If this is your first film production, read on.

We're here to help.

But sometimes, I just wanna start shooting film!

We agree. Making cinema is a lot of fun! It is also, however, a lot of work and lack of experience can grossly underestimate that. We want you to be successful at what you do and if this is your first film, we can help smooth out the bumps.

WKTV will no in way evaluate the content of the production. Our operation is not about the quality of your script or the quality of your actors. Staff are not permitted to consider, nor even read material as it pertains to content. Our operation is strictly about ensuring the ability of a crew to see a narrative production physically from it's beginning through to it's end.

Simple Guidelines to Help You Through Making a Film at WKTV

Experience

"Experienced" can be a subjective term. Have you as the producer evaluated their work based on examples you have seen? Have they been recommended to your production by truly experienced people who's judgement you trust? If you are filling a key crew position with a friend of a friend whom you have never met, that should be a red flag. As a producer, your responsibility is to know your key people behind as well as in front of the camera. When you're creating a world of make-believe, a lot can go wrong. And it's great when it goes right!

Crew positions with experience fundamental to a successful production:

- Assistant Director and/or Production Manager
- Dir. of Photography
- Key Grip
- Script Super
- Editor
- DIT Operator

If you have experienced individuals or highly organized people in these roles, chances are you're able to fill out the other roles as well.

Production Schedule

Ah, yes this is where the rubber meets the road. Production schedules submitted prior to gear going out are mandatory. You can sign up for a seminar HERE on creating production schedules and they are offered bi-monthly according to demand. Schedules are the blueprint of a production!

What is needed for a Production Schedule:

- The number of days of actual production
- The number of set-ups you realistically think you can achieve on each day of the schedule. We may have questions about that number given complexity, day or night, time of year, size of crew, etc.

Permits, craft service and other factors

Assuming you're on location (as most productions are) you need to show WKTV that you have permission to film wherever you are planning on. This includes public streets, parking ramps, businesses, homes, etc. If you're too busy to obtain these all important clearances and/or can't commit the funds needed for a street closure or permit then it could be a problem. If you need help with forms and procedures, sign up for our seminars on how to obtain permits and permissions HERE. Consequently, there are always alternatives to shooting differently in order get around the denial or unavailability of a permit, but blatantly violating city ordinances is illegal and unprofessional.

Craft service. Whether crew is paid or not, food is always a high priority. Especially if the day is more than 5 hours. Pizza everyday for four days just doesn't cut it. Poor craft service can undermine a production by de-moralizing a non-paid crew. Don't risk it. You must consider food as an investment with a return in crew dedication. Trust us, it pays back better than spending craft service funds instead on some fancy gear for a fancy shot. Since crews like this are volunteers, WKTV has an interest in whether or not you are providing good craft service to your crew and it is a factor in considering your use of the production gear, especially for large productions or for extended periods.

WKTV exsist to provide production facilities to the people of this area. Occasionally we people from outside the area are able to use the facility, but ONLY when that producer has a proven track record of supplying WKTV with finished works for broadcast, is doing non-commercial work and is engaging the local creative community in the process.

Believe us, we understand your desire to make a film. We just want you to be successful at it and if this is your first time, following these procedures will help ensure a successful film through to completion!