DIY film making...top ten tips

I wrote recently about the GP film skill share I attended, and I am pleased to say that we now have our first film completed. So, if anyone wants to get involved in making something for upcoming events here are the TOP TEN TIPS to making a good promo…

1. Decide on your purpose – is it to show the campaign? Is it to encourage people to get involved? The movie will have a different mood depending on what you want it to do, so decide this at the outset. A little plan of ideas is a good idea – then you know what you need to film!
2. Describe what you’re doing – an introductory interview/ text or voiceover to explain why you’re here.
3. 3.    Lighting – shoot with the sun behind you, but not directly in your interviewee’s face- take a moment to frame the shot.
4. 4.    Sound – Don’t interview near a busy road, or anywhere if there’s loud background noise – it will drown out what they have to say.
5. Keep it steady! – don’t pan and zoom, keep the shot as steady as possible. Use your body to steady the camera so it doesn’t shake and wobble.  A nice shot is to just keep still and let the action happen in front of you.
6. 6.    Get some interviews – fellow members, the public at large–  find out what the think about the issues.
7. Variety of cut outs – shoot lots of bits of action – talking to people, sign ups, close ups, cuddling polar bears (!!)  people’s reactions.  These can fill the bits between your interviews.
8. 8.    Be selective – you don’t want to edit 45 minutes of film into three minutes – don’t ramble with your camera – and don’t let the interviewees ramble either! Keep it short.
9. 9.    Choose your music – it totally affects the mood of the film. Copyright is an issue we’re not sure about, I’ve just used something out of my music library

10. Get permission – ask people if they mind being in a film  for the campaign. Explain it is encouraging other people to get involved.

So – have a go! If you need info about editing your footage into a short film, contact me for advice or, even better - do the training!

So here’s our first attempt!