With the cost of cameras and editing software reduced in recent years it has become a lot easier for student filmmakers to create their own work. However it is not just the technology that is important when creating films. Being aware of the language of film and knowing the practical aspects of filmmaking will make it easier when it comes to doing your work.
The first thing to think about is the kind of film you want to do. For some people they may wish to work in a specific genre in the future. At an early stage it can be difficult to do certain genres. For example period pieces are often difficult due to the need for authenticity while science fiction can often require a large budget.
Whether you are an actor, a scriptwriter, a director or all of the above making your own passion project it is vital that you watch films. It may sound obvious but you need to look at how a scene is effective or why an actor, director or writer makes certain choices. There is often the theory that this leads to people becoming disillusioned as bad films make would be filmmakers despair due to their existence while the good ones make them think they could never produce anything as good.
Robert Rodriguez not only did a lot of the work involved with making his first film El Mariachi himself he also managed to fund it through various odd jobs. The director Kevin Smith used the convenience store that he worked in as a location for his debut Clerks, doing the filming in between shifts. Ideally you should start with a short film. Many directors first learned their craft this way. It allows them to learn about the process of filming, working with actors and so forth. There is also less pressure as you are not responsible with a larger budget that comes with a feature.
While watching a film hundreds of times may not be necessary it is still a good idea to watch with a critical eye. Think about why a scene is effective. As well as lighting, camera work and other practical elements look at the actors and how expressive they are. In some cases a look or a gesture can be as effective as pages of dialogue.
The truth is that it is unlikely you will produce an instant hit. There is an old joke about how the people who become overnight successes took twenty years to get there. While this is intended as a joke there is a serious point in that people often see the finished product as opposed to the amount of work that went on behind the scenes.
When working on your own pieces you need to be thorough. People often make the mistake of working quickly rather than effectively. Plan your shots as much as possible and get as much coverage as possible. It is better to have too much material that you have to edit down than find you did not shoot enough and that reshoots are necessary.
In simple terms being student filmmakers does not begin and end with the course you work on. It is worth looking online to find various accredited local courses as well as more information about who runs them and how much is theory and practise. This will allow you to find the ideal school to help you develop your skills and prepare you when it comes to creating your own masterpieces.
The first thing to think about is the kind of film you want to do. For some people they may wish to work in a specific genre in the future. At an early stage it can be difficult to do certain genres. For example period pieces are often difficult due to the need for authenticity while science fiction can often require a large budget.
Whether you are an actor, a scriptwriter, a director or all of the above making your own passion project it is vital that you watch films. It may sound obvious but you need to look at how a scene is effective or why an actor, director or writer makes certain choices. There is often the theory that this leads to people becoming disillusioned as bad films make would be filmmakers despair due to their existence while the good ones make them think they could never produce anything as good.
Robert Rodriguez not only did a lot of the work involved with making his first film El Mariachi himself he also managed to fund it through various odd jobs. The director Kevin Smith used the convenience store that he worked in as a location for his debut Clerks, doing the filming in between shifts. Ideally you should start with a short film. Many directors first learned their craft this way. It allows them to learn about the process of filming, working with actors and so forth. There is also less pressure as you are not responsible with a larger budget that comes with a feature.
While watching a film hundreds of times may not be necessary it is still a good idea to watch with a critical eye. Think about why a scene is effective. As well as lighting, camera work and other practical elements look at the actors and how expressive they are. In some cases a look or a gesture can be as effective as pages of dialogue.
The truth is that it is unlikely you will produce an instant hit. There is an old joke about how the people who become overnight successes took twenty years to get there. While this is intended as a joke there is a serious point in that people often see the finished product as opposed to the amount of work that went on behind the scenes.
When working on your own pieces you need to be thorough. People often make the mistake of working quickly rather than effectively. Plan your shots as much as possible and get as much coverage as possible. It is better to have too much material that you have to edit down than find you did not shoot enough and that reshoots are necessary.
In simple terms being student filmmakers does not begin and end with the course you work on. It is worth looking online to find various accredited local courses as well as more information about who runs them and how much is theory and practise. This will allow you to find the ideal school to help you develop your skills and prepare you when it comes to creating your own masterpieces.
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