Easiest way to a make a movie

[davidsanction]

- Set the movie inside, in a single location.

- Keep the number of characters to four or five (less actors to worry about).

- Have the events take place over one day/night (cuts down costume changes, continuity problems).

- Avoid special effects, avoid squibs (every squib scene will take an hour out of your shooting schedule. Blood's okay because it's easy, but any sfx should be eliminated.

- Shoot on video. Film takes time: lighting is more complicated, lenses, check the gate, changing magazines, loading, etc, etc.

Following these ideas, I think it's totally possible to shoot a movie in one week for almost no money.

[deanl]

You just described everything that they had in Bound.

Well almost.

And that film was very cool.

Despin out.

[austintash]

Examples of films shot in a single location (more or less):

- Evil Dead
- Reservoir Dogs
- The Thing
- Rear Window (Hitchcock)
- Rope (Hitchcock) Also shot in one single take (except for reel changes).
- Dark Star

[anasazifilms]

Yeah... quicker to FILM but harder to keep the audience engaged and interested in a good story.



------------------
PHILIP HAWKINS

Anasazi Films LTD.
www.anasazifilms.co.uk

*Check out the Anasazi Films Production logo at
http://members.nbci.com/anasazifilm/logo.mov *

[philipswales]

For my debut short "Video Daze" I blatantly ripped off the formula for Kevin Smith's "Clerks":

set in one location, namely a video shop

have 2 main characters and a succession of minor characters

take a small role myself even though I'm doing about 10 other jobs

have plenty of funny dialogue to disguise the lack of production values

spend as little money as possible.


Voila! A film was born...

[Matt J Heaton]

Another superb movie set in one place was Glengarry Glen Ross. That film was set all in one room, except for a couple of insignificant short scenes.

Its all about the script though, and if you're actors are bad then your film will be unwatchable.

[Vertino]

austintash - you forgot to mention 12 Angry Men (and it keeps the audience engaged and interested)

It's a great idea to have one location... but then again, if you want to do this... you might consider making stage plays! -

because that's where it all started... good story, minimal set/prop (budget restictions), etc...


BTW... philipswales did Video Daze get a mention in TotalFilm a while ago? I'm sure I read something about it?!??!

[Bowfinger]

I avoid films set inside for more than half the movie. Like, I can't stand Soaps.

I like to see the actors in an interesting location, it gives the film more scope.

I also don't appreciate action movies filmed entirely on the soundstage. Taking the stunts outside makes it much more exciting.

[This message has been edited by Bowfinger (edited August 15, 2001).]

[austintash]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, helvetica, sans serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Matt J Heaton:
Another superb movie set in one place was Glengarry Glen Ross. That film was set all in one room, except for a couple of insignificant short scenes.

Its all about the script though, and if you're actors are bad then your film will be unwatchable.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, forgot that one. Great movie.

Hitchcock's Lifeboat was set on entirely on a lifeboat I think (haven't seen it).

[Red House Painter]

12 Angry Men is set in one room over a period of just a few hours except for two shots that book end the main stretch of the film. I love the bit where everyone gets up from the table and faces away from the old guy.