It seems that you want to become a real director. The first step is, obviously, to learn about what directors do. Follow this link, read the information, answer the questions on your Director File and come back to follow with your personal tour!
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Now you know more about what directors of do, you are ready to learn about how they film scenes.
Filming a scene
1. Pre-production phase
As you have read, the job of a director starts before the scene is filmed and he is in charge of a large group of people.
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| Example of an storyboard |
During this phase you will have to meet with the actors/actresses to guide their acting. It is also important that you meet with the director of photography and the production designer so you can give them instructions about the scene filmation and they can share information about what they are doing.
You must keep a written record of the meetings and the decisions you make about the set, the cameras, the costumes... You must also do a storyboard, an outline of each shot including the type of shot (ask the director of photography about them), the dialogue, any important direction for the action (e.g. the man looks at the woman).
2. Production phase
The day of the shoot, the actors/actresses walk onto the sound stage (or location) prepared to begin filming. The set has been constructed before by a group of people known as the "swing gang." The cameras are placed on their trypods or on their dollies (a moving trypod, in case you have to move it around the set). Before the scene, you tell the camera the type of shots s/he is going to film with the help of the storyboard.
You tell the actors/actresses exactly where to stand and where to move. Every time they stop someone places a piece of tape on the floor. The camera follows their movements slowly, and rehearse the different shots while the actors/actresses are rehearsing the scene with you. When you considers it is prepared, say, "Let's go for a take. Quiet on the set!", so people stop talking.
Then you say "Roll it", so the camera can start recording, S/he will answer, "Rolling."
"Thirty-five, take one", says the production designer, holding a slate in front of the actors' faces and snapping it shut. This "clacker" will later help the film editor (in this case, you) in synchronizing the picture to the sound.
Now say: "Action!". The actors/actresses begin with their parts, and they are recorded by the cameramen.
If you don't like the scene, of if you want it to be repeated, you call out, "Cut. Do it again." The process is repeated with different angles and shots until you think you have enough takes to create the scenes. Then you say, "Cut. Print it." When you want a close-up shot, the production designer will move into the scene and adjusts the actors' makeup. When you are satisfied with each take, call out, "That's a wrap." It means that the scene can be edited.
3. Post-production phase
The post-production phase takes place when all the material is filmed. During this phase, the different takes are edited, cut and ordered so that the action in the scene flows naturally. Normally, a Film Editor is in charge of this work. Unfortunately, this is a zero budget film, so you will have to edit the scene. The director of photography will help you to choose the best takes, and you can also ask for the help of the actors/actresses and the Production Designer.
Now you are prepared to share your information with your group and start filming!
