Joe The Filmmaker Guide: Creating A Webisode

JOE THE FILMMAKERS GUIDE TO

HOW TO CREATE A WEBISODE

By: DT Productions Staff

A webisode is essentially a streaming television show that is broadcast over the internet. Like any, “Days of Our Lives,” or “As The World Turns,” people are interested in the on going saga in the lives of everyday people. With the use of YouTube or other streaming video sites you are able to construct a webisode that could be broadcast to millions on a daily basis.

Please follow these steps in order to create a successful webisode.

1. Create a reality pilot for your webisode.

Your pilot must be original, high conceptual content and current for today’s culture. The name of your webisode must also reflect the pitch and goal of your program.

2. Set the framework for your webisode.

You must answer the important questions when considering the construction of your show; Who are my guest? Who are my potential audience members? What is the overall theme of my webisode? What is the ultimate purpose of my webisode and how do I want my webisode to end? Plan out your first 10 webisodes from A-B with site details, character models, scene settings, and webisode events. Do your research on the topic/subject matter of your show and be sure to add an twist to your show to interest your audience.

3. Scout your cast and crew.

After your framework and research are completed scout for actors, or live participates who are willing to speak on camera about their experience relating to your webisode. The only crew you will need if any are; a sound assistant, a production assistant and yourself. Anything more then this is a feature film crew.

4. Create a website dedicated to your webisode.

Even though you have the networking sites like youtube and myspace, video is a product and it’s all about, “BRANDING,” with your webisode brand, people will be able to pick you out of a crowd instead of being a needle in a haystack. Working with a blog site that is attached to a domain name will give you better visibility. With the combination of key words, people will be able to find your webisode over those who are buried under the pile of other webisodes.

5.Proper Webisode Equipment.

The proper webisode equipment needed is; a professional video camera, proper lighting, body microphones for your guest, and/or hand held sound equipment. If your budget doesn’t fit professional film equipment in it, then using HD Digital camera equipment, sound equipment and proper lighting is appropriate. Using a webcam is not appropriate and can diminish your video quality.

6. Schedule your webisode.

Proper time scheduling will allow you to organize your webisode and give you the advantage of preparing need materials ahead of time so no video feed is wasted. Be sure to stay consistent with your viewing times, your viewing audience will love and appreciate you for this. Exp. Jack and Jills Webisode New Episode every Monday at 8:00pm.

7. Broadcast your webisode.

It may seem silly, but send out a press release when your webisode is ready to launch. Websites like PRweb allows you to upload free press releases and will give your new viewing audience a heads up to look forward to your coming show. There are other free press release sites that you can look up, make sure you take advange of them, you could get more viewers then you realize with this assistance. Produce a coming soon teaser trailer so that online viewers will also look forward to your up and coming webisode. Networking and marketing on; craiglist, myspace, twitter, facebook and other social networking sites won’t hurt either.

Once completely edited, upload your 15 minute webisode to your myspace or youtube channel and watch your viewers grow! Give them what they want to see and listen to their objections to any part of your webisode and be willing to change accordingly.

8. Unsuccessful Webisodes.

If your webisode is unsuccessful then go back to the drawing board, and do more research about the topics and information that others are seeking to view. Or, revise your current webisode that reflects a freshen updated version of the original.

9. Successful Webisodes.

Congratulations! You did it, now keep going, you are the next online, “As The Web Turns.”

For an live example of a live webisode please visit http://www.defineyourself.ca/webisodes.php

LOOK FOR MORE ADVICE FROM “JOE THE FILMMAKER.”

Next Column: How To Make A Successful Reality TV Pilot Sale Quickly

Joe The Filmmaker’s Guide: Feature Script In 10 Day

JOE THE FILMMAKER’S GUILD TO WRITING

A FEATURE FILM SCRIPT IN 10 DAYS

Written By: DT Productions Staff

The expression on your face tells it all, and your wondering? I’ve spent almost a year on my script! How in the world do you propose that I can complete a full script in 10 days? Well, the answer is simple, by using voice activated software or digital tape recorder. Of course you didn’t think you could fully write a full feature script in 10 days did you? You probably could but, you would need lots of coffee and clothes pins to keep your eyes open.

One of the widely used speech recognition software is Nuance, Naturally Speaking software. (www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking) With this software you can audiably speak and the software will write the script as you speak. This process is no walk in the park, it requires pre-planning and script organization. Please review the ten-day schedule to insure accuracy in completing the writing of your feature screenplay.

JOE THE FILMMAKER’S 10 DAY SCRIPT OUTLINE

(Use Index Cards For Note Organization)

Day 1

Brainstorm script idea.

Write synopsis/logline

Day 2

Create individual characters w/descriptions

Day 3

Write full film treatment

Day 4

Write 2 paragraph description of each Act (2 Beginning/2 Middle/2 End)

Day 5

Write scene headings by Act

Write 1 paragraph description per scene

Write action lines by scene

Day 6

Organize the order of your script notes from Day 4 & 5

Day 7

Improv Voice Record Act 1-2

Day 8

Improv Voice Record Act 3-4

Day 9

Improv Voice Record Act 5-6

Day 10

Complete full recording/record additions/script corrections

End of Day 10 Full 1st Draft of sound recorded script!

This is a fun creative way of writing your script. This process is very improvisational and allows your creative juices to flow as you speak forth your script. Don’t get us wrong, you will edit this form of script a few times before it’s complete, but completing your first draft will be a cinch! If you can’t afford voice recognition software then you can use a digital tape recorder and replay back and type your script as heard.

For more information about speech recognition software please search key words: dragon naturally speaking, naturally speaking, voice recognition software, speech automated software. These key words will help you find the software you need to get started.

FOR MORE ABOUT JOE THE FILMMAKER PLEASE STAY TUNED……

Joe The Filmmaker: Film Distribution The Cheap Way

SO WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF

WINNING A FILM DISTRIBUTION DEAL?

Written By: DT Production Staff

The truth is winning a Cannes or Sundance Film Festival are slim to none! We believe the only way we can make it into the big time film industry is if our film wins or places at film festivals. Film festivals are political and only consider a narrow range of film genres. Yes, this is a sure way to get a production deal but is it the ONLY way? No, there are hundreds of distribution outlets that independent film makers can take advantage of.

Websites like youtube, and myspace allow you to grow a network of viewers around your films to gain interest. This platform is free and is viewed my millions of video watchers per day all around the world. Websites like, Ning.com allows you to build a social network site so the viewers of your films can socially network and have full community discussions about your films.

Also, a low cost way to start your own online film distribution company is to use websites like; LuLu. com and creatspace.com, which allows you to have an inventory free publishing platform. Createspace especially is linked with Amazon.com and so you have immediate film distribution. Or you can do it the old fashion way, produce copies out of your damp basement with DVD burning equipment you bought off ebay and start churning and burning.

If you are going to take the path of independent film distributor then, please make sure your DVD prints are professional. Link with graphic artist to design your DVD cover print, contact your local printer office and contract a paper production deal to make X amount of copies of print for really cheap so that you can keep your cost low. Great printer companies have printing pressing machines where they can kick out thousands per minute, if they have choose that option, stay away from ink jet printing. If you don’t have much money you can slowly build up your inventory, and just like a hustler on the street sell your movie! You are your best asset! Music Moguls such as Jay Z and P. Miller started distributing their, “product,” out the trunk of their cars. If your film product is great, then your copies will fly out the trunk of your car.

Also, Network! Establish an account with LinkedIn and join groups that will help you grow as a professional. Give as much information as you can about yourself, because selling yourself is the same as selling your product.

THIS IS PART 1 OF FILM DISTRIBUTION THE CHEAP WAY..STAY TUNED FOR MORE TIPS AND ADVICE FROM JOE THE FILMMAKER!

Introduction To Joe The Filmmaker?

JOE THE FILMMAKER COMING TO AN ADVICE COLUMN TO YOU SOON

Well how can we all forget the political parody that continued far past a single plumber’s 15 minutes of fame? Yes, we have all come to know and adore or hate him as, “Joe The Plumber.” When you hear, “Plumber”, you think of a human’s hind parts peaking from an unbuckled pair of pants bending over a toliet bowl with a plunger at his side. But when you think of, “Joe The Plumber,” you think of the 2008 Political campaign of Obama and McCain debating over a single white middle American male name Joe Wurzelbacher who was said to be a plumber by trade, or so he said.

DT Productions, is here to bury the hatch! Obama has been elected President-Elect of the United States of America and Joe the plumber is once again, just another middle class working american who’s putting his plunger down yet another toilet. But, we here at DT Productions say that we are averages Joes, all of us looking to, “Spread The Wealth!” When we mean spread the wealth, we mean spread advise to other middle American filmmakers who are seeking advice to help with screen writing, production, distribution, editing, content and other film/entertainment issues that can be shared for, “FREE!” So, We’re calling all you average, “Joe The Filmmakers,” to give advice and guidance to other filmmakers so that we can all benefit from the wealth of knowledge of what you have obtained over the years in the film industry.

For more about Joe The Filmmaker please stay tuned!

Joe The Filmmakers Guide: From Script To Screen

FILM MAKERS PRE-PRODUCTION – PRODUCTION OUTLINE
Updated and Revised By: DT Productions of Upstate NY
Style Credit: Cinema Workshops

1. SCHEDULE PITCH.
A pre-meeting must be scheduled with the film studio, producer or director in interest of your pitch prior to the meeting at which you plan to deliver your pitch.

2. PITCH.
Members pitching a project must bring to the meeting:
a. A one-page synopsis of the story and an overview of the project containing as
many details as the filmmaker can provide about how he or she envisions the
project unfolding. Multiple copies should be provided.
b. A typed screenplay in standard format. One copy should be supplied for each
speaking part plus one for the narrator. More copies may be supplied if the
filmmaker wishes.

3. PROJECT GREEN LIGHT
If the project is greenlit, the filmmaker should hire a producer. The
filmmaker is also expected to meet with the film studio staff to pitch the full filming project.
* If the project is not greenlit, the filmmaker may choose to work on the script and
re-pitch, in which case the script will need to be rewritten, and once completed, reschedule another pre-meeting to pitch your story again.

4. HIRE PRODUCER.
If the filmmaker chooses, he or she may also produce their project. If they would
like help bringing all the elements together on a potentially complex project, he or
she should recruit a producer with notable credits of films he/she has produced.

5. PRE-PRODUCTION PAPERWORK
The producer should obtain a copy of the script from the filmmaker and work with
the director to complete the breakdown sheets, storyboards, budget outline, and
rough shooting schedule. If the producer would like to do any of the paperwork, he or she should meet with a film production consultant to insure all paperwork is filled out correctly.

6. CHOOSE DATES
Upon completion of pre-production preparations, the filmmaker will be expected
to meet with the film studio for approvals and to choose their shooting dates.

7. SCHEDULE EQUIPMENT RENTALS AND CREW.
Filming equipment rental and filming crew needs to be scheduled in advance for, product availability and cost preparation. You must also hire notable film crew members who’s availability coordinate with your production dates and time.

8. SHOOT.
Make sure a all site locations and permits are secured for shooting locations. A site hazard list and potential site complications should be noted and take into consideration reduce complications. A specified shooting time table must be constructed to reduce film cost and site availability restraints.

9. FILM PROJECT DEADLINES
The filmmaker is also expected to meet with the film studio’s deadlines. It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to provide updates on a regular basis. If a filmmaker misses a step the project could easy go from GREEN light to RED light which means your film can be canceled at any time. Organization and time keeping are essential in the process of productive film making.

10. DELIVERABLES
The filmmaker must insure that the film stock has been well maintained during filming and prepared for delivery. The film deliverables must be available for delivery on the specified ending film date for proper editing and final distribution.