Removing the camera from a mirror scene

 Filmmaking is beginning to look more like a magic that many see it to be. Filmmakers are trying their hands on many different things and most of all inventing several ideas and new techniques in filmmaker. With what Alejandro Inaritu did in his new film Birdman, it's certain that film has taken a new dimension and filmmakers need to follow soot.    

  

I have been noticing recently the technique of shooting a scene with some actors in front of a mirror and the camera also being clearly in front of the mirror, however it's not reflected in the mirror. I'm thinking of films such as The World's End, Benjamin Button and most recently Birdman. So I was wondering how is this effect done? Digitally masking the camera out or what? Thanks!

Now, the question has been posed and it is time to find a lasting solution to the question and I am sure you heard it. Its a Digital masking technique. This obviously sounds alien but then its not far from finding out. May be we should take that task find out how that was done and lets share the idea here on this platform....

Celtx upgrades to an All-in-One Video & Movie Planning System

 

Upgrade is now the trending thing. No one wants to be left behind obviously and on that note, Celtx have also upgraded making the software not only suitable for scripting but now for video. They are sure introducing what others don't have. This might be the last resort for you or will you want to remain with the editing software you already know or make a change. That is totally left for the filmmakers to decide. See this below.

 

Kodak to Revive Super 8mm Film with a New Camera

 

I really want to believe that many filmmaker must have anticipated the death of Film considering the invention of digital cameras which seem easy and cheap to afford and process. However the reverse is the case because Kodak has refused to remain in extinction and have decided to make a come back with the 8mm film in a totally new camera.

This is coming at the time the demand for Digital camera has so much eaten deep into the minds of several filmmaker, including ace DP's. But this seems to be a great one by the manufacturers and hope its come back will not be suicidal?  Let's look further and determine what could be the advantage of this new baby by the prestigious KODAK.

Remember Super 8mm film?

While some of you are still shooting a few rolls here and there, the format that was once synonymous with home movies might just be making a comeback 50 years after Kodak made their first camera. With analog formats getting a new lease on life lately, including film, Kodak is pushing forward with a brand new Super 8mm camera — one that combines analog film with the ease of shooting on digital, like the addition of a flip out LCD screen for shooting (rather than an optical viewfinder), and other digital connections on the back. According to the Wall Street Journal, this model will cost between $400 and $750, but a much cheaper model will be coming out in 2017:

The first new Super 8, expected to arrive in a limited-edition version in the fall of 2016, was conceived with help from the industrial designer Yves Behar. It is likely to cost between $400 to $750, Mr. Clarke estimated. Processing the film should cost $50 to $75 a cartridge, he said.

The big secrete;Hollywood directors speaks

Filmmaking recently has grown beyond our imagination across the world and the industry has continued to boom. In Nigeria, the industry contributed to the development of the Gross Domestic Product in the areas of productions and distributions across the globe.

Never the less, this brings me to the reason why this material needs to get to the reach of many Nigerian Filmmakers, especially film graduates who find it very difficult making a film. Someone will say, making film is not an easy task and involves so much. That I agree but then it is only the adventurous, the risk takers that eventually make headway.  Home and abroad the situation has been the same, independent filmmakers find it difficult making head way but somehow there seem to be a paradigm shift  when I discovered that the rich also cry. What do I mean, just like the independent filmmakers in Hollywood find it difficult, that same way every other independent filmmakers struggle to get to the top. The driving force is always the ability to conquer fear and take risk.

However, on this note, I urge you to see this amazing discussion with the latest rating Hollywood directors who are recently rocking the airwaves, their challenges rising to the top, challenges being the independent filmmakers, working with actors as well as their regrets. The directors includes, Alejandro Inaritu, Quintin Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick  and many more on their recently made film.

Despite the fact that it seems we see a lot of the same faces each year in these things, it's still inherently fascinating watching these directors shoot the shit. They cover the state of cinema, career challenges, working with actors and their favorite movie-making movies. If nothing else, it's worth watching for Ridley Scott's story about getting 17 hours of helicopter footage from Stanley Kubrick for the end of Blade Runner. Enjoy the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to foley and sound effect for film

One of the greatest and most important element of filmmaking is sound. Without sound, a picture will lack life. It is seldom said that a picture speaks a thousand words. No doubt, but then bringing life to the words said by a picture, a sound is required.

Very little of what you hear in the movies is real - in this lesson we take a look at the art of Foley, how to classify it, the history of the man who started it all and take a crack at doing our own Foley work. FilmIQ explains this further.

The science behind the camera lense

 

So many at times we see movies and we mavel at the pictures and the next thing is mouth agape,

wondering when you will get to that stage of purchasing that big camera. Like they say time waits

for no one.

The Many pros will tell you: it's less about the camera you're shooting on and more about the lens. 

The lense is obviously the heart of every camera. That doesn’t seem to make any meaning at all I

guess, but the truth is not far from the fact that the lense is the tool behind every great pictures
you see.

I mean -- that's neither here nor there, but one thing's clear: knowing all you can about lenses, how they're built, their properties, and even their history, will benefit you immensely as a filmmaker. This is something Filmmaker IQ's John P. Hess obviously knows, seeing as he has dedicated two separate videos to diving into the history and mechanics of the camera lens.

It's 45 minutes well spent, so check out both videos below:

Vid 1  

Vid 2

 

THROUGH THE LENSE: STARTING UP AS A SCREENWRITTER

 

Over time, I have seen WRITERS struggle trying to know the best way out in screen writing without

fundamental research and knowledge. Somehow my curiosity grew and that raised my

interest  in finding out what the problem might be. Interestingly, I discovered many have developed

that self-fear within while some just have a feeling that it can be done and then  move on without

basic research.  I don’t think I can do this. Writing is for greater minds, most say ignorantly. Yes that

could possibly be true but sincerely, everyone is great if he/she feels so. However being a writer

starts within, developing the interest from the inside. i.e the desire to write.

Most believe to become a screenwriter, they need to write one great script, get that script

into the hands of an agent, the agent sells it for lots of money, and then Boom! Their career has

begun. This is not actually how to become a screenwriter. You can have a great script and yet not

produced. The joy of every screen writer is to see their works being produced.

This is what happens most times.