Everyone has thought what it would look like if they had the means and resources to direct their own movie. Perhaps you want to create a neo-noir with a rainswept detective looking through his or her latest case and have fun with that. Or, maybe your intentions are a little more modest, and you just want to create a short promotional film for your local town, or a business you run.
Either way, flexing some of your creative muscles, covering events, and having fun with moving image production can be a great time. Up until now though, it’s often seemed as though this craft requires a massive upfront investment, and you’re not to bother unless you have a major team at your beck and call.
Now, we’re not going to dismiss the work involved, but there’s also a great deal of progress you can make if you’re careful about it. Creating a short film is more possible than ever, and here’s how:
Smartphones & Drones
You might be holding off on starting your film project because you think the gear is too expensive, but you already have one of the best cameras ever made right in your pocket, and you should start there. The video quality on the latest phones is stunning, and they’re so easy to use that you can film well and some filmmakers have even won awards doing so.
If you want to expand this with footage that helps to open up the scene, bring in a capable little flying camera like a Mini 5 Pro. A small drone like that can capture aerial shots and tracking movements that make your finished video look a little more like a high-budget production, but you’ll still keep your equipment lightweight and easy to manage. You can click here to find out more.
Low-Cost Editing Suites
You don’t need to buy massive software package just to cut a few video clips together, because editing has become very affordable for everyone. Nowadays, there are some excellent programs available that either charge very little money or are totally free, and they have all the basic tools needed. Stock editors like Movie Maker can work, but some even have trial periods you can use or just pay for a month to use it and then pause.
Flexible Lighting Arrangements
You need to learn proper lighting if you want all your films to look their best and you can achieve a great look with simple standalones believe it or not, so you don’t need heavy movie lights. The first trick is mastering natural light, which is always free, so spend some time figuring out the best ways to position your shots near windows or outside during certain times of day.
When you need an extra light source, modern LED panels are lightweight, surprisingly strong, and won’t cost an arm and a leg either, and they’re easy to transport and set up for any shoot location. You can easily control the shadows and the brightness of your scene with just a few small, adaptable lights, as three-point lighting setups are quite simple, as are key lights and ring lights for closeups.
With this advice, you’re sure to nail the hopes for your short film.
