Episode 24 of Make Your Film! - Shoot A Scene?

 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 24 of Make Your Film!
I’m Denis O’Brien, here to give you authentic advice straight from my experience producing over 550 productions of all shapes and sizes. My advice might be right, it might be wrong—but it’s always my honest take. 

Today, we’re tackling a big question: Should you shoot a scene from your film before the full production? 

It’s tempting, right? You’ve got a great concept, a solid screenplay, and a team that’s starting to come together. Then someone says, “Hey, let’s shoot a scene!” It sounds like a no-brainer, but trust me—it’s not always the right move. 

Let’s break it down: 

The Pros 

1. Shooting a scene can help set the mood and showcase your vision for investors, actors, and your team.
2. It gets you into the groove of filmmaking, letting you feel the energy and commitment needed for the full production.
3. It can create a buzz if the scene catches the right eyeballs—sometimes that’s what you need to spark interest.
4. It addresses the flavor and style of your film. If done right, a strong clip can elevate your project and help sell the film to investors, distributors, or even potential collaborators.

The Cons

1. If the scene doesn’t turn out great, it can bring down the perceived level of your production.
2. Better actors or crew might shy away if they see something subpar.
3. You’re likely burning money on something that won’t end up in the final film—and budgets are precious.
4. Everything has a shelf life. That clip might feel fresh today, but how long can it really serve you on the journey to making your film? Will it still resonate months—or even years—from now?

My Take

In most cases, I’d say: Don’t do it. Focus your time, energy, and resources on the bigger picture—your story, your package, and attaching the right people on the talent and production sides.

But… there are exceptions. If you have a great actor, access to quality gear, and the right enthusiasm driving you, maybe it’s the thing to do. It all depends on your script, your means, and your goals.

Remember, the ability to make films today for $60K, $200K, $600K, $1.2M, or more is more attainable than ever before. The tools are there—the question is how you use them.

So, focus on the fundamentals, build your package, and attach the right people. The path to making your film has never been more open.

For more tips, resources, and inspiration, visit makeyourfilm.net. And most importantly—go make your film!

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Let’s help each other navigate this crazy creative process. What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve faced as a filmmaker? Drop a comment below!

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