filming on location

Films can be broken down into three very broad categories:

  • Live action
  • Documentary
  • Animation

Within these groups, are a whole host of areas and subdivisions. Use our tips to decide what's right for you.

The best thing a young filmmaker can do is to get hold of a camera and some film, and make a movie of any kind at all - Stanley Kubrick

Found footage

This is using archive film clips to make your own film.

  • A quick way to get starrted
  • Good for subject-based curriculum work
  • You are not relying on good acting or performers of any sort
  • No variety of roles - everyone is doing the same sort of activity
  • See results quickly

live action / drama

  • Can accommodate most themes
  • Requires the most pre-planning in terms of scripts
  • You can see results quite quickly
  • Is the area most similar to that which young people are used to watching : so they will have lots of ideas (but beware of completely derivative ones, unless they have a twist)

documentary

  • An ideal way to get started
  • Good for subject-based curriculum work
  • You are not relying on good acting, although you still need good 'performers'
  • Less adaptable
  • Good sound recording is absolutely essential
  • Potentially sensitive
  • You can't rehearse it

animation

  • Great for young groups
  • You see results quickly
  • Needs more equipment
  • Your film will probably be short
  • Some techniques are more labour intensive than others