Filmmaking / Directing : Filmmaking Tips by Maurice Vaughan

Spend an inordinate amount of time in pre-production when an expensive clock isn't tick-tocking. Plan, plan, plan. Schedule, scout. Formulate Plan Bs. Negotiate deals for locations, food, etc.

Use Union talent.

Maintain a brisk pace throughout the shooting day. Or else it becomes lackadaisical in the morning and Keystone Cops in the afternoon.

Research and apply for permits before Cops shut you down. Insurance.

Perform a short beginning to end test of the acquisition format through post-production and export.

There are always surprises but they can be minimized with a thoughtful approach.

Drink often and heavily.

PREPRODUCTION IS YOUR FRIEND! The old addage of "have it and not need it versus need it and not have it" really rings true here. Hope for the best but preplan for the worst case scenario.

START SMALL AND WITHIN BUDGET! Think we all have that 99 page epic Star Wars meets Harry Potter with a touch of The Avengers.... Put it away. Find your filmmaking voice by shooting a single scene or two from a smaller more modest project to hone the craft.

COLLABORATE WITH A CREW THAT GETS YOU AND YOUR VISION! Through platforms like Stage 32 and different programs, collect your tribe of people that understand you as a person but also as a filmmaker. They will be your greatest allies along this sometimes lonely road of bringing a vision to life.

Great tips, E Langley! Except "Drink often and heavily." Thanks for sharing.

Great advice, Chad Ayinde! I tried to produce a big-budget movie once, and I definitely didn't know about your second tip ("START SMALL AND WITHIN BUDGET!"). Thanks for sharing the tips.

I'm currently reading "What You Don’t Learn in Film School" by Shane Stanley, who recently was highlighted in some manner here on Stage32. AMA? Anyway, he certainly doesn't paint a rosy picture on indie filmmaking at times. Kind of scares the celluloid out of you! Great read, though, if you want to go into the process eyes wide open.

Cool, Ty Strange. I took a Stage 32 webinar by Shane. It's one of my favorite webinars on here. Thanks for sharing the advice/book recommendation.

Don't put your film into production until your script is complete and you have everything ready to go.

Plan as much as possible, but also just go for it. I have spent too much time putting off tasks because I had never done them before. Mistakes are inevitable. Learn from them and improve over time.

Helpful advice, Harry Waldman! Thank you for sharing.

Never underestimate the calming power of Jameson always within arm's reach. :)

Focus on the work. The rest follows — if you can figure out how to navigate through and learn from your mistakes. Failure, in my opinion, is the best teacher.

Thanks for the book recommendation, M LaVoie.

Great piece of advice, James! Thanks.