FIY Filmmaking Tips

Posts tagged production

Directing Non Actors For Film

Directing Non Actors For Film

As an indie filmmaker you might find yourself working with non actors from time to time. These can be friends or family you’ve roped into helping you make your film for free, locals you want to use for authenticity, or perhaps people who answered a help wanted ad you ran for your film.

Whatever the reason, just because they are non actors doesn’t mean you can’t get good performances out of them. You just have to approach them with completely different tactics than you would professional actors. So let’s talk about a few tips and tricks you can use for directing non actors for film.

Production, DIY Filmmaking TipsAsh BlodgettMay 7, 2021production, directing, actorsComment

Tips for Directing Actors

Tips for Directing Actors

Often when people think of working with actors, they think you just give them their character motivation and send them on their way. But the director/actor relationship is far more complex, so let’s go over some simple tips that you as a director can do to help keep you and your actors happy.

Production, DIY Filmmaking TipsAsh BlodgettMay 4, 2021production, directing, actorsComment

Directing Tips For Beginners

Directing Tips For Beginners

Directing might seem pretty straight forward, you yell “action,” direct the actors, and then call cut, but there’s actually a lot more to directing than just coffee and berets. So let’s go over some directing tips for beginners to help you manage all the nuances of being a director.

Production, DIY Filmmaking TipsAsh BlodgettMay 4, 2021production, directingComment

How To Work With Actors On Set

How To Work With Actors On Set

Directing on set can be chaotic, especially if you aren’t prepared. So here’s some tips on how to work with actors on set and ensure a stellar performance.

Production, DIY Filmmaking TipsAsh BlodgettApril 9, 2021production, directingComment

Cheap and Easy DIY Light Diffusion

Cheap and Easy DIY Light Diffusion

Hard light can be extremely unflattering on your talent, which is why shooting outside can be tough. Direct sun can lead to harsh lighting and while finding shade under a tree can help, it can also result in uneven patches of light. However never fear, for I’ve got a cheap and easy DIY light diffusion trick that will have you diffusing the sun in no time!

ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 17, 2021production, lighting, diffusion, diy diffusion, silk, outside lightingComment

Filmmaking 101 Three Point Lighting

Filmmaking 101 Three Point Lighting

A three point lighting setup is a basic lighting setup that involves three lights. It’s considered a fundamental lighting setup in the film world, and understanding the principles in this basic lighting setup is key to understanding good lighting in general. So let’s jump into what a three point lighting setup is and how you can achieve it.

ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 17, 2021production, 3 point lighting, lightingComment

How To Do Multi Camera Filmmaking

How To Do Multi Camera Filmmaking

You're ready to shoot your film, but are you planning to shoot with one camera, two cameras or maybe even ten cameras? Well, if you're not sure if shooting multi-camera is right for you, I've got some great tips on the pros and cons and best practices of doing so.

ProductionAsh BlodgettMarch 17, 2021production, multi camera shoot, multi cameras, multiple cameras, multiple camera shootComment

The 180 Degree Line Rule And When To Break It

The 180 Degree Line Rule And When To Break It

If you've ever been on a film set, you might have heard of the mysterious concept of crossing the line. And while this might seem like a mystifying idea, it's actually fairly simple to understand and execute. So let's go over what the 180 degree line rule is, and even talk about some exceptions where you can break it.

ProductionAsh BlodgettFebruary 12, 2021production, 180 degree rule, 180 degree lineComment

How To Do A Whip Pan Transition Camera Trick

How To Do A Whip Pan Transition Camera Trick

Camera movement is one of the best filmmaking tools you can use to help make your audience feel like they are right there with the characters and a whip pan is no exception.

ProductionAsh BlodgettFebruary 11, 2021camera tricks, whip pan, productionComment

Tascam DR-10L Lav Mic Product Review

Tascam DR-10L Lav Mic Product Review

Today I wanted to do a product review on the Tascam DR-10L lav mic. I've been looking for a new lav mic for a while, since the ones I was using were from the 80's. I honestly don't know why I put up with them for so long, but when they finally broke, I figured it was time to upgrade to something, you know, maybe at least from this decade. And after a lot of research and suggestions from some trusted friends, I landed on the amazing Tascam DR-10L.

Production, Filmmaking Product ReviewAsh BlodgettJanuary 15, 2021production, microphones, lav mic, TascamComment

How To Setup A C Stand

How To Setup A C Stand

C stands are handy tools to have on set, but they can also be dangerous or downright deadly if not set up correctly. So let's go over these extremely important tips, so you know how to set one up safely.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, ProductionAsh BlodgettJanuary 8, 2021production, c stand, c-standComment

Film Set Order Of Operations

Film Set Order Of Operations

So you know that the director calls action before a take, but did you know there’s a bunch of other things that are called out before that? You did? Oh… well you can skip to the next video but for everyone else let’s go over the order of operations on set when you’re going for a take.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, ProductionAsh BlodgettJanuary 6, 2021on set, order of opperations, productionComment

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

Filmmaking Production Gear Essentials

Filmmaking Production Gear Essentials

You've got your camera gear and your lighting gear, but what about all the other essential things you need during production? Well, that's where I've got you covered with my list of production gear that's essential for any shoot.

DIY Filmmaking Tips, ProductionAsh BlodgettDecember 2, 2020production gear, production, Filmmaking GearComment

Quarantine Filmmaking Tips - Production

Quarantine Filmmaking Tips - Production

All right, you've decided to shoot a film in quarantine and you've already knocked out the pre-production steps and are ready to shoot, but things are a bit tricky in this remote film production world. So here's some tips that will help your shoot go smoothly.

Production, DIY Filmmaking TipsAsh BlodgettAugust 14, 2020production, quarantineComment