Well, in the last few weeks I've been determined to write a movie script of a movie idea I've had but it's harder than I thought. Incase you're wondering the premise of the movie, it's an alien invasion movie that follows a group of modern-day teenagers trying to survive a mysterious alien invasion. The movie, characters, and scenes I envision pay tribute/homage to other alien invasion movies as well as the movie "Scream". Why Scream, you ask? Because this movie is a sci-fi version of the movie Scream but instead with a masked killer, hungry aliens and the characters are versions of the Scream characters too.
Now what I'm asking is, can I get some advice on how to write a proper first draft of a movie script? What is the best professional camcorder out there to use? Best editing software? How I can find actors and extras for my movie? How to get military props for my movie? And how to set a schedule for actors if I ever do find some?
Well I am a little partial to Adobe, so one option for video editing software is Premiere Pro CS5. I've never used it, but most Abobe products are legit. I have used Pinnacle before, and that was pretty solid. I might suggest using Adobe After Effects for graphics. So really I would say just try out some different things. You can download a free 30 day trial of Adobe products, so then maybe start a smaller project just to get the hang of things and to try different products and methods.
As far as a script, I would treat it just like a story. Cut out some time whenever you can and first plan out a general plot and characters. Then once you get that, start with the script.
That would be my approach, but of course the only movies I've ever made were in high school.
I don't know how to operate a professional camcorder or use an editing software so I'm gonna have to learn as much as I can when using this equipment/software. Also, it's gonna be hard finding actors and setting a schedule for them. Then there's rehearsing/filming areas/ and movie extras. I just hope this really happens.
If it's your first time, then using a regular camcorder is fine to start out with. And I would suggest playing around with Windows Movie Maker, if you have it on your computer. Otherwise I think Windows Live Movie Maker is free, both of those are very basic software for video editing. But if you can learn that, then most of the better software shouldn't be tough to operate.
For actors, ask around people you know. Either if they have acting experience, or a willingness to participate, or ask if they know anybody. You could also put up an ad somewhere local. And then scope out sites. If you need to, ask permission from the owner of a building or a lot if you can use it.
It would be a lot easier if you had a partner who could take some of the load off. Whether that partner is involved in the actual shooting of the movie, or just does certain tasks like setting the schedule, hiring actors, or writing a script.
I actually plan on posting an Ad on Craigslist hopefully looking for casting agents, actors, or extras. Then they'll all probaly expect to be paid but I'm looking for ways I can save my budget of 900,000. That is, if I even bother to save my money year after year. Also, when it comes to filming scenes should I film the big ones where I'm using a set first then the smaller ones and edit them together?
