1. An Introduction to Digital Filmmaking
Languages On Film
An Introduction to
Digital Filmmaking

2. Production Flow Overview
Stage 1
Development
What’s Your Idea?
Formulating Your Proposal
Pitching &
Discussion
Stage 2
Pre Production
Scriptwriting
Storyboarding
Shot Lists
Sound Lists
Production Planning
Stage 3
Production
‘The Shoot’
Rehearsing
Action
Takes & Shots
Sound Recording
Stage 4
Post Production
Picture &
Sound Edit
Mixing
Music
Stage 5
Exhibition
Screening Your Film
Archiving
Your Film

3. Stage 1: Development Objective Process Outcome
To thoroughly think through the core idea, theme, story or key message of the film idea.
Research and discuss ideas and decide on the best one.
A short written film proposal.
To decide on the genre in which the core idea/theme/story/
message will be told.
- Small group work
- Class presentation
A verbal presentation or Pitch, with use of illustrations or visual aides.
A more detailed Outline or Synopsis of the film.

4. Stage 2: Pre-Production
Objective
Process
Outcome
To thoroughly plan and prepare for production
Write a Script, devise a Storyboard and create a Shot List
A short written film proposal
Assign key production roles
A verbal presentation or Pitch, with use of illustrations or visual aides
Create all Pre- production documentation
- Small group work
- Class presentation
A more detailed Outline or Synopsis of the film.

5. The Script
Location
Character
Story/Scenario
Scenes
Read-through

6. Shot Types Know your shot types and how to refer to them
Get used to using the abbreviations, ie. MS for Medium Shot, LS for Long Shot, HACU for High Angle Close Up

7. The Grammar of The Shot Motivation Information Composition Sound
Camera angle
Continuity
A film is made up of a sequence of Shots. What we choose to put in the shot [content], how we choose to presentframe is

8. The Shot - Content and Form
Framing: What do we see within the frame of the shot?
Focus: What needs to be in focus? What not?
Exposure: Is there enough light? Increase if not.
Movement: is there movement in shot? Does the camera need to move. Choreograph and rehearse movement of subject and camera.

9. The Shot - Subject/Form
Static or Moving?: Is the camera Static or moving? If it is moving is it Hand Held or on a Tripod [pan or tilt]?
Angle: Low or High Angle shots alter the way the viewer responds to the subject with frame.

10. From Script to Storyboard
It is important that the storyboard is closely related to the script.
Marking Up The Script: breaking down the action and dialogue of the script into shots

11. From Storyboard to Shot List
A storyboard is a visual representation of all your shots and sound in chronological film order.
It should represent the shot structure of your film sequence as you want it to appear when edited.
A Shot List is a list of all the shots you need [and sound] in SHOOTING ORDER

12. Stage 3: Production Objective Process Outcome
To gather all the required images for your film at the best quality possible
Use your Shot List and Storyboard in filming and follow it!
Recorded all the video [moving images], stills [photograph images], and sound
To gather all the required sound for your film at the best quality possible.
You can also improvise if something unexpected occurs!
Decide on the right music for your film. Make sure it is COPYRIGHT CLEAR.
Be organized and keep to defined key production roles

13. Stage 4: Post-Production
Objective
Process
Outcome
Composite all sound and image in storyboard order.
Reviewing, selecting and cutting footage.
Complete film
Edit image and sound.
Add Sound FX
Save file of finished film
Save finished film.
Add music and titles
Make DVD

14. The Grammar of The Edit
An Edit is a transition between two shots. Edits are like punctuation, and affect the pace and rhythm of the film sequence.
A film is made up of a sequence of Shots. What we choose to put in the shot [content], how we choose to presentframe is

15. Stage 5: Exhibition, Distribution and Archiving
Objective
Process
Outcome
To share and archive your films at the best quality available
Save as files for archiving, screening and broadcasting online
Easily accessible resource platform from which your worked an be viewed
To disseminate your projects and achievements widely
Save as DVD
For coursework folders, individual student archive, school archive.

16. Permissions and Privacy
Get signed permission from anyone visible on screen.
Create a form with opt in and out clauses [ie: for school screening, wider public screening, school website, public website, DVD distribution].
Give copies to your students and safely archive them.

17. Exercise
Make a short film of no longer than 1 minute duration that uses a situation and vocabulary from a topic you have recently covered in class.

18. Exercise - Stage 1: Development
In pairs, discuss your ideas.
Focus on content [what you film is about] and style/genre [how your film will be presented].
Think of a title.
Write a short proposal beginning with the title of your film and telling us what it is about.
Pitch your idea to the group [be prepared to answer/ask questions.]

19. Exercise - Stage 2:Pre production
Write a one page script - follow the correct format.
Create a Storyboard [you can use stick men!]
Create a Shot List

20. Exercise - Stage 3:Production
Go out and shoot it! [using your Shot List and Storyboards]

21. Exercise - Stage 4:Post Production
Editing your film using Windows Movie Maker.
Save your finished Film.

22. Exercise - Stage 5:Screening
Screening and Discussion - it is important to evaluate and learn from the films that have been made. What are the lessons for next time? What could have been improved? Does the film convey it’s narrative/message/idea to an audience? If not why not?