| Erika Gardner Rants and Raves |
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1. Story is everything, don't even start if the story is not where it should be.
2. Make sure the writer, director and producer are all making the same movie.
3. Always pay your camera and sound crew!! (Remember - You get what you pay for)
4. Try not to say " we'll fix it in post" too often. A lot of times, you can't.
5. Feed your crew and actors really well.
6. Be nice to everyone! They're doing you a favor and you might need one in the future.
7. Have fun and everyone else will too.
8. Take your time and have everything thought out from pre to post production.
9. Be as self contained as possible with your own equipment.
10. Have contracts with everyone involved BEFORE you begin shooting.
2. Make sure the writer, director and producer are all making the same movie.
3. Always pay your camera and sound crew!! (Remember - You get what you pay for)
4. Try not to say " we'll fix it in post" too often. A lot of times, you can't.
5. Feed your crew and actors really well.
6. Be nice to everyone! They're doing you a favor and you might need one in the future.
7. Have fun and everyone else will too.
8. Take your time and have everything thought out from pre to post production.
9. Be as self contained as possible with your own equipment.
10. Have contracts with everyone involved BEFORE you begin shooting.
| MORE TO COME |
Erika's tips for low budget filmmaking:
Erika's "what makes a great director list":
1. Passionate.
2. No ego, unless you've earned it!
3. Listen to those around you who are there to be your objective eye (especially if this is your first film / project.
4. Take lots of different acting classes. Actors don't all learn by the same teachers and what works for one
actor might not work for another. Learn different ways to speak to your actors in order to get what you want.
5. Know the camera you're working with and it's quirks, limitations etc.
6. Please and Thank you go along way.
7. Do your homework, research!
8. Know the editing process.
9. Storyboard your film or have a well thought out shot list.
10. See the finished film in your head before you shoot.
2. No ego, unless you've earned it!
3. Listen to those around you who are there to be your objective eye (especially if this is your first film / project.
4. Take lots of different acting classes. Actors don't all learn by the same teachers and what works for one
actor might not work for another. Learn different ways to speak to your actors in order to get what you want.
5. Know the camera you're working with and it's quirks, limitations etc.
6. Please and Thank you go along way.
7. Do your homework, research!
8. Know the editing process.
9. Storyboard your film or have a well thought out shot list.
10. See the finished film in your head before you shoot.
Erika's advice for actors:
1. Take different acting classes - learn the style that works for you, not just because it worked for someone else.
2. Watch lots of TV and movies. You can learn a lot from watching too.
3. Know the show your auditioning for before you audition. Watch it, watch its style, the actors, editing, pace etc.
4. Get experience in front of the camera whenever you can.
5. Learn to love auditioning, you will be doing it the rest of your life. That's your JOB - to audition.
6. Do something every week to promote yourself.
7. Set goals, short and long-term.
8. Do plays.
9. Work as an extra or stand-in on occasion. You will learn sooo much about making TV and films and what everyone's job is.
Standing-in, you will learn about being in front and behind the camera - it's a great learning experience if you're smart, watch and
learn.
10. Highly recommend Brian Reise Acting Studios.
2. Watch lots of TV and movies. You can learn a lot from watching too.
3. Know the show your auditioning for before you audition. Watch it, watch its style, the actors, editing, pace etc.
4. Get experience in front of the camera whenever you can.
5. Learn to love auditioning, you will be doing it the rest of your life. That's your JOB - to audition.
6. Do something every week to promote yourself.
7. Set goals, short and long-term.
8. Do plays.
9. Work as an extra or stand-in on occasion. You will learn sooo much about making TV and films and what everyone's job is.
Standing-in, you will learn about being in front and behind the camera - it's a great learning experience if you're smart, watch and
learn.
10. Highly recommend Brian Reise Acting Studios.
Why the original CSI is the best one:
Ok, so everyone knows that I'm a BIG CSI fan. However, the original one really is the best. And here's why.
1. The actors are better.
2. The characters are written with background into their personalities and who they are outside of being a CSI.
You don't get that on the other shows, except maybe five seconds at the end.
3. David Caruso is terrible. Sorry. If he does that same head tilt and sunglasses bit one more time, I'm going
to..well i won't have to do anything because i don't watch it!! Oh, and notice how he makes each line into two.
He's the perfect example of a "posing" actor.
4. New York is ok. But the writers could really add in a bit more "character" for the actors.
5. The look and feel of the original is dark and mysterious. I know why they design the Miami show the way they
do, but it's just not as involving. It's all about the "sunshine". And the "hair light". haha
1. The actors are better.
2. The characters are written with background into their personalities and who they are outside of being a CSI.
You don't get that on the other shows, except maybe five seconds at the end.
3. David Caruso is terrible. Sorry. If he does that same head tilt and sunglasses bit one more time, I'm going
to..well i won't have to do anything because i don't watch it!! Oh, and notice how he makes each line into two.
He's the perfect example of a "posing" actor.
4. New York is ok. But the writers could really add in a bit more "character" for the actors.
5. The look and feel of the original is dark and mysterious. I know why they design the Miami show the way they
do, but it's just not as involving. It's all about the "sunshine". And the "hair light". haha