Calling the Roll – A film set benefits from orderliness and organization during production. The assistant director (AD) is often in charge of maintaining the shooting schedule and informing the crew and talent about what is happening and when. Please refer to this list suggesting some common commands (and their order of vocalization) that will help an AD get talent and crew on the same page and working together efficiently while recording scenes for a motion media production. Obviously, feel free to modify what is said in order to accommodate the size, scope, and personnel of your particular video production.

Popplet Flowcharts – popplet.com is a free site where anyone can post and  view information that is arranged in customizable flowchart or “mind map” formulations. We have provided “hot links” on the enclosed PDF that will bring you to unique motion media production Popplets created by the author for quick and easy information flowcharts.

Storyboard_Horizontal – Beyond the script and the shot list, having a visual reference for production days can be most beneficial and add to crew and talent understanding of what is to be recorded and how it should look when finished.  We provide a PDF of a blank, generic storyboard page for your use. Download and print as many as you need.

ThingsToThinkAboutMakingMotionPictures – A general roadmap of common practices and some common sense habits of thought that can help you plan and accomplish your video productions with fewer headaches. This is, by no means, an exhaustive list, but it covers some key areas from the three major phases of motion media production. Feel free to use this as an initial guide and add to it as you find your own common practices while you work.

Sample_Script_Resources – Zach Benard was kind enough to donate one of his sample scripts for you to use as an exercise resource. We provide The Winner (clean) and the The Winner (lined demo). We encourage you to practice your pre-production steps by reading the script, lining the script with shot breakdown, creating shot lists (also made available to you on this companion website), and drawing out your storyboards. You will then be well prepared to record your visual interpretation of this script, and you and a friend or classmate may edit the scenes.

Sample_ShotList_Resources – We provide both a printable PDF and an editable .xlxs version of a generic video production shot list form. Feel free to use this as is, or modify it to better serve the needs of your production. We encourage you to create your shot list for the accompanying The Winner script exercise.