With every project there will come risks. In particular the project I am undergoing, of 'An echo in the dark', will present a lot of risks that need to be taken in to consideration. There should be plans that are put into place in order to either avoid, or if it's not possible to avoid, then a back up to achieve what is needed via a different method. These are the risks I have identified.
Storyline: As has happened to me. The storyline can change. It is therefore a good idea to have a back up idea. I have two back up ideas, however, the first back up idea is my original idea and therefore is difficult to achieve. To find out what happened to that idea check out my blog. I also have another idea. This idea is easier to film but still has a solid storyline and one that could be achievable in a shorter space of time if 'An echo in the dark' doesn't work.The reason for the film to stop working could be any of the factors written below.
Actors: Actors could pull out last minute in a small production. If a paid jobs come around at the same time as a non paid job such as this, the obvious choice for the actors would be to take the paid job and let me deal with the consequences. It is important to note that I may struggle to get actors in the first place. Actors are hard to come by and it is difficult to find good actors that fit my desired description that can work around their schedule to fit mine. To get around this the first thing to do is to avoid using to many actors, also cut down words if possible which will allow me to use friends that fit the description to fill out the cast with out drawing attention to the fact that they can not act. It is great, if possible, to have back up actors. With my film I realistically need five good actors. This is a big ask, but I have sent out a lot of casting calls so that I may get a lot of replies. I am prepared, however, if I do not get the people I need. I will then cut the lines down for some of the characters and this will mean I can place week actors in the scene. This would be as shame because the two supporting actors have some of the best lines that really add to the film, however the film would get by with out their dialogue, so this would be a possibility.
Equipment: This is an issue that could cause problems on any set, even if it is your back up idea. If a camera stops working for whatever reason, then problems can occur. It is good to have back up cameras, back up everything in fact ion case this happens. Trying to get flexible actors will help so that if worst comes to worst then I could move the shoot to another day once equipment has been fixed. It is important to check all of the equipment before the shoot and I will also have to make sure it is all charged. Other than that I will have to hope the equipment works and that there aren't over factors that interfere with it, such as the weather.
Weather: Filming outside is a big risk in itself. Weather is a big factor. Precautions have to be taken so that the rain doesn't effect the lens, or that the wind doesn't effect the microphone. These things are difficult to avoid. To avoid rain I could wait for a good forecast, however I would still be chancing it and means I would need to have everyone involved in the filming on hold. Having protective gear available is the best answer to avoiding the weather and this is what I plan to do. The wind can also be avoided if the location is picked well, another, slightly more complicated, way of getting around this is to make sure there is no wind before taking sound and recording about ten seconds of this and then using editing software to remove the noise in post production. The weather is an unpredictable variable that really could make or break the film. I will be hopping that if the weather is against me it is not against me so greatly it forces me to stop filming.
Health and safety: As there will be a small scuffle, it is important to make sure all the actors are safe. It is important to highlight all loose cables and other dangerous things while on set and make sure all risk assessments are filled out and that I am adhering to them. Because there is drugs and guns involved with my film it is important to make my position clear to the local council and the local authorities, something that I have already done. I need to get back into communications with the local authorities with an exact date and time, however, i have cleared it with the local council and I will be letter dropping local businesses and homeowners so that they know what is going on. Obviously doing this could lead to problems, people may object and this could cause a problem. It is something I will have to hope does not happen.
Crew: It may be a bad thing to presume that the crew know what they are doing. They are the same as the cast in that they could bail on the project last minute, this could cause real problems and there is little you can do about it but have some people as a back up. It is important to note that the crew could do a very bad job. It is my job to monitor them and make sure they are not, but if they are, for whatever reason, then it could cause problems for the final product of the film.
