Sunday, October 5, 2008

Principal Photography-Take 1-The Definition

Let’s start with exactly what the heck “principal photography” is.

Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is actually shot. It’s called “principal” not only because it is the most imortant element, it’s when the majority of the film is shot. Lots of times after most of the film is shot, during or even after editing, the film may need additional scenes to further convey the story. Some times “test audiences” don’t like the ending of the film and they go back and reshoot the ending. That will NOT be happening on The Part.

Even though we may shoot additional material, there won’t be any test audiences. Whatever I think is the best representation of the film is will be final. I plan on enjoying my “final word” while I can. All filmmakers hope to be successful, but with that success comes many other elements. You no longer have that total control of your films and have to answer to studios, producers and such. So until that time this film is not to be altered or undone!

Next Time: Meet the crew!

You can read about Pre-Production in the below entries:
Pre-Production-Scene 1
Pre-Production-Scene 2: Proverbs 10:7
Pre-Production-Scene 3: Leap of Faith: The Andrea Ross Story
Pre-Production-Scene 4: Pernicious Precipitation, The Final Scene

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