The Dos and Don'ts of Successful Filmmaking

347 Pages·2021·9.545 MB·English

by  Patrick Winters

The Dos and Don’ts of
Successful Filmmaking
Mistakes are easy to make, but often difficult to undo. The greater the knowl-
edge and experience a filmmaker has, the fewer mistakes are made by them.
This introductory-level guide to filmmaking teaches effective preproduction,
production and postproduction with a focus on many of the common mis-
takes made and how to avoid them.
Filled with practical advice and information on the process of successfully
making a film, Patrick Winters guides you through the whole process from
preproduction to postproduction, teaching how to plan a shoot, accomplish
that shoot and then follow the steps needed to edit and mix your film, high-
lighting key considerations and potential pitfalls to avoid along the way. The
book covers everything from getting your story production ready, securing
funding and budgeting appropriately, casting actors, assigning crew members,
developing production design, shooting efficiently and effectively, technical
and aesthetic camera and lighting choices, sound considerations, picture and
sound editing and mixing, to the final stages of distribution and exhibition.
Drawing on Winters’ years of filmmaking and teaching experience, this book
provides you with all the technical and aesthetic knowledge required to make
a film, highlights common mistakes to avoid, and explains where to put your
time and money into where it shows, resulting in a successfully made film that
will stand out from the crowd.
A combination of what to do and what not to do, this is ideal for introductory-l evel
filmmaking students, as well as independents just starting out.
The online support material includes deal memo templates, walkie-talkie
lingo, camera and sound reports, first AD roll call, distribution and exhibition
and additional information on booming.
Patrick Winters has worked in the film business for 25 years and has taught
filmmaking for the last 13 years in New Zealand and the United States. He has
experience working on short films, documentaries and major motion pictures
including Good Will Hunting, Psycho (remake), Finding Forrester, To Die For and
Far from Heaven. He especially likes the challenge of stretching film budgets
to achieve the highest production value possible. He is currently operating
his own postproduction studio and is the author of Sound Design for Low & No
Budget Films.

The Dos and Don’ts of
Successful Filmmaking
Common Mistakes and How
to Avoid Them
Patrick Winters
Cover images: © Shutterstock
First published 2022
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2022 Patrick Winters
The right of Patrick Winters to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by
them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Winters, Patrick (Patrick O.), author.
Title: The dos and don’ts of successful filmmaking : common mistakes and
how to avoid them / Patrick Winters.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2022. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021027403 (print) | LCCN 2021027404 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367369736 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367369743 (paperback) |
ISBN 9780429352133 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Motion pictures—Production and direction.
Classification: LCC PN1995.9.P7 W56 2022 (print) |
LCC PN1995.9.P7 (ebook) | DDC 791.4302/32—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021027403
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021027404
ISBN: 978-0-367-36973-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-36974-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-429-35213-3 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9780429352133
Typeset in Giovanni
by codeMantra
Access the Support Material: www.routledge.com/9780367369743
Contact author at [email protected]
To my life partner, Patti Winters,
whose support and encouragement
have made it possible for me to write this book.
Also, to Garrett Winters and Teresa Winters and
the many students that I have had the
pleasure to teach and to learn from.

Contents
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments & Credits xix
PREPRODUCTION 1
1 INTRODUCTION 3
Purpose: What This Book Is About 3
Audience: Who This Book Is For 4
Outcome: What You Can Expect to Learn 4
Considerations: How to Approach a Project 5
Projects: What Stories Are Worth Telling 5
Layout: How This Book Is Organized 6
2 STORY & SCRIPT 7
Introduction 8
Rights 8
The Concept 9
Genre 10
Theme 11
Three-Act Structure 11
Characters 13
Character Arc 14
Dialogue 14
Voice-over 16
Loglines & Synopsis 16
Treatment (Three-Act Structure, Plot Points, Subplots) 17
Outline or Step Outline 17
Beat Sheet 18
viii CONTENTS
Scriptment 18
Script 19
Script Format 19
Feedback & Revisions 22
Kill Your Darlings 24
Shooting Script & Conformed Script 24
Tips 24
3 FUNDING & BUDGETING 26
Funding 26
Pitch 27
Beg, Borrow & Acquire 28
Proof of Concept 29
Talent & Crew–Paid or Volunteer 30
Budgeting 31
Budget Breakdown 32
Budget Topsheet 32
Deliverables 33
Meals & Transportation 34
Production Equipment 35
4 CAST 36
Casting Director 37
Casting Call 37
Casting & Auditions 39
Actors Auditioning 40
Callbacks 41
Minors 41
Extras 42
Casting Name Actors 44
Stand-Ins 45
Actor Responsibilities 45
Continuity 47
Contracts/Deal Memos 47
Confidentiality 48
Actor Tips 48
5 CREW 50
Introduction 50
Team 51
Interviews, Résumés & Work Samples 51
CONTENTS ix
Positions 52
Production Crew 52
Postproduction Crew 60
Contracts 62
6 PRODUCTION DESIGN 63
Introduction 64
Location, Location, Location 65
Color or Black & White 66
Color Psychology 67
Costume/Wardrobe 67
Makeup & Hair 68
Sets 71
Visual Effects (VFX) & Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) 74
Props (Properties) 75
Set Decorating & Dressing 76
Artworks 77
Tests 78
Tips 78
PRODUCTION 79
7 DIRECTING 81
Introduction 81
Concept Book or Look Book 82
Concept Art 83
Storyboards 83
Shot List 84
Location Scouting or Reconnaissance (Recce) 85
Casting 86
Table Read 86
Rehearsals 86
Blocking 87
Directing Approaches 88
Acting Styles 88
Working with Actors 89
Doing Business 91
Fights & Intimacy 91
Working with the Producer 92
Working with the First Assistant Director (1st AD) 93
Working with the Crew 93