Achieve an Efficient Production by Becoming Proficient at Pre-Production

Bobby Marko explains how better preparation will lead to better on set execution.

Crew

Problems always occur in video and film production. It’s the nature of the work we do. There are always outside forces beyond our control and no matter what we do to prepare for them, we are always faced with a problem to solve that we didn’t count on or didn’t foresee. Knowing this, why would we not prepare ourselves as much as possible before entering production? I believe that if not 100%, 99% of the time how you effectively plan, execute and follow through your pre-production results in the success of your project.

Many times I scour the forums on Stage32, LinkedIn Filmmaking groups and Reddit and constantly see people asking questions, almost in a panic, about what to do because they are stuck in production not knowing how to proceed. And many of those times I can point back to the fact that they did not effectively plan, execute or carry out their pre-production. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m perfect and I have flawless productions. Of course not, like many of you, problems always arise on set and I’ve had to make some serious calls in the moment. As creatives, somehow we have this notion that we rise to the occasion when problems occur. But the truth is we simply default to the level of training we have allowed ourselves. I have learned over the years how important that training is. And in film and video production that training starts in the pre-production process.

Now please understand, I’m talking from a mechanics standpoint, not a creative one. Sure, in the moment you will always have creative inspiration that turns on that imagenary light bulb in your head when you need or want it. But most problems that arise (schedules, weather, talent, crew, gear, etc) are mechanics that can be sorted out in pre-production long before you step foot on location. And in some instances, solving these mechanical problems ahead of time frees your mind to dedicate more of your efforts towards the creative part of your production.

Therefore I want to layout some common problems that we face and discuss some ways effective planning methods in pre-production that can help solve those issues from coming up in your production.

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Richard Linklater on the Making of “Boyhood”

Richard Linklater is the filmmaker behind some of indie film’s preeminent classics. His early break throughs, Slacker (1991) and Dazed and Confused (1993), captured and defined our generation more genuinely than had been done before, and perhaps since.
Boyhood, out in theaters July 11, is true to Linklater form in its exploration of the nuances of youth and life. It was ambitiously shot over 12 years, following the upbringing of a boy from the age of six until his high school graduation.

In this episode of VICE Meets, Reihan Salam and Linklater discuss the inspiration behind the film and his career. It also includes behind-the-scenes footage from throughout the film’s production. Via GoIntoTheStory

Richard-Linklater

10 Useful Apps for Your Crew

Check out these 10 useful apps for keeping track of your set.

MCDTRAN EC240

Pocket AC (Android) 

Winner: Most Comprehensive Camera Department App
Why Download? Depth of field calculator, digital runtime calculator, camera specs reference, film stocks reference, exposure, field of view calculator, focus chart, inset slate. and more.

SSN Insight: Shockingly, there isn’t a version of this unbelievably comprehensive app for the iPhone. Bar-none the best camera department app, its standout feature is the Camera Log, which allows you to organize camera reports, and includes T-stop presets and ISO steps to quickly record info into the report. Best of all, when you want to add another take, just select “Use Info from Previous Shot.”

DSLR Filmmaker Toolkit (iPhone)
Winner: The Apple of My Eye Cinematography App
Why Download? Features include a slate, shot log, viewfinder, depth-of-field calculator, sunrise/sunset tables, and a leveler.

SSN Insight: Don’t let the name fool you, this comprehensive app can be leveraged for much more than a DSLR camera. Yes, you can find these features elsewhere, but this toolkit wraps it up in a beautiful bow with crisp, clean lines, and textures like traces of chalk on the slate. You know it’s for pros because instead of a clapping slate animation, it displays meta-data and flashes the screen with a

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THE FILM before THE FILM

“THE FILM before THE FILM” is a short documentary that traces the evolution of title design through the history of film.
This short film was a research project at the BTK (Berliner Technische Kunsthochschule) that takes a look at pioneers like Saul Bass, Maurice Binder and Kyle Cooper by showing the transitions from early film credits to the inclusion of digital techniques, a resurgence of old-school style, and filmmakers’ love of typography in space.

Film-Before-the-Film

A brief history of USB, what it replaced, and what has failed to replace it

It’s ubiquitous – the everyday USB  connector, here’s the history of this common data port came to be.

USB

Like all technology, USB has evolved over time. Despite being a “Universal” Serial Bus, in its 18-or-so years on the market it has spawned multiple versions with different connection speeds and many, many types of cables.
The USB Implementers Forum, the group of companies that oversees the standard, is fully cognizant of this problem, which it wants to solve with a new type of cable dubbed Type-C. This plug is designed to replace USB Type-A and Type-B ports of all sizes on phones, tablets, computers, and other peripherals. Type-C will support the new, faster USB 3.1 spec with room to grow beyond that as bandwidth increases.

It’s possible that in a few years, USB Type-C will have become the norm, totally replacing the tangled nest of different cables that we all have balled up in our desk drawers. For now, it’s just another excuse to pass around that dog-eared XKCD comic about the proliferation of standards. While we wait to see whether Type-C will save us from cable hell or just contribute to it, let’s take a quick look at where USB has been over the years, what competing standards it has fought against, and what technologies it will continue to grapple with in the future.

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