How Cinematographers Prepare For A Shoot

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The pre production process starts by being more conceptual, based on ideas, which progressively evolves to become more about the practical execution of those ideas leading up to the shoot.
In this video I will break down my approach to preparing for shooting a project by going over the different stages of cinematography pre production: ideas, mood board, shot list and technical prep.
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PATREON: / indepthcine
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0:00 Introduction
1:45 Ideas
3:41 Mood Board
4:53 Shot List
6:00 Technical Prep
8:23 Conclusion
Music:
Liquid Memoirs - 'Shimmer'
Norvik - 'Windrifts'
EJRM - 'Regenerate'
DJ Taz Rashid - 'Twilight'
Pete James Johnson - 'Still No Bells'
Music Courtesy Of Artlist: artlist.io/artlist-70446/?art...

[@InDepthCine]

Since everyone prepares differently let me know any tips or methods you may have for getting ready for a project.

[@nd_ru]

I honestly love getting a playlist of tracks or folder or art they feel links with the style and subtext of the film and or scenes, also nothing better than a viewing session of films (this is less like documents or things needed for production but so useful to get in the mindset for a project)

[@FrameForge]

I love making simple pre-vis clips in blender, unreal, or cinetracer to help get the timing down with my DPs. If that takes too much time for the project, I’ll look at our shot list and either line up our shot list images on a timeline with temp audio to feel out the scene and timing for some takes, or just find similar shots in other movies and make a Frankenstein pre-vis

[@palmaceiamovie]

I sometimes listen to different soundtracks and get the images in my head.

[@Mechkino]

Dear Grey. Could you withdraw the complaint (strike) about the translation of your video? I wrote to you in the mail. I apologize for the inconvenience.

[@FrameForge]

@@palmaceiamovie I love this! A friend of mine said he does something similar and listens to some select songs in pre-pro so images come to him and he can solidify the tone and feel of the project. Then during Editing and Post, he re-listens to those songs to make sure that he's hitting the same vibe as he did in Pre-pro.

[@budusbusham3324]

Can’t be stressed enough that most filmmaking is systematically and efficiently checking off a list.

[@Farren246]

I'm not a filmmaker myself, but I hope that Milanote understands how good of an ad this is for them.

[@kieranarmstrongproductions4743]

Dude seriously.

[@messyfilms6325]

If this was indeed a paid ad then they broke KZbin rules by not saying that it was.

[@Eyeofkamau]

@@messyfilms6325 who cares lol

[@TenzinNamgyel]

*watching this 20 minutes before leaving for set*

[@judichristopher4604]

"Break a leg..."

[@judichristopher4604]

I'll be glad when we can go back to normal in Albuquerque New Mexico...

[@clarencelinthein]

I personally love storyboarding. It allows me to show other what I envision for each scene :>

[@kiribundi]

Milanote is so great. It really is the ultimate prep tool

[@MattAitia]

I have a video coming out tomorrow about creating a directors treatment and taking ideas from your head to paper! I'm still refining my workflow and Milanote sounds intriguing.

[@kathirVendhan]

Please also do a video for director

[@judichristopher4604]

I agree...

[@makariostang2682]

Yes please!

[@BluescreenFilme]

This is so incredebly motivating to watch as I'm currently putting ideas together for a new film project! :)

[@user-vi2gr8be8k]

I've only recently started making my path in filming and i'd like say you've already had a huge impact on me. Thank you very much!

[@Shotin35mm]

Theres a number if things that I do to prep for a short film. I first start with ideas of a story and play it out in my head. This allows me to figure out how long the short film will be. Typically I like to have a short film around 3-4 minutes long. After playing the story out in my head, I'll then decide on a location. Once the location is decided, I'll play the story out in my head once more in that location. Then I'm off to write a script. I spend a couple of weeks here in this phase because I'm constantly revising it and writing it better. I write the screenplay around the location that I'll be filming in because I've already scouted it. Afterwards, I scroll through pages and pages of pictures from movies according to the tone that I'm going for. This is followed by breaking down my script and creating my shot list. Then I'll screen test it with different looks and adjust the lighting, camera settings, movement, pace, and composition. After this, I'll finally make a gear list of which I need on the day that I film. I will also ask the actors to request a day off for production. On the day of the shoot, I run every shot through a short rehearsal to reinforce direction. Then I'll finally be able to film until I feel like we've wrapped. The end process happens when the audience has feedback and critiques for me. That's the only way I feel like I'll get better besides constantly practicing. I have to wear a lot of hats during all phases of production since I do this by myself along with maybe three other people if they aren't working. On top of that, I'm trying to build my channel here and provide that content to whomever wants to watch it. This allows me to build my reel and hopefully land me a career as a cinematographer. Then one thing that I haven't dabbled in is marketing or kickstarters. It's quite hard to reach an audience if they don't know you're there (which is what I feel a lot of the times). Hopefully with some time and hard work I can have a bigger audience to watch my stuff. I really appreciate this video and found it to be very informative and well articulated! I gained some perspective and some knowledge! Thanks for this video, I'll be waiting for the next!

[@Hello2U4s0e4r]

I signed up for Milanote a few days ago. It's awesome to see content explaining the practical application. Thanks!

[@oniriscope]

Perfect timing! Jumping in

[@dinnertime1857]

great vids as always. really help me to fully understand the pre pro steps.. thanks!

[@stevensaldana7296]

Great video! Thanks a lot! I’m right now preparing for a shoot and this adds a lot of help to pre-production.

[@FilmQi]

Great tips! thank you for sharing

[@thenightwolves5163]

Awesome video, very informative

[@ThongNguyen-fl9jp]

Gosh I love your videos. I look forward to seeing them on Sundays, and they always put me in a tranquil mood while teaching me a great deal.

[@LifeOfRiza]

brilliant! love the examples you used 🙌🏼 super helpful and well done video!

[@guillaumedelormeraie]

Excellent episode, thanks a lot!

[@davidmeneses712]

Very useful. Thanks

[@danielhuang2488]

im shooting my first school project in 2 weeks. i wish this vid had come out a month ago...

[@satish8889]

Awesome

[@studiochapters]

Thank you for all the videos you create! There is so much packed into your content, we really all find it so so valuable. Thank you!

[@Kai_Cheng]

I’m so glad I found this channel! I loved every video you made, thank you!!!!!!

[@photosbycez5012]

Beautiful video, incredibly helpful

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Extremely helpful.

[@huberfilmworks]

I discovered Milanote earlier this year and fell in love immediately. Very good for productions not just for filmmakers. its amazing.

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Thanks!

[@mauriciobastidar7030]

It would be amazing a video about how cinematographers prepare a shot on set

[@creativeorstrange]

Fantastic video - I’m quite few to this, but I do all of the steps you outline, except the second visit to the location and the creation of an animatic, which I hope to do in the future. It was really interesting to hear how you structure your process/ workflow around a central app. I’m interested in streamlining my process in this way and will be checking that app out. It was also really interesting to see your examples and the sorta things you take a note of. It just let me know that I was on the right track. Thank you for the effort you put into this channel.

[@tylerm6747]

I use the exact same prep layout with Milanote. I also use Procreate to draw on Artemis stills, and Notability for the script.

[@EbenSidabutar]

i love it

[@KPSFILMMakingActingReview123]

thanks support

[@husainfoolath4287]

My favorite channel!

[@ginomo]

coolest channel i've found, congrats!

[@dhoutab]

really helpful :)

[@gideonbohm-smith-paul4279]

I can't lie, milanote really has been a game changer for me. it literally just works which if feel like is something really uncommon in filmmaking lol

[@epileric8489]

That is one very underrated video.

[@Je11yb3aner]

Would love to see you do a video for Drive alone, or even just on the director Nic refn

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

This is beyond helpful of breaking it down for a smooth brain like me

[@OkItsJustSean]

Its insane on how I was making a mood list today without ever knowing what one was and it just so happens that one of the screenshots I made is the exact same as the one at 4:04 in the top right. The tree of life screenshot, that is. Crazy we screenshot the same thing and I did it naturally.

[@judichristopher4604]

The Director Robert Rodriguez would be so proud of you and Milanote... when he started out... he took "Pictures" of each shot... similar to Milanote... I think this is a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing this with us...

[@tommie3700]

Notion is awesome too!

[@droid806]

You can do the same with Workflowy or Trello

[@nrinka]

just signed up

[@EhEsDeeEf]

milanote is freakin awesome

[@lukethekuya]

Literally being like Wong Kar Wai on my newest short film project with the kiddos in our neighborhood so far...

[@leonardotavaresdardenne9955]

Make a cinematography style video on Dean Cundy!!!

[@nathanksimpson]

Very curious about the very detailed Korean film references.

[@mr.c_visuals]

🤞pre production first

[@NIKONGUY1960]

I tried Milanote but couldn't get it to work how I needed.

[@judichristopher4604]

5:17 Shouldn't that say in 3A-1 Windshield not Windscreen? Yes? No? Sorry I'm an Editor...

[@randomniche1345]

I came here for the advice, I left with Milanote

[@bubblegumm1361]

I once worked without a script and without a storyboard, big mistake...

[@anantsinghs]

First!

[@jonascarrillo8699]

Milanote.

[@KPSFILMMakingActingReview123]

I am Krishna pada sau From India

[@grantkaufman2088]

Is it just me or did Milanote just dump a crap ton of advertising funds THIS WEEK cause I swear every video I've watched within the past week is sponsored by them...

[@soniraii539]

That's an ad...

[@mattboggs6304]

It's a 9 minute ad.

[@raintreesinretina]

How much is the interference! Pls don't kill the video using Milanote

[@lancefarris385]

Unsubscribed. Shut up about miller note