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HOW-TO, Techniques, & Best Practices Channel
Reflections on DirectingAs writer-director-producer, I just came off of short film project about which I can share several gut reactions: it's one of the most creative things one can do wearing an artistic hat. For 15 years, I had wanted to make a film about Miles Davis, but without musical rights, I knew it would be pretty tricky. Instead, I conceived this project around a fictitious discussion during Davis's work with John Coltrane, particularly when they were recording the final and best track from arguably Davis's most popular album, Kind of Blue...
Mar 3, 2012, 11:45
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A Conversation with Cinematographer John Seale, ASC
Format and Digital Technologies. Q&A with John Seale, ASC.
May 24, 2010, 08:49
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Demystify the Bluescreen and Greenscreen Process, and Achieve Professional-Looking Composite Effects
Try These Steps for Setting Up Simple Chroma Keying
May 12, 2010, 09:49
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Collaboration in Post Production Can Take in Many Forms
Cara Silverman, at the StudentFilmmakers magazine headquarters in New York, candidly chats about her work on the two films, sharing a little bit of the behind-thescenes in post, including working with John Bailey, ASC. Silverman also shares a couple of editing tips and tells us what she really thinks about editing programs.
May 10, 2010, 09:37
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17 Scene Reversal Ideas: Keep Your Audiences Guessing
Almost every scene in your film should have a reversal to build up suspense. Reversals keep the audience guessing as to what is going to happen next, and pulls them into the story, prompting them to search for the new surprise. Once you understand reversals, you will see them in every good movie.
May 10, 2010, 09:36
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Jessica Oreck's Debut Documentary: Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo
Documentaries tell a story about the real world in which we live. And sometimes they tell us about the people making them, too.
May 10, 2010, 09:34
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Final Cut Pro Editing Power Tips
Types of Edits, High-Speed Overwrite Editing, Preventing the Destruction of Everything on Your Screen , 5 FCP Editing Techniques.
May 4, 2010, 12:26
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Ben Wu Discusses Shooting Docs On DV
The making of the documentary, "Cross Your Eyes Keep Them Wide".
May 4, 2010, 10:19
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Directing for the Cut: Change of Distance, Change of Angle, and Action within the Scene
It has often been said the best film directors came from a previous career as editors. One of the most valuable lessons a director can learn in the edit room is how to "direct for the cut."...
May 4, 2010, 08:49
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Capturing the Story for the HD Documentary Strong Bodies Fight
�Want to see how we treat a snake bite?� asks Father Homrich. My cinematographer, John, and I look at each other with unadulterated enthusiasm and run to grab our gear struggling to keep up with the elderly priest. We had heard rumors of how poisonous snake bites are treated in this small, poor village of Bangladesh, but didn�t think that we would be so fortunate as to witness one.
Mar 2, 2010, 16:24
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Creating Journalism in a New Way: Real World... Real Time
It�s 7:15 in the morning, and in Tempe, Arizona, the speed dial is already active. Simultaneously, in four other locations spanning the nation, eager bureau chiefs are joining in the daily conference call to the mother ship in New York. Story ideas are pitched and dissected, resources are gathered and committed, and a working plan for the day morphs and evolves from the spirited conversation. Multi-tasking editors in Manhattan confirm the day�s story list, and agree to check on progress throughout the day. Everyone hits the ground running.
Mar 2, 2010, 15:12
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Lighting the 'Whale Room' for an HD Multi-Camera Shoot
I was asked to light the Whale Room in the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, located on the sea border in Monaco-Ville, Monaco. The Whale Room has a huge whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling about 20 feet high. The room itself is about 100 square feet and naturally lit by the sun through many windows, plus ancient and beautiful 19th century practical lights.
Mar 2, 2010, 14:38
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Interview with Director Phillip Van: The Making of "High Maintenance"
Phillip Van talks about the making of his award winning film, "High Maintenance." He talks about pre-production for the film and using storyboards. He also discusses lighting, production, and post production.
Feb 15, 2010, 17:30
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The Importance of Finding the Right Talent and Where to Find Them
I am a big believer that you have to start out with a great script to create a solid foundation to build on. Without it, whatever you construct will crumble, no matter what your technical expertise. Second only to that is you need to have good actors to draw the viewer into your story. Bad acting is like bad audio � it�s distracting, and disconnects people from whatever message or mood you are trying to convey.
Feb 15, 2010, 16:08
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Show Business: Adopt an Approach that Gets You to the Next Project
With the advent of HD cinema, a moviemaker needs fewer people to realize his or her dreams in stunning images once possible only by shooting on film. A unique idea, its careful execution and a clever marketing strategy are the primary keys needed to open doors through which, in the past, only a select few could enter.
Feb 15, 2010, 14:25
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Workflow and Weaving the Story for "Ten More Good Years"
My first approach was to watch down the tapes and start pulling the sound bytes that I thought would be useful � looking for similar or dissimilar stories, struggles, emotions that could be used. After about a month, I put a dent in the subject matter, but knew that there was no way, at this pace (even working on it full time), we could ever get to the finish line in time. So I expressed my concerns to Mike about meeting his deadline � and we came up with another plan. Since he knew the material, (and had made the transcriptions), �why don�t we sit down and start putting the story together.� This idea was really effective. With each of us being able to use our talents to the fullest: Mike with his knowledge and passion for the subject matter; and myself, efficiency on Final Cut Pro and my storytelling skills...
Feb 1, 2010, 08:11
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Get Financing for Your Independent Film
There are many different ways to fund a film, and not necessarily out of your own pocket. You have to start by preparing yourself for an effective fundraising campaign. Arm yourself with a few basic tools...
Feb 1, 2010, 08:10
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Notes on Camera Movement: When to Move the Camera and Why
Motivation is not just something actors need � it's something cinematographers and other cinema artists deal with every day when making a movie. This not only applies to how a set is lit, but also to elements like camera movement. When to move the camera, why to move the camera, ultimately matters more than how you move the camera.
Jan 26, 2010, 08:11
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Finding Film Industry Employment After Graduation
Not only do you want to be a filmmaker, but you want to work in the big leagues. You want to be on set and work on Fortune 500 television commercials for national clients and on studio and independent feature films. More than 90% of the people you see on a film set are freelance. They are hired, sign a deal memo, and work in their craft as long as they are needed. At the end of the job, they are unemployed. To succeed in a working environment like this you must network.
Jan 26, 2010, 08:10
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The Monk Who Would Be a Director: Neten Chokling on "Milarepa"
For Milarepa, Chokling also managed to attract some experienced Western film professionals, such as editor Suzy Elmiger, whose impressive credits include cutting films for the likes of Woody Allen and Robert Altman, while Milarepa�s special effects supervisor, John P. Nugent, worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Terminator 3, and The Matrix.
Jan 26, 2010, 08:09
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Finesse in the Field: Techniques for Deriving the Most Punch from Your Jib Moves
If you don�t have any wonderful scene setters to work with, then think about using the jib arm to create a unique perspective. I was recently shooting a story for the CBS Evening News about a massive dental clinic that was set up for several days to treat indigent patients. There were rows and rows of dental chairs filing a large portion of a cavernous warehouse type building. I had some time, so we broke out the jib arm, and I tried some moves starting low at the foot of a chair, climbing over it as I moved the camera higher, and then ending with a wide shot of the entire room. Not bad. However, when I tilted the camera straight down, and raised the jib all the way up, I had a unique perspective where I could fly the camera straight over several chairs, showing all the neat rows of dental tools and accessories at each station...
Dec 1, 2009, 09:40
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Raiders of the Lost 80s: What's a Filmmaker To Do After Creating an Icon?
When Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in 1981, it did the unthinkable. The movie superseded the previous works that creator-producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg had each done individually in genre filmmaking. And that said a lot, with Lucas on the heels of the first two Star Wars films, and Spielberg just a few years away from Jaws and Close Encounters. Add Harrison (Han Solo) Ford to the mix, and you had a producer-directorstar team that couldn�t miss...
Dec 1, 2009, 09:16
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Star Effects: Enliven Points of Light - How Star Filters Work
Star filters are excellent for transforming points of light in the scene into bright 'starlike' bursts blossoming out from each point. This has many uses, but before we discuss those, it will help us to better understand how they work.
Dec 1, 2009, 08:51
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Lighting Period War Film, Shades of Hope: Separating Worlds through Color
For the Vietnam world, I wanted to really mute the color, and because the pallet of Vietnam was predominately olive drab, I wanted to embrace the monochromatic nature of that part of the story. I also wanted the highlights to burnout quickly and knew a bleach bypass to the film negative would give me both of the above. Brie and I also decided that using wider lenses in Vietnam and avoiding very tight close ups would help show how the soldiers were somewhat engulfed by their surroundings. We also felt shooting all the Vietnam sections handheld would also convey a sense of unease...
Nov 13, 2009, 20:52
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Inside Casting Sessions: Casting Your Actors ...And When Your Actors Cast You
The single most important element for any movie or television show is the casting. Even documentaries must consider casting as a primary element, as this single most important element is what ties the audience to the material. No matter how good you may be as a director, if it is not cast appropriately, it will not work. And appropriately means casting in keeping with the director�s concept and theme for the story and its characters...
Nov 13, 2009, 19:49
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Different Forms of Layoff for Stages of Editing
In the world of the professional offline editor, you are often coddled by the post supervisor and protected from the horrible monster known as �deliverables.� Whether working with a producer or for a client, there are several fine cut stages, wherein many eyes watch your edit and comments are handed back for further improvements...
Nov 13, 2009, 19:23
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Visual Effects through Color Enhancing Filters
The painter needs more intense color; he gets a tube of it at the store. The cameraman with the same need gets a filter: a color enhancing filter. Color enhancing filters are for the times when the palette offered to us by our camera does not match our vision...
Nov 8, 2009, 07:12
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A Conversation with Award-Winning Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, ASC, AMC
Rodrigo is one of the hottest cinematographers working in the industry today. Nominated for an Academy Award for the beautiful cinematography in Ang Lee�s �Brokeback Mountain� (2005), he is also the cinematographer of Ang Lee�s film, �Lust, Caution,� (2007). He has collaborated with Alejandro Inarritu on �Babel� (2006), �21 Grams� (2003), and �Amores Perros� (2000)...
Nov 8, 2009, 07:07
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The Rehearsal Process during Production: Making it Work
The director is the only one who directs actors on a movie project. Not the cinematographer nor the producer, nor any other member of the production team has that responsibility...
Nov 8, 2009, 07:05
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Feature "Bone Creek" Fires Up High Def Production: Challenges Are New Format, New Workflow, and Achieving the 'Film Look'
We have shot three feature length narrative films in the last 5 years as class projects on 16mm film with our collaborator, Emily Edwards from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This year she insisted that we use High Definition video for our feature project Corbett�Bone Creek.� I argued, resisted, and drug my feet but finally gave in...
Nov 8, 2009, 07:02
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Documentary Research: In Search of the Truth
A few quick tips for when you conduct research for your documentary.
Nov 4, 2009, 08:27
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Using Documentary Techniques to Craft Stories
How-to craft stories, documentary techniques, structuring of story, documentary filmmaking tips, documentary tips, writing tips, ENG style production, conducting research, shooting interviews, editing long form, television journalism, narrative filmmakers, film industry trends, documentary-style production.
Nov 3, 2009, 20:30
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The Art of the Documentary Interview
How to elicit a story from your interviewee for a documentary interview.
Nov 1, 2009, 08:05
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A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer and Director Paul Auster: The Inner Life of Martin Frost
Interview with Writer and Director Paul Auster. Screenwriting tips and directing tips.
Oct 18, 2009, 20:12
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Elemental Photography: Set, Camera, Shot Selection, and Lighting - Elements to Keep in Mind when Composing an Image
Learn more about image composition. Filmmaking tips, shooting tips, photography tips.
Oct 18, 2009, 19:37
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Getting Good Performances ...Or At Least Avoiding Bad Ones
There�s no simple �magic bullet� fix that can guarantee good acting � if there were, good actors would not be such a sought-after rarity.
Oct 11, 2009, 15:09
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The On-Set Cadence: Script for Calling a Shot
The film within the film scene. Here is a brief script that you can use on your shoots to make your Assistant Director and crew look truly professional when rolling the camera on shoots.
Oct 10, 2009, 17:50
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Tips for Working with Camera Jibs
There is something magical about moving a camera through space and seeing the perspective change during the shot. I�ve spent a lot of time over the last few years finding different ways of moving the camera, but of all the ways the jib is my favorite.
Oct 10, 2009, 17:44
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The Essence of Editing: Much More Than Technical Aspects of a Program
To be a good editor you need to be aware of all images around you. You need to watch movies and television, see art, watch people, listen to conversations, enjoy music and live life.
Oct 10, 2009, 17:40
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Pre-Production: The More Organized You Are, the More Creative You Can Be
"One can never prepare enough, or at least, I've never found myself wishing I had less time for preproduction."
Oct 10, 2009, 17:30
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Working in China: Chinese-American Cinematographer Bing Rao Tells How
New York-based Chinese cinematographer Bing Rao enjoys a unique firsthand vantage point in seeing how China's film industry has transformed economically and technologically during the past 15 years, influenced by Hollywood while remaining true to its insular culture.
Oct 10, 2009, 17:26
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Using Colored Light
Aug 3, 2009, 14:41
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Having a Fling with Flare
Aug 3, 2009, 14:16
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Advanced DVD Menu Creation Using Adobe Encore
Aug 3, 2009, 13:53
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How We Completed a Film Shoot during an El Ni�o Storm
Aug 3, 2009, 13:08
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Manipulate Mood with Filter Effects
Jul 30, 2009, 14:38
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10 Low Budget Guerilla Ideas
Jul 30, 2009, 14:02
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40 Basic Plot Points for a Feature Film
Jul 29, 2009, 16:56
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17 Fast Tips for Creating Realistic Dialogue: Get Your Conversations Rolling
How-to write dialogue. Screenwriting tips, scriptwriting techniques.
Jul 22, 2009, 12:04
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Fried Lighting Circuits on the Set: When Your Genny Fails, and Blowing Granny's Fuse Box is Not an Option
When Your Genny Fails, and Blowing Granny's Fuse Box is Not an Option.
Jul 22, 2009, 11:56
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An Experienced AdWoman Takes on the Film Business - Director Amy Nicholson Finds Parallels in Advertising & Film in Documentary, Muskrat Lovely
Jun 30, 2009, 18:19
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Insights into Lighting and Shooting HD - Exclusive Interview with Thomas Ackerman, ASC - Cinematographer for Balls of Fury
Jun 30, 2009, 16:24
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Working the Festival Circuit Like a Pro
So you want to put your new movie into the film festival circuit? Well, this could be an exercise in emotional and financial frustration if you don�t plan your festival strategy carefully.
Jun 3, 2009, 16:39
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What Are 3 Ways Networks Acquire Programming?
A how-to article that discusses 3 ways that networks acquire programming.
Jun 3, 2009, 16:21
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It Pays to Be Prepared: Tape your Magazines
Many students do not know why camera magazines are taped after loaded. This article explains how much of the camera or magazine must be wrapped with tape and why every camera needs this.
Jun 2, 2009, 09:11
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Camera Work and Capturing Happy Accidents
"Happy accidents" that occur on set.
Jun 2, 2009, 08:51
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5 Things Sales Agents Look for in Films
This is a how-to article that discusses 5 things that sales agents look for in films.
Jun 1, 2009, 13:23
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5 Big Distribution Myths
5 Big Myths about Film Distribution.
Jun 1, 2009, 12:55
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16:9 on the Mind: Steps Toward HD Production
This article is a how-to article that shows the steps towards HD Production.
May 29, 2009, 23:22
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Common Mistakes Every Filmmaker Will Make
There are common mistakes every filmmaker will make. Depending on how you handle the situation, mistakes are not always bad.
May 29, 2009, 12:02
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Shooting with Film: Long Live Celluloid
Shooting with film.
May 28, 2009, 14:25
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Working with Fluorescent Lighting on Location: Tungsten and Daylight Balanced Lighting
Dealing with the challenges of Flourescent Lighting.
May 20, 2009, 23:25
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Choosing Among In-Camera and In-Post Imaging Options: What Can Be Done in Post vs. Capture
Today's filmmakers have many image control options available. What should you really know?
May 20, 2009, 10:31
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Post Production Workflow of Reality Series, 'Blind Date': Career Advice & Lessons Learned from Behind the Editing Room
Career Advice & Lessons Learned from Behind the Editing Room during production.
May 20, 2009, 10:01
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Day-for-Night: Here's How It Works (DFN Filter FX)
May 18, 2009, 15:56
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Will Local Productions Work for Indies? Keeping an Open Mind in Terms of Co-Productions
May 18, 2009, 15:46
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"Let's Do Lunch": 60 Minutes to Turn a Starving Filmmaker into an Investor's Darling (Sample Structure of the One-Hour Investor Lunch and 'Presentation Cycle')
May 18, 2009, 15:21
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Focal Length and Filter Strength: What is the Relationship?
May 18, 2009, 14:37
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Traditional DVD Distribution Deals: How Much Will You Make? (Wholesale vs. Retail)
May 18, 2009, 09:45
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What to Consider When Going Tapeless: Procedures to Take on a Tapeless Workflow
May 16, 2009, 12:57
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Polarizers: The Truth Behind the Imaging Magic
May 15, 2009, 23:35
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5 Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Movie's Carbon Footprint: Going Green on Set
May 15, 2009, 17:52
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Delivering the Ephiphany to the Audience 'Again': Injecting Energy into Your Cinematic Work
May 15, 2009, 17:06
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Quick Tips for Selling Your Film at the Cannes Market: Negotiating with Sales Agents
May 15, 2009, 16:19
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Employing MacGyver's Process of Ingenuity on Set: Broad Knowledge Base, Thorough Assessments, and Limitless Imagination
May 15, 2009, 16:09
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Five Techniques for Creating a 'Film Look' when Shooting Video
May 14, 2009, 23:12
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On the Set, In the Studio Film Biz Lingo: A Short Guide to some of the most frequently questioned terms
May 14, 2009, 15:39
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4 Tips for Shooting HD: Exposure, Lighting, Camera Settings, and Lens & Focus
May 14, 2009, 15:18
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The Importance of Thorough Communication: Hammering Out All the Logistics
May 14, 2009, 10:48
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Cinema and "Reality": The Importance of Emotional Truth
Breaking down a story to its moral premise.
May 14, 2009, 10:27
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The Importance of Maintaining Continuity of Effects: Polarization, Contrast, Diffusion, Flare, and Color
May 14, 2009, 10:16
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Film Distribution FAQ: Top 4 Questions of the Month
May 14, 2009, 10:05
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Writing the Third Act: Resolving Your Plot with the Climax
May 14, 2009, 09:51
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Pre-Sale Financing for Independent Films: Still An Option?
May 13, 2009, 16:19
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Sunrise and the Pot of Gold: Defining 'What is Light?' and Controlling Color for the Most Effective Images
May 13, 2009, 16:03
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Compression for the Portable Media World: Shooting for the Internet and Compressing Video
May 13, 2009, 15:12
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Mapping Your Visual Destination: How-To Create a Shooting Blueprint
How-To Create a Shooting Blueprint
May 7, 2009, 23:23
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All This HD Footage...What Now?
May 7, 2009, 23:15
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Focus on Focus...Focus: How Lens Settings Affect Filter Effects
How Lens Settings Affect Filter Effects
May 7, 2009, 13:01
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A Filmmaker's Checklist and 10 Important Questions
Checklists are an organized filmmaker�s best friend. From pre-production to marketing, there are many different kinds of checklists used to make the production run smoothly. It is a good idea to create your own checklists, based on your own methods.
May 6, 2009, 23:35
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Ten Important Things You Should Know Before Contacting Distributors
The distributors are only able to release a limited number of new titles each year. In view of this, a tiny percentage of films received for distribution consideration actually make it into release.
May 6, 2009, 13:07
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Fast Track to Vidcasting
You can export any of these formats directly from Quicktime 7 Pro, so using it with the Final Cut Pro or Express non-linear editing system should be a snap. They are all MPEG codecs, so the difference between them really boils down to file size and image quality.
May 6, 2009, 11:40
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Mounting a DV Cam to a Motorcycle...For a Low-Angle/POV Action Shot
May 5, 2009, 15:11
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"Tuesday" Wins First Place, $5,000 Grand Prize: David Norris Grabs Attention with Story and Talking Head POV
Film contests, video contests, award winners, contest winners, awards recipients, award winning films, film festivals, film competitions, film festival news, film news, new directors, film industry news, film community news.
Nov 30, 2008, 06:00
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Brettler Captures Introspective Tone and Child-Like Whimsy with "Levin": Genuine Characters Trump Student-Level CGI
Film contests, video contests, award winners, contest winners, awards recipients, award winning films, film festivals, film competitions, film festival news, film news, new directors, film industry news, film community news.
Nov 30, 2008, 04:22
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Picardi Makes Pro Level Actioner with Just One Camera: Color Manipulation, Artful Scoring, and Trial-and-Error
Film contests, video contests, award winners, contest winners, awards recipients, award winning films, film festivals, film competitions, film festival news, film news, new directors, film industry news, film community news.
Nov 30, 2008, 04:20
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Filming the Issue: Documentary Filmmaker Ellen Bruno
Samsara is an impression rather than a documentary, shifting from narrative to description to evocation...
Nov 2, 2008, 09:13
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There is No Such Thing as Video Lighting
DV lighting, digital lighting, HD lighting, lighting techniques, lighting for video, video lighting.
Oct 30, 2008, 11:59
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"Go Ahead, Make My Day"
Screenwriting techniques, tips for screenwriters, best practices for script writers.
Oct 30, 2008, 11:55
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The Importance of a Creative Editing Agenda
Non-Linear / Random Access device, Linear / Non-Random work strategy, editing techniques, best practices in editing.
Oct 19, 2008, 14:14
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