Author Archives: videofilmmaker

Reader’s question: I have a question which is related to both camerawork and editing. Actually I am soon going to shoot my first independent movie. I have plans for some slow-mo stuff. But I have read that slow-mo needs 60 FPS footage. But I ca

Reader’s question: I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for the tips you’ve been sharing with us. I, personally, have learnt a lot from these posts. Now there is a question I have for you. I hope you’ll find time to give

Reader’s question: [in response to a subscribers-only article in which I emphasized the importance of casting talented professional actors]: What if I have no other option but to select a group of new actors who are in the other field? Now I am

Reader’s question: What does it take to be a good editor, bearing in mind that editing should not be be taken for granted as people judge the film from the transition of scene to scene? My answer: Ah, one of my favorite topics! I agree with the v

Reader’s question: Lately, there has been an on going discussion about using “beat” in screenwriting.  I think that “beat” has a different meaning for a screenwriter than it does for a director or actor.  The way “be

Reader’s question: As a fan of Andrei Tarkovsky I really love long takes with few changes of angle. I believe that with the utmost balanced use of track shots, composition, lightning, foreground and action within a frame, an audience won’

Reader’s question: For my latest project I’ve been lucky enough to “borrow” a friends daughter to play a small role, but I don’t think that such an opportunity will come again. If for future projects, one would need chil

Reader’s question: As a couple of scenes are filmed about 300 meters from a highway there’s a chance that dialogue will be disturbed by a passing vehicle. Ambient sound will be recorded further away. How do you film to make voice-over as

Multiple questions from a reader – my answers are in normal type below each question. Regarding the acting. I’d like to hide bits and pieces of the performances. But I’m afraid to end up with a too cutty result or unreadable action. – T

Reader’s question: I’ve been making short films (appx 5 mins) for a local community TV station for about 2 years, and continuing to learn all the time. My next project involves filming a Charity Abseil event and would welcome any film-making

Reader’s question: Well, I like to start off by writing that this is a great idea! Anyhow, my question (or what is your thoughts) is about aspect ratio. I know a lot about it but I’m kinda stuck on the thought of the correlation of aspect rat

Reader’s question: I am writing from India. Well I have been subscribing for the past 6 months and really find it useful. Well my question is, I have had this script for my 3rd short film for over a year now…and I am still struggling to get a

Reader’s question: Thanks for your email and invitation to pose questions. From a technical standpoint, how does web-based format influence camerawork, editing, etc.?  Does the shorter length of a web-based episode influence technique? My answ

Reader’s question: Explain the process of putting digital footage on to a medium for projection in theaters. My answer: Projecting a film digitally is conceptually very simple (I will get to the details below): the film itself is simply a digit

Reader’s question: When shooting, how important is it to get the white balance ‘perfect’, vs. ‘fairly close’?  Assuming that at least some color work will be done in post, and that a variety of lights will all give different temperatur