THE DRAIN OF

THE DEAD
PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
Every filmmaker needs a whole list of things in order for their film to be
a success but I am going to narrow it down to four spesific categories to
explain to you my requirements for my film to be a success and those
four categories are as follows:
Location
Cast
Crew
Equipment Choice
With the categories being listed I will now go into depth into why these
are so important for a filmmakers film to be a success.
LOCATION
 When looking for a location for filming consider the following 6
points:

Aesthetic Distance
Does the location match Determine how far the
the Directors visions and location is from the main
the description found in film office to assess the
the script? feasibility of transporting
your cast, crew and
equipment needed for
filming on the day.
Permission Cost
Find out who owns the A film budget will have a
prperty you are planning allocated line for locations
to shoot on and if they however if more that one
will grant you permission location is to be used you
to use it however keep in will need to determine the
mind that if your location fees for the location as well
is on city, suburb or as how much each one will
province a permission cost. If the price is over you
application must me budget, you can try
completed and reviewed negotiate a price with the
owner
Logistics Environment
For each location, consider Examine the natural and
the logistics of filming at interior light found at
the location. Take things your location. Is there an
like: parking, cellphone ambient sound at your
reception, electrical power that could intefere the
usage, space for craft recording of the sound.
services and bathrooms You must also take note of
into consideration the general climate of your
location
With my locations of my film I took all of these points into consderation
and I went on a location scout to find my locations which will be:
two diffrent bathrooms
two diffrent bedrooms
a drain/sewer system that will not cause harm to my actors
a living room of a house
a restaurant that doesn’t mind me filming inside/outside
a kitchen
lastly two diffrent streets to fill some scenes on one of which will
involve a drain with someone inside of the drain.
ACTORS
When choosing your actors you need to make an effective choice
and here is how:
Know your character Plan your casting process
Before you begin looking for Once you have created your
actors, you will need to have character bible you will need to start
a clear idea about who your planning on how you will conduct
characters are, what they your casting process this requires you
want and how they relate to to decide on the location, budget,
each other. To know who the timeline and format for your casting
perfect actor is for each process. You must have the necessary
tools and mateerials required for the
character you will need to
audition and post audition process
create a character bible for
as well as advertising your auditions
each character
Conduct auditions and callbacks Consider the fit and chemistry
The audition is the most important Besides the acting skills and abilities,
part of the casting process and you you should also consider how well the
will be able to see and hear the actors fit in with your project and
actors perform your script and see vision. You should think about how the
how well they interact with each actors match with the aspects of your
other.You should prepare a set of character. You should also think about
scenes that shows the character's the chemistry that the actors have with
personality, motivation, and conflict. one another as well as their
You should also make notes and compatibility. You should look for actors
recording as this will help you who understand your story and are
determine who fits your characters. willing to work with you and the rest of
the crew
Negotiate and finilise contracts Actor rehearsals
After you have selected your actors The final step in choosing your
you will need to finalise a contract actors is rehearsing with them
with them. You must also discuss the before you can start the filming
terms and conditions of their process. You should provide the
involvement in your film. You must actor with the final script,
also make sure that they have the storyboard, shot list and an
necessary paperwork at hand like a explanation as to what you expect
Visa. You should also communicate from them for each scene. You
clearly and regularly with your should also conduct readings and
actors and provide them with the workshops for your actors to get to
necessary information for them to know their character as well as
prepare for their roles. setting time aside for blovking
For my actors I took all these points into consideration and decided
that my actors need to have the following:

A feel for their character and a idea of what their characters

backstories are and what they have gone through
A character bible so that they know their characters well
a feel for the story so that they know what the story is about and
how the story came to be
the actors must know and consider my expectations for the film and
adhere and respect them
CREW
 When choosing your crew you need to make an effective choice
and the following will help you:
Define your needs Do your research
Before you can start looking for Once you have defined your needs,
crew members you will have to have you will need to do some research
a good a idea on what you need for on crew members in your area and
the production. What are the roles in the industry. You can use online
and responsibilities of each platforms, agencies, or networks to
individual crew member? What are find your possible candidates for
your technical and creative your film. You must look for crew
requirements for your script and members who has relevant
genre? etc. Having a detailed experience, portfolios, etc. You must
breakdown will assist you in making also check their availability, rates,
a good choice in terms of crew. etc. Doing reasearch helps you find
the perfect crew.
Conduct interviews Check references
After you have shortlisted you Before you hire any crew
crew the next thing you need to members you should check their
do is to conduct interviews to references to see if their
assess their suitability for the credentials and performances
production of your film. You are valid. You should contact
should prepare some questions their previous employers, clients
on their background, skills, style or collaborators and ask them
and motivation. You should also about their experiences with
discuss your visions, goals and them. You should ask them about
expectations and have a look at
their strengths and weaknesses.
how they respond to it. You
You should also ask them how
should look for crew members
they handle conflict and
who demonstrate enthusiasm,
felxibility, etc with your team. deadlines. Checking references
Conducting interviews will assist will assist you in hiring crew
you in getting to know your members who don’t have bad
crew members work ethics.
Trust your instincts
Finally, you should trust your instincts in terms of hiring the
right crew members for your film production. You should listen to
your gut and instinct when making a choice for crew members.
You should choose crew members who make you feel confident,
inspired and most of all comfortable. You should avoid hiring crew
members who make you feel doubtful, uneasy and frustrated.
Trusting your instincts will help you in selecting the right crew for
your production and who share the same vision and ideas and you
do.
For my crew members I took all these points into consideration and
decided that my crew need to have the following:

A similar vision for the film than that of my vision and it will be
even better if it is the same.
They must have a good work ethic and be reliable when it comes to
working on set with me.
They must be able to work the required hours that I need of them
when they are on set
EQUIPMENT
CHOICES
 When choosing your equipment you need to take the following
into consideration: Research your options
The next step is to do some
Know your goals research on your options. There is a
The first step into picking film
variety of film equipment that is
equipment is to know your goals for
available from, cameras and lenses
your film. What kind of film are
to lights and sound. Each one has
you making? What is the genre,
its own unique features, advantages
tone, and audience that you are and disadvatanges. You need to
aiming for? What is the main compare and contrast the variety
message, element and theme of the of models, brands and prices to see
story you are creating. These which will best suit your project.
questions will assist you in You can use online forums, reviews,
narrowing down your options and blogs and videos to learn more
focusing on the equipment that about the equipment that catches
suits your vision your eye.
Test your equipment Consider you budget
The third step is to test your The fourth step is to consider
equipment. You should avoid your budget. Equipmet for
buying or renting equipment filming can be quite expensive
that won’t work well for you or and you need to balance your
your film. You will need to try quality and quantity with each
out the equipment before you other. You don’t want to
commit to using the equipment. overspend on equipment that is
You can do this by borrowing it unnecessary or too expensive. You
from a friend, by visiting a local also don’t want to compromise
store or even renting the on equipment that is essential
equipment. You should test your and valuable. A realistic and
equipment in various settings, flexible budget needs to be set
scenarios and conditions just to for your equipment, it must allow
see how well it performs and
you to cover your needs and
affects your film.
contingencies.
Be creative Seek feedback
The fifth step is to be creative. The final step is to seek some
Film equipment does’nt just feedback. Film equipment is not
determine your films success. a one-size-fits-all type of
You have to use your solution. You will need tto find
out what works for not only you
imagination, skills and talent in
but your film as well. To do this
order to make the most of what you can ask advice, opinions and
you have. You must also suggestions from filmmakers,
experiment with the techniques, mentors, peers and audiences.
styles and effects to enhance You can also review your own
your film. To face any challenge work and determine your
with your equipment you can strengths and weaknesses. In
always improvise, adapt and order to improve yours skills,
overcome the challenge. refine your choices and grow as a
filmmaker you can ask for
feedback
For my equipment choices I took all these steps into consideration and
decided to do get the following:

A shotgun microphone with a boom, sound mixer, headphones and a

slate
A camera and tripod for filming
Proper lights to implement the three point lighting technique
Lastly proper editing equipment for the editing process of the film
CONCLUSION
In conclusion these categories that I explained in depth is what not only
myself but every film maker needs to make their movie a success in the
film intustry and those categories are what makes a film maker a success
and these categories in particular as I explained are the most important
ones for my short film The Drain of the Dead to be a success in this
industry. These categories will either make or break the film being made
and I know for a fact that these will make and not break my film.
REFERENCES
Location: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-scout-
locations-for-a-film
Cast: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-effectively-
choose-actors-your-film-lrqaf
Crew: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-do-you-need-make-
right-decisions-when-selecting-5jlde
Equipment choices: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/whats-best-
way-pick-film-equipment-skills-film-production