The Search
Earlier this year I began searching for a short film script using sites such as Shooting People Film Community which I could take on to direct and take to the festival circuit. I was sent a script called 'Old Dogs' and immediately knew it was the project I wanted to work on as it was very well written, had great characters and was in the London Gangster comedy genre, which I love.
I contacted the writer, Andy Nunn, thanking him for sending the script over, complimented him on the script and suggested that we meet up to discuss moving ahead with production. We met at a feature script reading of one of his other pieces of work, and I showed him some preliminary storyboard ideas and after a chat we agreed that I should take the script on as Director.
Self Producing?
I was able to fund the film myself, so at first I did not look for a producer. I had read in a short film making book that if you set a realistic date and start telling crew and cast that the film is happening at that time, people will come on board and it will start to become a real project. THIS IS TRUE. I initially set the shoot date for April 2012 and was able to bring several cast members and fill a few crew positions however I had no experience with contracts, licences, fees etc and I wanted to concentrate fully on the creative side of the film, rather than the organisation of documentation. Around March I got in contact with Ivan Clements, an experience short and feature producer, who had helped take Gone Fishing to the festival circuit, earning 35 festival wins and an Oscar Nomination. I met with Ivan and after discussing what I had done on the project and how we should proceed, he came on board. This was a vital turning point as it allowed me to focus on the creative side of the film, and he kicked Pre-production into a whole new gear to get everything and everyone in the right place at the right time. His connections also gained us access to equipment that a film with our budget could only dream of. We ended up shooting on the Arri Alexa and had a full size van full of equipment from Panalux and Onsight.
The Run Up to the Shoot
We set up crew recruitment meetings as a team, with the PM, Ivan and Myself present to ask questions and view work. We had 3 days of meetings (some of these were second interviews with definate candidates for more in depth discussion about the project) which allowed us to fill all the positions, we had around 25 crew in total. The cast were chosen specifically by me, based on showreels, role suitability and meetings. We locked our main production base as an abandoned pub in Hersham which the set designer was renting for storage that had the potential to host all but one of our locations on site or very close by. Once the locations were set I had scouting sessions with my DOP to lay out shot plans based on my storyboards. As well as this I continued my script analysis and character research, it is important as Director that you know every character inside out.
On Set
The first Day of filming comes around. We had 3 and a half in total. All the shot plans are laid out. Character discussions have been done with the actors. The crew and equipment are ready. It is now time to transfer the film you have been watching in your head over and over for the last few months into a reality. Writing this after the film is finished, I wouldn't complain about anything, some things could have gone smoother but you adapt to circumstances that arise and in most cases, the film is better because of the spur of the moment alterations that we make. As long as you are well prepared, there should be very little that can arise to stop your film being made. The atmosphere on set was superb, everyone was positive about their work and, especially due to the comical subject matter, there was a happy, creative atmosphere on set. When the film wraps on the last day of shooting, it is an odd sensation. You are ecstatic that filming is complete but at the same time you are slightly sad because by the time you get to the shooting stage your film will occupy 100% of your thoughts so you feel slightly empty and lost.
Post
Post production is an interesting part of the production lifecycle, you get to see the hours of footage you captured slowly mould into the finished article, you see the magic shot that you love become even better when it is put into context amongst the rest of the film and most importantly you see the film taking its final form, in which, you will show it to the world! And you are also very aware that it is the last stage of production so you want to get it done swiftly but you don't want to rush or cut corners as that will make the entire endeavour pointless.
Showing off the Film!
When your film is completed to the best standard possible and all the titles, soundtrack and audio mix are brought together with the film, it is well worth the wait. The first time you see it screened it will feel like you have never watched it before, even though you have seen it countless times during post. You will breathe a sigh of relief when the audience laughs when they are supposed to and when you can feel them supporting your good guy and hoping terrible things happen to your bad guy.
Without a doubt, directing Old Dogs was one of the best experiences of my Life and I can't wait to start the whole process again with my next project!!!!
Earlier this year I began searching for a short film script using sites such as Shooting People Film Community which I could take on to direct and take to the festival circuit. I was sent a script called 'Old Dogs' and immediately knew it was the project I wanted to work on as it was very well written, had great characters and was in the London Gangster comedy genre, which I love.
I contacted the writer, Andy Nunn, thanking him for sending the script over, complimented him on the script and suggested that we meet up to discuss moving ahead with production. We met at a feature script reading of one of his other pieces of work, and I showed him some preliminary storyboard ideas and after a chat we agreed that I should take the script on as Director.
Self Producing?
I was able to fund the film myself, so at first I did not look for a producer. I had read in a short film making book that if you set a realistic date and start telling crew and cast that the film is happening at that time, people will come on board and it will start to become a real project. THIS IS TRUE. I initially set the shoot date for April 2012 and was able to bring several cast members and fill a few crew positions however I had no experience with contracts, licences, fees etc and I wanted to concentrate fully on the creative side of the film, rather than the organisation of documentation. Around March I got in contact with Ivan Clements, an experience short and feature producer, who had helped take Gone Fishing to the festival circuit, earning 35 festival wins and an Oscar Nomination. I met with Ivan and after discussing what I had done on the project and how we should proceed, he came on board. This was a vital turning point as it allowed me to focus on the creative side of the film, and he kicked Pre-production into a whole new gear to get everything and everyone in the right place at the right time. His connections also gained us access to equipment that a film with our budget could only dream of. We ended up shooting on the Arri Alexa and had a full size van full of equipment from Panalux and Onsight.
The Run Up to the Shoot
We set up crew recruitment meetings as a team, with the PM, Ivan and Myself present to ask questions and view work. We had 3 days of meetings (some of these were second interviews with definate candidates for more in depth discussion about the project) which allowed us to fill all the positions, we had around 25 crew in total. The cast were chosen specifically by me, based on showreels, role suitability and meetings. We locked our main production base as an abandoned pub in Hersham which the set designer was renting for storage that had the potential to host all but one of our locations on site or very close by. Once the locations were set I had scouting sessions with my DOP to lay out shot plans based on my storyboards. As well as this I continued my script analysis and character research, it is important as Director that you know every character inside out.
On Set
The first Day of filming comes around. We had 3 and a half in total. All the shot plans are laid out. Character discussions have been done with the actors. The crew and equipment are ready. It is now time to transfer the film you have been watching in your head over and over for the last few months into a reality. Writing this after the film is finished, I wouldn't complain about anything, some things could have gone smoother but you adapt to circumstances that arise and in most cases, the film is better because of the spur of the moment alterations that we make. As long as you are well prepared, there should be very little that can arise to stop your film being made. The atmosphere on set was superb, everyone was positive about their work and, especially due to the comical subject matter, there was a happy, creative atmosphere on set. When the film wraps on the last day of shooting, it is an odd sensation. You are ecstatic that filming is complete but at the same time you are slightly sad because by the time you get to the shooting stage your film will occupy 100% of your thoughts so you feel slightly empty and lost.
Post
Post production is an interesting part of the production lifecycle, you get to see the hours of footage you captured slowly mould into the finished article, you see the magic shot that you love become even better when it is put into context amongst the rest of the film and most importantly you see the film taking its final form, in which, you will show it to the world! And you are also very aware that it is the last stage of production so you want to get it done swiftly but you don't want to rush or cut corners as that will make the entire endeavour pointless.
Showing off the Film!
When your film is completed to the best standard possible and all the titles, soundtrack and audio mix are brought together with the film, it is well worth the wait. The first time you see it screened it will feel like you have never watched it before, even though you have seen it countless times during post. You will breathe a sigh of relief when the audience laughs when they are supposed to and when you can feel them supporting your good guy and hoping terrible things happen to your bad guy.
Without a doubt, directing Old Dogs was one of the best experiences of my Life and I can't wait to start the whole process again with my next project!!!!
