Why does a film fail?

Why does a film fail?

Making a film is not a very easy task, almost all of you would have the idea about it. Working hard surely will help you to avoid your film to go for a flop, but it depends on the way you work hard.   Every person works very hard for achieving his/her dream, but only some of them reaches the platform, because of the way they use their skills, and work towards their goal as well. Now there are many reasons for your film to become a success, but also many reasons as well for it to fail, and I will highlight some of the points related to this. The first and the most common mistake is the story losing its track. Sometimes your film starts with a plot which grasps the attention of the audience, but later on loses the strength of the story either because of losing the track, or by the climax already being discovered from the audience. The story usually gets out of track either because of the plan being very poor, or even sometimes by not having the idea of the structure of your film. Until, and unless your film will not be structured in front of you with using the stage such as ‘Step Outline’, then it will be lost from the way which the film was flowing. 

The next reason can be the cast members chosen for the film. It is very essential to choose the cast suiting a particular role. As a film maker it is your duty for the character sketch to be done to exactly know which character you are giving birth, and also how is his/her personality. Occasionally in some movies there are elements added which are not very necessary, and also irritates the audience, such as over dramatic scenes until, and unless it’s not needed. To follow the genre of the story will help your film to avoid failing also. Until and unless the ambiance is not created, the film will also not reach the audience.

Technical elements also sometimes are not used properly, such as the editing or music used which can distract the audience from gaining the interest in the film. Confusing the audience can help enhance your genre like suspense, and also to keep them watching the film, but a maze should end at a certain point of time right? So it’s also very important to know when, and how to reveal the suspense instead of just exaggerating it, which will avoid the attention of the audience to break. 

Maintaining the continuity also sometimes helps saves your film. Connecting the story from the beginning to the end is very necessary to remember which will help avoiding the audience being over confused, and also make the movie look sensible in front of them. The creative direction should also be properly done, and also match the story which you will execute.

 Sometimes you shoot in another state, and in the film the particular location will be given the name of another existing state. It is very important not to cheat your audience, and if you will manipulate, it should be done in a witty way. Remember that our audience is very smart, especially now a days.

 One major reason which a film fails is because of the type of audience. You see, as I had spoken earlier in my previous posts that as a film maker you will have a blind audience, so you do not know who is interested in what, and how they will judge your film. The personnel opinion can effect and influence the actual presentation of the movie. One example which is very common, if you go for a film which you personally do not like, then you might avoid your known person who later on might not go, or psychologically it might affect the interest if he/she goes to watch the film. Hence you learn from your mistakes, and later on can avoid it as well. So as film maker make sure that these mistakes are not occurred, and it will help you become a successful film maker.

Script Breakdown - The tool to plan

Script Breakdown - The tool to plan 

Breaking down a script in my point of view is one of the most detailed stages. After you have prepared your screenplay, and re-checked it once or twice, it’s very essential to start the script breakdown. This is prepared either by the first AD (Assistant Director) or the Director himself/herself. Basically it helps in managing every element of the process of making a film. The process of breaking down a script is firstly to organize it. After the screenplay has been prepared, and printed out as well, firstly you have to take out the colors which is necessary for highlighting each element. (Image attached below for this information). For example; RED is for the Cast members, and BLUE is for the Special Effects, etc. This can be performed either in the computer with different software’s, or an old school way (paper and sketch color). There are standard code colors for each elements as well. 

After all the colors are organized the next important stage is to break down the page into 1/8th (1 is for the page, and 8 is the line made/drawn).Basically in this part you will have to break down the page by making or drawing one inch of line from the top of the page, and this helps you telling the amount of time a particular scene is for, and also how much can be covered during the shoot days.If a scene exceeds more than a page, then it would be considered as 2/8th. This will continue until a scene is not completed.

As you will read down the screenplay, after noticing different elements simultaneously it should be highlighted. For example, if it is written; ‘Kate is walking with a glass in her hand’. Now in this particular sentence the character ‘Kate’ will be highlighted with the color which is under ‘Cast members’, and Glass will be highlighted with the color which is under ‘Props'. One more very essential thing to consider in this is that there is sometimes a word in a sentence which contains two elements together. To make it easy I can elaborate this with an example, such as a sentence; ‘Kate is walking with heels very slowly on the wooden floor’. (The word 'Heels' produce sound and also is a part of the costume.) So for this particular sentence as I had mentioned before that ‘Kate’ will come under the color of the ‘Cast Member’, ‘Wooden floor’ will come under the color of ‘Set designing’, and ‘Heels’ will come under both the color of ‘Costume, and Sound’; underling both the color together. There are details included such as the kind of glass included; what shape, color, etc. It’s vital to remember that this particular process should be included in each and every part of the screenplay including the dialogues, and the actions.

Another essential stage after highlighting the whole screenplay will be preparing the ‘Script Breakdown sheet’. It is very formally done where the page is broken into different boxes mentioning the exact details of the elements in the screenplay. (This is difficult to be explained in words so I have attached an image below.)

A strip board is also created as well either by the help of a software or made onto a paper. Into the script board details such as the Scene name, scene number, location name and number, Day or night, Interior or Exterior, Characters details, Extras like how many, Special Notes – Effects, Music, Number of Breakdown Sheets. This will help give a clear understanding, and provides a better plan also. It is directly related to the 'Script Breakdown Sheet' but in a more detailed manner, as the piece are cut out into strips, and attached onto the board, giving a bird's eye view. This part gives the clear picture of the plan, and can assist the film maker to edit any mistakes as well.

Hence, this is what, and how the ‘Script Breakdown’is prepared, and helps you organize making your film in a much appropriate way as well.

Script Breakdown Sheet

Color Coded

Background score- The Soul of the Film

Background score- The Soul of the Film

Making a film involves a lot of stages as I had mentioned in my earlier posts. Every process of film making is very important for the audience to connect themselves with the film, and enjoy watching it as well. The story, acting, camera movements, etc. are all a part of the movie to become successful, but one very essential part which easily helps the audience connect themselves to the film is the ‘Background score’ used. The music of the film adds more color, and also essence to the plot in its own way.  In my point of view, it's the soul of the film. Through the background score you can also create the emotions easily which you want your audience to get. Sometimes the actor or the camera movements loses its strength and the music then can automatically pull the film back up. The background score is the strength of the film regarding the emotions, and takes you to the depth of the plot as well. It also can help enhance the ambiance which as a film maker you want to build up. The music is created by different kinds of forms such as in soundtracks, including sound effects, and dialogue’s, etc. During the silent era of films, when talkies had not existed, the background score also had helped the film in it's own way to become a success, also making the audience enjoy the movie. The background score synchronizes with the casts acting, also matches the genre of the film.

The Background score can be used in all kinds of genres, for example romance, comedy. If we consider horror, this particular genre will depend on the music being created. Through the sound the people will be buckled up onto their seats, and also have fear built up within them. This stage can also help you to be a part of the film with the elements of sounds used. Genres like, comedy where punches are added can help the audience laugh out even more. It is very essential for a film maker to understand how to synchronize the sound with the action. The beats of the music should very well match with the action being taken place on-screen otherwise it will break the scenario being created. Sometimes the plot of the story is poor, but the music being created is very successful, and this can lead for the film to work as well. But in my point of view, as a film maker every stage is essential, and should be in the equal level as well. The background score can also help the people recognize the film. The music is the life of a film; a movie will look dull and flat without it. There are lots of technical elements also while making a film score. This particular post helps you tell the importance, and the way you can use the music also. So as a film maker make your music the best with the music director so that the audience will enjoy your film even more.

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.