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Introduction

The explanation below briefly explains film production. After reading, use the links immediately below for further investigations.

 

Go here for Strictly Film School for info on directors, genres, themes and imagery etc.

Go here for Digital Storytelling, Storyboarding etc.

Go here for Music Videos

Go here for Soundtracks, Sound Effects and Foley

Go here for Titles and Motion Graphics and After Effects

Go here for Animation

Go here for Film and Video Lesson Ideas

 

 

There are many different types of movies, and each one is made differently. However, they all go through the same process. This site is an excellent resource and provides some lesson ideas. You may also make a movie simply by using photographs. These photos can be imported into iMovie and narration may be added. The information below is also available in PDF for students. This PDF also contains 1 sheet for the storyboard.  FilmPlanning.pdf. Students will need to make additional storyboard copies.

Another excellent site students may enjoy may be located here (Studio4Learning). They offer videos on storytelling, screen language, camera, sound in film and editing. (Quite good)

 

A. Preproduction

Preproduction is everything from thinking about a movie all the way to writing a script (if one is used). You first come up with an idea of what you want. At the very least, you should jot down what things you want to have in the production (the film). Planning ahead helps you not forget some critical piece of the movie.

 

For this type of preplanning, a shot list comes in handy. Here you simply list the shots you want to have and check them off as you get them. You can always add footage to the list, but thinking about the core elements of your film ahead of time is always helpful. You may want to prepare a script and a storyboard. A storyboard is similar to a comic where you draw everything that is needed.

 

1. Choose a Topic and Audience.

• Who is the movie for? Is it for young kids or adults?
• Selecting an audience may influence the mood of your film.

 

2. What is your plot?

• What will happen in the story?
• Where is the setting? Where will the story take place?
• Who are the characters?
• Your plot may be influenced by how many actors (cast) are available to you. Generate a basic plot outline.
• Begin writing your script.
• Check out Angry Alien Productions and The 30-Second Bunnies Theatre Library ... in which a troupe of bunnies parodies a collection of movies by re-enacting them in 30 seconds, more or less.

 

3. Storyboard your ideas.

Storyboarding will help when you film. Think about how you will film. Where will the camera be placed etc.? Will you use close-ups? Will the camera stay in one place? etc. Where will the location be (indoors vs. outdoors)? What locations will be available to you? If outdoors, you need to think about outdoor noise that may interfere with your dialogue. The storyboard example below may be found here. More storyboard info may be found here.

 

4. Rehearse your film!

The more you rehearse, the faster you will be available to film and edit your movie. Really use your acting skills! Nobody wants to watch a dull, boring film. Think how will you move, speak and make facial expressions.

 

B. Production

Once you have a vision in mind, you pick up the camera and move into production. The digital video cameras today are incredibly good at capturing images and sound, and there are ways you can make your footage look like the they do in the movies. Make sure your movie does not have the tell-tale signs of an amateur production, like a shakey picture, too little light, poor sound, or too much zooming and panning.

 

Field of View Tips:

Framing the Subject:

Centering every subject all the time is not very interesting. By using the Rule of Thirds (explanation) (examples), you can make your productions more appealing to watch. Divide your picture into thirds (figure 1). Interesting elements of a picture should be placed on those lines or at their intersections.

 

 

Camera Placement Tips:

By moving the camera around and getting different perspectives, you can change the look and feel of a shot.

 

• Where you place the camera will have a noticeable effect on the feel of a shot. If you place the camera to get a two shot, you get the feel of being an observer.

        

 

• However, if you place the camera in what is know as a point of view (POV) shot, you involve the observers and make them feel more like a participant. These two shots of the same activity have a much different feel.

              

 

• Placing a camera in a low camera position and shooting up at a subject makes him or her look taller and more important and gives the viewer a more childlike perspective of the world.

           

 

• Placing the camera above the subjects and shooting down, gives an adult perspective and makes the subjects look smaller and more childlike.

               

 

Vary camera angles and points of view to make a movie more interesting. Use the camera angles to make subjects look larger than life or reduce them to childlike status for the viewer. Use the POV shot to involve the viewer in the action. Try everything and anything and leave what you don’t want on the cutting room floor.

 

 

5. Film your movie.

• It is OK to film in parts
• Think about continuity. If you filmed standing in one area, stopped and need to film again, you should be in the same area again. If not, the audience will notice this.
• Use a tripod so your video does not shake
• Speak with a loud voice! Video cameras do not record whispers very well
• Think where you are moving. You want to be in the film shot with the other actors, not accidentally cut off

 

C. Postproduction

Postproduction is where you will bring your masterpiece to life. Here you will do the editing, adding titles and transitions and perhaps adding a soundtrack.

 

6. Import your video footage into iMovie and begin editing.

 

You may also be interested in:

 

iMovie HD 6 Video Tutorials Here

iMovie 09 Video Tutorials Here

 

Use Norrkross MorphX for calculating images or movies where one image transforms into another. Simply drag 2 images to the document window, drag a few lines to indicate similar areas and Norrkross MorphX calculates images so that it looks like the first image magically is transformed into the other. You can save the morph as as still image snapshot or as a full animated QuickTime movie. Free

 

Xtranormal

“If you can type, you can make movies.” Select your actors, location and begin typing the dialogue. As you type the dialogue, you may insert expressions and camera angles. It’s quit simple really. Sign up required.

 

 

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