the process that’s yielded creative success for me so far

On the heals of this nofilmschool post, I thought I’d share this semi-rant outline I sent to my  friend and talented colleague Neil Thompsett in the midst of talking about writing the script for the short we will produce in stereoscopic 3D once I receive my two RED Scarlets:

Write prose

Convert to production script format

Re-write prose in left column, update descriptions in right column

Think

Update shot list in left column

Establish minimal confidence in on set usability of dialogue in right column

Review script with client for sign off

Change whatever is required

Convert production script to shoot schedule, send actors scripts

Pre-production = coordinate dates and times, obtain location permits, identify catering

Minor Panic

cross t’s and dot i’s

Send call sheets to cast and crew

No sleep night before shoot

Get to set early

EVERYTHING CHANGES

Make something happen with light touch and least resistance

Trust the smarter people around you and let them do their job

Watch the clock

Only let things go one hour longer than planned.  This includes break for lunch and end of day. Period.

Get the effing footage in your hand and take it directly to the place you will load it into computers and what not.

Confirm there is footage.

Major Panic

Confirm you are not effed

Calm down and have a coffee

Look at everything

Consider sleeping

Do other things

Realize you should really get some sleep.

Do one or two more things.

Eff off for 12 hours

Come back and start putting the story together

Lots of things happen

Look at the story

Change one or two things

Look at the revised story

Get the VFX

Confirm the story makes sense to a regular person, definitely someone who isn’t in the industry

Make changes to the stupid shite you tried and doesn’t work whatsoever

Color Grade (and stereo sweeten)

Export to tape, DCP, YouTube, what have you

Show it to your friends who have to like it and be nice to you regardless

Detect if they are lying to you and just being nice

Maybe change something

Show it to people who are actually your audience

Try not to kill yourself

Receive praise and adulation

Move the eff on and do the next one.

proactively • outlined • peter