Introduction
Before filming, you need to create a plan to help realize your vision. This step is referred to as pre-production and includes all steps that must be taken before filming.
Resources
Preproduction
Finding Music
In order to create a project that can be widely shared and entered into filmmaking competitions it is essential that you secure the rights to original music.
You should reach out to local musicians on social media, or in person to request music usage and synchronization rights for using their music in a music video. By having rights permissions, you protect yourself and your time. There is nothing more disappointing than completing a project, only to have the artist take away their permission to use their music.
Scripting
The first step in the filmmaking process is coming up for the idea for you video, and then formalizing it into a script. Scripts can take on a number of formats, from a highly specific Hollywood style script, a two column script, or a simple shot list.
For this exercise, I am asking that you create a shot list. Given the musical nature of the project, you will want to note specific timings for different shot as they align with the music
Storyboarding
To help your team pre-visualize your vision, it can be helpful to create sketches to demonstrate framing and camera angles. These drawings do not need to be fully realized or be photorealistic to convey meaningful information to your team. For the purposes of this project, I would not spend more than an hour creating these storyboards. (I make this specific note to discourage artists from spending too much time on sketching which is not the focus of this assignment)
Assignment
- Find and secure the rights to original music. If you are unable to find local musicians who will grant you permission, you can consult works that entered the public domain (recordings made 101 years ago), or works given freely to the public domain
- Create a shotlist tied to the timing of specific portions of the film
- Storyboard at least 10 shots of the film.
- Ensure diversity in framing, depth of focus, and camera angle to create dynamism in your video.
- Upload your shotlist and storyboards to the discussion below. Comment below your group members’ submission so that I can award points.