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10 Essential Filmmaking Techniques | Blog

May 19, 2022

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It's easy to be captivated by the "movie magic" that we see on our large screens. However, the truth is that the magic comes from the result of hundreds of methods of filmmaking that work together to produce every frame that pleases our hearts.

What is the filmmaking technique?

The techniques used in filmmaking are those that filmmakers use to create their finished product. In the course of the evolution of film the techniques used to make films have changed not just with technological developments, but also the evolution of the art of filmmaking. Nowadays, there's an "language which is film" that people look forward to when they go to the theatre.

At the end of the day, all methods used to make films and cinematic effects need to be used to enhance the storyline of the film as in the case of the characters who reside within the film.

1. Camera Lighting

The lighting of a film set can be employed to mimic the natural light that is present in the scene's surroundings. Certain films, such as Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon ,use only natural light from the sun or candlelight as well as lamps. The majority of Hollywood films have lights off-screen which guide the viewer's eye and enhance the style of the film.

It is possible for lighting to appear fake and add to the general atmosphere of the movie. Dario Argento's Suspiria Suspiriais an excellent utilization of light colors to emphasize the magical fairytale realism in the movie.

2. Film Editing                   Editing an argument-based scene isn't as easy as editing an motion sequence.

Film editing is the act that involves taking raw footage taken on set and assembling footage into the final film. For post-production, this is one of the most important steps.

Editing determines the speed that the film takes. If a scene has a fast pace, edits can show that with an array of short editing. If the scene appears to be particularly nervous, long cut and quick edits may surprise you and ease the tension.

3. Camera Movement

From tilting to tracking , and every other aspect in between, camera movement assists in telling the story, by altering what's displayed on screen. They are powerful when it comes to evoking an emotion.

The striking Dolly sequence from Gone With the Windemphasizes the tragic loss of life and the despair of Scarlett O'Hara. The slow-motion motion of Michael Corleone's visage in the film The Godfather is a wonderful example of the internal struggle he has with committing the assassinations of Sollozzo McCluskey as well as Sollozzo. McCluskey.

Within a particular genre, there are many camera motions that are able to create similar reactions. As an example, the terror in Cloverfield is evident in the fast-paced motion recorded by a handheld camera while the terror that is the opening scene of Halloween originates from the single-take Steadicam image , which puts viewers in the perspective of a calculating, cold criminal.

4. Visual Effects

Visual effects permit completely novel stories to be told in movies. It is enough be conscious of the Avatar phenomenon to understand the effect they can have on viewers. The combination of visually and practical effects could create huge hits such as Mad Max: Fury Road. But visual effects can also be used for subtle yet significant changes like the effects of de-aging on The Irishman.

5. Film Blocking

In terms of choreography, you find lots of complex blocking within musicals, like scenes from West Side Story. But you don't need more than a handful of moves to create a captivating blocking. The Kurosawa films High and Low and Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men, there are many amazing examples of blocking in films which can be summarized as a group of people sitting around in the same room.

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6. Film Sound

In the past, films were among the most shocking and groundbreaking advancement in the art of cinema. Even though it's become accepted in our times, the importance of the sound of films isn't to be undervalued.

The sound of film can be separated into two categories of sound: non-diegetic and diegetic. Diegetic sound refers to anything that occurs natural in the film like people talking and breaking glass or the clapping of hooves from horses. Other sounds that are not diegetic are ones the actors can't hear however the viewers can hear, such as the soundtrack or voiceover narration. The majority of the time, they're utilized to intensify the emotional tension in scenes.

If Mr. Blonde is dancing with her feet to "Stuck on the Midway With the One You" in Reservoir Dogs, that's diegetic sound. "Born to Be Wild" is played during the opening credits of Easy Rider ,on the other however it is an instance of non-diegetic sounds.

7. Sound Effects

Film sound effects typically are created during the post-production stage. They aid in enhancing the sound taking place on screen. A majority of film's recording is dedicated to recording dialogue. all additional sounds are mixed together and later included.

Folk artists typically are responsible for making sounds like footsteps, rustling clothes, and various other sound effects that are incidental. Doors that are slammed or any other background sound could originate from collections of sound effects. Some sounds must be created from scratch. There is no way to know the exact sound of T-Rex sounded like However, the sound designers working on Jurassic Park did a pretty effective attempt.

8. Shot Composition

Shot composition goes above blocking, and it considers each component that's in frames to produce the desired result. It is not just about how actors are positioned in relation to each other in addition to how they're connected to various aspects in their surrounding.

in Citizen Kane ,Orson Welles utilizes depth of field to create an immersive and exhilarating action that's both close and far away simultaneously. The way in which these fields interact is an intriguing design of the shot.

9. Tone within the Film Tone

Tone of film is the total effect a film has on the viewers it is that is possible through a combination of cinematic techniques. Tone of a film will usually be in direct alignment with the type of story told by it.

Film noirs like Double Indemnity and Kiss Me Deadly contain nefarious criminals, as well as tough police officers, all while at night and dependent on dramatic music. Horror movies from the 1960s and  70s such as Night of the Living Dead as well as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are dark stories of the human psyche, which in turn, look filthy, sweaty, and grimy.

If you are able to master all aspects of making films, you'll wind up with a film design that is perfect for your story.

10. Shot Framing

As with the composition of an image, shooting framing is an approach that is more scientifically oriented to the photo in the frame.

One of the fundamental principles in framing are The Rule of Thirds. If you imagine your frame divided into three horizontal ones and three vertical frames, it is best to place your subjects along these lines, which naturally attract the viewers focus. You can also do this by varying angles in your frame, creating an expansive field of vision.

Another method of composing of a photograph is using symmetry. The majority of the time, this is centered around a single object with similar elements the other. Every second in the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel involves an aspect that is symmetry-related. In fact, almost all Wes Anderson's films feature symmetry.

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