Working on an Action Series, any tips?

[garychencool]

Hi, my name is Gary and I'm one of those young, high school aspiring film makers that has a bunch of visions and can't put it on film without cast and crew. I have a few years of general camera operating and video editing experience but this is the first full on project. Right now, I'm looking for cast and crew, I've been getting a few since I posted an ad on mandy.com. Soon to post more on other sites to get more applicants. I've been providing this production for the fun and experience and of course, the money is non-existant and no one is really getting paid. The nature of this production is pure, full on, war style action with guns and everything. Like any film makers like me, we have nothing, we are basicallly starting off with nothing.

What I actually have: a few episode ideas, their general layout, half of a screenplay.script of the first episode, a crappy SD camcorder that I'll not use for filming this, a tripod, a cheap relecter, basically stuff that beginners have, almost nothing. Right now, I'm in the process of hring cast, crew and getting props, cameras, production equipment. Of course, I'm still trying my best to get the most out of anything I have. I am still light years of actually making this action series happen in Summer 2012. But of course, that's 10 months away. Right now, I'm still looking for cast, crew, stuff and writing the scripts and coordinating this production

What I'm asking is, do you have any tips or anything when it comes to a production such as this. Instead of asking, "I'm making an action series, any tips" and leaving it at that, I'm writing about what I have so you wouldn't ask the same questions. I'm continuing to read up and understand film making as I've done so for the last few years, I understand the concepts and I'm working on the directing and cinematography aspects of it. Of course, I can't just go to a bunch of courses when I can get them all on YouTube, the Internet and tuts from such YouTube users such as freddiew, corridordigital and filmriot.

I'm still looking for resources and stuff like that. I'm not trying to sound professional because I'm not, remember that I'm still in high school and I want to make my idea, put it on film and share it on YouTube.

TL;DR: I'm working on an action series with guns, don't have much, wanna help, any tips?

 

[garychencool]

How much experience does your DP have shooting action? Every DP shoots dialogue, very few shoot action.

Again, make sure you get a stunt coordinator who can show you what they can do with a kickass demo reel. Don't have them tell you what they can do.

still no stunt coordinator but I've found someone who is a commander for some military related thing and I think he can teach everyone close quarter combat or something like that.

I know how to shoot action, I helped a cousin do this fast based-ish bike chase scene at this large park. And watching enough action movies, I have a good understanding of shooting action like war action scenes.

Gonna avoid rediculous camera shake.

 

[Alcove Audio]

Okay, I see now. Don't have crappy video or sound. Try to have both at the same level (as high as possible)

If you have to make a choice between the quality of the picture and the sound put it into the sound. "Your film only looks as good as it sounds." The first place your sound budget should go is into capturing solid production sound. Having great production sound makes up for minimal audio post budgets, and optimizes the use of every audio post dollar. If you have good production dialog you spend less on audio noise reduction and clean-up, which means you can spend more on Foley, sound FX and mixing.

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

still no stunt coordinator but I've found someone who is a commander for some military related thing and I think he can teach everyone close quarter combat or something like that.

I know how to shoot action, I helped a cousin do this fast based-ish bike chase scene at this large park. And watching enough action movies, I have a good understanding of shooting action like war action scenes.

Gonna avoid rediculous camera shake.

I started out with both a Special Forces advisor and a stunt coordinator with a DP who makes and shoots his own action flicks. Even after we had to fire the stunt coordinator, we worked together on the fight scenes. A stunt coordinator with science fiction charracters is more of what we need. I'm bringing in one from Hollywood for my next production with over 20 years experience with all sorts of stunts and fighting styles and worked on both science fiction and fantasy character fight scenes. I'm bringing back
the same Special Forces advisor for the next production.

What are you doing for gun fights if you are doing something military?

 

[garychencool]

What are you doing for gun fights if you are doing something military?

Watching enough action movies and shows, I have a good enough understanding on how to schoot it. Now for the stunt coordination, someone is this commander of some military thing and I would imagine that he can train the cast to do close quarter combat, fighting, knifing, shooting, etc. But if anyone has a site or resource that can help me with stunts such as this, post away. I'm still waiting for the replies from most applicants, there is only one who said that he was fully in, assuming that he told me that he will do anything I tell him. Meh, still waiting reply. Also, i've got someone witha sony ex1 who will be around soon.

also cast, I only have one cast member so far but still awaiting and posting calls forproviding an opportunity for them.

I need to write this business proposal, send it to the government or something, or give it to the guy with the sony so it will help him with his status in the country. Still writing screenplay, etc. But what i'm really focusing is getting the cast, crew, props, script. Location later on, and focus on one short but still make a longer term plot which will span several episodes.