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DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories General Steps to Making a Short Film (2-3 minutes in length): 1. Brainstorm Gather a group of people who are interested in creating a short film and start talking over ideas. Put everything out there and don’t be shy—the more ideas, the better. Think of story lines, people to interview, personal stories and details! 2. Write Write out a script before starting to film. It is extremely important to know where the story starts, rises, falls and ends. If there is no lines being spoke and it is an interview/documentary style research will have to be done first on the topic. Think of questions that lead to your thematic story line and make sure they are open ended. Focus on feelings (love, hate, happy, sad), 5 w’s (who, what, where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. Storyboard Creating a storyboard* allows for a visual aid of major sequencing. It allows one to see what to film ahead of time, from what direction and framing—to know more about what needs to be scripted. Storyboards do not have to be works of art but do help to aid in direction before filming. 4. Obtaining Equipment Having the latest-greatest-expensive equipment is not needed to create a short film. There are so many options these days—a person’s options are limitless. If a person has a digital camera with video mode, video camcorder, flip camera (HD or not), iphone video they are set. Another option is to take still photos and put them together to make a stop motion film. It is all about knowing the quality of equipment and using it to one’s advantage. If one tries to create a high end film on a camera meant to take photos, that will not look so good but if you go for more of a vintage look it will etc... One thing highly recommended is a sound recording device that is external from the video recorder. Most video recorders have poor sound quality and an external source is needed. Sound devices run anywhere from $10-$30 on the cheap side. As for lighting—natural light will be your best friend and incandescent bulbs will also be a good friend. Don’t film under fluorescent lighting. 5. Actors/Interviewees Finding actors and people with stories to share is extremely important. Not everyone is a good actor or good interviewee--that is okay. Find people who are excited and are comfortable in front of the camera (it will show). Also, make sure everyone signs off on a release form* if they are being filmed. Page 1 of 2 The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts • 138 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02111

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Page 1: DioMass Film Project · DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories ... where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. ... that will not look so good but if you go for

DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories

General Steps to Making a Short Film (2-3 minutes in length): 1. Brainstorm Gather a group of people who are interested in creating a short film and start talking over ideas. Put everything out there and don’t be shy—the more ideas, the better. Think of story lines, people to interview, personal stories and details! 2. Write Write out a script before starting to film. It is extremely important to know where the story starts, rises, falls and ends. If there is no lines being spoke and it is an interview/documentary style research will have to be done first on the topic. Think of questions that lead to your thematic story line and make sure they are open ended. Focus on feelings (love, hate, happy, sad), 5 w’s (who, what, where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. Storyboard Creating a storyboard* allows for a visual aid of major sequencing. It allows one to see what to film ahead of time, from what direction and framing—to know more about what needs to be scripted. Storyboards do not have to be works of art but do help to aid in direction before filming. 4. Obtaining Equipment Having the latest-greatest-expensive equipment is not needed to create a short film. There are so many options these days—a person’s options are limitless. If a person has a digital camera with video mode, video camcorder, flip camera (HD or not), iphone video they are set. Another option is to take still photos and put them together to make a stop motion film. It is all about knowing the quality of equipment and using it to one’s advantage. If one tries to create a high end film on a camera meant to take photos, that will not look so good but if you go for more of a vintage look it will etc... One thing highly recommended is a sound recording device that is external from the video recorder. Most video recorders have poor sound quality and an external source is needed. Sound devices run anywhere from $10-$30 on the cheap side. As for lighting—natural light will be your best friend and incandescent bulbs will also be a good friend. Don’t film under fluorescent lighting. 5. Actors/Interviewees Finding actors and people with stories to share is extremely important. Not everyone is a good actor or good interviewee--that is okay. Find people who are excited and are comfortable in front of the camera (it will show). Also, make sure everyone signs off on a release form* if they are being filmed.

Page 1 of 2

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts • 138 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Page 2: DioMass Film Project · DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories ... where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. ... that will not look so good but if you go for

DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories

General Steps to Making a Short Film (2-3 minutes in length): 6. Create Start creating the short film! If filming is the medium of choice, take many shots from multiple angles and at far away and close up. The more options a person has for editing the better. If still shots are the medium of choice, take lots of photos (more than you think). To create stop motion. Keep the camera on a tripod and take a photo then movie the object a little bit and take another photo and so on. Keep the camera still and move the object across the frame or move the camera with the object and follow it in the frame. Have fun! The order in which to shoot the short film doesn’t matter just make sure to get the entire scene. 7. Edit Be bold with edits. Make sure to cut anything that is not needed. Remember to be concise, succinct and to the point. Add levels to the film. Meaning when someone is being interview don’t just have a talking head, cut to other images that describe what they are saying, have music quietly playing in the background. Use raw sounds and images—be creative and most of all—have fun! *extra resources like storyboards and release forms will be available online and also in paper form in the workshop package.

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The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts • 138 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Page 3: DioMass Film Project · DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories ... where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. ... that will not look so good but if you go for

DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories

Video Storyboard Page ___ of ___

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts • 138 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Page 4: DioMass Film Project · DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories ... where, when and why) and detailed telling of the story. 3. ... that will not look so good but if you go for

DioMass Film Project Capturing Our Stories

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts • 138 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts 02111