FIY Filmmaking Tips

Posts in Pre Production

How To Do SAG-AFTA Paperwork (Part 1) - Preproduction

How To Do SAG-AFTA Paperwork (Part 1) - Preproduction

You’re ready to cast your film and want to hire the best you possibly can, so you’re thinking of hiring union actors! Union actors, or SAG actors, are usually more experienced and thus can offer more polished performances, which is a major up side. Plus by going union, you might have the chance to attach some known actors to your film. But on the downside, there’s lots of steps involved in hiring SAG actors, and on top of all your normal paperwork, there’s lots and lots and lots more paperwork to do. So let’s go over the various pre-production steps and paperwork you’ll need to do to hire SAG actors.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettJune 16, 2021actors, sag, aftra, Pre ProductionComment

How To Run An Acting Rehearsal

How To Run An Acting Rehearsal

A rehearsal is your chance to start shaping each scene in your film, and holding one can be extremely beneficial not only for the actors, but other crew members as well. However, there are some crucial steps in the rehearsal process, so let’s get into how you can hold a rehearsal effectively.

Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettApril 2, 2021Pre Production, rehearsalComment

How To Do A Table Read

How To Do A Table Read

A table read is a key step in the pre-production process, as it's the first time you'll be gathering up all of your cast and key crew members in one place. But there are some important steps you need to take in order to ensure its success. So let's go over how to set up your table read correctly and what to do once you get there.

Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 26, 2021Pre Production, table readComment

Short Film Costume Design 101

Short Film Costume Design 101

Costume design is another way for you to bring your characters to life. Costumes can also help to ground your film in reality and are often what sets an amateur and pro film apart. So let’s go over some costume design basics so you can outfit your talent like a pro.

Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 19, 2021Pre Production, wardrobe, costumes, production designComment

Filmmaking Wardrobe Kit Essentials

Filmmaking Wardrobe Kit Essentials

Let's go over some filmmaking wardrobe kit essentials! As a DIY filmmaker you're probably filling in for several roles and one of those roles is most likely wardrobe. So since you might not be a wardrobe designing pro, let's go over some of the essential tools you'll want to keep handy onset in your wardrobe kit.

Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 17, 2021Pre Production, wardrobe, costumes, production designComment

When To Do A Test Shoot For Your Film

When To Do A Test Shoot For Your Film

I know you're probably chomping at the bit to get filming, but have you considered doing a test shoot first? Test shoots can be a crucial part of filmmaking, but you've got to know when to do them, so here are a few tips on when you might want to do a test shoot.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettDecember 11, 2020test shootComment

Renting vs Buying Film Gear

Renting vs Buying Film Gear

When it comes time to actually shoot your film, you might find yourself asking the age old question. Do I rent my gear or do I buy it? So let's go over some pros and cons for both, so you can decide which works best for you.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Production, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettDecember 2, 2020production, Filmmaking Gear, renting vs buyingComment

How To Location Scout For A Film

How To Location Scout For A Film

Picking the perfect location to shoot your film at can be key, but it can also be a whole undertaking on its own. There's so many things to consider, like, is there power? Or are there even bathrooms? So let's get into some tips on how to location scout for a film.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettSeptember 9, 2020Pre Production, location scoutingComment

How To Cast Your Film

How To Cast Your Film

You've got your script locked down and you're ready to cast your film, but casting can be tricky. I mean, how do you choose one actor over another anyway? Well, I've got the answers for you. So let's go over the steps on how you can cast your film.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettSeptember 1, 2020Casting, Pre ProductionComment

Quarantine Filmmaking Tips - Pre Production

Quarantine Filmmaking Tips - Pre Production

Times are tough and it's especially hard to make films right now, but that doesn't mean you can't! So here's some quarantine filmmaking tips so you can shoot a short film remotely!

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettAugust 10, 2020call sheetComment

How To Make A Production Binder

How To Make A Production Binder

A production binder helps you stay organized during and after your shoot. Plus it keeps all of those pesky documents and contracts in one place. So let's go over what a production binder is, and most importantly, what's inside them.

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettAugust 10, 2020call sheet Comment

Essential Contracts For Indie Film

Essential Contracts For Indie Film

Knowing the essential contracts for indie film is key to making sure you and your cast and crew are legally protected, but most first indie filmmakers are intimidated by them. So let's go over some of the basic contracts you'll need and I'll even share with you where you can download templates for them.

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettJuly 24, 2020call sheet Comments

How To Make A Call Sheet

How To Make A Call Sheet

A call sheet is a document that you send to all of your cast and crew to ensure they know exactly when and where you are shooting. It's a vital piece of communication that could make or break your shoot day. If a cast or crew member doesn't know when or where to show up, you may find your shoot already sabotaged. So let's go over some of the key elements that make up a call sheet. So all your demons show up on time.

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettJuly 24, 2020call sheet Comments

How To Schedule Your Film with Shot Lister

How To Schedule Your Film with Shot Lister

Scheduling your shoot efficiently is one of the most critical things you can do in pre-production to ensure a smooth shoot day. But doing it by hand on paper can be time consuming and inefficient, which is why I recommend you use an app like Shot Lister.

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettJuly 9, 2020Shot ListerComment

How To Budget A Film Production

How To Budget A Film Production

A budget is like a living document that can change throughout the filmmaking process, but having it as both a guideline for purchases as well as a method for keeping track of expenses is a huge life saver for any filmmaker, especially if you’re self funding your film. So let’s get into how to make a budget so you can hold on to as much cash as possible.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Filmmaking Documents, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettJune 28, 2020Pre Production, Filmmaking Documents, DIY Filmmaking Tips Comments

How To Make A Lined Script

How To Make A Lined Script

A line script can be both a lifesaver on set and in the editing room. It's usually created by a script supervisor during production, but if you're shooting with a small crew doing a line script before production can help you make sure you're getting all the coverage you need.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Filmmaking Documents, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettJune 28, 2020Pre Production, Filmmaking Documents, DIY Filmmaking TipsComment

How To Storyboard An Indie Film

How To Storyboard An Indie Film

Learning how to storyboard an indie film can help you share your vision with the rest of the crew, so let's go over the fundamentals of storyboarding so you can storyboard like a pro!

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettJune 6, 2020Pre ProductionComment

How To Make A Shot List For Film

How To Make A Shot List For Film

Knowing how to create a shot list for film is an important step to the pre-production process. So I'll show you the ropes using my google sheets shot list template, which you can get access to by supporting me on Patreon.

Pre Production, Filmmaking DocumentsAsh BlodgettJune 6, 2020Pre ProductionComment

How To Plan Your Film Workflow

How To Plan Your Film Workflow

Ok you’ve written your script and you’re now ready to dive into the magical world of filmmaking, but before you do it’s super important you have a clear and defined film production workflow so that everyone involved in the process knows exactly what each step is and their order.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionAsh BlodgettJune 6, 2020DIY Filmmaking Tips, Pre ProductionComment