Shooting an entire feature in a weekend

cameronchapman

cameronchapman

Haven't been on here too much lately. But I read an article a couple months ago over on Web Film School about shooting an entire feature film in a weekend. ONE weekend, not just filming on the weekends over the course of a few months or a year. And it was like a lightbulb turned on over my head. It was an instant "I can totally do this" moment.

I'm going for it. Script is done. Schedule is getting there. Budget is mostly done (other than a few TBD items). All the breakdowns and other pre-production stuff is happening (Arri's Yamdu web app, btw, is amazing. It even works with Celtx format scripts to get everything set up. And has a free 60-day trial, and then a super barebones subscription for $5/month after that). Casting is underway. Location scouting is in progress. Working on crew.

It's one location, five on-screen characters (two more who are on the other end of a phone calls, but will never appear on screen, and their parts will be recorded separately). No costume changes. Set in the 90 minutes leading up to a wedding after the bride locks herself in the bathroom.

Absolutely barebones crew (1st AD, a couple of PAs, someone experienced on audio, crafty, and a script supervisor. I also may have someone acting as a co-producer who will be getting behind-the-scenes stuff, depending on if I can get one of the actors I want). Everyone's getting paid at least a couple hundred per day (much easier when you're only shooting for 2 days) plus backend points, and travel and lodging if they're coming from outside the immediate area. Crowdfunding part of the very small budget (under $10k, final amount at this point will depend on how many cast/crew are traveling) and paying for the rest out of pocket.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to DP and direct. Unless I happen to find a DP I'm completely in sync with. Mostly because it minimizes time taken for communication and making sure my ideas are being captured in a way that conveys what I want to convey (I've DP'd on everything I've done before, and am very comfortable in this role). Going to use natural/practical light as much as possible (this is being taken into account when location scouting).

I realize this is crazy. I'm also more energized for this project than I've been for anything (film or otherwise) in a long time. It's a one-off kind of thing. Not a model I'd plan to replicate in the future. But if (when) I pull it off, it'll be an impressive calling card for getting my next feature made. And I feel like if I'm going to invest $10k and a few months, I'd rather walk away with a feature than a short.

Advice and encouragement welcome, as are questions about specifics (including things I may not have thought of).

ETA: The bar for quality on this thing is GEFN (Good Enough For Netflix). In other words, better than a 1-2 star Netflix film.
 
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Utopia said:
Shakespeare battle.

How poetic.

:)

ALL I wanna know is if the AUDIO was ok at your shoot?

Let me know if you need help with that aspect. That's about all I know.
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Audio is high on my priority list. I can do a lot with crappy footage to make it work. I cannot do much (anything) with crappy audio to make it work. And that's why I'll be hiring the best person I can afford to handle that end of things. I'm hoping that the idea behind the project will be enough to get someone who's crazy talented to give up a weekend for much less than their normal rate. Time will tell!
 
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I think Sweetie is wise to ask about coverage. I normally prefer to get maximum coverage, but when time is short, you gotta be prepared to get minimum coverage. I think it'd be a good idea for you to basically storyboard this movie, or at least have a very detailed minimalist shot-list.
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Lacking coverage can be efficient, though it can also unintentionally back you into a corner when you're in post production.

I'm a big fan of improv. In my experience, it is generally more time-consuming. Just my two-cents, I think this project should be well-rehearsed and not leaning too heavily on improv.
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I do a lot of editing. I hate improv. lol. As above, it can push you into spots with no coverage forcing you to drop greats bits. It's not my production, so I have no reason to love or hate improv in this situation ;)

One thing I've found is that you always wish you had more coverage, whether you have 2 takes or 20.
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Just so you're aware, when I say coverage, I'm not talking about the number of takes. I'm talking about the variety of shots covering the scene. 3 takes of a master usually doesn't constitute coverage in my books.
 
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Sweetie said:
Lacking coverage can be efficient, though it can also unintentionally back you into a corner when you're in post production.



I do a lot of editing. I hate improv. lol. As above, it can push you into spots with no coverage forcing you to drop greats bits. It's not my production, so I have no reason to love or hate improv in this situation ;)



Just so you're aware, when I say coverage, I'm not talking about the number of takes. I'm talking about the variety of shots covering the scene. 3 takes of a master usually doesn't constitute coverage in my books.
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Yes! That's what I meant re:coverage. My brain is only half functional today. Multitasking like crazy. Typical thursday!
 
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cameronchapman said:
Yes! That's what I meant re:coverage. My brain is only half functional today. Multitasking like crazy. Typical thursday!
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Multitasking is a lie, btw. It just means you're doing a bunch of tasks poorly instead of one task well. Operating under a false premise already and you're not failing? I'm afraid so..
 
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Sasa said:
Multitasking is a lie, btw. It just means you're doing a bunch of tasks poorly instead of one task well. Operating under a false premise already and you're not failing? I'm afraid so..
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Yes, I'm failing at proofreading my forum posts so that I make sure what I say is what I mean. You got me there.

Also succeeding at getting a whole bunch of tasks done (well) on the film. :woohoo:
 
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cameronchapman said:
Yes, I'm failing at proofreading my forum posts so that I make sure what I say is what I mean. You got me there.

Also succeeding at getting a whole bunch of tasks done (well) on the film. :woohoo:
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Goof. As a professional reverse physiologist I believe I provide sufficient internet resistance to you and your project. You have been motivated now.
 
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Sasa said:
Multitasking is a lie, btw. It just means you're doing a bunch of tasks poorly instead of one task well. Operating under a false premise already and you're not failing? I'm afraid so..
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That's not even slightly true. Any good bartender can multitask like a BOWSS!!! It is my job to multitask, and quality is never compromised.

I realize that you're probably specifically referring to film crew, but I'd still disagree. Are you going to try and tell me that Lena Dunham didn't do any multitasking when she made Tiny Furniture? Us tiny-budget folk gotta pick our battles. We may not be able to do EVERYTHING well, but if you can figure out which things are most important to your production and do them well, you just might make something special. :)
 
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Make sure to check your location before the shoot so you can do tests with your camera and audio. Also, check to be sure there will be nothing else planned in the area that could cause problems. I remember one shoot where they had someone testing church bells. It disrupted our schedule. I would go with a tripod or even a monopod.
 
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Morris said:
Make sure to check your location before the shoot so you can do tests with your camera and audio. Also, check to be sure there will be nothing else planned in the area that could cause problems. I remember one shoot where they had someone testing church bells. It disrupted our schedule. I would go with a tripod or even a monopod.
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A monopod is an excellent idea. Putting that on my list of new equipment to buy between now and August...
 
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There's also the string-pod. One end of the string tied to the camera, the other to a stick, or anything you can step on. Pull the string taut, and the tension keeps the cam steady. It's like a reverse monopod.
 
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Rayandmigdalia said:
For the fun of it, research and read about Roger Corman's classic, "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS". He shot this major feature film in two days and one night. :yes:
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That's amazing! I can't imagine doing it on film. I've seen the 80s version of that film, but haven't seen Corman's. I'll have to watch it!

Cracker Funk said:
I forgot to mention, C-Chap, I like the idea for the story. High stakes, lots of room for comedy.
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Thanks! The reader I got notes from found it hilarious. Hopefully a majority of those who see the final project will feel the same way...
 
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