Shooting script – The version of a Screenplay

Shooting script – The version of a Screenplay

After forming your story into the screenplay, and approved from the production team as well, the ‘Shooting Script’ will then be created. A ‘Shooting Script’ is the version of a ‘Screenplay’. As I had written in my previous post that a screenplay is basically related to visual writing, and helps the director share his visual approach forming it into the structure of the screenplay. But after the screenplay has been created another vital stage; the shooting script is made. This would be worked by the creative team such as your cinematographer, production designer, director, etc. The shooting script as well as helps to share what the director wants the frame to look like, but the difference in this particular script is that the number of scenes are numbered with the number of shot taken in that particular part of the script. We can take an example such as, SCENE 1 which is categorized into 1,2,3,4 shots. In this particular detail the kind of shot to be taken is mentioned as well, such as dolly shots, or close up, etc. This is written by the director alongside the cinematographer with both contributing their idea related to shooting the film. The shooting script is purely a production tool.  It also helps breaking down the script, and organizing the production part of the film.

In a ‘Shooting Script’ under a particular scene you mention the shot number (such as 1), the description of the shot (such as CU), with the location (such as forest) as well as the day/time (such as Monday, 1^st May, 12:30am) which the scene is to be shot. Even the actors, and props are also mentioned which helps to give a clear picture. This stage helps for organizing the technical requirements before the shooting takes place, and saves a lot of your time during the shoot. The shooting script can also come in handy regarding the schedule of the film. This particular script can look complicated, but also is very essential during the process of film making either you are making a short film or a feature film, a shooting script is very important for sure. 

Step Outline - The map of your film

­Step Outline – The map for your film

This is the stage before we write the screenplay for the film. Basically, it’s the intention of turning the story into a screenplay. This process helps to write the visual writing in a much more appropriate way as well. The number of scenes is divided with the descriptions of the character with the action being taken place. The scenes are numbered along with the story being taken place. This particular stage helps telling the story which will take different forms and locations as well with the number being plotted to it. With the help of the step outline the screenwriter can write the screenplay according to the way it is formed, and can prepare the screenplay in a much convenient manner as well. The step outline can also help you map the journey of the story. It shows you as a film maker how your story is being taken place, and where is it ending also. Without a step outline you may be lost with the idea of how the flow of your film will be going.  For example; SCENE 1 – The girl is cleaning her house feeling devastated, the shot will be Close up. Cinematic details can also be added on also for a much more clear view.

A step outline can be written in just one line also. It is also the synopsis of an elaborated act as well. It helps to structure your story in a much better way. With the help of the step outline you can avoid re-writing the whole stage once again. This also in my point of view is the best way of planning your story. The fault points are also noticed, and also the empty space of your story can be recognized which can later be added on. Implementing your idea of that particular scene will as well as give you a clear path to continue writing your story, without any mistakes as well.  So writing a Step Outline is very essential as until and unless you have no clue where your story is going, and how will it look scene by scene then your screenplay which is the elaborated version of the Step Outline will fail as well. A successful film maker includes all the essential stages before making his/her film also.

Storyboard - Pre-visualizing a film

Storyboard – Pre-visualizing the film

During the pre-production there are various stages involved for making a film. ‘Storyboard’ is one of those stages. As I had said previously in my other posts a lot of time that as a director narrating your story, and forming it into a screenplay for example will help you make the producer or cinematographer to understand, and visualize your story almost the same way you want them to. Storyboard is the best way to share the vision of the film. You see, storyboard is the stage where you create the film through drawing them sequence by sequence. It helps to exactly get how the film should be made, and how the frame will be set during the shoot. Storyboard is very time consuming for sure, as it takes a lot of time to create a film through the drawings, but it helps in saving the time when it comes to the production part. Due to this stage as a director you also get the liberty to even create a much better idea for the film like in the particular shot or scene. It is basically the pre-visualizing part of the film.

In our Indian cinema, this particular stage is hardly used in films, as maybe this consumes a lot of your time, and also it is optional for the film makers. But in my point of view making your film perfect this stage will be a bonus point to complete your desire regarding that. There a specialist who helps in this, and money is surely involved with the result which is worth it. Making a storyboard of a film involves in creating the characters by drawing them (either free-hand, or can be computerized as well) on a paper. This will include by making the actions of the characters sequence by sequence, as well as making sure that which part of the frame they will be acting out. Adding the script into it is also the next stage. The camera angles are very vital to be mentioned, as without that part it will be incomplete. For example, if you want to take the close up shot of the character’s emotions, then it has to be made in that way. But shots like ‘Pan’ where the camera is rotated or moved then it can be highlighted such as into a box with the arrows moving into the direction as you want the camera to be moved. 

Imagining something into your mind, and then seeing it in front of your eyes is very different, and also sometimes gives different results. So through storyboard, you get the opportunity to see your film before shooting it, so there is a scope of changes, and improvement in a particular part of the film if it is required. This stage is very helpful and more over necessary in animation films, as you are creating a non-realistic world. Even historical genres, such as epics, storyboard will be essential for this. In the creative direction part this plays a very important role, and also makes the job much easier the way you will want the sets to be designed. The appealing part of the film also is contributed through this stage of film making. The helpful things to keep in mind during this stage are by being more cinematic, and also very logical. Even you have to be careful in picking a theme which you want to create that particular ambiance. One very essential point is to put your film into the paper so that it help you look into the visualizing part. Storyboard can be optional is some genres, and also can be ignored, but it can as well as can contribute a lot to the film.

Importance of film knowledge

Importance of film knowledge

Creating your own story, and making a film is a talent for sure, and creativity cannot be taught but just can come into your mind. But you can learn how to enhance your unique skills, as well as can improvise on your mistakes. Film knowledge in my point of view is really very necessary. You see, walking with the facts, everyone in this world is creative, and unique in their own ways. In this specific field, if you are having the qualities of becoming a successful film maker it will surely take you ahead in life. But in my point of view, it is very vital to know about the knowledge of the field which you will be entering soon. Currently I am studying in a film school where various different subjects are taught such as film history. In my point of view, knowing about how the cinema gave birth into this world is essential. This is also another way of being different from the crowd; by having the qualities, and the knowledge as well. Even having the knowledge of technical terms will help you work with a much planned, and an easier way. As a cinematographer your practical work also speaks the most right? And sometimes there are people who work practically, without knowing the exact technical terms. This might sound ironic, but after going into theory, and having the idea of the technical terms, your practical work will automatically improvise as you will know how exactly the shot will be taken. I can explain this particular part with a very basic example. If you want to take a wide shot, as a director instead of just explaining the cinematographer what and how he/she wants the shot to be taken by experimenting moving the camera in distinct angels or views, knowing the term will make your life much easier as well as a cinematographer also. There is always a reason to have knowledge of something as it helps anytime in the present, or future. If you are willing to become a film maker it is not just important to become excellent in the creative part, but also very vital for being intelligent in the knowledge; theory as well.

There is nothing compulsory as such, but I feel that in which ever field you step in you should know everything about it as because of that particular field you will reach somewhere. There might be people who are just keen into the practical part, and not realizing how important it is to gain the theoretical one as well, and I am not stating that it is either wrong or right, but instead just giving what is my point of view to this particular topic, because having knowledge will as well as help you reach somewhere, and there are no limits in it also. 

Learning to accept criticism

Learning to accept criticism

This particular part is very essential for you as a film maker if you want to survive in the industry. I have repeated this a lot of times that you should be able to learn how to accept the fact that your work cannot be loved by everyone, but try making it loved by  mass audience so that you can also be counted as one of the successful film makers in the industry. This might sound very easy, but trust me it is not very simple in future to accept if someone will dislike your work. At start either it might break you down, or might as well as hurt your ego. Even sometimes competition becomes the priority which for this reason sometimes can pulls you down in the industry. You have to learn from now how to face the world, and be strong enough to hear false comments about you. Taking this in a positive way, you can learn from your mistakes, and make your film even much better in the future, or also for the people who always are into criticizing your film you will have a reason because of them to get motivated, and stand up making a better film which will leave them scandalized as well. People in our world have much more difficulty in appreciating the work. As a film maker yourself if you watch a film made by another person surely you will search for the mistakes. I am not saying that this is a crime, as if you are in the same field it’s but obvious that automatically you will hunt and point out the mistakes. But in my point of view deliberately pointing out is really unnecessary. This is usually done by the people who are either jealous, or want to find their own way through demotivating other people. You have to build up your mentality so strong that none of those people and their criticism will effect you, and your work as well.

You can take criticism in a positive way where you will have a reason to improve, and also will become a better film maker. But if you will at that very moment feel bad, or stressed about the fact you being criticized, and as well as being less confident will be the sign of your survival being tough in the industry for the future. If I consider myself, yes sometimes I do feel bad when my work is not appreciated, but at the end of the day you should learn how to motivate yourself, and the next morning be awake with a much more improvised way of working. There will be many people who will come and criticize your work, and less people who will clap for you. But if you will be successful also in making one person applaud for you; surely you will slowly make many of them too. Being less emotional, and more practical in this field with a thick skin will help the most, and surely will also help you to learn how to become a much better film maker as well.

Nervousness

Nervousness

Every individual at some point of their life gets the feeling of being ‘nervous’ , if we consider distinct examples such as, delivering a speech on stage, or performing for a talent show, etc.  We become nervous because of our thoughts jumping into our mind about different kinds of things, such as people’s reaction towards you, or the way you will present yourself, etc.  But when you present yourself on the stage and continue with the performance your thoughts later are automatically relaxed.

As a film maker, it’s our job to face the blind public to show your work, and make your film successful. This particular post cannot be generalized as some people might not have that particular feeling at all, but in my point of view in the first time somewhere that momentary feeling does occur for sure. As an actor, facing the camera, and acting out a character is not very easy until, and unless you are very focused, and experienced as well. While acting there might be quarries related to your performance, or how do you look on screen, but keeping such things away from your mind is really not a piece of cake, trust me. You see, being nervous is a natural feeling taken in a positive way as well. Famous people who we now see on screen surely might have been nervous at a certain point of their life. Having that feeling proves that you are not over confident about yourself, and your talent as well, and this will take you ahead in your life. I am not saying that it is necessary being nervous, but surely it kills your over confidence. If I consider myself, once in college I had a task of performing a monologue about two to five minutes. My heart was pounding so fast at that particular moment, and after performing the feeling of the task being completed cannot be described into words, as you can only have that feeling after experiencing that moment as well.

As a film maker you somewhere have to get adapted to that particular feeling, as it’s your job to face the camera almost daily. For an actor it is very vital to just be confident, and be into the character which they are playing, making the film enhance even more. 

A film maker also gets nervous when their film is shown to their public. They do not know who is watching, and how will the reaction be, but this feeling turns out to become the feeling when you reach cloud 9 when your film is successful and loved by the people also. The reason for me writing this post is because being nervous is usually felt by a person who faces thousands of public through different kinds of ways, but this particular part in my point of view is important for the film makers to know how to overcome it. Without facing the public a film maker cannot be successful, and surely this comes in the process of being a successful film maker in the future as well.

Camera – The character of a film

Camera – The character of a film

This particular post does not just talk about the technical part of the camera, but how the camera also plays a character in a film. Obviously you all know that without having a camera it is impossible to shoot a particular film right? I mean without a camera how will you ever record the film and portray it on screen to the viewers. Basically there is more importance about the camera just that pressing the record button. You see, as almost everyone knows a camera is the one which is handled by the cinematographer.  He/she will basically make the frame look perfect, and add color to the story of the film also. The cinematographer of the film is the director’s vision who is portraying it on screen for the audience. As I had said previously in my post that the quality of the film is depended on the director, and the cinematographer the most (considering the production part) no matter how well our cast will act the role.

 The vision can be viewed because of the camera only, so it’s very vital for not making the movie look flat. The camera is also a part of the character in the film. Basically it also helps to connect the audience to the film emotionally. The actor/actress of the film is obviously the ones who plays the role of the character written in the story, but over here the camera takes place in portraying that particular emotion in a much appropriate way. Even the camera adds reality to the film, also making the audience believe what they are seeing as well. Let me consider the example of a ‘Pan’ shot. We can take an example of a scene where as character is moving, and suddenly a car moves in front of her. So over here the ‘Pan’ shot can be taken in her point of view of that particular car enhancing the look of the particular scene, and look even real to the audience as well. The camera can also be played in dramatic or the suspense scenes as well. If we want our audience to stick to their seats, and bite their nails as well, the camera should be able to create that suspense. Like considering a scene where the murderer is about to be caught in the story, the camera can be moved in such a way which will make the audience curiosity rise even more. These all techniques is visualized in the director’s mind, and portrayed by the cinematographer. He/she should know how to make the camera be a part of the film, and also add more emotion as well.  As a film maker you should also avoid confusing the audience. The audience can be confused due to your frame being too much complicated. As a cinematographer you should also make sure that a simple scene should look easy as well as make it realistic instead of dramatizing it when it is not needed.

The camera movements also helps the audience ‘be a part’ of the film. Creating the effects is done by the editor for sure, but the outcome of the effect will be interesting only depending on how the raw cut will.

In genres like horror, camera also plays the protagonist in the film. If the director wants to create that particular ambiance in the cinema hall, where people will be filled with fears, the camera movements should be successful in that part as well (especially with the music). So the camera also helps create that particular ambiance also. It also helps to give more suspense to the plot, and make the story look even much better on screen. The camera work can be best if the cinematographer will understand the film the way the director has. So for a cinematographer, the camera also should be treated as a character of the film, and also create the ambiance, and emotions which makes the audience enjoy the film also.

Being a good Storyteller

Being a good Storyteller

Having the talent of being creative and to think out of the box while being different from the crowd is surely very important for your story to become successful. But writing the story, and narrating it to the producer for the budget needed; pitching will not complete your task. Being a director and having the qualities of being a good one will surely help you become prosperous, but in the list of the qualities one very vital part is ‘being a good storyteller’. You see, this is the part which helps you to attract the people to work with you, and make them keen to contribute in your film as well, no matter how different, and interesting your story is.

I have spoken about communication, and how vital it is for our day to day life. People hardly has time to even sit for a cup of coffee, so if someone will remove their time for you to listen to your story, you can make that person think it’s worth it according to how good your at storytelling. Trust me, narrating a story in a short span of time, and a well as grasping the attention of the person such as the cast, or the producer in front of you is not a piece of cake. Being a good storyteller will help you become a good director as well. The more you will be able to make the person visualize what are you verbally saying, that is the key to success. During the shoot also as a director it’s very important to explain that particular scene in such a way that the characters being played by those cast will be able to gulp the words, and transform them into the role which is given to them as well according to the scenario. One way which can avoid you in being a boring storyteller is not dragging a story. I can include myself in this example, as sometimes when I narrate a story, I get so involved in it that sometimes I give the description the priority than the creativity being used in it. This part should be controlled the most, as people will just listen to the skin of the story, and will judge it accordingly. As I had said previously, even your communication skills will help you being crisp and clear. It will also avoid you to repeat the same thing again, and again because of nervousness. As a director you have to be presentable, and not look flat. Let me consider a situation where you are explaining a very intense scene, and trying to make the person more curious. Sometimes people’s voice is more impactful than there gestures, and facial expressions. In my point of view you have to learn how to balance this. With the help of your physical appearance people will get even keener to continue listening to your story, with your verbal communication being interesting as well. This can be practiced by the mirror talking theory. If you talk to yourself in the mirror you can see the way how you can present yourself to the person, and can as well as improvise on your own mistake.

Try to improve the way you deliver the sentence, and as well as the tone with your physical appearance should sync together for making the impact of your story become even more interesting to the listener as well. Being a good storyteller will help you become a better director, and also help you make people imagine the film into their head as you want them to.

The solution to enhance your creative skills

The solution to enhance your creative skills

Now a day’s people are mostly having the talent of doing multi-tasking, and cannot as well be focused at one place. As a student in a film school, if I  will consider myself, I can barge in with distinct examples, like, having the pressure of exams, and making  a short film, and as well as writing a blog to keep you people engaged. Well, with so many things going around in the mind, only an experienced person in my point of view will be able to manage, and sort out all the tasks. As a learner, currently I am on the ship sailing to learn this talent as well, because it is become very necessary. If I consider psychology over here, a person can only be a hundred percent focused at one task, and guarantee that outcome will become even much more better compared than doing two three tasks together. As a film maker, sometimes it happens that either you aren’t able to start, or complete a particular story due to so many other work in our mind which is still left to be completed, or maybe there might be a point where you get stuck as well. There are many more reasons for losing your creative skills in between, which make you pressurized also.

The first solution to enhance your creative skills is to have some ‘peace of mind’. There might be days where you are filled with lots thoughts such as your work which is to be completed, and in between of that you want to complete your story as well. Going to a peaceful scenario, and keeping your mind away from all the other tasks for just a couple of hours can help your mind to be focused at one specific place, and also can help you find the solution in organizing the way the jobs can be completed. The better way to either start or complete the specific story you wish to write will also be found during this process. Another solution can be watching different kinds of films. You see, watching the work of other film makers will surely help your creative skills to enhance even more, as you get a lot to learn, and will increase your knowledge in topics such as how to structure the story in a better way, and also which way you can engage your audience as well. 

Meditation is the best key for relaxation. Now a day’s people are so busy with their life, that sometimes they forget to give time to themselves. So it’s very vital for removing at least an hour from a day to meditate, as it helps your mind to be more focused, and also can train you how to multi task.

As a film maker there are lots of pressures such as budget, team, success, and especially the audience’s reaction to the film which can somewhere affect the flow of the idea.  But the solution to this can be in my point of view is learning how to be focused, and also preparing you accepting the challenges. As I had said earlier many times that your work cannot be loved by everyone, and also time is the one which walks besides you, and also decides when success will arrive at your doorstep. Considering the budget you have to be very witty enough by choosing the producer through pitching, and also the team which you wish to cast as well. These kinds of worries will surely be into your head, but simultaneously thinking about this solution will help you continue to stick with the creative part you want to add into the story as well. Re-thinking is good enough, but not over and over again which at the end of the day will make you doubt on your own creative skills. 

Reading other author’s work is as well the key to help you as they just write stories down, and take you to the world which they want your imagination to go. So, reading can help your imagination power to increase as well, and which results to enhance your creative skills.

Personally, I always try to enhance my creative skills while watching either different kinds of films, and also as well going into a room which has pin drop silence with the background noise of just my thoughts. Try to be more focused, and also give yourself some time to go into the story which you wish to write, and a make a film on it so that your audience will also get connected, making your film successful.

Our Indian Cinema should grow – But How?

Our Indian Cinema should grow – But How?

Film makers make film, because they are made for this, and also for the audience as well. But the same style of movies being repeated can become a bit stereotype right? I am not saying that those film makers are wrong, but from the audience point of view something new is needed as well. Cinema can grow in much distinct kind of ways. The first way which is very vital is when fresher's enter the industry. Having new people entering the industry can give a break to the old ones as well, and also can make the audience see a new talent on screen. Helping fresher’s entering the industry is a big bonus for the cinema as well. Now the other way which our cinema can grow is introducing different kind of ideas as well. One way which can help the cinema grow even though the film makers want is depended on the CBFC, and the audience as well. In my point of view letting films which is bold, and also new for the society is very important for the cinema and the society. The CBFC for example usually cuts a scene, or mutes the part when an actor/actress uses abusive language in our country. In my point of view this is really not fair. I am sure that almost all of you sometimes uses in appropriate language. When the film is certified as an ‘A’ it depends on the audience that they should be aware what the film is certified as, and go accordingly to watch it. It’s better being a transparent society now.

 There is nothing wrong in introducing new kinds of stories. The Indian cinema is somewhere bounded with limitations as well.  If we take an example of the love story of the same gender I am sure that most of the people won’t be interested in watching the film as well, and either will not accept it. Honestly, the reason for me writing about this particular topic is because yesterday I had seen the news of the upcoming film which is given ‘Banned’- ‘Udta Punjab’. Almost the whole industry had got together as a unity to support the film. Famous film makers such as 'Anurag Kashyab' had stated something which made a lot of sense; ‘The film should be rejected by the audience not by the CBFC’. And I totally agree to this point, as hence at the end of the day the film is made for the audience right? Other film stars like the legend sir ‘Amitabh Bachchan’ had stated that the CBFC cannot kill the creativity. Sometimes films are made related to the problems in the society currently. ‘Udta Punjab’ is a film about drugs, so what is wrong in giving a moral in the form of portraying the problem? Particular scenes can be deleted for sure if it’s related to problems such as spoiling an image of a particular state or person unnecessarily, as we all know cinema is a big influence somewhere on people. But even though the problems are already existed, I think there is no harm giving a message through showing a story. No I am not promoting this film but instead I am just generalizing this for industry's the future as well. Audience usually complains about the ‘Bollywood films’ being melo-dramatic, and laughs on it as well. But if a film which is very different related to the current society is released, it’s hardly accepted. The disadvantage part of the industry is that the film is only success if it’s loved by the mass not by a small scale of audience.

As a film maker staying in the industry for years in my point of view can help the cinema grow by letting new talent enter in the industry, and have fresh ideas as well. As an audience you can help the cinema grow by moving on in accepting the new ways of film making, and stories of the film. I agree that every culture is different, and as a film maker it is respected as well. But there is no harm in showing it as a form of a story as well right? And the Censor Board should as well in my point of view should stop cutting out the hard work of a film maker. It takes a lot of time in making a film, and not even a minute to cut particular scenes. 

Let our Indian Cinema grow, and become more famous, as at the end of the day this form of entertainment is a part of our life which helps us enjoy, and also takes us to a different world as well.