Making a film on Paper Focus Group 2019/2020

To get the most out of this group you need to be currently planning to develop and produce a moving-image work designed for the cinema or gallery. You need to be prepared to show material in progress to the group and discuss it and actively participate in the discussion of others’ work.

Why this Approach?

The work of making a film 'on paper' is a necessary stage in any production. It acts as a 'gateway' to making the final project. It allows you to rehearse and consider decisions while they are still open to revision, and it allows you to create material to involve others in the production: from backers of the project to the crew for production and post-production. It creates a flow of documents that form a low cost, flexible place to try out and test ideas.

This approach also allows you to create a practice that acknowledge that, as a filmmaker/moving image artist, you will generate more ideas than are finally fully realised. It creates a process where you can learn, and deepen your experience, prior to the actual physical production of a project.

Topics we will cover:

Each topic will be covered in two sessions: in the first we will outline principles and best working practices, in the second you will bring completed examples to share and review with the group. Sessions will look at the rationale for and the conceptual approach to the documents; as well as practical issues of organising and formatting documents.

Identifying your subject: the synopsis & the pitch document. Identifying your approach: the treatment & statement of purpose.

Creating a road-map for filming: the script & character breakdown. Creating a visual world for your filming: the mood board.

Making it happen: the budget and finance plan. Making it happen: the schedule.

Motivating your shooting decisions: the scene breakdown / concept of intention.

Rehearsing shooting decisions: the storyboard Rehearsing shooting decisions: a plan view of each scene.