Rant #1

This is a follow-up from a previous post where I mentioned that we are absolutely not ready to film. There were tons of issues I encountered during development and pre-production and I want to get them off my chest.

1. The Basic Understanding of Filmmaking
It seems like the rest of my group members do not know how development and pre-production works. Let me tell you how it went out for us. After pitching ideas, we wrote a short summary of the film. Although the story was not finished written yet, the storyboard was developed right after that. Without a script to show how the story is going to flow, the storyboard became a mess (to me at least). Tons of continuity errors, pacing issues, characters with no personality and plot holes, no one bothered to listen what I had to say about it. The non-exist screenplay was later 'written' (in a completely wrong font!) based the unfinished storyboard. To further the problem, the storyboard was made based on existing locations. At the same time, the group was also tasked to scout locations, audio, casting, props and other minor jobs.

I am no professional filmmaker but having a finished script before doing anything else is a no-brainer. Why build the rest of the structure when the foundation is incomplete? The whole building will collapse easily. In terms of film making, it starts from developing ideas into a script. Storyboarding comes after reviewing and finalizing the completed script. The film has to be green-lit after the script is given a thumbs-up and securing the finance. This is when pre-production truly begin where the production team starts to make preparation for the shoot (casting, location, sets, props, etc). Why write a storyboard with an unfinished story? Why scout for locations first way before writing the story?


Ever since the first meeting to discuss the film, I had this feeling that the whole project may fall apart. After a few meetings, apparently my words didn't matter at all as the group never listen to them. I decided to go with the flow instead. It's not worth my time and breath to reason with them.

2. The One-man Crew
Most problems above began from the one-man crew, Ashmund. Why the term 'One-man Crew'? Because he insists on taking most of the roles. Director, producer, cinematographer, editor. You named it all.  Leaving only minor roles that he doesn't want to do to the rest. like make-up artist, location scouting, writing . Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a shared-role student project? Furthermore, he even accused some members for not contributing to the film. I do not agree with that. Look, how can they do more work when those jobs has been completely taken by you with an iron fist.

One time, I tried to approach him to talk about the above problems. "Shut up and do your job. This is how the industry works." he responded. That was very rude of but it made me chuckled a little because the second line was very ironic as he had worked in photography studio which is completely different than film making.

3. Casting
This is not a big issue but it is something that bothers me. Once again, Ashmund was the one handling the casting. The way he cast one is not by how well one could act but how one looks. Not every super models can act! No one has actually seen the actress till the first day of shooting.