Filmmaking Tips November 25th, 2008
Cool Use of Special Effects
Many of the music video ideas submitted in the Low vs Diamond directors contest featured long, continuous takes coupled with cool effects, so you guys should enjoy this article from Studio Daily.
It details the making of the music video for the band’s last single, Heart Attack. Using intense hair and make-up effects, two pairs of actors, and multiple takes, the video has the leads appearing to age in one continuous shot.
Filmmaking Tips November 14th, 2008
Avoiding Post-Production Purgatory
Waiting for tapes to batch is only part of what makes editing tedious.
Pre-production was long and hard, and shooting was relentless and grueling. But you got it all in the can. The hardest part is over, right? Wrong. Post-production often takes as long as shooting and can prove to be far more difficult. But nobody has to languish in post purgatory forever. Here are some tips to help you get past common editing issues and picture lock your film.
Filmmaking Tips November 13th, 2008
Photoshop Basics
On Massify, we have everybody from filmmakers to actors to designers, and a basic grasp on Adobe Photoshop and design principles is beneficial for all. Thankfully, it’s 2008, so most of this information is available online, and Creative Cow, in their infinite wisdom, has an awesome selection of tutorials, especially by Franklin McMahon.
If you can brave shameless self promotion and creepy floating head graphics that introduce each segment, McMahon’s super useful and appropriately pared down video tutorials cover fonts, layer styles, layout and more, which you can find on his Creative Cow page. Check it out, yo.
Filmmaking Tips November 5th, 2008
Don’t Let Fear Ruin Your Audition
As an actor, you know the scene. The waiting room, filled with other actors who look suspiciously like you, mumbling lines to themselves or listening to music. Hearing your name called. Going into the room with the long table, where those who decide your fate sit. Auditioning - as opposed to acting - is an art in and of itself.
Filmmaking Tips October 31st, 2008
Be More Creative
Image by © G. Schuster/zefa/Corbis
Anybody who has suffered from writer’s block or reached a creative plateau knows how frustrating it can be to try to finish a project sans inspiration. Many have set out to discover the secret to being more creative, and some artists develop their own methods of making sure their minds are open to new ideas.
Learn what the experts have to say about tapping into your creative consciousness after the jump.
Filmmaking Tips October 27th, 2008
Damage Control 101
No amount of reading, film-watching, or schooling prepares a young director for the most difficult task on set: damage control. Filmmaking is difficult and problems emerge from unexpected places. The results of these problems are almost always the same: delays, demoralized crew members, shots lost to accommodate the schedule.
It is important to keep in mind that
- Most modest-budget independent film sets are worked on by crews of students, interns and volunteers working for free.
- Newbie crew members, unaccustomed to the pace of set-work, often lose faith in the production and hinder and slow work even further.
A director can compensate by meticulously preparing for any issue that may arise during the shoot. Considerations to make include:
- Preparing a shot list and/or storyboards.
- Rehearsing actors.
- Fulling understanding the limitations of shooting locations.
- Keeping production documents organized and available at all times. More advice after the jump.
Filmmaking Tips October 21st, 2008
5 Things to Budget For
Making a film is an expensive venture, and unanticipated costs are bound to arise. When budgeting, it’s perfectly understandable to look for ways to cut corners, but there are five things you should never skimp on.
1. Talent. There are many things a viewer is willing to forgive in a low-budget film, but bad acting is not one of them. You could have a great script and beautiful shots, but if the acting is terrible, that’s the only thing people will walk away remembering. Choose your cast wisely, and be prepared to pay standard SAG rates for quality actors.
Filmmaking Tips October 14th, 2008
Fantastic Film Fest Advice
The author of the new book Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook for Independent Filmmakers, Chris Holland, is offering his book free - yes, free! - online. You can download it here and then decide to donate if you wish.
The book takes you through finding the right festival to fit your particular film and what to expect throughout the process. It expands on a number of super important points, like that it’s a good idea to hold objective test screenings of your film before you even begin the submission process and to always be realistic about your film’s prospects. What to learn from rejection, how to create a visual brand for your movie, and what to do when you get accepted to a festival are all discussed.
Filmmaking Tips October 8th, 2008
Try Animation…Why Not?
The best distractions come with some redeeming value. Semi-new site goanimate lets you create your own animations, which is a good way to practice another form of storytelling while wasting time online.
Filmmaking Tips Other News October 5th, 2008
Film News and Tips
In a setback for the online film festival ’scene’, Sundance has terminated its relationship with Mediastile after missed royalty checks and traffic reports, but now the filmmakers have to deal with the situation themselves.
