Key tools needed for making a short film

NeVeR

My G/F is a student in IADT and her new project is a short film about 5 minutes i'd say.

What are the Key tools needed.

lets say the actors and script are sorted and I can do the editing in Adobe premiere pro.

How many cameras should one have ? .. would 1 be enough ?
What Mic should be used ?

We will be buying some stuff and getting some from the college.. But i'm just trying to get a head start.

Thanks.

keefg

One camera will be enough. Multi-cam set ups are only really used for TV shows and the like, pretty much all movies (regardless of their budget) use a one-cam set up. Try to get yourself a few spare batteries though.

Sound gear can get pretty expensive so either try to hire some sound equip and an overhead boom mic or try to get a sound guy to work on the project with you.

Think about lighting. You don't need to spend oodles & oodles on lighting equip, just get creative with any natural light, table lamps etc.

Galvasean

keefg wrote: »

Sound gear can get pretty expensive so either try to hire some sound equip and an overhead boom mic or try to get a sound guy to work on the project with you.

Someone like me with their own gear can be rented fairly cheaply. :cool:
A fatal error by many (particularly student) shorts is poor location sound recording, as it easy to overlook. Most people will watch a short even if the camera work/lighting is a tad ropey, but nothing is more off putting than wonky sound. It gives people headaches and makes them switchoff very quickly.

Also, it's worth auditioning actors properly. Ie: getting a good audition space and advertising on crookedhouse, filmmakersnetwork etc. to get the best possible talent available. Having more professional actors who are used to learning and delivering lines can save a lot of time and energy, plus it gives the film a more polished feel. While it might be tempting to just cast your mates for simplicity's sake, it isusually not the best idea.