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Shooting In Color Vs. Black And White

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Shooting in color, is a whole lot different than shooting in black and white. You will definitely be on your way to a very exciting adventure because a lot of things change when you shoot in color. Black and white doesn’t require much, and everything is looked at in a very different aspect. Color requires a lot more than people actually think. Photos can be made to make things look a lot more different. You can enhance a photo when you shoot it in color.I was looking for more information and found it here. You can also easily turn a colored photo right into black and white. Most of these photos that you see in black and white, were not shot in black and white. Many computer imaging software is actually used to turn these photos to black and white. Color shows more in a photo. Black and white doesn’t enhance much, but it gives viewers a different image. Black and white is seen as dull, while color is seen more lively. You still see many photos in black and white today, because they are a big part of photography. Photographers actually have to learn how to shoot in color, and black and white, for many different typical reasons.

Six Classic Films Every Filmmaker Should Study

admin — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are many films in the history of film that are studied and many genres that have evolved. Many of today’s best filmmakers pay homage to films and filmmakers from generations ago, many of which the casual film audience is unaware.

The first classic film to be seen is “Battleship Potemkin”, a 1925 Russian film by Sergei Eisenstein. He incorporates a brilliant use of editing. Also be sure to see one of Harold Lloyd’s films of the silent era, such as “The Freshman”. His roles of trying to fit in are still themes very much alive in today’s films.

Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane” is certainly a film to be studied. At only 24, Welles created a film whose techniques he developed and are still employed today. His use of lighting and film location are priceless.

Also be certain to study Alfred Hitchcock. His films, all of them, are worth seeing. “Rope”, in particular is actually one long shot.

Study the evolution of story and acting with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, 1972.

We all know how successful Steven Spielberg is. Watch his 1974 film “Jaws” and see his style begin. Like Welles, he, too, was just 24 when directing this film.

Tips For Entering Small Film Festivals

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Making the decision to enter a small film festival can be a huge and scary decision. There are many things to keep in mind and just gathering the courage to show your piece of art can be over whelming. If you keep a few tips in mind it will make the entire process a lot easier.

First and foremost make sure you are one hundred percent satisfied with your work. If you feel it is not the best you can do it probably is not. A contest will define who you are as an artist so you always want to be sure that you are putting your best self out there.

Pay close attention to all of the rules to be sure that you do not get disqualified. Double check the rules and entry information. It would be terrible if you ended up losing or not being invited to take part because of a technicality that could have been avoided.

Familiarize yourself with past winners and try to find out if there is anything in common with past winners. This will help you in knowing what direction to take your film and if this is a contest suitable for your work. By keep these few tips in mind you will be able to have a successful entry into the small film festival.

OUR PICKS: Greatest Filmmakers of ALL TIME

admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re here you’ve got a love for filmmaking and you’ve probably watched more than your fair share of Godfather reruns on www.direct.tv. You know a thing or two about who you believe to be the best filmmakers of all time…see how your list compares to ours.
Alfred Hitchcock – Known for his eccentricity and cruelty to actors as much as he is for his films, Hitchcock’s films have definitely withstood the test of time. They’re scary and historical and a must for any aspiring film director.
Steven Speilberg – Some may call this choice “fluffy” but we think there’s something to be said for a director who consistently puts out films you want to see. He’s got the Midas touch, folks.
Stanley Kubrick – His film genius was only matched by his oddities and his films are a great example. Most of them are hard to follow and leave you deeply unsettled but that’s what great filmmaking is about, isn’t it?
Here are our first three…if you’ve got some suggestions or want to argue please leave your thoughts in the comments below!

A Biography And Filmography Of Roman Polanski

admin — Sat, 28 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Roman Polanski is a Polish-French film director, actor and writer. He is regarded by many to be the one of the true international filmmakers. Mr. Polanski’s career began when he was a student studying at the National Film School in Lodz. He began acting in the 1950′s and some of his earliest movies were “Two Men and a Wardrobe” and “When Angels Fall”. His starting his career as a director in 1962, when he directed the film “Knife in Water.” Polanski added writer to his resume when he wrote the script for 1970′s “A Day at the Beach.Didn’t catch that? This explains it.” He also released an autobiography sometime later.

Mr. Polanski’s career has spanned almost six decades and during that time he has won numerous accolades. He has won the Academy Award for the Best Director and has also won the Cesar Award for best director twice. Mr. Polanski is almost 78 years old, but he is clearly not letting his age stop him. He directed 2010′s film “The Ghost Writer and will be directing another film that is set to be released in 2012 called “The Carnage.” Polanski has been married to Emmanuelle Seigler since 1989 and has one son and one daughter.

A Study Of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dramatic Style

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A Study of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dramatic style has to begin with his twin masterpieces The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. Another director may have taken one look at the script and saw only a film about a family of mobsters, whereas Coppola saw a film essentially about an American Family and their pursuit of the American dream. And that appreciation for the anti-hero runs through his films, including an Army officer barely clinging to his sanity on a covert operation during the Vietnam War in Apocalypse Now.
He frequently uses long tracking shots that create a sense of scope and allow audiences to feel the gravity of even small moments in his films. And possibly because his father was a composer Coppola often lets his actors’ faces and the score tell the story. His characters don’t always have to say what they’re thinking, the audience knows, and the music helps them feel it too.
In the last decade Coppola has returned to his small independent filmmaker roots. He now uses his skills as a cinematographer to make small stories like the intimate family drama Tetro feel as epic as the films that comprised his work as an auteur of the golden age of New Filmmaking.Related Article : UK Blu-Ray/Cinema News: Artwork & Trailer For APOCALYPSE NOW

Trends And Techniques Used In Modern Documentaries

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Traditionally, documentary films were fairly dry pieces of video journalism that sought to tell a particular story in as factual a manner as possible. They used straight interviews with subjects, and basically followed them around with cameras, documenting events along the way. This was occasionally inter-cut with photos and footage of historical events, where applicable. While at at times the events themselves lent drama to the footage, documentary films tended to be a little on the boring side. Modern documentary filmmakers use a variety of techniques to not only inform, but to entertain as well. Through the use of editing, animation, voice-over, and reenactments, the documentary has, in and of itself, become entertainment.

A great example of modern documentary film making is Michael Moore. His use of humor, music, and animations reinforces the message his films attempt to convey in a manner that is visually stimulating and informative at the same time. Though there has been some debate as to the validity of using such techniques as re-creations, such debate overlooks the purpose of what a documentary film is, and what is is supposed to achieve: to tell a true story in a way that informs its audience and compels a reaction.

Best Sources Of Funding For Your Short Film

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There have always been stories about filmmakers who realized their dream of producing a film through a variety of very creative means: borrowing from parents, maxing out credit cards. “American Movie” was a documentary film about a man trying to realize such a dream, and the proceeds of that film helped him to achieve it. The good news for prospective filmmakers is that you don’t necessarily have to go into debt to finance your dream. There are a variety of resources available to help finance a short film, and here are just a few.

The internet is a great place to begin to look for funding. A search will provide you with a listing of sources for arts and film making grants which are available to professionals and students alike. Grants are a good source of funding, and you are not required to pay them back. Prospective filmmakers can find private investors who are interested in providing funding for artists and filmmakers. Sponsorship is another way to go. You can also check for funding through your city or state’s Humanities departments. Many will provide funding for local filmmakers, and some states offer tax credits for films made in their state.