Film meets Art

Film Meets Art

When cinema was introduced initially it was not considered as an element of 'Art'. Our cinema world is inspired by various kind of paintings, statues, etc. which we use as a composition in the celluloid making it look creative, as well as appealing on screen with the on going action. Different artistic work has helped cinema in painting the screen, and also helping us position every element in front of the frame. With the help of different kind of lighting and editing techniques including the camera work it makes the situation look artistic. The difference between a painting is that the situation which is put on the paper or a canvas is still, and in the film it moves with the mood, somewhere conveying the same vibes, or meaning as well. Art directors decorate the screen also with the help of different art works that is painting, with the director and camera man bringing it to live. The characters which the director have imagined can also be explained through different artistic works, it can make the job of a film maker easier by deciding the costume, color, and the posture as well. Even it can help in the architectural design when it comes to building the sets, with the help of improvisation. This was mostly applied in the old times, but today people believe in innovating their own ideas. Film today is also an art, which is still very unique in it's nature capturing people into it's world. 

Acting - Self sacrificing yourself

Acting - Self sacrificing yourself

Who's an actor? Now we all know that an actor is the one who gulps in the character which the director gives him/her to perform for the film. But that is not the only thing necessary for an actor. Every writer, and director is clear about what they want from their cast, and make sure that whatever role they have imagined for the characters will come out from them. An actor plays various roles in different kind of films, and most of the characters which is given to them are very distinct from their real life personality, and it's their responsibility for portraying something in nearly a perfect manner, in the reel life, and enthral the audience with their performance, giving justice to the screenplay, and the director's visualization as well. The job of an actor is also to add his/her imagination in between the scenario given to them, and you never know that it might be better than it was written. The actor should very well have the presence of mind, and know what is their character, how does the character live, eat, background and so on. Stanislavsky had given this world of acting which is known to be 'Method acting', where the actor behaves the same way their character is out of the reel life. This helps an actor a lot when it comes in understanding their character. Acting is not just getting into the character and delivering the dialogues, as it's futile in just doing that. It's a technique, which is very detailed. You have to understand what you have to portray, the way you'll stand, or sit, the diction, and you're voice modulation with the pauses as well in between, and also most importantly be very expressive as well. Sometimes even the script is poor, the acting enhances the story as well. Being a presentable actor, and just being an actor is very different. If an actor abstains their hard work then it'll not just harm their part of the film but the entire film as well. Picking up challenging roles will also help in you're career, as you'll overcome the challenges. Sometimes an actor just sticks to do what the director wants them, and this helps it making them look different in every kind of role, even avoiding being stereotype. And some actors are left so free that they can portray just what they have imagined regarding that particular situation, and even there is a balance between both. Exorbitant hard work will surely make people remember the role given to you for a very long time. The actor is the face of the film, and also it helps to augment the market of the film. An actor also should know how the frame is set, and to understand the key words used on set, because knowing what kind of lighting, frame, and so on is set will surely effect the look and scenario as well.

Acting is surely is to self sacrifice yourself, as you most of the time portray a character which you're not, and imbibe as much of the screenplay as you can by adding you're own creative ability. At the end of the day, and actor is the one who takes the story to different phases. 

The Job of a Film Producer

The Job of a Film Producer

What can make a good producer? By just investing all his/her money into the film, and provide almost everything which a director wants to input onscreen? In my point of view the quality of a film is also very much depended upon the producer. The script will decide your budget, and it will be given from the producer. If a film director is provided with a producer who ensures that whatever requirements will be needed in a film will help in completing it without fail, will help the director as well, for example, a specific location which a director wishes to shoot a song sequence, which might be tough to arrange, the efforts of the producer should be seen in making the wish of the director granted as well. Not only that, a film producer also should be very witty in selecting a script. But usually many film producers also help in enhancing the script by following the star system, and helps it reach the mass market. Now that also depends. If the film is low budget then according to that particular budget things will be arranged by the producer. Producers can be independent or they can also be a production company as well. If you're film producer is cooperative then it will be easy to ask for anything as well. It's essential for the producer to stay awake in all the stages of the film, and especially in the distribution part as well, when it comes for inviting you're audience to watch the film. The job of a producer can also help turning a film into a profitable one, and arranging the suitable cast and crew. Having a business mind, and to know how to deal with people as well is another very important quality for a film producer. A producer with no knowledge of finance is just like a film without a proper script. The film producer is also the one who ensures that the shoot will go smoothly without any fail as well. A film producer simultaneously understand the vision of the director, and also get to know how he/she will help in executing the story, and manage the finance in different departments by being frugal. If the producer will fail the quality of the film will too, and it's essential for the producer to bolster the director. If the producer is evasive then making the film will also be difficult as well. 

So hence, the film producer should not be eccentric and always be there for the director in achieving what is his/her need without any complains, and make the film look just the way the script demands.

SHEHAR- A music video worth watching!

Shehar,
The city which is not specific, the city which gets destroyed by some negative elements present in the society...but ultimately it's the city of hopes and dreams that contains only humans instead of religions and communities.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7FxCsbYmL7A&feature=youtu.be
Guys... It's a video worth watching. Please do like, share, comment, react, and subscribe as well.!!

Off Screen Sound

Off screen sounds are generally produced in the post production stage, and not during the set while shooting the particular sequence. The characters surely will portray that reaction which is needed from the director, and it's mentioned in the screenplay as well when the sound will be heard, but in reality that sound is either imagined by the character, or someone else might produce the sound for the character to react to the scenario, and then the original sound is added later on in the post production stage. Off screen sound is added for various kinds of reasons depending on what the director of the film wants to create on screen. It can be used to add details about the particular location, for example, a forest where the sounds of different animals can be heard. It also can be added to show the space of the location, for example if some object falls, the echo, can be created as well. This sound also generally adds a realistic feeling to the situation which every director wants. Even in horror films mostly off-screen sounds are there for building up the the fear, and as well as the curiosity for the audience. This also helps adding a meaning to your on going action. It plays a role in creating a world outside the visuals which is seen on screen. It makes your audience hear what your character hears. The off screen sound tells a story with the sound produced itself, like in a blank screen the sound of a blast is heard, the audience itself will understand that there is blast being taken place. It also let's you get into the mind of your character, and know what is going on into their mind. 

This also gives us a creative liberty, and makes your audience enjoy what's happening on screen, even though it's heard off screen. The progression of your story also takes place due to off screen sound also like by introducing a new character, or even indicating something. 

Off screen sounds are creative, exciting, as well as making your story enhance with on going action.

Cuts & Transitions

Cuts & Transitions

It's very essential for a film maker to know where to add a cut & transitions. in between of the shots, for going to a next situation or scene. Every film director ensures adding a cut, and transition at the right place in the right time in the story, A cut & transition has it's own significance, and helps adding texture to your film. A cut whereas is also a part of the transition. During the shoot, or even in the pre-production stage where you write your screenplay the writer, and director makes sure that the pace of the story goes more interesting, and when to make your audience feel more curious as well, and enthrall them. As our cinema has developed, with different film making styles, various cuts & transitions had evoked with time as well. Putting a cut & Transition arbitrarily without knowing what's the meaning will make it futile. From different shots we add different cuts & transitions which makes a proper scene for a sequence, for the film to be complete. There are various kinds of cuts & transitions in a film. The most common type of transition is a cut, where one shot instantly replaces another shot showing a different scene, and also a common way to join two shots together as well. Cutting on Action is where the cut is added in between the action of the character, for example when the character is walking, or stunts is performed as well, etc. Then moving on to the next one is another common type of transitions that is the Fade in and Fade Out, in which Fade Out shows a black screen, and usually is used to conclude the ending of a film, whereas Fade In is just the opposite where it gives way to the pictures, and usually used in the beginning of the films, and also fades are used to imply on the major and intense scene. A dissolve where as is the overlapping of one shot to another, one,with disappearance of one shot, and the next shot applying on it. There is Cut Away, which is added in between of the on going situation, for example if you are showing your character something, the shot of your character's dialogues and a cut away is added in between to show the audience what are you talking about, it's also used to get into the head of your character as well, like an abrupt memory. Cross cut is another transition which is added in between two different locations, for example a phone conversation. It also helps increasing the curiosity of what will happen next, also showing what's in the mind of your character. Jump cut is another kind of transition which happens to show time transition for example, and are cuts between the same shot. Like a scene of a line in a bank decreasing, it also adds urgency in the scenes as well. Match cut is an artistic type of cut which helps matching one shot at one place with another shot as well. For example if your character is throwing an object, and in just the next scene the object matches something else. It's also between two different objects, compositions also, it also helps in time lapse.  Smash cuts are abrupt transitions, such as waking up from a nightmare, and also are uninvited as well. An iris is a stylistic transition, and is old fashioned as well, where the screen just circles one part of the subject with the rest in black. They are also mostly found in cartoon for example Bugs Bunny. There is also Wipe in which the transition pushes the shot away from the frame, with the next one appearing on screen, which is a contrast from one scene to another. Invisible cuts are like hidden cuts, for example if the candle blows out from a scene, and the character lights it once again. The L - cut hence is for the audio basically where your audio from one shots moves from the next shot.  J - cut is where used when the audio of the next scene come before in the present shot, for the audience hear in the audience's point of view. 

So hence, these are the different kinds of cuts & transitions used in a film with it's own significance, and artistic representation as well.

Importance of Recce

Importance of Recce

A film is shot in different kind of locations which can be indoor, or outdoor, in a greenroom, or in any real location. But during the pre production stage it's very essential for finding an appropriate place for shooting the film, and make it possible for the director's vision to come in reality. So for this particular stage 'Recce' is taken place. We have already spoken about the Location Manager who is en-charge of the responsibility for the location to be arranged before the date of the shoot, and during the 'Recce', a director, producer, production designer, cinematographer, and the location manager visits the specific location to see how will it support the film's scene. A recce is done for visual observation, and to also especially to point of potential problems which can occur during the shoot. Now for shooting in a location which is out of our control (outdoor), it's very vital to make sure that the place chosen for shooting the film won't over rule and come in between the shoot as a distraction. There are various potential problems which can occur such as, the weather conditions, the external distractions, like for example if there is a construction being taken place, the noise can distract your shoot, the electricity problems, such as if your shooting in a village how often there will be electricity problems, as your equipment's need to be charged, and generators can later be arranged, and many more. Shooting outdoor is tough, and a challenge as well because mother nature is unaware of the importance and money of the film. A recce is also done according to the film's budget. If it is selected, then only the Location Manager arranges it according to the schedule of the film. A production designer ensures that if sets need to be made for example, how spacious the area is, and every detail is checked such as the measurement of the ground, the space available in the area, and so on. Whereas on the other hand the director, and the cinematographer looks at the location for showing how the shots will be translated on screen, with the director deciding if he/she is satisfied or not with the area.
Looking at the lighting availability, the facilities, and overall aesthetics the location will be selected as well. Basically the examination of what can effect your particular location is known as 'Risk Assessment'. So during the recce the Risk assessment is also taken place.   Hence, Recce is an essential part of the pre production stage, and can help in a way to save your time, money, and have a perfect location for the film scene to enhance as well.

Choosing a Perfect Ending

Choosing a Perfect Ending

When an idea comes into the mind, you form it into a story with a proper narrative structure, and try your best for making your audience perceive what you want them to. We all know that a film's story with the other aspects is the soul of the film. The beginning of the film only itself should built up the curiosity for the audience that they are forced to sit onto the seats to know what will happen next. Every film director makes the film with their own creative and artistic representation, with what they find will be the best for the audience. But it's also essential at the very same time that the audience will feel it was worth sitting for a certain time period. The impact of the film is also mostly created by the ending, as the audience will have get the solution of the dramatic premise which was being created, and also the film should leave the audience as the director wanted the audience to leave the hall. The movies which have sequels connected to the first part will have the pressure to choose a perfect ending. Without the ending being impactful, and also amusing the audience will somewhere fail the film, and the viewer's will feel a bit disappointed as well. As a film maker you are taking your audience to another world, and making them believe that what is happening in front of them is real, so it's very essential for it to end the way the film was moving, not just abruptly. Most of the films with perfect ending left us scandalized, such like Kahaani. An audience enjoys the film more when their predictions go wrong till the end. And sometimes some endings are very simple and unique, so here the execution of the particular last sequence plays a vital role to be unique. 

It's important to remember that more interesting the story, with nearly perfect execution, including the background score, cinematography, editing, etc. the better the ending. The audience will be laborious for the ending of the film being perfect, and remember a film is incomplete without a perfect ending as well. 

My Short Film (college project)

Everyone has the right to live their life how they wish, even 'widows', who is kept away from the socitey, living a pale life, and forgot to live in the world of colors.

Now it's their 'HAQ' to live.

This is a film dedicated to them. Hope you all will enjoy.:)

We made, and had edited this film in 4 hours for our college project. There is no cut in between, and we made a Mise en scene.

Starring: Aakriti Bansal Narrated By: Vishal Vashisthl Vashisth Cinematography By: Anuj Malviya Edited By: Lakshay Anand Written & Directed By: Akanksha Sondhi

Please like, and Share.

For the link: Haq - Everyone has the right

Importance of an Art Director

Importance of an Art Director

A director gives his/her vision to the team, where the actor/actresses contributes their part in portraying the role of the character, the cinematographer executes by shooting the scene the way the mood, and the ambiance is with the help of the lighting, and so on. But what about the Art Director? The Art Director's contribution is also one of the most essential for the film, as the look of the movie is depended mostly upon them. According to the genre, and the story the set up will take place. For example if the story revolves around the century before we live in currently has a lot of research work, and also according to the Art director's talent the set will be built up as well. If the story takes place in future, that is the century after us, then the imagination of the Art director should contribute a lot with the director's vision. Basically the Art Director helps giving life to the visual ambiance, and look of the film from the director's vision. In my point of view, the art director is the one who mostly should intake what the imagination in the director's mind, and also give quality to the particular story. The audience also will enjoy the film more if it is visually appealing, as the film at the end of the day is seen, and heard by the audience. It's very important for giving the eyes of the audience a view which helps them get involved more in the story. It's but obvious that more beautiful the set up, and if I mean beautiful it is related to all kinds of genre, the better the shot will look in the frame of the camera, giving the scene a stunning look as well. One very vital point to remember that the job of the Art director is vast as well. The art director works across various departments such as the Location Manager, where he/she will recommend a location according to the particular scene, then also look at the Floor Plan if the arrangement is planned perfectly. The backbone of the storyboard is also the Art director. 

Being an Art director is not an easy job as you have to be creative, as well as technical at the same time. Research is very important for the art director to prepare the setting also. The characters will also have an alluring look because of the help of the background being set up. 

The budget is one of the main factor in art direction which is to be considered as according the what the producer has input in the film the sets, and locations will be set.