series shoot scheduling idea

[rhymeswithrunt]

I'm working on budgeting my first web series (done a few crappy shorts, building up my kit as i go).

from what I understand, shows (tv and web) film episode 1, then 2, then 3, ect; but if your characters will be frequenting the same locations (mine spend 90% of the time at school, work, or on the street) then couldn't I plan bulk shooting? plan the wardrobe for say, 6 weeks worth of shows, and have the actors just change and continue with the next episodes classroom scene? seems like that'd save boatloads of time and money.

then again this may be and old (or terrible) idea that just sounds good to me.

any thoughts?

 

[Zensteve]

plan the wardrobe for say, 6 weeks worth of shows, and have the actors just change and continue with the next episodes classroom scene?

Sure, that's quite common.

The big thing you need to watch out for is potential continuity issues, but those are things you can include into the shooting schedule.

 

[rhymeswithrunt]

yea, like if my lead actress gets punched in the face... (hilarious story, but it did ruin footage for a 10 minute short I was doing)

I figured it wasn't a new or original idea, just figured i'd ask

 

[wheatgrinder]

Another good reason to shoot several episodes up front is that you can deliver on a schedule. It will take a while to build up a following. Having several episodes in the can before you deliver the first one will give you a lot of momentum and you can focus on driving traffic to the site for those first few months. You gotta put a lot of effort up front to get that ball rolling.. Iv seen many of these web based efforts die for this reason. For every person who asks online "where is the next episode?" you can bet a hundred just assumed another wasn't coming and they wont be back!

Thanks