• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

Download my filmmaker checklist so you can take action! [CLICK HERE]

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Filmmaking Stuff

Filmmaking Stuff

Make Your Movie Now

  • Start Here
  • Screenwriting
  • Financing
  • Producing
  • Distribution
  • Podcast

Film Production: 3 Tips To Avoid Crying On Set

November 16, 2015 by Jason Brubaker

When you go into film production, you plan everything out for your movie months in advance. You get the locations, picture vehicles, actors, crew, stunt professionals…

And then for some reason, two days before you begin production some crazy series of events take hold and everything falls apart. Your picture vehicles disappear, actors quit the project, crew members take on another job that pays more and the stunt people. . .

Wait, you hired stunt people? What kind of indie film are you making?

At this point in film production, you start to cry. (I would.) Then your girlfriend sees you crying and she stops talking to you. You start smoking cigarettes and drinking heavily… Probably cheap stuff, straight from a (plastic) bottle. Next thing you know, you’re naked and alone looking over the ruins of your film production. How did this happen? (And why are you naked?)

Planning For The Unexpected Saves Film Production Headaches

The thing is, if you can maintain a good attitude and roll with these kinds of setbacks, you’re gonna find out that each day in film production is just another day in paradise. That said, you can eliminate a lot of frustration if you prepare for these unexpected events in advance – just in case.

film-production

Film Production: 3 Tips To Avoid Crying On Set

Most filmmakers with a budget hire an experienced line producer as well as an experienced first assistant director. These are the two professionals who keep the set running smoothly.

If you don’t have a budget for film production, you will need to manage your own shoot. So keep in mind that whatever could go wrong, will go wrong! That’s just the nature of indie film production. Heck, at times it’s the nature of the universe. It is your job to plan for this sort of stuff.

And while it’s impossible to plan for all contingencies, here are three tips to avoid crying on set.

  1. How is your budget looking? Do you have enough money to pay for your movie and also account for the unexpected? If not, you’ll run out of money. I promise.
  2. Create backup locations… Seriously. You need to do this. Just in case.
  3. One more thing, talk with some insurance professionals about insurance for both your workers and equipment. While you’re at it, make sure you talk with a qualified attorney regarding legal protection.

You just never know! And If you’re interested in taking your film career to the next level, I invite you to own a copy of my filmmaker action pack!

If you enjoyed reading this article, make sure you grab a copy of The Filmmaker Checklist.

Share this post with a filmmaker:

TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedin

 

 

About Jason Brubaker

I'm Jason Brubaker. I spent most of my career working in film distribution. I teach filmmakers how to make, market and sell films without Hollywood. So if you'd like more tactics like the article you just read, make sure you sign up for the most awesome filmmaking newsletter ever. (Actually, I'm a little biased. But I do think you'll like the Filmmaking Stuff I send you.)

Primary Sidebar

Affiliate Disclosure

ATTENTION: Links and articles shared on this website contain affiliate links and also promote products and services. This means we receive compensation. You are always encouraged to conduct your own due-diligence before purchasing any product or service. If you would like more information, please read our full Compensation Disclosure.

How To Network In The Movie Biz

If you enjoyed watching this video, make sure you grab a copy of The Filmmaker Checklist.

Footer

About Filmmaking Stuff

Filmmaking Stuff is a professional resource for entrepreneurial filmmakers, providing practical strategies on screenwriting, producing, funding, directing, marketing and distribution. Here are popular filmmaking resources:

  1. Screenwriting
  2. Film Funding
  3. Film Producing
  4. Film Distribution
  5. Podcast

The future of filmmaking is not Hollywood. It is the thousands of independent filmmakers empowered by the digital revolution. Happy filmmaking!

Trending Filmmaking Topics

amazon audience brubaker budget Business business plan crowdfunding DISTRIBUTION distribution deal feature film Film film distribution filmmaker filmmakers FILMMAKING filmmaking career filmmakingstuff hollywood independent Independent film independent filmmaker independent filmmakers investors iTunes jurgen wolff market marketing Money movie Movies PR producer production project Screenplay Screenwriter SCREENWRITING script self distribution sell your movie success target audience traditional distribution video on demand VOD

Affiliate Disclosure:

ATTENTION: Links and articles shared on this website contain affiliate links and also promote products and services. This means we receive compensation. You are always encouraged to conduct your own due-diligence before purchasing any product or service. If you would like more information, please read our full Compensation Disclosure.

Film Website
  • Filmmaking Stuff – Copyright 2019 Brubaker Unlimited LLC
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Testimonial Disclaimer
  • Compensation Disclosure
  • External Links Policy
  • Earnings Disclaimer
  • E-mail Policy
  • Dmca Notice
  • Disclaimer
  • Anti-spam Policy