Date: August 1, 2025

Production Date: July 24, 2025

Next Shoot Date: August,2025

AD: ALFRED GLORIA ENE

Assistant Director’s Report on the Pre-Production and Production of Our FMM 214 Film(Capstone project) 

Introduction

Every film begins with an idea, and ours was no exception. As part of our Capstone Project for FMM 214, our team worked together to transform a simple concept into a film that could be produced within the limits of our resources. As Assistant Director, my duty was to support the Director by coordinating activities, maintaining order, and ensuring that creative ideas were matched with practical execution.

Pre-Production

The first stage of our work focused on developing the story. After several brainstorming sessions, we selected the most promising idea and refined it into a working script which was written by Damzy in the department of INFORMATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (IMS). Once the script was finalized, I assisted in breaking it down into requirements such as props, costumes, and possible locations. This process gave us a clear picture of how each scene would be approached.Also we shared ourselves into different department to make the work flexible, Joseph Favour was the leader of welfare, Okereke precious was for costume, Iyo Philip was for location scouting, Lakoju Grace was the production manager to mention but a few. 

Casting and rehearsals followed. We auditioned and selected actors who could embody the characters. I helped organize rehearsals even though we didn't do much, making sure that the actors used the time effectively and that they understood the flow of the story.

In preparation for filming, the team also carried out location scouting. I supported this process by ensuring that each chosen location was suitable for the technical demands of production and practical enough for our schedule. 

Production

Filming was where the real challenges began, but before filming we made contributions to help us finance our project. On set, my responsibility was to keep the workflow steady by serving as a link between the Director and the crew sometimes we querell but we will later settle to ensure a peaceful and good working environment. I helped maintain discipline and order, managed time as best as possible, and encouraged teamwork among the cast and crew.

Each day of filming came with its demands. There were moments of delay and unexpected setbacks most especially because of the weather, but I assisted the Director in prioritizing scenes and organizing retakes where necessary. Beyond coordination, a key part of my role was also to maintain morale on set, making sure that despite the pressure, the team stayed motivated.

Challenges

Like any film production, ours was not without difficulties. We encountered timing issues, equipment setbacks because we had limited equipment and we don't have enough money for renting, and occasional delays. However, by  working closely with the Director, I was able to help manage these problems, keeping the team focused, although we were not able to finish filming because we had exams, so we had to postpone the production till after exams. 

Conclusion

Working as Assistant Director on our FMM 214 film was both demanding and rewarding. I learned the importance of planning, communication, and adaptability in filmmaking. The project was more than just an assignment; it was a real test of discipline, creativity, and teamwork. Most importantly, it reminded us that behind every successful film lies a collaborative effort that turns imagination into reality.

“Our film was more than just a project  it was a shared dream made real.”