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Can I use curses and obscenities in my film? What's the best place to shoot my film? Where do I get actors for my film? Where can I get a camera for my film? Will I need to get a digital camera for this project? Do I have to have an expensive multimedia computer to edit my film? Won't my classmates who have access to expensive equipment be able to make better films than I can? • Can I use curses and obscenities in my film? back to top While the ultimate decision for this is up to your teacher, we suggest that you don't employ "colorful" language. It might limit the audience for your film, and it might get your teacher in hot water. That doesn't mean that the characters can't speak like normal people, but you should try to tone down the language. • What's the best place to shoot my film? back to top If weather permits, try to work outside as much as you can. Outdoor work eliminates most lighting problems and can provide some interesting settings. Be careful about background noise if you are going to use natural sound. • How much should I shoot? back to top While professional filmmakers sometimes use a ratio of 50:1 on film shot versus film used, we suggest that you limit the ratio to no more than 5:1. So for a 5-minute film, plan on shooting about 25 minutes of video. • Where do I get actors for my film? back to top People are natural hams and are more willing than you might think to act in a movie, so don't hesitate to ask your friends, relatives, or neighbors to take a part in the film. You can promise them a copy of the finished product as payment. • Where can I get a camera for my film? back to top The best way to locate a camera is to ask around. Lots of people (relatives, friends, neighbors) have cameras that they rarely use - ask if they might lend one to you. There are even some one-use cameras for sale at certain big drug stores. • Will I need to get a digital camera for this project? back to top The best way to locate a camera is to ask around. Lots of people (relatives, friends, neighbors) have cameras that they rarely use - ask if they might lend one to you. There are even some one-use cameras for sale at certain big drug stores. • Do I have to have an expensive multimedia computer to edit my film? back to top While digital cameras are pretty amazing and will save you lots of time, even old VHS camcorders can make fine films. You'll have to convert the analog signal into a digital one, but most computer editing software programs will allow you to do this. • Won't my classmates who have access to expensive equipment be able to make better films than I can? back to top While modern digital editing makes life easier, all you really need to edit your film is a camera that can play back your video and a video recorder to record it. There will be a lot of pausing and button pushing, but it can work. |
