The Power Filmmaking Kit : Make Your Professional Movie on a Next-to-nothing Budget

Think big, spend little! Everything you need to make your movie is in this complete resource kit.The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book shows you how to do the same, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional quality on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand.The book includes:* Coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing and directing to cinematography, acting, editing, and distribution.* Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations show you how to make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources.The DVD includes:* Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed, independent film made for under $2,000* One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made...interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, producting, and editing* Complete rough footage from a scene for editing practice* Forms, contracts, and more resources*The Producer's Notebook includes scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from "Time and Again." See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end. * Blank contracts and forms that you can print out to use on your own film * Everything you need to make a low-budget movie is in this complete resource kit.* A complete kit that's a blueprint for making a professional-looking film for under $20,000. Includes a DVD packed with video tutorials, rough footage, important paperwork, contracts, movies, trailers, and more* Learn how to get professional quality on a low budget, using the resources you have at hand. The Power Filmmaking Kit......Page 2 Copyright page......Page 3 Contents......Page 4 DVD Contents......Page 16 Dedication......Page 18 Acknowledgments......Page 20 Foreword......Page 22 UNIT 1: Development......Page 23 INTRODUCTION......Page 26 WRITING YOUR OWN SCRIPT......Page 27 OPTIONING MATERIAL......Page 33 WORKING WITH A WRITER......Page 34 STORY STRUCTURE......Page 35 WRITING A SCRIPT......Page 39 UNIT 2: Preproduction......Page 57 INTRODUCTION......Page 60 LEGAL CONSULTATIONS......Page 62 RELEASE FORMS......Page 63 BOOKS......Page 64 RAISING MONEY......Page 66 BUDGETING......Page 68 CAST AND CREW......Page 72 THE BUSINESS PLAN......Page 73 FORMING A COMPANY......Page 75 MANAGING THE BUDGET......Page 77 BUDGET CATEGORIES......Page 78 INTRODUCTION......Page 84 STEP 2: SCENE BREAKDOWN SHEETS......Page 85 STEP 3: DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF SHOOTING DAYS......Page 87 STEP 4: MAKING THE DAILY SCHEDULE......Page 91 STEP 6: DURING PRODUCTION......Page 96 INSURANCE TYPES......Page 100 WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED?......Page 102 CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE......Page 104 FINDING LOCATIONS......Page 106 SECURING A LOCATION......Page 112 COMMUNITY RELATIONS......Page 117 FILM COMMISSIONS......Page 121 DURING PRODUCTION......Page 125 INTRODUCTION......Page 128 ATTRACTING ACTORS TO THE AUDITION......Page 129 HOW TO CONDUCT AN AUDITION......Page 132 AFTER THE AUDITIONS......Page 139 CREW POSITIONS......Page 144 HOW TO HIRE THE CREW......Page 154 FINDING QUALIFIED CREW MEMBERS......Page 158 PAYING CREW MEMBERS......Page 161 CREW WAGES......Page 165 INTRODUCTION......Page 168 SCREEN ACTORS GUILD......Page 170 WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA......Page 173 IATSE (INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES)......Page 174 DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA......Page 175 INTRODUCTION......Page 178 VIDEO VS FILM......Page 179 SHOOTING FILM......Page 180 SHOOTING VIDEO......Page 189 HIGH DEFINITION......Page 192 CAMERA SUPPORT......Page 195 LIGHTING......Page 198 LIGHTING SUPPORT......Page 201 WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED?......Page 203 LOW-BUDGET ALTERNATIVES......Page 204 APPROACHING A RENTAL FACILITY......Page 205 INTRODUCTION......Page 210 PROPS......Page 212 WARDROBE......Page 213 BUILDING SETS......Page 215 SET DRESSING......Page 217 CREATING A TIME PERIOD......Page 219 UNIT 3: Production......Page 223 INTRODUCTION......Page 226 A DAY ON SET......Page 227 SAMPLE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE......Page 231 SAFETY......Page 233 ORGANIZATION OF SHOTS......Page 234 TIPS FOR THE DIRECTOR......Page 236 ACTIVITIES......Page 238 TIPS FOR THE ACTOR......Page 239 ACTING TECHNIQUES......Page 243 BACKSTORY......Page 245 INTRODUCTION......Page 248 DIRECTING DURING PREPRODUCTION......Page 249 REHEARSING ACTORS......Page 255 WORKING WITH THE CREW DURING PREPRODUCTION......Page 263 DIRECTING DURING PRODUCTION......Page 265 DIRECTING DURING POSTPRODUCTION......Page 277 WORKING WITH A DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY......Page 280 SHOOTING STYLES......Page 282 THE CAMERA......Page 283 CHOOSING THE LENS......Page 284 THE FIVE RINGS OF POWER......Page 285 LENS CARE......Page 291 CAMERA SETTINGS......Page 292 RULES OF COMPOSITION......Page 296 SHOT TYPES......Page 301 WORKING WITH A PRODUCTION MONITOR......Page 305 LIGHTING......Page 306 GETTING THE FILM LOOK......Page 317 SHOOTING THE SCENE......Page 318 KEEPING ORGANIZED......Page 320 INTRODUCTION......Page 326 ANALOG VS DIGITAL......Page 327 MICROPHONE TYPES......Page 328 PREPPING AUDIO......Page 329 ROLE OF THE SOUND TEAM ON SET BEFORE ACTION......Page 331 SYNC SOUND......Page 332 BOOM HANDLING TECHNIQUES......Page 334 RECORDING WITH A SHOTGUN MICROPHONE......Page 335 USING LAVALIERS......Page 336 WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS......Page 338 WORKING WITH EXTRAS......Page 339 SOUND LOGS......Page 340 STRAIGHT MAKEUP......Page 342 PROSTHETICS......Page 345 SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP......Page 346 ACTIVITY......Page 347 INTRODUCTION......Page 350 THROUGHOUT THE DAY......Page 351 CATERING......Page 353 TIPS FOR ON SET......Page 354 UNIT 4: Postproduction......Page 355 INTRODUCTION......Page 358 EDITING SYSTEMS......Page 359 THE EDITING PROCESS......Page 361 EDITING TECHNIQUES......Page 365 EDITING TIPS......Page 366 CONTINUITY......Page 368 CUTTING ON MOTION......Page 369 EDIT TYPES......Page 370 COLOR CORRECTION......Page 372 COMPRESSION......Page 373 CREDITS......Page 374 INTRODUCTION......Page 376 COMPOSITING......Page 377 CHROMA KEY......Page 380 THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANIMATION......Page 383 INTRODUCTION......Page 384 THE FIVE AUDIO TRACKS......Page 385 MIXING THE AUDIO......Page 390 M&E TRACKS......Page 392 INTRODUCTION......Page 394 STOCK MUSIC......Page 395 USING COPYRIGHTED MUSIC......Page 397 MUSIC LOOPS......Page 398 WRITING ORIGINAL MUSIC......Page 399 WORKING WITH MIDI......Page 402 FINISHING THE SCORE......Page 403 ACTIVITIES......Page 404 UNIT 5: Distribution......Page 405 INTRODUCTION......Page 408 FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION......Page 410 DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION......Page 411 ATTRACTING DISTRIBUTORS......Page 413 PAYMENT......Page 416 DELIVERABLES......Page 417 FILM FESTIVALS......Page 418 SELF-DISTRIBUTION......Page 420 Index......Page 426 Video The Power Filmmaking Kit 2 Copyright page 3 Contents 4 DVD Contents 16 Dedication 18 Acknowledgments 20 Foreword 22 UNIT 1: Development 23 CHAPTER 1: The Script 26 INTRODUCTION 26 WRITING YOUR OWN SCRIPT 27 OPTIONING MATERIAL 33 WORKING WITH A WRITER 34 STORY STRUCTURE 35 WRITING A SCRIPT 39 UNIT 2: Preproduction 57 CHAPTER 2: Preproduction 60 INTRODUCTION 60 SETTING UP AN OFFICE 62 LEGAL CONSULTATIONS 62 RELEASE FORMS 63 BOOKS 64 CHAPTER 3: Budgeting 66 INTRODUCTION 66 RAISING MONEY 66 BUDGETING 68 CAST AND CREW 72 THE BUSINESS PLAN 73 FORMING A COMPANY 75 MANAGING THE BUDGET 77 BUDGET CATEGORIES 78 CHAPTER 4: Scheduling 84 INTRODUCTION 84 STEP 1: LINING THE SCRIPT 85 STEP 2: SCENE BREAKDOWN SHEETS 85 STEP 3: DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF SHOOTING DAYS 87 STEP 4: MAKING THE DAILY SCHEDULE 91 STEP 5: FINALIZING THE SCHEDULE 96 STEP 6: DURING PRODUCTION 96 CHAPTER 5: Insurance 100 INTRODUCTION 100 INSURANCE TYPES 100 WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED? 102 CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE 104 CHAPTER 6: Locations 106 INTRODUCTION 106 FINDING LOCATIONS 106 SECURING A LOCATION 112 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 117 FILM COMMISSIONS 121 DURING PRODUCTION 125 CHAPTER 7: Auditioning Actors 128 INTRODUCTION 128 FINDING AN AUDITION SPACE 129 ATTRACTING ACTORS TO THE AUDITION 129 WORKING WITH CASTING AGENCIES 132 HOW TO CONDUCT AN AUDITION 132 ACTIVITY 139 AFTER THE AUDITIONS 139 CHAPTER 8: The Crew 144 INTRODUCTION 144 CREW POSITIONS 144 HOW TO HIRE THE CREW 154 FINDING QUALIFIED CREW MEMBERS 158 PAYING CREW MEMBERS 161 CREW WAGES 165 CHAPTER 9: Unions and Guilds 168 INTRODUCTION 168 SCREEN ACTORS GUILD 170 WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA 173 IATSE (INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES) 174 DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA 175 CHAPTER 10: Equipment 178 INTRODUCTION 178 CAMERAS 179 VIDEO VS FILM 179 SHOOTING FILM 180 SHOOTING VIDEO 189 HIGH DEFINITION 192 CAMERA SUPPORT 195 LIGHTING 198 LIGHTING SUPPORT 201 MICROPHONES 203 WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED? 203 LOW-BUDGET ALTERNATIVES 204 APPROACHING A RENTAL FACILITY 205 CHAPTER 11: Production Design 210 INTRODUCTION 210 PROPS 212 WARDROBE 213 BUILDING SETS 215 SET DRESSING 217 CREATING A TIME PERIOD 219 UNIT 3: Production 223 CHAPTER 12: Production 226 INTRODUCTION 226 A DAY ON SET 227 SAMPLE PRODUCTION SCHEDULE 231 SAFETY 233 ORGANIZATION OF SHOTS 234 CHAPTER 13: Acting 236 INTRODUCTION 236 TIPS FOR THE DIRECTOR 236 ACTIVITIES 238 TIPS FOR THE ACTOR 239 ACTING TECHNIQUES 243 BACKSTORY 245 CHAPTER 14: Directing 248 INTRODUCTION 248 DIRECTING DURING PREPRODUCTION 249 REHEARSING ACTORS 255 WORKING WITH THE CREW DURING PREPRODUCTION 263 ACTIVITIES 265 DIRECTING DURING PRODUCTION 265 DIRECTING DURING POSTPRODUCTION 277 CHAPTER 15: Cinematography 280 INTRODUCTION 280 WORKING WITH A DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY 280 SHOOTING STYLES 282 THE CAMERA 283 CHOOSING THE LENS 284 THE FIVE RINGS OF POWER 285 LENS CARE 291 CAMERA SETTINGS 292 WORKING WITH THE FRAME 296 RULES OF COMPOSITION 296 SHOT TYPES 301 WORKING WITH A PRODUCTION MONITOR 305 LIGHTING 306 GETTING THE FILM LOOK 317 SHOOTING THE SCENE 318 KEEPING ORGANIZED 320 CHAPTER 16: Audio Recording 326 INTRODUCTION 326 ANALOG VS DIGITAL 327 MICROPHONE TYPES 328 PREPPING AUDIO 329 ROLE OF THE SOUND TEAM ON SET BEFORE ACTION 331 RECORDING TO THE CAMERA 332 SYNC SOUND 332 BOOM HANDLING TECHNIQUES 334 RECORDING WITH A SHOTGUN MICROPHONE 335 USING LAVALIERS 336 WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS 338 AMBIENT SOUND 339 WORKING WITH EXTRAS 339 SOUND LOGS 340 CHAPTER 17: Hair and Makeup 342 INTRODUCTION 342 STRAIGHT MAKEUP 342 BUILDING A MAKEUP KIT 345 PROSTHETICS 345 SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP 346 HAIRSTYLING 347 ACTIVITY 347 CHAPTER 18: Craft Services and Catering 350 INTRODUCTION 350 CRAFT SERVICES 351 BREAKFAST 351 THROUGHOUT THE DAY 351 CATERING 353 TIPS FOR ON SET 354 UNIT 4: Postproduction 355 CHAPTER 19: Editing 358 INTRODUCTION 358 CONCEPTS OF EDITING 359 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHOTS 359 EDITING SYSTEMS 359 THE EDITING PROCESS 361 EDITING TECHNIQUES 365 EDITING TIPS 366 ACTIVITIES 368 CONTINUITY 368 CUTTING ON MOTION 369 MONTAGES 370 EDIT TYPES 370 USING TRANSITIONS 372 COLOR CORRECTION 372 TITLES AND GRAPHICS 373 COMPRESSION 373 CREDITS 374 CHAPTER 20: Digital Effects 376 INTRODUCTION 376 COMPOSITING 377 CHROMA KEY 380 THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANIMATION 383 CHAPTER 21: Postproduction Audio 384 INTRODUCTION 384 THE FIVE AUDIO TRACKS 385 MIXING THE AUDIO 390 M&E TRACKS 392 CHAPTER 22: Music 394 INTRODUCTION 394 STOCK MUSIC 395 USING COPYRIGHTED MUSIC 397 MUSIC LOOPS 398 WRITING ORIGINAL MUSIC 399 WORKING WITH MIDI 402 FINISHING THE SCORE 403 ACTIVITIES 404 UNIT 5: Distribution 405 CHAPTER 23: Distribution 408 INTRODUCTION 408 FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION 410 DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION 411 DISTRIBUTION CATEGORIES 413 ATTRACTING DISTRIBUTORS 413 PAYMENT 416 DELIVERABLES 417 FILM FESTIVALS 418 SELF-DISTRIBUTION 420 Index 426 # Paperback: 408 pages # Publisher: Focal Press; Pap/DVD edition (December 28,2007) # Language: English # ISBN-10: 024081021X # ISBN-13: 978-0240810218 Think big, spend little! Everything you need to make your movie is in this complete resource kit. **The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book shows you how to do the same, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional quality on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand. **The book includes: \* Coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing and directing to cinematography, acting, editing, and distribution. \* Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations show you how to make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources. **The DVD includes: \* Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed, independent film made for under $2,000 \* One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made...interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, producting, and editing \* Complete rough footage from a scene for editing practice \* Forms, contracts, and more resources \*The Producer's Notebook includes scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from "Time and Again." See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end. \* Blank contracts and forms that you can print out to use on your own film \* Everything you need to make a low-budget movie is in this complete resource kit. \* A complete kit that's a blueprint for making a professional-looking film for under $20,000. Includes a DVD packed with video tutorials, rough footage, important paperwork, contracts, movies, trailers, and more \* Learn how to get professional quality on a low budget, using the resources you have at hand.****** Think big, spend little! Everything you need to make your movie is in this complete resource kit. The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book shows you how to do the same, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional quality on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand. The book includes: * Coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing and directing to cinematography, acting, editing, and distribution. * Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations≤show you how to≤make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources. The DVD includes: * Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed, independent film made for under $2,000 * One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made ... interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, producting, and editing * Complete rough footage from a scene for editing practice * Forms, contracts, and more resources *The Producer's Notebook includes scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from "Time and Again." See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end. * Blank contracts and forms that you can print out to use on your own film * Everything you need to make a low-budget movie is in this complete resource kit. * A complete kit that's a blueprint for making a professional-looking film for under $20,000. Includes a DVD packed with video tutorials, rough footage, important paperwork, contracts, movies, trailers, and more * Learn how to get professional quality on a low budget, using the resources you have at hand

The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason J. Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book reveals the secrets to Jason’s system, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional results on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand.

The book includes:

* Complete coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing, directing, and cinematography, to acting, editing, and distribution.

* Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations for how you can make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources.

The DVD includes:

* Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed independent film made for under $2,000

* One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made...interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, producing, and editing

* Complete rough footage from a scene from Time and Again for editing practice

* Production Forms and legal contracts that you can print out to use on your own film

* Also includes, direct-from-the-set: scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from Time and Again. See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end.

Jason J. Tomaric is an Emmy-award winning director with two feature films, dozens of television commercials and several educational DVD series to his credit. He has taught in film schools across the country. Tomaric's directorial work has been honored over 14 times with Emmy, Telly, and the prestigious Golden CINE awards.

Think big, spend little! Everything you need to make your movie is in this complete resource kit.

The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book shows you how to do the same, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional quality on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand.

The book includes:
* Coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing, directing, and cinematography, to acting, editing, and distribution.
* Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations for how you can make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources.

The DVD includes:
* Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed independent film made for under $2,000
* One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made...interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, production, and editing
* Complete rough footage from a scene for editing practice
* Forms, contracts, and more resources
*The Producer's Notebook includes scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from "Time and Again." See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end.
* Blank contracts and forms that you can print out to use on your own film Think big, spend little! Everything you need to make your movie is in this complete resource kit. The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under 2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This book shows you how to do the same, regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional quality on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand. The book includes:* Coverage of the entire filmmaking process. It's all here, from writing, directing, and cinematography, to acting, editing, and distribution.* Step-by-step instructions, tips, diagrams, charts, and illustrations for how you can make a Hollywood-caliber movie on a next-to-nothing budget with little upfront money and access only to local resources. The DVD includes:* Time and Again, the profitable, award-winning, internationally distributed independent film made for under 2,000* One hour of video tutorials unveiling how the movie was made ... interviews and behind-the-scenes case studies on directing, production, and editing* Complete rough footage from a scene for editing practice* Forms, contracts, and more resources*The Producer's Notebook includes scripts, storyboards, schedules, call sheets, contracts, letters from the producer, camera logs and press kits from "Time and Again." See how the production was scheduled and organized, read the script, follow the storyboards and watch the production unfold from beginning to end. * Blank contracts and forms that you can print out to use on your own film The Power Filmmaking Kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and DVD package that empowers you to produce your own Hollywood-quality movie. Emmy-award winning director Jason J. Tomaric produced an independent film using only local resources for under $2,000 that not only got picked up for distribution, but is also used as a case study in top film schools. This kit reveals the secrets to Jason's system of producing high-quality movies regardless of your budget or location. You'll learn how to achieve professional results on a microbudget, using the resources you have at hand