A Workflow for Filmmaking
Continuing the series of videography stuff that I’m still learning and adapting, let’s talk about workflow.
This is going to be very general and will vary to some degree depending on the length and type of film. There are many benefits of following a defined workflow, but that’s not to say that you can’t just make it up on the fly sometimes, for fun or learning or experimentation. But a workflow brings consistency and quality:
It defines pre-production steps - so controls the urge to dive in and start filming without proper planning
It allow you to be intentional and develop habits that lead to making the work most effective and efficient
It can make the project seem more manageable, by defining the smaller steps of work to get it done.
So here’s what I have currently:
1) Concept (what’s the film about? In one or two sentences)
2) Mood board (ideas from other films and other mediums)
3) Define stages of the story
4) Storyboard (sketches) and/or Shot List
5) Choose music
6) Film footage
You might choose to update the storyboard here based on the footage, to assist through the edit.
7) Edit each stage (A-roll, B-roll, Color correct, color grade, graphics, music, sound fx, export)
And here are some extra tips and suggestions that make a lot of sense to try out and see what works for you:
(from Caleb Wojcik):
Edit backwards (better takes are likely to be at the end, before moving on)
Clap (choose a number) after mistakes or good takes so each to find the audio spikes when editing (not with a client though!)
Edit all b-Roll in a separate sequence - stack the two timelines to combine
(from Aidin Robbins):
Start with the music - add markers on key points through the track. Add marker sections for each stage through the music.
Collect ‘selects’ (I.e. useable footage) on a different timeline. Mark favorite takes on the timeline (use labels to change to color)
Rough cut - start big and narrow it down gradually
One activity that could move significantly in this order is choosing the music. You might have something in mind when you’re thinking about the initial concept. You might include it in considering the mood board. The choice might change. Maybe the selection comes later, during the edit. But not too late in the edit. Certainly a lot of editors will edit with the music playing. You might even want to shoot with the music playing, depending on the type of footage.
(Having said all that, this week I’ve mostly been filming my daughter dancing in our living room, with no plan or aims or workflow, on the rather good Dazz Cam app on iPhone).
