Amateur filmmakers often make the mistake of adding content to clarify storylines or plot points, or to help audiences understand character development more. But often, storytellers will get better results by omitting and cutting information to add clarity. Removing unnecessary details allows audiences to focus on what really matters in the film.
- Along with "killing your darlings",…another adage often heard in filmmaking…circles is that less is more.…But how can that possibly be?…Well in terms of story telling…as we add in unnecessary details,…the point of the story gets lost,…so often the problem with stories…that don't make sense is that there's…too much information.…Let's say I told you this story.…Today my car broke down, I didn't know…what to do so I started walking to a gas station…and after a couple miles I swear I saw…Mr. Thompson my high school English teacher…but you know he just kept on driving,…so I walked for another few miles…and it was freezing you know, the temperature…was like I don't know 25 or 30 or something,…I don't know exactly but it was so cold.…
The battery in my cell phone died…but I finally made it to one of those…like old-timey pay phones, you remember those?…Now how much more powerful would this…story be if we stripped away everything…that's unessential to the story?…Today my car broke down, I walked six miles…in below freezing temperatures until…
Author
Chad Perkins
Released
8/18/2016Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film's story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.
Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad's author page.
- What a director does
- Interpreting the script
- Scouting locations
- Choosing the tone and theme of the film
- Using motifs
- Shaping the story through visuals
- Being a good leader on set
- Respecting budgets and schedules
- Planning shots
- Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots
- Using rolling takes
- Framing shots
- Adding atmospherics
- Directing in post-production
- Becoming a better director
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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What does a director do?1m 53s
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The Assurance7m 43s
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1. Preparing for Production
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Choosing your crew1m 37s
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Interpreting the script2m 4s
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Creating a visual style2m 36s
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Scouting locations1m 37s
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2. Themes and Tone
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Controlling the tone4m 39s
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Using themes1m 58s
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Using motifs2m 13s
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About the blur motif2m 18s
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3. Shaping the Story
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Killing darlings3m 59s
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Cutting to add clarity1m 54s
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Adding tension2m 19s
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Showing, not telling4m 35s
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4. Running the Set
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Being a good leader3m 29s
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Sticking to your vision3m 3s
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Throwing away your vision2m 57s
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Knowing when to reset2m 45s
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Wearing multiple hats1m 25s
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5. Planning Shots in a Scene
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Understanding the scene2m 45s
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Planning the shots4m 19s
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6. Getting the Shot
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Getting coverage4m 2s
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Cheating and stealing shots3m 20s
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Utilizing rolling takes4m 10s
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Breaking the "fourth wall"1m 45s
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Fixing it in post1m 43s
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7. Improving the Shot
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Improving takes4m 11s
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Using extras3m 38s
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Framing the shot5m 28s
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Adding atmospherics3m 8s
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8. Directing in Post-Production
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Directing the edit1m 36s
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Directing VFX shots1m 49s
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Directing audio choices2m 46s
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Conclusion
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Becoming a better director1m 31s
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Directing resources2m 52s
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Final thoughts1m 1s
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Video: Cutting to add clarity