how to make a short film
2. An overview of the filmmaking process
Filmmaking is a creative process that relies on a production chain. However, unlike most production chains, you’ll note that the process does not tend to fit in nicely into the input-process-output model, but does overlap in many areas. The general stages are pre-production, production, post-production and distribution/exhibition. The diagram depicts the various deliverables in each stage — not comprehensive, but more or less fits in the scheme of short films.
There are no short cuts in any stage, and each stage demands as much energy and commitment as any other. You’ll also need to be concerned with deteriorating quality of the deliverables that pass from one stage to another — the law of diminishing returns in energy and quality — so you must be careful to capture the best quality you can from early on.
At Paperplane Creations, we provide media training programs to community groups in our effort to promote media literacy. For over 10 years, we have trained many in the knowledge of how the media works and how to use cameras and other audio-visual equipment. Do let us know if we can help.
