Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video / Peter W. Rea and David K. Irving.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rea, Peter W., author.

Irving, David K., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Short films--Production and direction.

Short films.

Video recordings--Production and direction.

Video recordings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (312 pages)

Edition:

Sixth edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Routledge, [2025]

Summary:

This is the definitive on producing and directing short films for the serious film student or beginning filmmaker. Its unique two-fold approach looks at filmmaking from the perspectives of both the producer and director, and clearly explains how their separate roles must work together to create a successful short film or video.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title

Copyright

Contents

Preface: Sixth Edition

Introduction

Internet

Craft Versus Art and Collaboration

What Are the Steps?

The Organization of the Book

Producer and Director

The Producer

The Director

Six Short Films

Chapter Breakdowns

Support Material

Timeline

Part I Preproduction

1 Script

The Creative Producer

Developing the Script

Animation

Do Your Homework

What Is a Script?

What Does a Script Look Like?

Where Do Scripts Come From?

How Are Scripts Developed?

A Word About AI

Workshop Your Idea

Basic Guidelines for the Short Form

Length

The Central Theme

Conflict

The Basic Conflicts

The Dramatic Arc or Spine

One Primary Event

One Major Character

Follow-Through

Minimum Back Story

Internal Motives, External Action

No Talking Heads

Images Before Words

Adaptation

Why Adapt?

Rights

What Is the Story About?

Find Your Plot and Characters

Make the Internal External

Dramatic Expectations

What Do You Do Now?

General Guidelines for Adaptation

True Stories and Events

Legalities

Rights and Adaptations (Preexisting Material)

Noncommercial/Festival Rights

Original Material

Collaboration

Working With a Writer

Rewriting

How Do Scripts Affect Budgets?

Director

Supervising or Performing Rewrites

Working With the Writer

Director as Storyteller

Readings

Story Questions

Scene Analysis

The Shooting Script

Developing a Web Presence

Key Points

2 Finance

Producer

Raising the Capital

Basic Fundraising Problems

How Much Money Will You Need?

Funding Options

Private Investors

Crowdfunding

Fiscal Sponsorship

Private Foundation Grants

Public Foundation Grants

Corporate Sponsorship

Bank Loans.

Personal Savings

In-Kind Services and Donations

Do Your Research

The Prospectus

Presentation Is Everything

Spending the Money Responsibly

The Digital Prospectus

General Fundraising Suggestions

Be Positive and be Patient

Be Informed

Act Professionally

Thank You, and Stay in Touch!

Student Fundraising Strategies

Sources for Students

Pitching the Project

The Elevator Challenge

Steps to a Successful Pitch

3 Breakdowns

Breaking Down the Script

Production Book

Proper Script Format

Step 1: Breakdowns

Fill in Breakdown Sheets

Breakdown Sheet Header

Lining the Script

Prepare Strips for the Stripboard

Color-Coding

Step 2: Schedule

Place Strips on the Stripboard

Step 3: Budget

Price Each Line Item

The Digital Producer

Developing a Shooting Plan

Organization Leads to Flexibility

Director Breakdowns

Know the Script

Know the Theme

Develop a History for the Main Characters

Know What Each Character Wants in the Story

Break Down Each Scene Into Dramatic Beats

Determine a Visual Style for the Story

Study the Locations and Rehearse the Actors

Settle on Pacing and Tone

Workshop Ideas on Video

Create Floor Plans and Storyboards

Floor Plans

Storyboards

Make a Shot List

Monday

Tuesday

The Final Word

4 Schedule

Producer (As Production Manager)

Building a Stripboard

General Guidelines

Fixed Dates

Locations

Cast

Exteriors

Night Shooting

Continuity of Sequences

Shooting Out

Child Actors

Time of Year

Weather

Special Effects, CGI, Stunts, and Animals

Crowd Sequences

Special Equipment

Turnaround, Setup Time, and Swing Crews

Other Considerations.

Beginning the Schedule

Creating the Schedule

The First Day

Making the Day

Keep the Day Under 12 Hours!

Shooting During Preproduction

Animation Lip-Sync

Locking the Schedule

Call Sheet

Student Scheduling Tips

Determining the Visual Plan

Coverage = Time = Schedule = Budget

Contingency Plans for Overages

Things Change

5 Budget

Shooting for the Moon

Creating a Budget

Script and Budget

Who Creates the Budget?

Budgeting Software

Production Value

The Budget Form

Above-The-Line Costs

Script and Rights

Producer/Director

Below-the-Line Costs

Basic Decisions

Production

Crew

Equipment

Art

Location

Film and Lab

Postproduction

Editing

Sound

Lab

Postproduction Finish Digital

Office Expenses

Insurance

Contingency

Petty Cash

Beginning the Budget

The Budget Process

Information Is Power

Learn by Doing

Student Budgets

6 Crew

Choosing the Crew

Hiring the Crew

Who Hires the Crew?

When Do You Need a Crew?

How Big a Crew Do You Need?

The 3-30 Rule

Selecting the Crew

Attracting the Right People

Evaluating Credits

Negotiating the Deal

Key Crew Members

Production Manager

Support Crew

Director of Photography

Evaluating Potential Directors of Photography

Troubleshooting

Operating the Camera

Lighting for the Camera

The Digital Assistant

Moving the Camera

Art Director (Production Designer)

Evaluating Potential Art Directors

Related Crew

Assistant Director

Production Sound Mixer

Evaluating Potential Production Sound Mixers

The Digital Imaging Technician

Specialty Crew

Intimacy Coordinator.

Production Assistant

Interns

Hiring an Animator

Developing the Right Chemistry

7 Actors

Casting

The Casting Process

Casting Director

The Basic Casting Steps

Advertise Specific Roles

Web Presence

Scout Local Theater Companies

Scout Acting Schools

Contact State Film Commissions

Organize Submitted Head Shots and Résumés

Arrange Casting Calls

Reader

Arrange Callbacks

Negotiate With Selected Actors

Contracts and Deal Memos

Deal With Rejected Actors

Firing Talent

Wrap Out

Added Benefits of Casting

Auditions

Types of Auditions

Audition Guidelines

Before the Audition

Beginning the Audition

The Reading

Evaluating the Audition

Video Operators

Callbacks

Casting Children

Happy Accidents

Points to Keep in Mind

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals

The Goals of Rehearsal

Before Rehearsals

Getting to Know the Actors

Developing Mutual Trust

Researching the Character

Character Arc

First Read-Through

Develop the Theme

Second Read-Through

Keep Notes

Scene by Scene

Staging the Scene

Record the Rehearsals

Discovering Beats

Subtext

Pace

Improvisation

Special Situations

Rehearsing With Children

Communicating on the Set

8 Location

Scouting Locations

Aesthetic Concerns Versus Practical Limitations

Be Flexible

The Power of Illusion

Identifying the Location

Interior or Exterior

Day or Night

Stage or Practical Location

Stage

Practical Location

Near or Distant

Walk-Throughs

Securing Locations

Where to Look for Locations

Scouting the Locations

Lighting

Power

Green Room and Other Special Areas

Safety and Security

Proximity

Backups.

Securing the Location

Location Contract

Location Fee

Permits

Communication

Transportation

Parking

Company Moves

Catering

9 Art Direction

Production Design/Art Direction

Architect of Illusion

Creating a Look

How to Define the "Look"

Defining the Space With Visual Ideas

Communication With the Director of Photography

Locations or Sets

Format

Black and White Versus Color

Breakdowns: Listen to the Script

Camera Tests

Assembling the Team

The Art Department

Images Can Tell a Story

Responsibilities of the Art Department

Stages and Locations

What Does the Script Require?

Set Dressing

Duplicate Set Items

Props

Duplicate Props

Weapons

Food

Wardrobe

Consulting the Actors

Specialty Garb

Duplicate Costumes

Consulting the Director of Photography

Continuity and Script Time

Makeup

Special Effects Makeup

Hair

The Producer's Role

Final Walk-Through

10 Camera

Collaborate

Keeping Up With Technology

Style

Listen to the Material

Introduce the Camera During Preproduction

Consult With the Director of Photography

Responsibilities of the Director of Photography

In Preproduction

In Production

Camera-Lighting Team

Film vs. Video Dynamic Range

Use of Color or Black and White

Black and White

Color Palette

How Can Color Be Controlled?

Tests

The Camera as Storyteller

Coverage = Shot List

Type of Shot (Traditional Coverage)

Staging for the Camera

The Frame

Composition

Depth

Drawing the Viewer's Eye

Extending the Frame

Focus

The Shot

The Lens

The Shot Size

Shot Perspectives

Point-of-View Shot.

The Reveal.

Notes:

Previous edition: New York: Routledge, 2017.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781040339244

1040339247

OCLC:

1512319010

Publisher Number:

CIPO000211339