Posts by videofilmmaker:

How to become a film director

February 25th, 2012 This topic has been clouded by wishful thinking and pernicious misinformation for too long. Time to clean up! 1. Directors are hired on the strength of their reel. A director’s reel is simply a collection of the best work done in the past. If yo

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The big question for all aspiring filmmakers: “Should I go to film school?”

February 3rd, 2012 In this post I hope to demolish once and for all any delusions you may have about the merits of going to film school. First things first: I have a lot of respect for higher education and I myself had the privilege of attending a wonderful University

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Lessons from my favorite film directors

October 27th, 2011 In this post I will share some skills and lessons that I learned from some of my favorite film directors. Some quick points: 1. None of this should be taken to imply that these films are mandatory material for filmmakers – I enjoy sharing, but you

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Film lighting techniques and their effects

October 18th, 2011 Reader’s question: I’m writing a How-To book for comic book creators and am trying to learn more so I can, obviously, teach more. I use a combination of film, comic book, and photography techniques in my teaching as they all apply to graphic

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Stanley Kubrick film techniques

October 12th, 2011 Following my hugely popular post on Steven Spielberg’s film techniques, here are my thoughts on Stanley Kubrick’s film techniques. The same disclaimer applies: one cannot do justice to any decent artist in writing, but at the same time I

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Shooting slow motion with camcorders: frame rates and post-production

October 5th, 2011 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

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Logging takes, finding shots and preparing to edit a film

October 5th, 2011 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

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Directing non-professional actors

October 5th, 2011 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

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How to learn film editing and become a highly competent editor

September 24th, 2011 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

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Using the word “beat” for pauses in screenplays

September 24th, 2011 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

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Long uncut master shots in films

September 23rd, 2011 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’

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Directing child actors: casting, motivating them and other tips

September 23rd, 2011 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

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Location sound recording, scratch tracks and re-recording dialogue in post-production

September 23rd, 2011 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

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Solving problems creatively when editing a film

September 20th, 2011 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

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Impressive shots to add production value to an abseiling video

September 20th, 2011 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

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Choosing between the 2.35 and 16:9 / 1.85 aspect ratios

September 16th, 2011 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

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Overcoming writer’s block when writing a screenplay: the importance of taking right action

September 15th, 2011 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

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Directing, shooting and editing projects for the web vs. the big screen

September 14th, 2011 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

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Projecting films digitally in theaters (2K and 4K)

September 13th, 2011 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

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Shooting aerial B-roll shots on a budget

September 8th, 2011 Reader’s question: In what way can I get good aerial B-roll shots without renting a helicopter or buying an expensive RC helicopter and attaching a camera? My answer: If you are using a large camera for your other shots, I’m afraid your o

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