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- Your Film Will Fail, Without A Schedule
Your Film Will Fail, Without A Schedule
Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Word Count: 444 | Read Time: < 2 Minutes.
As a low-budget independent filmmaker, creating a film schedule may seem like an insurmountable task. But with careful planning and organization, you can make a schedule that helps bring your vision to life without breaking the bank.
WHY IT MATTERS…
A film schedule helps keep production on track and ensures that all necessary tasks are completed within a reasonable amount of time. It also helps allocate resources effectively and can save money by avoiding costly reshoots or delays.
THE BIG PICTURE…
When creating a film schedule, it's important to consider the entire production process from start to finish. This includes pre-production (such as casting, location scouting, and rehearsals), principal photography, and post-production (editing, scoring, and special effects). Each step should be broken down into smaller, manageable tasks and assigned to specific team members or departments.
ZOOM IN…
For example, let's say you're making a short film that takes place in a single location. During pre-production, you'll need to scout and secure the location, cast actors, and rehearse the script. During principal photography, you'll need to set up the shoot and capture all necessary footage. Finally, during post-production, you'll need to edit the footage, add any special effects, and complete any necessary scoring.
ACTION ITEMS…
Here are three actions you can take to create a successful film schedule on a low budget:
Use a project management tool like Trello or Asana to keep track of tasks and deadlines.
Communicate with your team regularly to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that tasks are being completed on time.
Be flexible and willing to make changes as needed. Things may not always go as planned, so it's important to be able to pivot and adapt to new circumstances.
GO DEEPER…
Here is an example of a film schedule for a short film with a budget of $10,000 and a shooting schedule of 10 days:
Day 1: Pre-production meetings, location scouting
Day 2: Casting, rehearsals
Day 3: Set design, props
Day 4: Costumes, makeup
Day 5-9: Principal photography (8 hour days)
Day 10: Wrap party
Day 11-14: Post-production (editing, scoring, special effects)
Day 15: Final review and delivery
This schedule assumes that all pre-production tasks (such as scriptwriting and financing) have already been completed. It also allows for some flexibility in case there are any unexpected delays or changes during the shoot.
Keep in mind that this is just one example, and every film will have its own unique schedule based on the needs and resources of the production. It's important to be as detailed and organized as possible to ensure that everything runs smoothly and stays within budget.