Making a film is hard, especially if you're a broke college student. It takes a lot of coordination, hard work, and cooperation. But it also takes much more, so here are 5 things that are absolutely vital to making a student film.
1. Ingenuity
When making a student film, there are many things that are likely to go wrong. Afterall, you are just an amateur. So, its extremely important that you have the ingenuity and ability to improvise.
You'd be surprised how much watching MacGyver can add to this ability. When I was making my student film, I used rubber bands to hold the costumes together, using a headband as a crown and wrapping paper as a background. #macgyvering at its finest!
Also, if you're kind of cheap like I am, improvising can be the best thing in the world!
2. A righthand man
When making a student film, or any other project, it helps to have someone to help keep you on track. Put that one friend who is already bossy to good use!
When your mind is all over the place with background design, costumes, and communicating the vision in your head to those around you, there is nothing better than that one person whose sole role is to support you and keep everything in line.
When recruiting this person make sure you don't offend them by calling them bossy, you want them on your side remember? Instead, sincerely appeal to their assertiveness and ability to handle people. Remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3. A tech guy
Another vital thing needed when making a student film is that one friend who is super into cameras and more than willing to lend a hand. When I was filming my student film I asked basically my best friend's whole family to come fill parts and help me film it.
I specifically asked if her brother would be my cameraman. I had my own camcorder, so I didn't expect for him to bring his own, but he's super into photography and his camera was much better quality than mine. At the end of everything, I was extremely grateful he was willing to use his and help me.
4. Endurance (and snacks!)
Sometimes the process of filmmaking can take hours or days. During that time you've got to keep your spirits up until the end, and what better way to keep your spirits up than to eat snacks! Now don't go overboard, but remember that sometimes in order to endure, we may also need to indulge.
Plus, food makes most people happy, so if your crew is getting tired of all the hard work they've been doing, perk 'em up with some tasty treats!
5. A good video editor
Finally, when making a student film, the editor that you use can make all the difference. It is extremely important that your editor is free (if you're cheap like me), and easy to use.
You've already put so much effort into getting everything filmed and by the time you get to the editing part, you're pretty tired. Having to deal with a frustrating editor system will only take away from the joy you're starting to feel at being almost done with your film.
So chose wisely, and get to editing!
Overall, remember these five things and hopefully it'll be smooth sailing! Enjoy the cooperation and take pride in the final product, as it wasn't easy getting there! Feel free to comment things that you found to be vital when making your own student film or anything else student film related!
