C.R.T. Pre-Pro: There’s Always Something to Do

After basically a week of doing a million things at the same time for this short (including writing the screenplay and storyboarding simultaneously, ugh), I was like “it’s been a long week. I want to relax.” I played some videogames for a while, and then sat down to watch a movie, but some anxiety started kicking in, and I realized I couldn’t watch a movie. I had already spent the time I had relaxing to play videogames. I had too much stuff I had to do for a short that’s shooting in sixteen days.

My jobs for this short include: producer, director, writer, casting director, location scout. Over the course of the next two weeks, I have to get insurance, buy enough crafty to feed a crew of 15, book the meals, begin payroll, and get a film permit. It feels like I am in constant communication with people all the time, partly because there’s always questions that come up that you didn’t expect, and you have to reach out to the right person and ask.

“Oh, looks like we’re using props in this movie. Mr. Script Supervisor, can you tell me how much food I need to have ready for this particular scene on the day?” “Looks like we’ll be using music in this movie. Mr. Sound Recordist, how would you recommend recording a changing list of songs for the film?” “Dear Actress, are you available for a makeup test on this day?” And so on.

And yes, I am still in the freaking process of storyboarding this screenplay. There is one line I can’t figure out, but it’s the line that stitches together the emotions and mood from one section of the film into the final section. And I feel like I can’t storyboard the shot until I have the line right, because the shot framing I choose next will be affected by whatever framing I pick for this particular piece of dialogue.

I mean, screw it. I can’t do anything about it now. I’ve got to move forward. I really don’t know what the heck I was thinking. This kind of poor planning could really screw up a film, and with the rates I am paying everyone, I could potentially be a heck of a lot poorer, with nothing to show for it.

And listen — I think I need to remember, who cares if it’s wrong? I mean, I can only do what I can to the best of my ability at this point. I’d rather try and be creative than attempt for perfection and stifle my productivity.