… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1346: 11 Pre-Production Essentials

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Everything starts with a plan. Here’s how to start.

This article first appeared in MotionArray.com. This is a summary.

Got a big shoot coming up? Not sure how to prepare? Don’t panic. Here’s the ultimate pre-production checklist at your service!

• Familiarize Yourself with Your Set
• Create an Equipment Checklist
• Get Those Lines DOWN!
• Brush Up on Those Filmmaking Hacks!
• Create a Shooting Schedule
• Account for Extra Time
• Account for Flakers
• Charge and Check EVERYTHING
• Bring Extra Copies of the Script!
• Make a Plan B
• Let. Them. Eat.

Murphy’s Law loves the film industry. Name anything that could go wrong, and there’s a 75% chance it will go wrong. This article includes more details and links to decrease your stress and improve your productions.

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1328: Rewrites & Script Doctors

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Script doctors have many roles – but one goal: Make a film as good as it can be.

This article, written by Jourdan Aldredge, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.

In the world of screenwriting, there are many, many moving parts. You might think writing a script is as easy as sitting down and putting pen to paper (or, more accurately, opening a laptop and typing away). However, for small indie features to big-budget blockbusters, developing a screenplay can take years and often involves many different writers.

One of the most notable titles for a script revisionist is the infamous “script doctor,” who seems to have magical screenwriting powers in the industry. In this article, let’s take a moment to explore these script doctors and break down who they are and what they actually do.

According to a most basic Wikipedia definition, a script doctor is “a writer or playwright hired by a film, television, or theater production to rewrite an existing script or polish specific aspects of it.” The definition goes on to include examples of specific parts of a script that can be rewritten, including: “structure, characterization, dialogue, pacing, themes, and other elements.”

For those exploring the art of revision and script doctoring today, the basic elements of a script doctor rewrite will usually fall into these distinct rewrite categories.

• Brainstorming and Basic Ideation: These script doctors help early on in the process with some of the big picture ideas through brainstorming. They can help lay out the basic elements of a story, define the emotional crux, then leave the majority of the actual script to be written by a single writer.
• Story and Character Changes: Conversely, at times a script doctor may be needed after an initial idea is laid out, but to help further develop and refine a project’s central story and characters.
• Alternate Scenes and Endings: Similarly, a script doctor is often needed to come in towards the end of the creative process to help wrap up a film that might be stuck on the ending. This is one reason you often see alternate versions or endings in a film that was doctored or rewritten at the last minute.
• Audience Feedback Revisions: It’s standard practice for big-budget features to use test screenings and audience feedback to judge if a project is ready to go, or might need revisions to its script or direction. Script doctors can be brought in with the goal of taking audience feedback to help revise a script to better meet audience expectations and demand.
• Final Production Polish: Perhaps the most common form of script doctoring comes as a last stage in the script process as a means to help “polish” or “punch-up” a script with extra flourish. These revisions are often minor and quick without changing the crux of a story.

This article has more details on the process of script doctors and fixing scripts, along with a variety of links to learn more.

EXTRA CREDIT

Two famous script doctors: Aaron Sorkin and Carrie Fisher.

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #1306: 5 Photo Books to Inspire Cinematography

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Five exceptional books to spur your visual creativity.

This article, written by Lewis McGregor, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.

It can be hard to find the right place to look for cinematography inspiration. Let us narrow your gaze to five exceptional photo books. These are five of my current favorites, [specifically] because of how well they spark the flames of inspiration for aspiring photographers and cinematographers looking to emulate raw, naturalistic images.

1. Where I Find Myself by Joel Meyerowitz ($65)
2. I Can Make You Feel Good by Tyler Mitchell ($60)
3. Girl Pictures by Justine Kurland ($50)
4. The Atmosphere of Crime, 1957 by Gordon Parks ($40)
5. Intimate Distance by Todd Hido ($65)

Finding More Resources

The Cinematographer’s Archive is an Instagram account formed by Jordan Buck and James Rhodes, and acts as an insight into what’s on the bookshelf of working cinematographers. From commercial to feature DPs, there’s a wide variety of collections to scour through.

However, be warned! Some of the more fascinating photography books are out of print and, therefore, hard to find, expensive to purchase. You may find yourself falling down a late-night eBay rabbit hole chasing after some of these books.