TOP TEN TIPS FOR FILM STUDENTS

If there is one thing I have learnt as a film student is that I have not learnt one thing, but a lot of things, (I hope that made sense) Film is like any other art, an outlet for expressing oneself but in a more visual way, in order to successfully communicate your thoughts or get your ideas across there are a few general guidelines that I think you should know as a film student, so without further ado here are my top 10 tips that every film student should know:

1.    Planning first

As much as you want to grab your camera and start filming you need to hit the brakes. Have you planned each and every scene you’re going to film? Do you know the angles that you will use to film each scene? How will you record the audio? Is there a script? All these questions should be answered in your pre-production folder which should include your shooting schedule, script (if you have one) and necessary research.

2.    Check Out My Crew

Filming a 2 to 4 minute scene can take up to 6 hours, so if you have a big project its most likely you’ll have to split up the work. Have someone in charge of the script-writing, filming, directing, audio and editing. Remember team work and diligence is really important, nobody wants to work with a slacker so everybody should do their part whether big or small, the little effort you put goes a long way!

3.    Screw Professional Equipment

Don’t be ashamed if you don’t have the best cameras for making a film, use what’s available; even use your mobile, if you have a smart phone you’re lucky they usually have good clarity (Phantom Z, I Phone or a Samsung galaxy)

4.    There’s No Such Thing As Too Much Footage 

Trust me this is really important, this gives you more options to choose from when you’re editing; this reduces the “Aha!” moments when you realize you should have shot a scene from a different angle or maybe some random cat was passing by. Although this may require your actors to be patient (in order to re-shoot certain scenes) but in the end you want quality work so ask them to bear with you. 

5.    Shoot From Different Angles

Shooting a scene from different angles changes the monotony of filming from one angle. With the variety of cinematic techniques that you've learnt from why be so plain? That’s like sitting in the same classroom the whole day with the same teacher teaching you every subject. Use Dutch angles, close ups, overhead shots and pans to capture the beauty of a scenery or your characters emotions.

6.    Props are like All Time Low posters in your bedroom they make everything look better

So use them in your film! Need fake blood for a scene? Do some research there are plenty of recipes on the internet. Props and costumes also make your film more realistic; per say if someone is supposed to be a doctor in one of your scenes; use a lab coat or something to make it believable, don’t let them just stand there in their t-shirt and jeans and say “Hey, I'm doctor Krieger.”

7.    Improvise And Use Your Surroundings To Your Advantage

At my school we don’t have enough equipment for all the students and also it’s very expensive for us to buy. For example a tripod, if you don’t have one, try balancing your camera on a person’s shoulder, a desk or even a chair. Another example of improvising is when I was trying to make a trailer for a film project; in one of the scenes a serial killer was chasing a girl in a forest. I did not have a camera track (not like I could even afford one anyways) so I asked my uncle to drive his car while I sat on the hood and filmed the whole thing, problem solved!

8.    Give It Your All

If you want to make a quality film you have to put time and effort into everything you do, don’t be lazy! Putting that extra time into filming and editing will help with the quality of your end product.

9.    Don’t Pressure Yourself

It’s a student film don’t compare your work to Micheal Bay or any other great filmmakers that I don’t remember right this moment, it will only make you feel like crap trying to achieve those levels, stick with what you know and try to perfect it, remember your teacher isn't expecting the next biggest block buster, however, that’s not an excuse to not put effort into your film.

10.  Give Credit Where Due

Your end credits are like citations; include your actors, filming locations, scriptwriters, producers, music etc… basically include anyone or anything that helped in the making of your film.

And those are my top tips for film students have any useful tips of your own? Post in the comments below! All for now,

Disclaimer: This post has been tagged 'recycled" and is from my previous blog from 2014 and no longer emulates the current vision of Siku Mwema however, I do hope that you enjoy reading this post and note the progression I have made since then. Thank you.