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Lando2

So I posted an ad on kijiji looking for people interested in making a short film based on some video games. We just had our first meeting but only 6 people showed up and I feel they left a bit skeptical as we are pretty young and we just sorta winged the meeting (It was just a get together). I sent out an email today with roles that were almost finalized for our 10 minute short that will hopefully done by the end of the month.

My problem: Keeping interest and finding location. I have 12 people on a contact list that seem interested but haven't gotten much feedback from my emails and I am wondering how our next meeting will turn out.

We have 3 scripts completed and I sent out our first one last night with an opening for suggestions or comments. Most of the people that actually came out had little knowledge of video games so I explained that although they may not get the jokes, they are definitely funny.

I'm looking for a location to shoot the terrorist compound but I'm not quite sure where to start. It'll just be a storage facility or factory type look. Should I just drive around the city and ask to check out peoples buildings or how should I go about finding a spot? We are hoping to just take a solid weekend to do everything so I wouldn't know where to begin when asking for a quote and location is the only obstacle right now. Even if others don't show up, I plan to just do it with whoever does.

Suggestions?
 
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You probably have no budget, working like that, no one expects to get paid. They expect to have fun. They probably don't want to do too much "work". So you need to do it. You need to have the plan, as the director/producer. Every production meeting needs to have a purpose, it CAN NOT seem like you're winging it. Same goes for every day on set. You need to have locations mapped out, shot lists completed, batteries charged, water coolers filled, ANY THING that may be needed needs to be ready to go when you say action.
You can and should have department heads in charge of this, people that you trust to get it done.
It's good to take suggestions from your crew, but don't plan on them helping too much creatively. You need to have a script done and ready, then take suggestions (you don't have to make the suggested changes by any means).
locations are hard. That's one good thing about having a big crew on an indie film. Ask them, if they know of ANYTHING that might look like X, Y, or Z.
One thing that I was thinking about doing for a short I am planning, just get a good sized field, and build your own compound out of canvas tents, fire pits, and bad guy trucks.
Good luck
D
 
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Lando2 said:
I'm looking for a location to shoot the terrorist compound
Click to expand...

For the above, at your budget level make sure you on are on private property and that the owner and surrounding folks know what you are doing.

Even then, breaking out the airsoft to shoot your CS scenario or whatever *without* notifying local PD and having permits and such tends to end in (at best) your show getting shut down or (at worst) disaster.

As far as your crew - don't expect too much enthusiasm for the pre production process. 99.99% of the people you find on weekender/freebie projects won't want to do that part. Keep everyone informed, even if they don't give too much of a response via email.

Make good on your promise to feed them well. You *did* promise to feed them well, right? You came through on this promise and had ample snacks and beverages available at the first meeting, yes?

It sounds silly, but it is SUCH a big thing for crews. Especially freebies. Think of the person you know that is the most amazing cook, then kick them some $$ for ingredients and transpo, then have them make your NDB* and your lunch for set. End of the day 2nd meal is always welcome, especially if the day goes long.

* - NDB == Nondescript Breakfast. This should be up and ready before call time, 15 mins before is plenty. Make sure people know that breakfast is at 7:45 and crew call is at 8:00, for example.

Seriously. You cannot go wrong with a good meal, especially if you know someone who can prepare it. Even if you are an awesome cook, get someone else to do it. You have too much producing and directing that needs to be done. Delegate.
 
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Pizza and doughnuts have been pretty much the only thing provided on the short films I've worked on. Would have liked a great meal, but there wasn't much time. They wanted to get things over with.
 
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Have a vision and express it. Dont expect everyone else to get it, most are just happy knowing that "some one" has a vision and is in charge. Those that have a deeper desire to understand will present them selves.

Everyone is winging it, but you have to not SHOW it.

Agendas for meetings is a must.
 
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