Category Archives: filmmaking-questions

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

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

Reader’s question: I teach 9-12 grade students and struggle with helping my teens write their own stories and screenplays.  What strategies can you share for idea generation, plot development, teaching story structure and most importantly how

Reader’s question: Please take a look at this video: The colouring for me is beautiful. For DSLR users, is this something you can do by the use of picture style settings to achieve this? Like saturation, contrast etc. or is it something to do