You might not even guess how crucial the assistant director is.

Hey, short film fans and art enthusiasts! It’s me, Amir Irani, with a fresh perspective for all you budding cinematographers out there. Let’s talk about something important: the challenges all newcomers face in the film industry. It’s better to share our experiences and learn from each other on how to tackle these hurdles head-on.

Last month, I had the opportunity to be in a film directed by Mohammad Reza Dehghan, who’s an up-and-coming director.

Making a movie can be challenging, especially if it’s longer than 2 minutes. For friends who make short films with their phones, the process is much simpler and faster than professional equipment. Imagine this: you start making your own film using decoupage. If I put it simply, let’s say you have a sequence where the camera needs to be in a fixed position five times, but in the story’s timeline, these shots don’t happen one after the other; but, if you’re switching up the camera angles to match the story’s timeline, you might miss out on capturing moments like light, especially if you’re using cinematic equipment. Remember this: it takes a lot of time to set up equipment for different scenarios, especially when you’re short on time and using a mobile phone. When working with cinematic gear, you often have to adjust multiple times to get the right equipment and lens for each setup.

This is where I see how careful planning and management based on extensive experience can not only improve the work but also help first-time directors reach the editing stage with their films.

Therefore, if your film is short, don’t doubt that the actors must have the same experience and expertise as a long film so that the team order is respected. You must have gone through such good and patient pre-production stages that your time planning will be executed without the slightest delay. The key to successful films is good pre-production. The pre-production of a short film may take several months, but in the end, the director and the crew will appreciate the result.

However, If the assistant director lacks experience and expertise in equipment, not just various records but crucial ones like Kelvin could be lost, causing delays in completing your work within the scheduled 8 hours. This may result in needing an extra day for recording, leading to additional expenses.

From now on, remember that it doesn’t matter if your project is long or short. If you are idealistic and seeking good results, it’s important to start by attracting suitable investment and using professional agents to produce your film. This allows professionals to cover any inexperience you may have, ensuring a satisfactory result.

Thanks

Amir Irani