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Top 7 Mistakes that New Filmmakers Make
By David Basulto
“Everybody's a filmmaker today.”

American producer, director, and screenplay writer John Milius made the remark during a 2003
interview. Many years later, there couldn't have been more truth to this statement as video cameras
became more compact, affordable, and high-quality that anyone interested enough can try their hand at
film making. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas make it look easy, but the whole process of producing
a film, even a short one takes a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Fortunately, film governing bodies around the world have over the years been actively holding
independent film festivals and other activities to support talented independent filmmakers and promote
their masterpieces. Today's film industry has indeed provided a more conducive atmosphere for
budding filmmakers to strut their stuff.

Not everyone has the talent and the skill for successful film production but at least everybody can try.
With experience comes learning but a little research can help you learn the ropes of independent film
making without having to commit the most common mistakes usually made by new filmmakers. Take a
look at the following sections for the Top 7 Mistakes New Filmmakers Make. Avoiding them is but a
choice. These tips can help you prevent wasting important time and effort in the course of your film
making process.

Top Mistake # 1 Taking on too many responsibilities

As artists, budding filmmakers have the tendency to want to take control of every aspect of film
production. There is the need to express themselves and execute their vision from the planning stage to
the production itself until the editing and distribution process. As a regular movie goer, you may have
noticed how long it takes for the credits to roll after each film. You may even be surprised how such a
short and simple film took a lot of crew members to produce.

Units are there for a reason. Veteran filmmakers can attest to this. If you are to dabble in all aspects of
the film production, the more the quality of your work is going to be affected. Given that you are
working on a limited budget, any new filmmaker should know to assume the role of director-
scriptwriter only. Learn to focus on as few responsibilities as possible.

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Hire people whose judgment you trust and whose vision complements yours and you are guaranteed to
come up with better work. If you have friends in the industry, you could try asking them to contribute
pro bono. In exchange, you can help them out with some of their projects as well. Assuming every role
possible is most likely to satisfy no one else but you.

Top Mistake # 2 Inadequate Planning

For an independent movie to be a success, the importance of the planning stage can not be stressed
enough. Some new filmmakers feel like just “going with the flow” and making spontaneous decisions
as they go, which they later discover, at a great expense. These amateurs put in so much of their time in
production when more experienced filmmakers actually spend around only 10% of their time in the
production stage itself.

A film's success is supported by many factors including the strength of its story and its overall quality.
The development stage is where the filmmaker plans everything down to the smallest detail - from
preproduction to the strategy that is going to be employed once the film is done. The screenplay is
scrutinized and assessed for what it's value is going to be onscreen. Casting and crew are also decided
upon during the preproduction stage. It is also the time to make an estimate of the total budget needed
for the whole production, as well as marketing strategies.

Tips and Tricks: Actors and Location

Another important skill of a successful filmmaker is the ability to encourage his actors' best
performance. Along with wardrobe and location mistakes, an error in casting or in the acting
itself is a common mistake in production. Not every filmmaker can afford professional actors. In
the case of new filmmakers, they usually ask friends or friends of friends to be their talents. To
be able to make the best of your availaable cast, take note of the following tips:
• Tone down theater actors. It is a misconception that a good theater performer also
makes a good movie actor. Theater actors are trained to make big movements and speak
in loud volumes for the benefit of audiences sitting at the back of the theater house.
Should you have no choice but to employ talents from theater, make sure their acting is
toned down.

• Hold auditions. Of course, you can not just throw your best buddy in front of the
camera. Hold auditions to get an idea on whom suits which role. If you have to, hold
auditions multiple times until you get the perfect persons to play your characters.

• Rehearse rehearse rehearse. Practice makes perfect, that will always be the golden
rule. Rehearse before you shoot so that you do not waste film (or camera battery)
because of dialogue mistakes. Rehearsing with your actors is also a good way to bond
with your talents and build a good relationship with people you are working with. It also
enables you to get a feel of how things are going to flow.

• Keep the pressure off. Allow some breathing space for your actors, especially the first-
timers. They are more likely to forget their lines or make mistakes when they are not
relaxed.

• Give specific directions. Instead of instructing one actor “You are very angry and
confused in this scene,” try something along the lines of “In this scene, your mom died,
several people are trying to talk to you at once, and you just broke your last cigarette in

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two.” Allow your actors to feel the emotion based on personal experiences instead of
urging them to try feeling the emotions. Because that exactly is what's gonna happen:
they are going to look like they are “trying” to emote.

Enough time should also be given to looking for a place or places to shoot. Considerations in
choosing locations include the shooting schedule, budget, and availability.

• Steer clear of your backyard. Unless your backyard has an enormous fountain or
features beautiful flowers. You could shoot there if the scene calls for a backyard
scene. Otherwise, look for an appropriate venue.

• Be realistic. Consider your characters' personalities when shooting in a house or a

bedroom. The background should be consistent with your character's personality,
taste, and age. If a friend allows you to use his bedroom for a shoot, make sure the
production designers do a bit of work so that it indeed looks like it is owned by your
character.

• It's okay to beg. Go around town and ask people for a place to shoot. You have nothing
to lose; the worst that could happen is you would be refused. Just make sure you
observe proper ethics and leave the place in the same condition as when you and your
crew arrived.

Preproduction skills are a necessity and should be possessed by any aspiring filmmaker or director.
Enough quality time should be given to preproduction, most of the time even more time than would be
alloted for production itself. Failure to do is likely to result in total waste of resources. If you strongly
feel that there is a genius in you and had to prove it, prepare an outline at the very least of how you plan
to get things done.

One common disease of amateur filmmakers is the “We'll fix it in post” attitude. When things do not go
according to plan, student and amateur filmmakers often make the mistake of thinking that any problem
can be fixed in post-production. The attitude undermines your production crew, as well as your post-
production unit. It signifies lack in preparation, discipline, skill, and creativity.

Top Mistake # 3 Message over Quality

Aspiring filmmakers join the industry for various reasons. But one of the main reasons why films exist
is to give quality entertainment to audiences. Some make the mistake of thinking that production is
king and take their “message” for granted. Likewise, the new filmmaker should also take time to
carefully consider the subjects or theme of his film.

In film festivals, the submission of documentaries is quite common. Serious topics covered by
documentaries serve good educational purposes but are not likely to earn you back the funds you used
for film production, perhaps unless you produce something as earth-shaking as Al Gore's “The
Inconvenient Truth.” They might win you awards and acclaim, which are not bad at all, but if you wish
to reach out to a larger audience, you should do well to postpone making a film about serious topics for
the moment.
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Failure to distinguish a weak script is a very common mistake among amateur filmmakers. The formula
for a successful screenplay is quite simple: there should be a compelling story. It is no longer and issue
of being original. In the movies, you have seen it all. It's how filmmakers treat their material which
distinguishes their work from those of the others. In relation to Mistake #2, plan your story properly,
write it down on paper if you have to, and make the necessary changes with the help of other people
before you start shooting.

The quality of a film also involves the overall impact of your masterpiece. Here, we are talking about
visual presentation. No matter how good your story is, no one would be interested to see it if you have
nothing special to offer. Today's audiences are more “visually sophisticated.” Professional filmmakers
like Steven Spielberg spend more time trying to bring quality into their film. They have mastered the
art of developing the message as the film making goes.

Tips and Tricks: Where to Get Film Ideas

• Historical events. Several successful movies are based on great historic events. They
usually revolve around well-known historic figures but sometimes, the lesser known
figures or events are being featured with the main event or person just part of the
background. A scriptwriter can also turn to the Bible and religion for material. There
are plenty of interesting Biblical characters yet to be seen on the big screen. You
could feature heroes or anti-heroes. History-based films, however, are more costly to
produce.

• Current events. Filmmakers take inspiration from current events all the time.
Sometimes, they alter the storyline a bit to make the stories more interesting. Other
times, the names of real people or some events are changed to produce a fictional
account. A concrete example of this is the 9/11 bombing attacks. The event, when it
happened eight years ago, inspired several filmmakers to produce movies about
terrorism and the bombings itself.

• Imagination. Story ideas can come from your very own imagination. Each person's
experiences are unique so you never know when a revolutionary idea might come to
you. Look back to everything that you have experienced and explore your deepest
thoughts. If you dream about something exciting, write about it the minute you wake
up so that you do not forget.

• Other Filmmakers. Just like musicians, filmmakers are inspired by other filmmakers,
too. Film discussions usually talk about how this movie is obviously influenced by so
and so...and there is nothing wrong with that. It is okay to be inspired by other
filmmakers and use some of their techniques and adding touches that are uniquely
yours. The film industry would not be here today if filmmakers did not continuously
develop film techniques.

• Dictionary/Encyclopedia. Believe it or not, a word you find in the dictionary or the

encyclopedia can be the source of a very good screenplay. Haven't there been movies
such as Doubt, Milk, Juno, Perfume, Unbreakable, and so on. Such simple words as
these have evolved into impressive films.

• Novels. Everyone knows that novels are among the top sources of movie ideas. Look at
the success of The Da Vinci Code, Green Mile, and many others. Of course, if you are
looking to adapt a novel into a movie, you have to deal with copyright laws, which

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could be costly, especially if you are just starting out. Try doing a story only patterned
after a certain boor or one with a slightly similar plot but with original characters.
• Surroundings. Take a look around you and observe people. There are certain
characters that will surely get your attention and you can start from there. Start by
conjuring up a fictional profile for one character. Where is she going? Did she have a
fight with her boyfriend last night? Anything is possible in fiction. Eventually, your
train of thought will lead you to places in your mind you never thought existed.

Top Mistake # 4 Poor Sound and Lighting

The lowest budgeted films are made to seem less like they were produced by amateurs with right
lighting. This aspect of film making, when properly executed, could do wonders for your amateur film.
Do not settle for just the kind of lighting available. It will only emphasize that you used a video camera
in making your film. Invest your money in hiring the services of a reliable lighting director – it will be
money well spent.

Tips and Tricks: Lighting

• Whether you are shooting a short film, a documentary, or an interview, placing your
lighting source directly in front of your main subject is a bad idea.
• You can never go wrong with using soft (diffuse) light source in front and a stronger,
directional light source coming from the back. The soft frontal light serves as the fill
light while the strong light at the back is called the backlight. The combination
produces a hot edge effect on your subject.
• The area not covered by both your backlight and the area illuminated by your fill light
can be left dark to match the mood you would like to establish. It could work in some
instances. However, filmmakers usually avoid leaving dark shadows on the faces of a
female actress.
• The backlight can be softer than usual. However, it should always be hotter than the
fill light.
• Lighting is arranged or rearranged as needed per shot. This is the reason why shooting
a film is such a tedious process. Every time a camera is relocated or re-angled, the
lights are moved as well so that the lighting quality stays consistent.
• Setting up lights properly takes a lot of time. Filmmakers could save time if they plan
their shots in such a way that the relocation of lights is minimized. Consult light set-
ups to plan the order of your shoots.
• A very useful trick: When shooting a scene that requires a shot and a reverse shot,
move the actors around for the reverse shot instead of relocating the camera and the
lights. All you have to do is move the camera to the other side of the eye-line to
maintain proper eye-line relationship. This way, you use the same lighting set up for
two or more shots. This trick works when the backgrounds of the two actors are not
distinctive. Be aware that the trick cannot be used at all times. However, it is a lot of
help when used in the right situation.

The same goes for audio quality. All those beautiful shots you took and the magnificent storyline you
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came up with will not be worth a dime if your sound quality turns out badly. A sound engineer with
some experience could surely come in handy while you are shooting your film.

Tips and Tricks: Sound Recording

• Pick the right microphone. A filmmaker must know what type of microphone to use
when shooting various scenes. To record high-quality sound when shooting on outdoor
locations, use an ultra-directional microphone. For interiors, directional microphones
will work fine. Non-directional microphones are better used for shooting in cramped
indoor locations. Multi-directional microphones pick up surrounding sounds in outdoor
locations but will pick up echoes indoors. A short shotgun condenser microphone is a
favorite by many professionals.

• Make sure the microphone is located close to the actor/s. The best position for a
dialogue microphone is overhead pointing downwards towards the subject's mouth. If
this is not possible, place the microphone below the edge of the frame, pointing
upwards toward the actor's mouth. Hide the mic from the camera by getting you
actor/s into position first then having the boom operator to dip the mic into the frame
then slowly lift it out of the frame. Set the level line. The technique is sure to produce
the best sound quality.
• Do re-takes. No matter how good your actors are, it helps to do re-takes once in a
while so that you are more likely to get a whole scene with the best possible sound
quality. This is how it works - it is rare for a single take to be flawlessly taken from
start to end. With multiple takes, you could easily cut a scene into sections and
combine only those that are of good quality. Retakes will come in handy in case any
unwelcome noise like a passing car or other sounds occur in between dialogues.

• Gather ambient sounds. Regardless of shooting location, make it a point to record at

least 30 second of ambient sound. This means 30 minutes of silence. The level of
silence differs in every set-up because ambient sounds depend partly on how close
actors are to the microphone.

• Disguise sound cuts. Do not align your sound cuts with video cuts. Most of the time, it
is necessary to for audio and video cuts to be staggered. To disguise the more obvious
sound cuts, align them with a louder sound i.e. dialogue. It is up to the filmmaker to
be creative enough to be able to hide sound cuts.

• Hire an experienced boom operator. It goes without saying that you should work with
a competent boom operator. He should be able to hold the boom pole without moving
his hands along the pole. Boom microphones are sensitive and can pick up the slightest
noise. Boom operators should also take of rings and jewelry.

• Skip the onboard microphone. Do not settle, and if possible, forget about using a
microphone mounted on the camera altogether. The shoot will be easier but the sound
quality will surely be compromise sound quality. Onboard microphones are located too
far from the actors and will be likely to produce echoes and unwanted noise.

Top Mistake # 5 Not using a tripod and other camera mistakes

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Even though you are using just a video camera in shooting for your new film, use a tripod unless you
are planning something along the lines of “The Blair Witch Project.” Video cameras are lighter than
your average professional film making camera so a long scene will surely leave the hands of your
cameraman shaking. “Shaky”shots are the ultimate trademark of a film shot using a video camera. A
tripod helps greatly in minimizing unnecessary camera movement during a shoot. Think of your
camera as if it's 30 seconds heavier and treat camera movements like professional camera crews.

If you've had some experience with film production, you've probably seen how sometimes, the director
accidentally leaves the camera running after a shoot. During the editing stage, he will be surprised to
see that the camera has been left running for several minutes after shooting a scene. Worse even, what
if you actually pressed “Stop” just before you start recording a scene? Both scenarios are a filmmaker's
nightmare. Make sure you tap the little red “Record” button the proper way each time. Always double
check.

Tips and Tricks: Storyboard Construction

An essential part of preproduction is the creation of storyboards to better prepare for your
camera shots. Once you have evaluated your screenplay and have developed a clear visual
picture of how you want to interpret the story, you can then start putting your ideas into
individual storyboard panels.

Storyboards contain rough images of how the director wishes each scene is to be shot. They do
not have to include all film images, just the essential parts. The storyboard should contain
your ideas of what should make up each shot and from what angle it should be taken. It is also
important to known beforehand whether you will be shooting a movie for TV or for theaters.

• Break down your script. Turning a script into a screenplay is no easy feat. It takes
time, skill, and perseverance. Start by breaking down your script into small shots.
Decide what you want to convey with each shot then transform your idea into
storyboard panels. Seeing the storyboard makes an overwhelming task such as creating
a film feel more manageable.
• Assess each shot. Think of all the elements that is going to be involved in the shot
while preparing a storyboard. For each panel, consider the location setting, the
number of actors needed for the particular shot, the inclusion of vehicles and other
props, the type of shot you plan to use, the camera angle, and the movement of
actors or vehicles. Other important considerations include camera movement, special
lighting needed, and special effects, if needed.
• Create a shot list. New filmmakers can choose to storyboard every shot or just those
that require special attention and planning. Create a list of all the scenes that you
think needs special planning and translate them into separate storyboard panels. It is
not uncommon to feel a sudden burst of inspiration to arrive while already shooting.
You can always try out a new shot if you can afford it.

• Start constructing the panels. Prepare the panels for your storyboard. They are
basically boxes or frames containing your envisioned illustration of a shot. The shape
and dimension of each panel differs according to whether you are planning a film to
be showed on TV or in theaters. Art and business shops sell ready-made storyboard
panels in different format sizes. If you wish to save money, you can always prepare
blank panels before working on your storyboard.

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Storyboard panels differ according to the medium wherein the planned film is going to be
exhibited. Theatrical feature-film storyboards are twice as wide as TV screens and are
rectangular. TV storyboards are almost square. In preparing your blank panels, use thick black
borders about half an inch wide to give distinction to each panel as a separate shot. Place a
once-inch empty box under each of the panels. In these boxes, you can later write down
descriptions, scene numbers, special effects dialogue, camera directions, and other
instructions to guide you as you shoot.

Top Mistake # 6 Failure to Get Clearances... or Protect Your Intellectual Property

If you are doing a commercial film, do not forget to get the proper licenses and clearances for any
copyrighted material included in your movie, especially music. Do not believe that you can get away
with playing a Beatles song in the background for at least eight seconds – that is an urban legend.
Failure to get clearances will hinder your plans to sell the movie. This goes for all the music tracks you
use. If, for example, you are including some material about a prominent person, dead or alive, such as
a bio or any reference to that person at all, clearance should also be obtained.

Meanwhile, new filmmakers should not forget to protect their own intellectual property rights as well.
Once the film you have been working on is done, register copyright with the US Copyright Office.
Taking this trip will save you possible legal battles in the future. Registering copyright for your work
costs only a few dollars.

Getting your film copyrighted means that you are protected should a writing credit dispute ensue in the
future (i.e. if someone rewrites a material you sold) and that you will be entitled to higher damages
should you find yourself in the midst of an infringement suit for copyrighted work.

Top Mistake # 7 No Marketing Strategy

Making an amateur film is a lot of work, but it is just half of it. Once you get your film done, what are
you going to do next? Film promotion and distribution can be quite costly, so before you start shooting,
a significant portion of the budget should be laid out for marketing. With the marketing aspect
finalized, allow these plans to guide you all throughout the movie making process.

Industry experts advise new filmmakers to get their movie heard of.. not seen. Not only is the latter a
mountainous task for those who are not Peter Jackson or Spielberg, but there is now a powerful media
to support the cause of the new filmmaker: the Internet. Join forums for movie enthusiasts like you.
Use social media sites llike MySpace , YouTube, and Facebook to post your movie trailer. On
Facebook, you can even create a Fan Page or a group. Ask peers for a review and post them on blog
sites. Free services like Wordpress and Blogspot can serve your purpose.

The options are endless with the Internet media. If your movie is good, chances that news about it will
spread like wildfire in the online community. Once word reaches the ears of Hollywood bigwigs, they
might just offer you a three-picture deal than when they actually see it, which is difficult to do to begin
with.
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Aside from the Internet, you can also promote your film by entering film festivals. Film festivals are
the best places to get your movie noticed. If you actively participate in festivals like these, even as a
regular moviegoer, you may already have an idea how they go. Festival screenings add publicity to
your amateur film. They usually open categories for young and budding artists. You can join festivals
abroad and make an entry alongside other foreign films. If you have not ever attended a festival, go to
at least one. The Cannes Film Festival in France, held annually, is said to be the mother of all film
festivals. Any self-respecting film maker makes it a point to go to, and if possible, join Cannes.

Tips and Tricks: Film Festivals

• Socialize. Budding film makers tend to think that film festivals are all about the
prestige and reputation. Maybe they are, too, but more than that, the main reason
why film festivals are organized is to provide a venue for filmmakers and movie
enthusiasts to socialize with each other. Although some have seen success by initially
joining festivals, do not rely too much on these events to build your career as a
filmmaker. Instead, grab the chance to get acquainted with other filmmakers. You
never know what you can learn from them. You can also take the chance to introduce
yourself and share your insights.

• Submit your film really early. The closer to the deadline you submit your final
product, the less likely it is going to be included in the lineup of films to be screened
in the duration of the festival. It is only in theory that late submissions will be treated
the same way as those that came in early. A week or two after a festival starts
accepting entries is the best time to make your submission. In any case, keep track of
all film festivals you would like to join by keeping a calendar. If you are just wrapping
up your film and the deadline is already approaching, it would be a better idea to save
your entry for the following year.

• Keep your short film short. If you are entering your work under the Short Film
category, make sure it does not run longer than 30 minutes. This is usually the
maximum running time allowed by film festivals. Unless you have a justifiable reason
to keep your film longer than 30 minutes, the film festival will impose penalties on
your work. Film festivals want to screen as many films as possible so they are likely to
exclude long short films. They are more likely to welcome five-minute shorts because
it means more filmmakers will be present.

• Start marketing your film at the festival. Once your entry has been accepted, start
preparing for a marketing campaign prior to the screening date/s. If you have
participated in a film festival before, you may have noticed how filmmakers promote
their works through giving out flyers and postcards. Though everyone does it, it is an
effective way to attract an audience. Film enthusiasts are constantly looking for the
next interesting film to watch.

• Never allow sneak peeks. Allowing film festival screening distributors to get a sneak
peek of your film earlier than others reduces your chances of selling your movie
commercially, if the particular distributor turns you down. Instead, have all
prospective film distributors view your film at the same time. Make your wishes clear
to film festival screeners.

There are several mistakes any filmmaker could make, most of them you can never really prepare for.
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What matters is you ensure that each error you commit becomes an important lesson to build your
career on. Even the best directors of all time have seen the biggest failures of their lives before they
earned reputation and respect.

Thus, a new film maker should not be afraid to make mistakes. Sometimes, mistakes even give way to
new discoveries and more amazing things. If you find yourself at fault, it does not mean that it is time
for you to throw your black beret. Always be alert and ready to welcome new lessons about how it is
done. Be bold enough to explore new techniques, try new things, and take advantage of opportunities.
As you make more films, you eventually learn when to make plans and when is the best time to become
adventurous and unleash the film genius in you.

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