NVF Magazine / New Voices In
Film & Fiction
October - December Issue

You can make a film just like this one!

How to Write an Independent Film Script

Step1Choose a story that is worth telling. Find a topic or idea that is important, shocking, tragic, or controversial. Don’t follow trends or write about what seems easy to market if there is no energy or inspiration behind it. Passion for the story will give motivation to complete the whole writing process and finish the independent film script.

Step2Download and install script formatting software. Screenplays have a very specialized formatting style. The software does the formatting automatically, which saves time and takes the headache out of it. Final Draft (http://www.finaldraft.com/ /) is the industry standard. There is also Celtx (http://www.celtx.com/ /), which is free and works very well.

Step3Read this article from Script Frenzy, “How to Format a Screenplay” (http://www.scriptfrenzy.org./howtoformatascreenplay ) to understand the formatting and style elements.

Step4Read some scripts. Pay attention to dialogue, descriptions and pacing. Start with the script of a familiar film to see how the scenes were described. Next, read an unfamiliar film and imagine how it plays. There are some sites that have screenplays available to read online, like Daily Script (http://www.dailyscript.com/) and Script-O-Rama (http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/dircut.html ).

Step5Outline the plot for the independent film script. Use as much or as little detail as needed. Some writers plan everything out first and others are more organic, shaping the plot and researching the details along the way. Use the classic three act story structure if it is helpful, but be free to do something different if that doesn't work.

Step6Consider what can be shot on an independent film budget. Keep the number of locations and characters to a minimum. Stay away from big action and special effects scenes. Crowds of extras, fancy make-up effects, explosions, and preparing locations for shooting take a lot of time and money. Make a list of required locations. Make a list of any special effects scenes or sequences. Make a list of all the characters. Review each list and cut out everything that isn’t absolutely essential so that the script can fit an indie film budget.

Step7Focus on the characters in the independent film. Know them well. Write detailed descriptions of them. Include personality traits, beliefs, education, hobbies, pet peeves, motivations, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Use the descriptions as a guide to their behaviors, reactions, decisions and relationships with other characters.

Step8Develop a good sense of dialogue. Send some time listening to conversations and read some scenes from scripts that have strong dialogue.

Step9Use images and actions to communicate as much plot and character information as possible. Show a character working to establish a job. Dress a rich character in expensive-looking clothes.

Step10Complete the draft of the independent film script. Keep writing every day as much as possible. Don’t evaluate or be critical yet.

Step11Mold and polish the draft into a brilliant independent film script by editing. Turn a critical eye on it and pay attention to the details. Get an outside opinion from a trustworthy reader. Revise, change scenes around, and add or delete scenes as needed. Proofread carefully.

Making films have always been an expensive venture--until recently. With the rapid advance in the technology of home video cameras and computers with inexpensive (some are pre-installed) editing programs, just about anyone can make their own film. A horror movie is about the most inexpensive film one could make. There is a bit of hard work involved, from scriptwriting to editing, but the reward is in the spoils.

Things You’ll Need:

Actors Video camera Tripod Batteries DV tape Computer Editing program Corn syrup Food coloring variety pack Lights

Step1 Write a script. There are many articles and books on writing screenplays out there (see Resources below). If you have a script already, move on to Step 2.

Step2 Cast your film. You can always use friends, but you can also find really good actors that will work for free just for the experience; just put ads up at a local theater or on Craigslist; try this finding your crew this way as well.

Step3 Scout locations. Find locations that have decent lighting; video cameras can do a lot, but they can't fix poor lighting. If your location requires lighting, you can use flood lights and shop lights, which have been a favorite lighting technique in horror films for many years. But you can also use household lights. Just make sure to not put too much light on any one subject. Spread your light out as evenly as possible and try to avoid double or triple shadows. One harsh shadow against a wall can add an even scarier element to your picture. If you'd like to make a character look sinister or evil, try putting a light under his face and watch how the shadows intensify his look.

Step4 Shoot your film. Be sure to shoot the scenes from many different angles. This is called coverage. Be sure to watch your line of axis and don't "cross the line." If a character appears on the right of the screen, looking at us; when you reverse the camera towards the other person, their head should be to the left of the screen. Also be sure to have your characters entering and exiting the frame, if possible. Keep this in mind and shoot as much coverage as you can.

Step5 Get bloody. When a scene calls for blood, use the corn syrup. Heat the bottle slightly if you want it to mix easier. Make a deep red color by mixing red food coloring and any darker color into the corn syrup. Add a bit of hot water if you want to thin the consistency. Apply to the characters generously. If you're worried about stains, it usually washes out of clothes, walls and floors, though use discretion should you have any doubts. If you'd like to add a gory effect to your film, use ripped up pieces of sandwich meat such as bologna, ham or turkey. Add some fake blood and use that for hunks of flesh.

Step6 Edit your film. Once you've shot your film, download the footage into your computer and use an editing program to cut it together. Editing can be hard if you don't know what you're doing, so familiarize yourself with the program first; most programs have decent tutorials.

Cut your movie together, add credits and music, and show the movie to your friends and family.

How to Make Fake Movie Blood

If you are looking to create a truly horrifying costume or simply want to play a scary prank on someone, try out a few makeup tips straight from the movie-making experts. Fake blood is one of the simplest ways to make any scary costume stand out from the rest. Now you can make convincing, real-looking blood right in your own kitchen.

Things You’ll Need:

Light or dark corn syrup

Measuring cup or small bowl

Red food coloring

Blue food coloring

White flour

Chocolate syrup

Step1Measure 1/8 of a cup of corn syrup into a small bowl or measuring cup. You may use light or dark corn syrup, but light corn syrup may require a bit more food coloring.

Step2Add about 20 drops of red food coloring to the corn syrup and stir well. If you are going for a nonrealistic, super gory fake blood effect, bright red may be just what you are looking for to complement your monster makeup. If you are going for a more realistic look, add blue food coloring one drop at a time until you reach your desired shade.

Step3Thicken your fake blood for easier application by adding about 1 tsp. of sifted white flour. Stir the mixture as well as possible and let sit for 10 minutes. After the mixture has set and thickened a bit, the extra flour will float on top where you can easily remove the clumps. Adding flour will also make your fake blood less transparent and more realistic.

Step4Make your fake blood as tasty as it is realistic, especially for zombie or vampire costumes. Instead of adding blue food coloring, add a drop or two of chocolate syrup. The chocolate syrup not only makes your makeup taste good, it will thicken and darken your fake blood for a more realistic look.

How to Find a Distributor for an Indie Film

Collect your reels, your script and your actor list, then head off to find a distributor for your independent film. You need to find someone with the right marketing connections and capital to back your now completed indie feature.

Step1Acquire a list of companies that actively engage in distributing films, seeking them out at websites like FilmForum.org or Independent Film Distribution (see Additional Resources). These list indie film distributors, both in the U.K. and the United States. Films that fit the independent mold are often more readily distributed by companies that work with similar kinds of material.

Step2Visit video stores. Often, the distributor of a particular film which might be similar to the film you are pursuing distribution for will be listed on the back of the film's box.

Step3Engage in active interviewing with possible distributors. Remember that this is your film and ultimately, you decide who is going to be responsible for getting it in theaters.

Step4Design a way to present your film to possible distributors. This is not unlike the courting process; you have to make your package as desirable as can be.

Step5Decide when you are going to initiate contact with distributors. Choose to get in touch with them during one of three initial stages of your film's production. You need to approach them either during development, during the actual production or when you have a finished product to show.

Step6Follow-up on proposals after you've mailed your pitch or spoken directly with the studio. Be aggressive, and let them know you are eagerly awaiting their decision, whatever it may be. Don't let them waste your time.

The Horror Film Survival Guide

A monster is hiding in your house, out to kill everyone there. Or you're stranded in the middle of nowhere in a town with a legendary curse. Or you've wandered too far into a creepy forest in the middle of the night. You know you're stuck in an awful horror movie story, but the question is, how do you survive?

Inside the House

Step1Do not engage in sexual relations. Those who do are the first to die in the movie.

Step2Move out of the house if it was built on any type of burial ground. Sell it for any price.

Step3Never say "I'll be right back" if you have to leave. You will not come back.

Step4Don't answer the phone unless you're expecting a call. If you don't know the voice on the other end, hang up immediately.

Step5Don't take a bath, or even take any clothes off. Monsters aren't just killers, they're perverts.

Step6Do not run upstairs or downstairs. If you make it to the basement, you'll be trapped, and if you make it to the attic or roof, the only way out is to jump.

Step7If you get out of the house, don't get in your car. The monster will be in there.

On the Road

Step1Keep your spare gas can full. You do not want to run out of gas.

Step2Never pickup hitchhikers, especially ones carrying power tools.

Step3Do not stop in a town that looks deserted. You do not want to find out why.

Step4If you hit something in the road, keep driving. Don't go back to find out what you hit.

Step5Always make sure your back seat is empty.

In the Woods

Step1Believe any story the old people told you. It doesn't matter how crazy it sounds or they seem.

Step2Keep a light with you at all times. Anything with fire is best because you'll likely have to burn something.

Step3Never split up with your party. If anyone suggests that you do, kill them.

And there’s more…

Step1 Never drink or do drugs.

Step2Never say that you'll be right back. You won't…ever.

Step3Whenever you enter a room, immediately turn the lights on.

Step4If you are blonde, black or have big breasts, just give up now.

Step5 Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

Step6Under no circumstances should you EVER search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.

Step7Prior to entering a vehicle, be sure to check the back seat for occupants.

Step8 If at any time your friend or your pet turns into a demon kill them. If for some reason or another they suddenly turn back to normal, kill them anyway, just to be safe.

Step9When confronted by the masked killer, do not run upstairs or into the back yard. Run out the front door...

Step10Kill anyone who suggests that you split up. There is nothing wrong with them, it’s just better that way.

Step11It’s not over if it is still night-time.

Step12When it appears that you have killed the monster, DON’T take a closer look to see if it's really dead. It’s not.

Step13Never stand in, on, above, below, beside or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum or any other form of burial chamber.

Step14Stay away from certain geographical locations. Such as: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, or any small town in Maine.

Step15 Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, lawnmowers, butane torches, smoldering irons, band saws or any (possibly deathly) device made from deceased companions. In fact, don’t speak to them.

Step16Never watch a horror movie while you're in a horror movie. I can’t emphasize this enough.

Step17 When battling zombies or any other undead beings, sever the head or shoot them in the brain. If you they still want to eat you after that, just surrender. It’s easier.