to keep communicating with your video production team so you can keep up with how much you're spending on the production.
Risk assessment-
No matter what production you do you need a risk assessment. This is so then you can keep the people in your production safe. If you don't have a risk assessment and someone gets hurt you can get in serious trouble. So you need to check over the risk assessment. You need to make sure you get all possible risks on the risk assessment. You need to talk to people about the risk assessment so you can find out about all possible risks.
Call sheet-
You need this so then the people in your production know where to go and how to get there (it should have directions). If it doesn't come with directions then people wont turn up and you wont have anyone to film your production.
Storyboard-
You need a storyboard so then you can have a easy work flow and storyboards help people with the descriptions from the script because some people just do better with pictures. You can choose if you want to do it on the computer or you can draw it.
Schedule-
A schedule also helps you with an easy work flow. If you don't have a schedule you will miss out on certain things or even do some things wrong. If you do them wrong you will have to do them again and that just means you're wasting the little time that you have to film your video. You might find out that you don't have certain props then you cant do certain scenes.
Script-
Scripts are what you need so the actor/ actress know what they are saying in your TV production. You will also need it because you need a original plan with out the script you would not be able to produce anything on TV. Also in the script it will tell you about what type of props you will need and why you need them. If you need props you need to let the set designer know before you start the production because if you don't then it might make things on set complicated. The script tells you where the location for the TV production is to but it tells you it more in detail in the call sheet. Also if when you're making a script don't write it on Microsoft word,you should write it on Adobe Story because it sets it out the way a script should be written which means it will make it look a lot more professional.
However when making a script you should take your time because you need to check it for spelling mistakes and make sure everything is set out the way you want it to be and they're no mistakes. The actors will also need to practice their scripts so they know what to do when it comes to their part. It might also take you a long time to find the right actor/actress for your TV production. Also you might have to wait some time so you can find/ get the right props and when you get the props you might have to hire them just like some of the filming equipment so you will have to find out how long you can have them and when you need to take them back to the person you hired them from.
When you make a script it will say where you need to go and what thing you need in the production. These things will not come cheep so you will have a budget and the best thing you can do is to stick to it. You might need to pay for certain sets or pay to go to different places so you can film there and have permission. Also you will most likely have to pay for props which might cost a lot depending on your TV production idea. You will also need to pay your actresses/actors and your team because they might not do it voluntarily.
Script breakdown-
With the script breakdown you can go over your ideas again and find out what you need for you production. You need to do this so you're sure you have everything and you can tick it off when you collect it so you can keep up with the list and not get confused. It helps you make sure that you're prepared and you have everything so without it you might get confused and not keep up with everything. For example you might be doing a scene and not have the right props or not even have the props, or you might be doing a scene and realise you have not got the right actor/actress for the role. This will lead to you losing time when you could producing your TV production.
You need to talk with the people you're working with when making your production because you might say something and they might do the opposite because they did not understand you. This will cost you a lot of time when making your production. You need to talk to them so they understand what you want them to do. You also need to communicate with the people filming or the set designer so they know what they need to do or what they need to get so you will be ready to film. Also with the script breakdown. You need communicate with the props/set designer person as well because they need to know what you need for your TV production.
Budget-
The budget is a big part of your TV production because if you don't have a big budget then you have work with what you can get which might mean your sets, props, actors/actresses, ect might not be the best. But it depends what type of TV production you're trying to do. However if you have a big budget you might be able to branch out and get better sets, props, ect. Also you should stick to the budget because if you don't you might spend a ridiculous amount of money on something but you still get the same feed back you would have when you would have spent less money and stuck toyour budget. You should see if you can find props for cheaper prices because it could save you a lot of money and you might be able to get more props for your sets. Make sure you don't pay a lot ofmoney on something you could have got cheaper.
Risk assessment-
You have to make a risk assessment to make sure people are safe when you're filming. This will be given out to all of the cast and other people you will be working with. You have to check all of your sets and make sure that they are safe otherwise no one can work on it. If someone has allergies or any other problems with the risk assessment or any of the sets, props, ect then you need to communicate with the person who is making the production or the person who made the risk assessment.
Call sheet-
A call sheet is for the people you're working with so they know where to go and it will most likely have directions on how to get the place you're filming. If people don't know where to go you will miss out on filming time and then it will take you longer to make your TV production. Also you might have a certain amount of time on each set which means that your cast need to be there so make sure your call sheet has the right time and directions to your TV productions destination. If everyone is there and everyone know where to go then your production should run smoothly.
Storyboard-
Storyboards are made so you know how the production is going to go. You can do it on a computer or you can draw them out. Its really time consuming because you have to make sure the storyboard matches the descriptions on the script. It especially takes long if you draw them out because you have to add details from the script and match them with your drawings. You need to talk with the people you are making your TV production with so then you definitely listen to each others ideas and put the final thing on your storyboard and if you would like to change anything you need to discuss that to. Its important to communicate with each other on this part because if you have a great idea it might improve your TV production. Always share your ideas!
Schedule-
You need the schedule so then you know what order to everything for example to start off with writing your script, then script breakdown, ect. If you don't do it in order you might miss out on things or do something but not do it in as much detail as you wanted to. Also if you miss out on something you might remember at last minute and rush it or you might miss it out all together. But you might do it in the wrong order which will lead to you becoming confused and possibly messing your production up. If you don't do the schedule correctly it could cost you a lot of time and money and you messing up your production. You should talk with everyone to organise times and seeing when they can be at the places you need them to be at so you get your production made correctly. You need to find time to audition people and to make time to find props. Try to stick with the schedule because then your production will produce more smoothly and easier.
For if you're making a film:
If you're choosing to do a film production ad you want to do it correctly, nicely and professionally you need to read the following:
Script-
When you write the script you need to use capital letters for your characters name so then we know if its a new character but don't do that every time you introduce them. You only need to do that once. Also if there character name changes for example if you give them a new nickname you still have to write there original name otherwise when people read the script they might become confused. Also the only people allowed to read the script are the screen writers, script editors and producer. When you are completely finished with the script (probably after the script breakdown) you have to lock the script. That means that you can not add anything else to the script. You need to know who is going to be in the script and what role they are playing. You need to write every detail about what is happening in your film. This might take a long time but if you don't do it right you will have to start all over again which will make your film production take even longer.
Script breakdown-
You need to see if anyone else has any idea's for the script (the people who are involved with the script). They could help you improve your story, script and film. You need to make time so you can listen to everyone's opinions before you lock the script.
Budget-
You need to work out how much money you need for your film production and to make sure you don't go over the budget. Also depending on your idea, some things could cost a lot more than expected so you need to be prepared for that and make sure that the film props and sets are not out of your budget. Also if you have something that needs insurance you will have to talk to some insurance advisors before purchase it and bring it on set. But you will also have to have enough money to pay everyone who is helping you with the production. However if you're making a small/short film like I did you might need all of those people which means you will not have to have a huge budget or you could try and find people who might volunteer to help you. But that's up to you.
Risk assessment-
You need to make sure that's your sets are safe and secure before anyone goes on them. It might take a lot of time and communication because you need to talk to other people who are helping you or making the sets so you can make sure that the safety matches up to the risk assessment.
Call sheet-
The call sheet will help people who are helping out with your production. It will let them know where to go and how to get there. The call sheet should also come with directions. If you didn't have that your actor/actress might turn up late which you might have to start filming late and it will just ruin the work flow. It will also ruin the work flow if anyone else is late. Also you will need to make sure you have all of your resources because you might not be able shoot certain scenes with out them.
Storyboard-
When you make a storyboard you need to talk to certain people around you so then you can get some artist inspiration or even help you add some new ideas. They can also check if your work is sensible or correct. You can draw your storyboard which might take a bit longer but you don't have to go into to much detail you just need to make sure that you put enough detail in your drawing that it matches the description in you script. You can save time by doing them on the computer but you might no be able to do it in as much detail.
Schedule-
The reason you make these is so then you can make your film production easily. If you don't organise it correctly you could lose out on time when you could be filming you need to communicate with people to find out what time is best for them to be at certain places, or for certain auditions, ect.
For if you're making a video-
When you make a video it could be slightly different. If you are making a video production you need to:
Script-
You need to make sure your script is up to professional standards and that everything is correct. If you write the script wrong it will take you a long time to correct it. ( look above at the other script parts if you're doing a professional type of video). If its just a random video you usually don't need big professional scripts.
Script breakdown-
This will help you know what props you need and what other things you need for your production. If you have a script breakdown it will help you have an easier work flow. Which means that you are less likely to get confused and not know what to do next. You need to talk to other people in your 'team' because you might need to purchase something for example a prop and they need to know what specific prop you need otherwise you could get the completely wrong thing and then you might not be able to film a certain scene.
Budget-
Depending on what type of production you are trying to do you might need a bigger budget or a smaller budget. You need to communicate with your 'team' so you can decide on the right budget for your production. You don't want to over pay someone for acting or for purchasing a prop when they could have found the same thing cheaper. You need to keep communicating with your video production team so you can keep up with how much you're spending on the production.
Risk assessment-
No matter what production you do you need a risk assessment. This is so then you can keep the people in your production safe. If you don't have a risk assessment and someone gets hurt you can get in serious trouble. So you need to check over the risk assessment. You need to make sure you get all possible risks on the risk assessment. You need to talk to people about the risk assessment so you can find out about all possible risks.
Call sheet-
You need this so then the people in your production know where to go and how to get there (it should have directions). If it doesn't come with directions then people wont turn up and you wont have anyone to film your production.
Storyboard-
You need a storyboard so then you can have a easy work flow and storyboards help people with the descriptions from the script because some people just do better with pictures. You can choose if you want to do it on the computer or you can draw it.
Schedule-
A schedule also helps you with an easy work flow. If you don't have a schedule you will miss out on certain things or even do some things wrong. If you do them wrong you will have to do them again and that just means you're wasting the little time that you have to film your video. You might find out that you don't have certain props then you cant do certain scenes.
