VF48Hours Forum

Nice compilation, Dylan. Cheers.

I think this sums up a lot:
http://nofilmschool.com/2015/03/15-common-mistakes-amateur-filmmakers-make-fix

in reply to dramamike:

That list is so accurate. Everyone should read it, think for a while, and really internalise it.

I still kick myself for the white walls in my 2010 short. We went to like 3 completely different locations and because of white wall syndrome they looked like the same place. So much wasted effort. (Never mind the terrible meandering story with no payoff, which was an even bigger problem. )

I can probably find several solid examples of failures on all these counts just from my own shorts.

in reply to themorgan:

I felt the same- it was like 'Yep, I did that', 'I've seen that'...

Story is king, but it if you can't hear the story or see the story then the king is without a throne.

They're right to put weak story at #1. We've all been there time and time again (even the big teams everyone is usually so impressed by). It's rife in the comp. We'll all go there are again in the future. And it's the one thing that we all could do better, because it doesn't require any flashy technology or special location or difficult technique, just our brains and a pen.

The point about good casting is well made, but in the 48 Hrs situation, we usually have little choice about our acting pool. So I recommend going in the opposite direction: as part of prep, make a summary of all your significant acting talent, with photos, lists of interesting things they can do (speak French, play the ukulele, tap dance, juggle babies, whatever) or can't do (ride a bike, sing or dance (vital to know if you get 'musical'), whatever). Have that list available to the writers on Friday night, so they can potentially write characters to suit those actors' abilities.

The same is true of locations: if you have a farm available, or an office, or a kindergarten, or whatever, the writers need to know that. Again, photos are a big help.

in reply to clang:

The way we deal with this issue is simply select our actors, then write characters that are achievable.
We also scout a couple of locations that have some options and then write for them, no matter what we get.

I work with primary school kids so best thing has been yep Story is King and stick to a basic Beginning, Middle and End:)) Easier said
than done:))

Heads Up! Very Important!!

I'm Craig Storey the Otago/Southland Manager & filmgeek, and I'm conducting a series of a tight, informative, theory & practical workshops for anyone, anyone at all, who is interested in developing, expanding or discovering the necessary skillsets, procedures and behaviours to make a Successful Film Unit, one ideally suited for the Rialto Channel 48Hours Film-making Competition.

One Day Development Workshop. Sat 11th April 9.30am-3.30pm
Lotus College, 40 Clyde Street, Roseneath, DUNEDIN. $20 pp.
Don't worry if you cant make this one, there will be others.
If you want one in your region, please advise me soonest,
I am happy to come to you.

In these condensed workshops we will:

‘Drill Down’ into the story, the genre, plot and sub-plot and how to create a character based film.
How to use Colour, Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup to communicate in film-language.
On set/ on location behaviour for safety, speed and best practice.
Working under pressure, to deadline, time management..
Storyboards, communicating and acquisition of your vision.
Sound and Sound Effects. Video and Optical effects.
The Crew, Protocol, Respect and Functionality,
Acting, Staging, Blocking out.

It’s a lot to cover, and I do move quickly.
So come prepared, bring a notebook, pens, food to share, water.
A camera ( a cell-phone camera will be adequate)

Signal your interest directly to secure your place.
48hoursdunedin@gmail.com or Txt 0210 665 798

in reply to DylanReeve:

Cheers:))

Amazing compilation. "The way we deal with this issue is simply select our actors, then write characters that are achievable." You couldn't have put it any better.

Agree. "The point about good casting is well made, but in the 48 Hrs situation, we usually have little choice about our acting pool." acting pool generally requires substantial amount of time and this is what usually gets things in trouble. Images and photos are a great help for writers.