Filmmaking Bootcamp: How to Direct a Feature Film in 24hrs (Udemy.com)

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Making a feature film does not require a script. Nor does it have to take years, months, or even weeks. Learn how to take your ideas and get your film made right now.

Do you have a feature film inside of you just dying to get out? Don't know where to start? Do you think you need millions of dollars to make a feature film? The answer is NO you don't. Would you like to learn how to make a feature film in 24 hours and actually sell it as well?

In this informative ‘how-to’ course, award-winning independent filmmaking duo, Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin from Nexus Production Group, take you through ten chapters, covering every step they took to plan, shoot and market their first improvised feature film Friends, Foes & Fireworks, which they shot in a single night over New Year’s Eve. This is an inside look with nothing held back, from success to mistakes and everything we learned along the way, and which we now share with you so you too can get your feature film made right now.

They DON'T teach you this in Film School!

• Mike Leigh is a Palm d’Or winning director famed for his improvisational approach. 

• Joe Swanberg has built an 18-year career on improvisation, culminated in a series on Netflix. 

• Improvised filmmaking is a captivating and immersive filmmaking process known for its quick turnaround time.  

• So quick, in fact, you can film your idea in a single night.

And that is exactly what Ivan Malekin and Sarah Jayne did, filming their ambitious feature Friends, Foes & Fireworks, entirely improvised, in one night, on New Year’s Eve.

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“In an era of superhero blockbusters and feel-good schmaltz, this is a rare, truthful film. Don’t miss it.” - Mary Costello, Audience Member, Melbourne Cinema Release.

So if you are an aspiring filmmaker who wants to not only get their films made now but sell them too, and utilize a low budget, but high production value approach - one that is unique, innovative, and proven to be successful - then this online filmmaking course is just what you need! 

This course includes:

• 2.5 hours of talk-to-camera discussions about the entire filmmaking process - from concept to planning to film to post to distribution - divided into 10 lessons.

• Behind the Scenes videos, pictures, and scenes from the film demonstrating discussed techniques

• Supplementary resources like outlines, character backgrounds, call sheets, dialogue and action beats, schedules, and character audition videos for Friends, Foes & Fireworks

• Full lifetime access

• Mobile access

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This course will cover:

CHAPTER 1. IDEAS & OUTLINE

In this chapter, you will learn how we found our inspiration and how you can find yours. We also take you through the first steps of building the story for the film, how we work with the actors, and how to do this without a script. Topics covered: 

• How we Think of Ideas

• Location & Character Inspiration

• Outline

• Character Backgrounds

• Scene Descriptions 

• Script vs Improvisation

CHAPTER 2. CASTING 

In this chapter, you will learn how we tackled casting and what we look for in actors, how to use social media for casting calls, plus insights into the audition and selection process. Topics covered: 

• How We Find Actors 

• Our Audition Process

• How We Choose Our Cast

CHAPTER 3. CREW & EQUIPMENT

In this chapter, you will learn about crewing for an improvised feature film, what equipment you will require and the crewing positions we utilized, plus other crew roles you need to consider. Topics covered: 

• Crew Positions We Use

• Additional Crew Positions

• Finding Crew

• Our Equipment 

CHAPTER 4. REHEARSAL 

In this chapter, you will learn about the in-depth process for rehearsals we created to help everyone prepare for the shoot, all without a script. Everything from meetings with the actors, to ice-breaking games, right through to how we recreated character history to give our actors grounding and shared truths to draw upon. Topics covered:

• Our Rehearsal Process

• One on One Meetings

• Actor on Actor Meetings 

• Group Meetings

• Improvisation Games 

• Recreating History

CHAPTER 5. FINAL PREPARATION 

In this chapter, you will learn how to go into an improvised shoot as prepared as possible. We will cover everything we did before shoot day to get ourselves and our cast and crew ready, which you can do too. Topics covered:

• Schedule

• Catering 

• Transportation 

• Locations

• Dialogue & Acton Beats 

• Call Sheets 

CHAPTER 6. THE SHOOT 

In this chapter, you will learn how to take everything you have prepared and turn it into action. We talk about on set etiquette and how we worked with our cast and crew to capture the footage needed, keep the story on track and the schedule on time, and draw the best possible performance from the actors. Topics covered: 

• Welcoming the Team 

• Working Efficiently 

• Shot Setup 

• Takes

CHAPTER 7. TROUBLESHOOTING 

In this chapter you will learn about a number of things that can and will go wrong when shooting any film - improvised or not - and how to work to correct these errors. Through experience and hindsight, we talk about how to avoid mistakes on set and correct those mistakes in post-production that you couldn’t avoid. Topics covered: 

• Coverage

• Continuity 

• Overlapping Dialogue

• Cameras in Shot 

• Reflections & Shadows

• Security 

CHAPTER 8. POST PRODUCTION