Story and Performance Are Your First Lines of Defense

If the audience is bored with your story and bored with your actor's performances then the shortcomings of your production is laid bare for criticism. A solid story and solid performances from your actors are your first line of defense against the harsh criticisms aimed at anything technical. Your amateur lighting, uninspired camera work, lean set design and even lack luster special effects can be forgiven, within reason, by a well told story.

Lacking a trained eye, I've enjoyed movies on the first viewing, then notice poor production on subsequent viewings. If I did notice something, I didn't care, because I was so wrapped up in what was happening in the story and to the characters I had already become emotionally involved with.

"Brick" is a good example of this. The filmmaker took some liberties with jump cuts and audio but I didn't care. I didn't notice most of them till later viewings. Also, have you seen the 2005 Sundance selection of "The Puffy Chair?" The story and actor performances were obviously what captured the audience's heart and attention.

Give your audience something to chew on. A lot of drama. A lot of conflict. A character they want to see succeed, or one they want to see fail miserably. If you can tell an emotionally moving story with three clip lights, a $200 camera, and your friend's apartment, then the only thing you're missing is a big budget.

I firmly believe your skills as a storyteller can be identified within a 5min no-budget video. At least enough to catch the eye of someone who knows what they are looking at and can possibly offer you an actual budget.

Always strive for the highest production value, but don't think that 'pretty pictures' are enough to save an emotionally starved story.

- JC Cocker