Behind the Scenes and Marketing
I made sure to have plenty of behind-the-scenes photos from both my Principal Photography Days. Behind-the-scenes photos really give a more intimate insight into a production.
If I was really making “A Trilby in Time” as part of the full series “The Wrong Hat” then I would also set up a website to inform people about the series and show behind-the-scenes photos, footage, bloopers and interviews with the cast and crew, amongst other things. This would be an important part of the marketing.
I would also make a “Bloopers and Gags Reel” for YouTube. With a Production Company name like “90% Bloopers” I think that would be particularly appropriate.
It is important to think ahead about marketing. In Star Wars The Mandalorian (2019) on Disney+, they did a series of behind-the-scenes programs, which were really interesting and also helped promote the show. There is also lots on YouTube about the show. But if you haven’t planned ahead and arranged to have someone assigned to take photos/film footage then you can’t produce this.
I also would make use of other social media. I have made a meme based on a Quick Silver meme going around which involves feet stepping into shot. During filming, my cast/crew and I were joking about how some of my shots of feet stepping into shot were like this meme we had all seen. It is a very appropriate meme since it is seen by many people, including my friends and my demographic, which is who my target audience is. So I made the meme below, which I would put on all social media platforms and YouTube.
My Quicksilver Meme
TikTok Sweet Dreams Quicksilver Memes
So this was an area that I was careful to build contingency into. In case Harley couldn’t make it, I had asked my Dad to be back-up behind-the-scenes photographer. On the day, it was good that I had built in this contingency since it meant that when Harley was unable to come it wasn’t a problem. Or at least, I had an instant solution. Adam and Ellie also took some behind the scenes photo too. It was great, I ended up with a LOT of behind-the-scenes photos and video.
Here are some Behind-the-Scenes example photos
I am happy with all my behind-the-scenes photos and video. In an ideal scenario I would have arranged short interviews on set with my cast/crew too, for a website and YouTube clips. But as ever it is about planning and prioritising. I knew I was going to have less time than I would have liked to film on these days, and that it would probably be my only chance. I do not feel comfortable not having a significant time of back-up days for filming, and this meant I had to be very careful with my planning. After refection on what was important, and evaluation of my options, I decided that getting unobtrusive behind-the-scenes photos and footage was my best option, since the Principal Photography was more important.
I am certain that this was the correct decision, since we had even more problems than I could have anticipated due to a stunt plane practising overhead, and a surge of other small planes flying overhead. I got all my footage, but it was close.
And I ended up with great Behind-the-Scenes photos and footage too.