So, I've been solo film-making for over a decade. I'm working on my first feature, and have no idea how to upskill to work a full production. Youtube is full of camera, lighting & sound tutorials, but how do I budget, plan and schedule shoots with a professional crew? I usually DP, set design and sound mix myself, I've got years of project management & team leading experience, and the script is getting great feedback but,... that's about as far as my experience takes me. Where do I find the guidance I'm missing?
Filmmaking / Directing : Solo to 'proper' director by Jon Hill
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Hat tip to you investing in yourself! Grab these two books (or something similar): Film Scheduling: https://www.amazon.com/Film-Scheduling-Long-Shoot-Movie/dp/0943728398/re...
Film Budgeting: https://www.amazon.com/Film-Budgeting-Much-Shoot-Movie/dp/0943728657/ref...
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Just keep on keepin' on. In the end, I think you'll see that you're one of the few left standing. Basically, invent it as you go.
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This is a great question that I’ve been curious about/trying to get into. Thanks for those book recommendations @Lindbergh To give you some idea of what I’ve experienced so far: budgeting has been outside of my jurisdiction, but the planning has been all on me. I usually aim for doubling up on what I think everything will take. So if we are planning on 15 shot a day, I plan for 2 days. So far we have been able to meet or exceed those plans, which the cast and crew has appreciated. And it’s cut down on stress (expect for golden hour). But this has been for short films. I have yet to work on a feature in this capacity, so it could vary. But I do believe that unless you plan perfectly, things will take twice as long as you think they will.
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As far as tools, I’ve been utilizing the forms found on Studiobinder, they have a lot of resources. And Google spreadsheets has been my friend.
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Congratulations on your first feature Jon Hill. I agree with Sam and Lindbergh. Studiobinder is a great resource and there are several great books on Amazon and other places about film budgeting. Please keep us posted on how your feature goes. It would make a great blog post as well.
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You've already been doing this ten years and a feature is a long short, only difference you will work more with other people. As @Doug states keep on keeping on. You know where you're at but it's a question now of finding the right team to lead. If the script is low budget minimum location and characters concentrate on finding gaffer, grip actors and editor. You already DOP and sound so you can multi task. Above all find artists on same page who understand project in depth. Do your homework well for choosing a line manager. For a number of years I grappled through on the day directing low budget shorts cos we all knew what we were doing but when it came to feature there were way more legalities and time slots to master. It became a maze cos I know 100% what I'm doing but needed help with daily organisation, budget and insurances which isn't even anything to do with visual art There is a saying for directors if you choose the wrong actors you're screwed blue but equally so with the wrong line manager/technicians.
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Congrats on taking that next step Jon! Studiobinder is a great tool. Also, there's some budgeting tutorials at Screenwriting University and on Skillshare, if you have access.
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Keep going! I can heartily recommend Tom Malloy and Jason Brubaker's FilmMaking HQ, I think it has just the right amount of resources that could occupy at least six months to a year of study but not completely overwhelming, and it is based on Tom's 20 years solid track record in indie production, lots of free elements as well as a subscription bizplan program ... https://www.filmmakingstuffhq.com/
Guys, so many great responses. Thank you!! I'm honestly overwhelmed!