What is the Film Plane Indicator that Odd Symbol on the Camera
Have you ever seen that small circle on your camera that appears to have a line drawn right down the center of it? If you’re wondering what the weird symbol on your camera is, it’s your film plane indicator and it actually has several uses. While the name of this helpful little object comes back […]
How to Film Stop Motion Like a Pro
Stop motion animation represents a unique style of filmmaking. In which single camera frames are captured one-by-one to visually tell a story. The process involves filming people, live-action objects, and characters which are then edited into the final story. Early uses of stop motion, like Claymation, represent the beginning of a long era. In which […]
Counterpoint in Film: A Definition of Contrapuntal Music in Film
While we frequently think of film as being an entirely visual art. In which the majority of the focus is on what we see and less of what we hear. The reality is both sound and visuals are equally important to the storytelling process of a film. In this counterpoint film definition we look at […]
How to Structure a Short Film
Learning how to structure a short film can take a little bit of practice, especially if you’re new to script writing. Short film structures typically take on the common three-act structure that is accepted by most filmmakers and screenwriters, but if you’re not familiar it essentially means that your film will have a beginning, a […]
How to Film Match an Action Cut
The match cut is a common method of smooth transition from one shot to another or from one scene to another that is sometimes referred to as a standard transition. Learning how to film match an action cut is something that requires a bit of practice. Sometimes referred to as cutting on action, or matching […]
What is Shot Blocking in Film?
When you hear the term “shot blocking,” do you think about preventing a shot from taking place? If you’re a basketball player, you certainly do. But as a filmmaker, the mind might take a different approach. In film, various terms are used to describe processes that involve the camera movements, position, and use of equipment […]
Are All TV Shots Voiced Over in a Studio After Filming?
Are All TV Shots Voiced Over in a Studio After Filming? Shooting a television show is certainly a process. It’s a bit different from what you might have seen in filming a movie. But not so much that the entire production process is altered. In fact, much of the process during production for a television […]
Understanding Foreground, Middleground, Background in Film Composition
When looking at the composition of a shot, the filmmaker is faced with a layered scene. In which there is essentially a foreground, middleground, and background in film. Each of these areas, respectively, represents a very important area of your focus. In which, together, the foreground, middleground and background are combined to produce the desired […]
What is Omniscient Point of View in Film?
The point of view (POV) that you use in storytelling plays a key role in how your audience will experience the description and visibility of the world you’re creating for them. Throughout filmmaking, the use of third-person omniscient point of view is common. Allowing a glimpse into the character’s story. But exactly what is the […]
Recognizing Symmetry in Film: What is Symmetry & What Does it Mean?
Throughout the world of filmmaking, the use of various forms both of symmetry and balance frequently come up in discussions of composition and how to engage in the art of visual storytelling. The use of symmetry in film composition represents one of various forms of expression that a filmmaker can control. While delivering the desired […]