FREDDIE & BRANDON’S HUMBLE BEGINNING
Freddie and Brandon's first post, from 2006.
"For those about to shoot, we salute you."
PRODUCTION AUDIO
If you're shooting for TV or film you're not wiring everyone with lavs. You're booming a shotgun mic.
Here's an interesting how-and-why-to production.
This was written and directed by Colin Hart for Full Sail University's Digital Audio Production class in the Digital Cinematography program.
TYPE FOR MOTION DESIGN
What Alexander says about having a small stable of type you're familiar with and that works is true for all digital design. But it's especially true for motion design. There are just certain go-to faces that work better than others.
Here's his top 10 list. It's very good. And all the font sets are free if you'd like any you don't have.
CINEMATIC STUDIES – OVERHEAD / POV
Courtesy of kogonada on Vimeo, these compilations are excellent highlights of the overhead and point-of-view shots.
WES ANDERSON | FROM ABOVE
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BREAKING BAD | POV
THE ART OF THE TITLE
Opening titles. The story before the story.
They're fantastical journeys in and of themselves, with ever-increasing intricacy and style.
So who started this highly skilled art form that's taken on a life of its own?
Saul Bass, of course.
And if title design interests or fascinates you, here's a site you should bookmark:
MEMORABLE SHOTS
What camera or FX move stands out in your mind? Or one that always evokes a certain feeling? What shots do you remember or like?
I'll start us off, with one of the most suspenseful, dramatic and effective zoom effects ever, from The Bone Collector. It's the rapid pull back from inside the cab to the apartment blocks away.
Breathtaking the first time you see it. Cool every time after. It's actually in the trailer at 1:18
Check it out:
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So…what's yours…?
ADVICE ON FILMMAKING
Here's a clip from a 2003 documentary. It might seem like an eternity ago, especially given the advances in equipment and technique. (You'll chuckle when John McNaughton talks about having just shot a movie on Hi8.)
But as Stephen Covey points out, principles and the natural laws of effectiveness are changeless.
Point is, don't get caught up in having just the right gear to work with. Tech has, and always will, upgraded every six months. Who can keep up with that?
Sure, shooting 4K at 48fps is [probably] great. But when life hands you an SD Flip and that's all you've got to work with (for years) keep shooting.
Keep telling stories.
Cause maybe — just maybe — someone will let you build and run a film studio. And you'll be ready.
😉
POLL – FILMMAKING BOOKS
The lists abound, but what are some of your favorite books on or related to filmmaking?
One of mine is a little treasure called Movie Speak. I discovered it years ago in the film section at Books-A-Million in Ocala. I've gleaned about a dozen or so terms from it which I use in my course, Video Production: Cinematic Excellence.
Tony Bill is an Oscar-winning producer who's culled nearly every term used on set and in the industry. There's hundreds of them, listed alphabetically in this easy-to-read pocket guide.
It not only immerses you in the parlance of production but draws back the curtain on a world unseen by most.
It's a must-have for filmmakers.
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So…what are your favorites?