The dream of any film enthusiast is to create a film of their own, to share their message to the world in a way that can both entertain and inform; however, thinking of a story is much different than creating one, which is why creating my senior project was such an illuminating experience.
For my senior project, I took on the challenge of producing a trailer for a twenty-minute short film I wrote and created this semester. While I have worked on many video projects during my time at BYUI, writing, planning, directing, and editing an entire short film nearly by myself proved to be a difficult task. From beginning to end there were a lot of problems that needed solutions, and I felt that I was well prepared to take them on. The success of our team was made possible by the skills I developed in my major—public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and communication—combined with the efforts of an exceptional crew.
The project begins in the pre-production phase.
Pre-Production
I developed the concept for this short film long ago but waited until the semester began to start production. Beginning with the script, I spent a few weeks refining the final draft while also handling other pre-production tasks: securing locations, holding auditions, casting actors, scheduling filming, selecting gear, budgeting, selecting props and costumes, and assembling a crew. I also trained the crew on equipment and set protocols. Once the script was complete, I created a storyboard and shot list.
The key to any successful project is preparation, but due to time constraints, not all pre-production was finished before the first filming day. While that day went well, the following three were much more efficient, thanks to the groundwork laid during prep.
This brings us to the production phase.
Production
The short film was shot over four days, with each day running more efficiently than the last. The first day, while productive, was a learning experience for everyone involved. I quickly realized adjustments were needed on my part to stay on schedule I spent the following week refining my shot list and improving my directing approach. This preparation paid off, as the final three days ran smoothly, with the team working efficiently and staying on schedule.
We also faced on-site challenges, including time constraints, weather, power, and lighting. After a slower first day, catching up required significant effort. Shooting in an abandoned mill presented many challenges, such as a lack of power outlets, requiring careful battery management for our lights. Filming in late October and early November meant dealing with cold temperatures, so ensuring crew and equipment safety was a priority.
With filming complete, the hardest part is behind us, and we now move into post-production.
Post-Production
Since my senior project is the creation of the trailer for my short film, I only had to edit a one-to-two-minute trailer. While editing a trailer is no easy feat, I chose to do a trailer because it gives me as much time as I need to edit the whole film. If I had to edit my entire film for the project, I would have had a rushed result that I would not have been proud of. This gives me the freedom to take all the time I need to create a film I can genuinely be proud of. I’m really happy with how the trailer turned out, and it makes me excited to see the final piece.