Preparation Before Making a Feature Film

So, one last time here, I want to hammer home the importance of making short films before you jump into the very large pond of making a feature. Directing your first feature is a huge undertaking, and they're always many problems and obstacles to overcome. The big point I want to make on this is that if you make several short films prior to your first feature, on that first feature, you will encounter less problems, and will be more equipped to handle the problems that do arise.

The obvious concept here is the more you do, the better you will be. So, the more shorts you make, the better the filmmaker you become. Too many first time filmmakers jump right into making a feature. You must make many shorts first. You'll get better with each film, and hopefully at some point, one of these shorts will really work and you'll receive some nice attention from it.

This attention will go a long way. It will help you raise funds, attached actors and crew. It will give you confidence as well.

All of the mistakes you make on your first few shorts, hopefully you won't be a repeat offender. Get my drift? It is here on these shorts that you want to learn from your mistakes, not on the feature. A feature has too much on the line for on the job training. Make all of your mistakes on the shorts, learn from them, and do not repeat these when you do eventually make your feature.