How Do I Make a Film From Scratch?: Blog Series Overview

27 Deep Movie Poster

INTRO

If you are here, it is likely because you want to make a film but have no clue where to start. If you are here for another reason, amazing-keep coming back for that reason, too. If that reason is temporary, I hope you find another reason in this blog. Anyway, this is the first post of a new series discussing how to make a film from scratch. You may think you already know enough to begin or even complete your film. Fortunately, you are mistaken. Your foolish arrogance will beget eternal iMovie editing problems and writer's block. Ok I'm joking. I would never wish that on anyone. Plus, after you read this article, you will learn when and why you need to upgrade your video editing software. That way, we can suffer together over Adobe Premiere GPU rendering errors.

In all seriousness, you probably possess some creative inspiration and technical experience but crave direction. I can empathize. When I decided to produce my first film, 27 Deep, I started with a vision and some amateur video editing skills. I believed that was a solid foundation and that I could figure out the rest later. I was right. Therefore, you should just go for it. Good luck! Tell me how it goes (my email is way down there)👇. I am rooting for you. Bye.

If you are quick-witted, you may suspect the series did not unceremoniously end in two paragraphs. I bet you are brilliant and saw right through my charade (I am proud to call you one of my loyal readers). In actuality, the series is just beginning. Long story made symbolically short before I elongate it again: film production is complicated. Especially initially, it is often grueling, confusing, and frustrating. But what may be less apparent is that a "just go for it" attitude will get you through those difficulties. Do not fret, though: this is also fun. And it is incredibly fun once you know what you are doing. As you read this blog series, you will inevitably ask yourself if you are having too much fun. Rest assured, there is no such thing.

Now with that out of the way, let's speed through the series breakdown. Your time is valuable. After all, you have films to film:

"...What is more important? The result or the method?...

SERIES GOAL

The series' goal is to give you a basic idea of how to approach the indie filmmaking process from the producer perspective. It is all about skillfully doing more with less. You can scale up when Flixnet, Marapount-, and OBH call (no free advertising here). However, this does not mean you will be sacrificing quality. Doing more with less is the maximization of quality, and you are going to be a star at quality maximization.

...And congratulations, you have made it to the first major question of the series! What is more important? The result or the method? I am a firm believer that the method takes priority, ESPECIALLY in the beginning. It is great to experience goal-oriented success, but if you do not fortify your processes, you will find it extremely difficult to replicate your triumphs. I will attempt to universally apply that thinking in this series.

Regardless of the topic we are discussing, always try to take lessons that will be transferrable to other situations. You might come to this series searching for a singular answer. When you leave, I want you to be more confident on the issues you have not yet encountered. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood independent producer consultant. I swing through the unknown and then tell you all about it-seems like a great deal to me! As pesky challenges wiz by your head, I make sure you get to your new home safely. (Because your completed film will make you enough money to buy a new house while your uncompleted one might result in the seizure of your home-then you would have no home).

SERIES TOPICS

In this series, we will focus on three broad technical categories of filmmaking: Pre-production, Production, and Post-production. As someone who taught himself how to wade through these stages of production, I will provide with you a pathway for doing the same. How do you get your film off the ground? What do you do when the unexpected happens? What technical skills do you need to maximize the potential of your film? We will tackle these together, my friend.

Now, those subjects are crucial, but they are nothing unless you have the correct overall approach. For this reason, the series will also feature a handy Mentality section. You will quickly find as an independent producer that your mentality is the death or success of your project. How do you maintain a productive mindset throughout this process? What are signs of progress or stagnation? What type of help should you accept or deny? Are you dealing with writer's block? The biggest problems are the ones you cannot see yet, and your response will determine everything.

Starting to feel overwhelmed by all of these impending unanswered questions? Try not feeling that way!... Welp if that didn't work, how about reading my articles instead?? How can you not be enthused about this blog series? All the loyal readers are excited. I can sense the energy. If you are skeptical, maybe you need to read our latest article. Who knows, it might be the best blog post you have ever read. Or, maybe the first article of the series will captivate you. Perhaps you need more motivation: What if one of the articles is searching for you? You will never know until you click…

This article is written by Andrew Stephens.

IG: @a_drewstephens

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