Reasons for failing in Execution

Reasons for failing in Execution

Before we execute a film it is but obvious that you plan and write your idea which later on is formed into a story right? But as a film maker, a director especially you should get one thing clear into your head that whatever you pre-visualize, cannot be always 'exactly' executed the way you want it to be. However strong your content, the cinematic view or even though the cast is doing their role perfectly, unless, and until their will be a lack in the execution part the film will not connect your audience. Firstly, as a film maker you should be very patient enough to observe your surroundings making sure that whatever you want and imagined is present in front of you. At a certain point of time frustration, and tiredness can take over the role of being patient, and observing, but you should make your mind so strong that you won't let that happen. Walking into reality, than expectations will also help you from failing in the execution part. Sometimes there might be the elements which is required not available or for any other reason at the present day of the shoot your frame is not exactly the way you wanted to be. So over here improvisation can take a role as it will help the execution part to look even much better on-screen. When you write your screenplay you arrange your thoughts of whatever you want your film to look like. But it is also very essential that whatever you will write down will be a possible shot  taken, as sometimes you stay into your imaginary world forgetting that the reality is something else. For example, if you are making a short film with less budget, and imagined that your character having an expensive car that is your imaginary world, whereas in reality it is something else. So make sure that the execution part should be done exactly the way the story is, and not look very flat as well. There might be also faults in the way your frame should be arranged which will result into failing your execution part as well. Make sure the positions of every element in the frame is at the right place, and it shouldn't look very awkward on screen also. Even if the story fails the executing of the film will not be done at a proper manner. If you put two people together they might have different perceptions about different subjects, and as a film maker when you are showing what you have created about a particular subject it is very vital for it to be cleared to the audience as at the end of the day the film is successful just because of also executing it in the proper manner.

In the execution stage their are all the elements of film making as it's the result of the film. So as a film maker try to show what you want, as putting your imagination into real life is not very easy, but also not impossible as well.

Creating an Ambiance

Creating an Ambiance

Putting your story into life is not a very simple task right? We need a proper team who will not just be good at their profession, but also understand, and personally accept the story so that the best is given by each, and every person. But just shooting it with the cast in front of you, is just not enough for the film to look real, and also for the the audience accepting it. It's very essential for the ambiance to be created where the particular scenario which is to be created should be felt around the cast in real life. This will help the cast the most as they get in depth of the character, and also make their acting look perfect on screen. By creating the ambiance it also effects the scene on screen by making the audience believe that whatever is happening in the reel life is real for a moment. The ambiance is also created by the sets created for the film. For example, if you are making a historical film where kingdoms will be a part of it, creating the kingdom which will look very realistic will give birth to the ambiance making you feel a part of the kingdom. The sets also will look astonishing on screen, and the frame will look perfect with the actor/actress acting out perfectly with the support of their surroundings. If you are making a biopic, the ambiance which will be created will also take you back to the time the incidence occurred. The sound also plays a pivotal role for the ambiance to be created. A very common example is the horror films. It will create the ambiance in the hall where the people are watching the film. Whereas during the shoot the ambiance is also created by the technical parts as well such as the lighting. Even while shooting, when you have all the required elements suiting the story, and the character as well the ambiance is automatically created by taking the actor/actress to the imaginary world where they believe that whatever they will act out is their character in real life making the shot look perfect as well. The cinematographer also at the end of the day will get into the ambiance by taking the shot as it's needed making each and every required element look perfect in the frame. Other elements such as the props, etc. will create an ambiance by making the shot look perfect as well. So an intelligent film maker makes sure that they create an ambiance during the shoot so that the audience will feel the same emotions on screen.

Organizing a story

Organizing a story

As we all know that it is very essential for a story to be organized in a proper manner so that the audience will understand the film, and the message will be reached as well. But organizing a story is not really as easy as it seems. In most of the films we have seen that the opening scene starts with the present, and then the flashback starts where it takes us to the past. But when to get that particular flashback, and at which moment it will take place is also important to understand. Organizing a story in the proper manner will make the audience comfortable in watching the film. For example if you are trying to create curiosity and confusion in a particular scene then it's essential for it to be organized in a proper manner. For the organizing part to become a success the planning of the sequence should be done very carefully as well. A film is made by the sequencing of the scenes at the end of the day, so if there is any fault in the sequencing part then the film might not work as you have expected it to. Sometimes film makers tries to make the audience curious about what's happening in front of them when it the story is already cleared. So organizing the story will help you create that curiosity. When you write a story it is written in an organized way itself. But how you want to execute it on the big screen by deciding which scene to put where and when in the right way is the backbone of the film to become a success. The 3 act structure also can be played but in a witty way as well. You can put the resolution at start and the conflicts later on, but it should be portrayed and organized in the manner which your audience will understand what is happening in front of them.

Simple stories can be also created in a way to make the audience feel eager to know what will happen next, because of organizing the story in such a way to look on screen. For the organizing of the story to become a success as a film maker you should understand the major scenes, and then highlight the scenes which you will give the most priority to. This will also help in the organizing part as well.
In the stages of the pre -production like the screenplay the film will be organized and planned then written down. But as a film maker you should be very smart enough to know how you want the sequencing to take place by not creating a lot of complications in the story, and not making it look very simple as well. Every film has a beginning, middle, and an end right? But it is up to you which part to put where and when for the execution part to become a success.  

Creating contrast in a film

Creating contrast in a film

Before writing a story it is very important for a film maker to know what exactly he/she wants to execute on screen with the way the story will move on in front of the viewer's. Before a story is written it is but obvious that a genre is selected, then for that particular genre, either there will be a sub genre added or a mix of another genre. Genre is basically the one which will decide the mood of the film, so it's very essential for it to transform from one to another at the right place in the right time which is the contrast of the film, otherwise it will just look sudden in front of the audience. Now as the genre is cleared with the story to form it into a film with all the stages film making it is very essential for a film maker to understand how to create a contrast in a film. If you are showing a thriller film or a crime thriller film usually these kind of movies turns dark at a certain point of time when the conflict enters the protagonist's doorstep. Before the conflict if your story shows the bright side of the protagonist's life then it is very important for the film maker to create that particular contrast in the right way with changing the mood of the film as well. For example a film with romance mostly there are vibrant colors which will represent the love between the characters of the story, and after a certain point of time when it reaches to it's conflict then the color of the film will also change which will also lead to the change in the audience's mood because of the scenario being created. The music also as we all know plays an important role in the film. So as a film maker you should ensure that the change in the background score will help in enhancing what is seen on screen for the viewer's to go in depth of the film. For example if we take the film 'Phone Booth', the contrast in this film in my point of view is one of the best I have seen, as the film revolves in just one day where the character's life had drastically changed because of the incidence taken place. The contrast created in the film justified how an incidence can change a particular individual's life. There was contrast in the color, character, scenario, and music. All together were put in the right way as well. So as a film maker it is very important to get in depth of every element you put into the movie so that the contrast being created will make your film a success at the end of the day by being loved and accepted from the viewers.

Challenges for a Fresh Film maker

Challenges for a Fresh Film maker

There are many challenges which a film makers faces during their life in the industry, and I also had mentioned about some of them in my previous posts. But have you ever wondered about the challenges a fresher has to face after just at the start of their career? Well, for the people who dream to become a filmmaker surely will. The first very challenging job for a fresher is to think 'Where to start from'. Now after doing your graduation and getting the degree in your hands, either you can continue doing masters with struggling getting into the film industry along side, or just choose one of them. But to start a journey you always have to decide from where will you walk through. For a fresher for their work to reach in the industry is also quite a challenging job, but now a days thanks to technology it makes it easier, but not a piece of cake. The next challenging path is contacting a producer. Sometimes it gets very tough when it comes to pitching as you have to wait for a long time, and have no contacts in the industry. You can also produce your own film, and later on distribute it the way you want to according to the capability you have. Their are many actors, editors, directors, cinematographers, music directors, etc. present in the industry. So if you are giving a debut in the film industry it can also be challenging as indirectly you will compete with the people who are already present for years. The work being portrayed also might at start not be seen or reach your expectations, but this is not always the case. If your lucky you never know. For gathering a team as a fresher you might face troubles, but later on when your work will become a success people will be keen to work with you as well. There are  also people who do not let you survive for a long time, so it's very essential to learn how to fight through it by showing your talent. There might be people in the industry who will also help you by walking in your path, and there also people who will try not letting you get away with your work. Just like in the real life; good and bad people. After my degree I will also become a fresher in the industry, and help myself thinking that it is not impossible, even though it might be rough at start but it's very vital to remember that the people who you see today were also a fresher at their start and later on became famous, so you can also do it as well in your own way. 

Types of Filmmakers

Types of Filmmakers

There are various kinds of film makers in an industry with unique talents engaging the audience to watch films, and enjoy with cinema being a part of their life. In this particular post I will jot some types o film makers which pulls out audiences to watch their kind of film making. A film maker executing their work at start might have a rough path by gathering certain kind of viewers then later on makes the audience love their work of film making. I am not saying that a particular group of people just watches one type of film makers work, but a particular film maker has a type of film making which makes audience watch their film, and sometimes the people watch it for experimenting different kind of films also. Everyone has their own favorite taste, and as a film maker you have your own style of film making. 

 The first type of film maker is the one who works upon the realistic facts, and purely adds reality into the plot, with least drama. This type of a film maker usually is also found in the art cinema. In my point of view, the budget mostly doesn't matter to this particular kind of film maker, and he/she might get a fresh cast or maybe someone famous to work in the film. The other type of film maker is the one who mostly focuses upon the budget of the film. The outcome part might be the priority, as it should look astonishing to the audience with the story being along side. In the industry the star system also matters a lot for the film to work, so there are also film makers who usually gives priority mostly on the star system than the story of the film so that the film will become a success. The next type of a film maker is the one who chooses the cast very wisely who is either a fresher or already in the industry but mainly they should suit the particular situation which is being created by the film maker, indirectly also adding reality to the film. Moving on the other type of film maker that is the perfectionist. This particular film maker is the one who looks upon every stage very carefully with giving his/her creative idea, and makes sure everything is going the way it should be. The technicality part also matters a lot in a film so their are also film makers who make sure that this stage is done in the proper manner. Also their are film makers who prefer to go exactly the way the things are planned, and even their are film makers who gives the space for experimenting without bothering about the time. For the cast being chosen every type of a film maker will be very wise about it but have different ways in handling them, such as a film maker will give the free space for doing what they can naturally having the situation in front of them. The other type of film maker will make sure that the dialogues is followed the way it should be as planned.

There are film makers who have a target audience, and who also do not have a chosen group of people, film makers who like to experiment a lot or just stick to a regular pattern. Bold film makers, or film makers who just prefer the audience to watch the film with their family. Even film makers who gives the space to the cast and crew to make the film the way they want or  film makers who just makes the team do what he/she wants. Every film maker has their own comfort ways of film making. They also have the liberty to experiment with their own style, and puts lots of hard work into making a film. Every type of film maker is perfect in their own ways as long as it is loved, and supported by their audience, and also at the end of the day becomes a success.

Can an idea be over? - A writer's mind

Can an idea be over? - A writer's mind

In the creative field you need an idea for everything, and not just an idea, it should be out of the box to reach mass of the audience. In this post I will particularly aim to a writer's mind. As we all know a film maker should be very creative enough so that the work which is executed will become a success. The story which the film is being made should be written in such a manner that it will reach the maximum audience or at least to the expectations of a film maker. A director specifically should have the overall knowledge of each and every stage of film making. A writer can also be a very good, and successful film director, as at the end of the day it his/her story being portrayed on screen. Now being a creative writer is not everyone's piece of cake, but at a certain point of time the idea might either stop coming into your head or you might not find it very unique and interesting. I am not generalizing this part, but the fact is that sometimes you feel your audience will not like your work.

As a fresher who is trying to get into the industry, their is a certain kind of fear that every kind of idea being used into a film, and which will stop your mind to go into the direction of being more unique, as the fear will come in between like a red light into your head. Personally for me I also have this certain kind of worry that there are most of the ideas being used, and thinking something more out of the box can be a challenging task as well. At a certain point of time this can be frustrating also, but you should realize that if you have the talent to be out of the crowd then utilize it in a good way, and try to become more innovative as well. Even when you write a story sometimes the idea gives you a full stop either in between or at the start or end as well. There are many reasons such as stressing over the plot to become more interesting or also worrying about the viewer's not liking the story. For this solution you either need a break or just concentrate by going in depth of the story, and also getting into the shoes of the audience.  Even your mind stops delivering ideas into you because of having another thousands of thoughts, which will not give you the space to think openly. So as an individual give yourself some free space, and most of the time into your writing part as well. Even sometimes if you have not written for a long period of time, then the ideas will come very slowly but then after it will hit you the gradually the speed will increase. Hence, ideas can never be over, it is born into you, and completely depends upon how focused are you. The creativity never dies, but it sometimes is on hold.  

How is a character born

How a character is born

A character is born according to the plot of your film. Thinking of a story is not as easy as making a character, and building it up. A character in a film is born according to our thoughts and imagination. There will be many realistic elements added into the character which you have planned to execute in the film, as due to the observation power we human beings have. I have mentioned previously in my post that a film maker should be a very good, and intelligent observer, and this is one more reason why he/she should start observing people. Firstly, a character can be played as a protagonist, co-star, mentor, etc. It may come in many forms, with different kind of objectives, and roles in a story. Thinking a character might be difficult, but the tricky task is building it according to the story moving on. For example, when the plot will take a twist with the black cloud entering into a character's life, then building the character according to the situation of the story will be a tricky part as well. Having realistic elements added to the characteristic of the character will help the audience to connect themselves with the person they are watching playing the role. This will lead to make the viewers also believe the story. Sometimes when we built up a character we have a picture into our mind which may reflect a known person in our life. This is psychological as the character is born through the thoughts, and we might start relating the character to the people we know present in our lives. A successful film maker always ensures that the characteristics of the character will fit the situation in the right way, and also suit the particular scenario of the story. Choosing the cast will be a bit tricky, but not impossible. Sometimes as a film maker you can also make your cast become the character you have imagined. A character is born according to the story from your thoughts related to the plot.

How do deal with emotions in a film

How do deal with emotions in a film

A story contains various kinds of emotions in different time period as the film moves on. A film can only be successful when these particular emotions which is created by the characters reach the audience, but as a film maker creating those emotions for reaching the blind audience surely will not be a piece of cake. I will not say that it can be reached to each, and every particular individual watching the film, but surely it should reach almost everyone. To deal with the emotions in a film can also be a task not only for the director to create that scenario, but the cast going to play the character. As an actor/actress, or a co-star, etc. getting into the depth of the character will help you get the outcome of the emotions which the director wants. Without the emotions being created naturally, the film will look either flat or fake as well.
There are various emotions we feel; happy, or sad, fear, or excitement,etc. A film shows a life of a person either real or made up, but it should be able to first create that ambiance to give birth to the emotions, because it completely depends upon the situation being created as well. For example. making your protagonist dead at the end or in between of the film will not help the audience cry until, and unless you make the first half of the film very strong, showing the importance of the character. Before you think to write a story, there is one thing always fixed into your mind, and that is how you want your audience to leave the cinema hall, for example crying, or feeling happy, etc. If for example your showing a tragic love story, it is very important to 'give the reason' for the audience to connect with the film, and cry during the death or separation of the two. Until, and unless the bond between the audience, and the film is not created strongly the the film maker's expectation related to how the audience will react to the film will not reach as well. For creating fear, it is also very vital not to exaggerate a particular scene until and unless it is needed to be. For a particular time period the emotions will become a part of the audience while watching the film, such as if a horror film is running, then the fear through out the film can be built up within the audience. To carry out this particular part the cast also should play the role very smartly, and naturally as well. Every emotion in a film also depends on the genre of the story also. So as a film maker make sure that you are witty to create the emotions at the right time in the right place.

Does language creates a barrier?

Does Language creates a barrier?

Many viewers are happy watching a film in their own native language, or the language which they understand very well but a film which is very interesting, and unique as well might sometimes create a barrier in between the film, and the viewer. I will not generalize this particular post, but I can confidently say that almost all of us might have the struggle to understand a film different from the language understood by us, and gives priority to understanding a particular scene, than watching it freely and also getting indulged into the film as the film maker wants. The solution to this particular problem is by the subtitles for sure, but there can also be a problem in reading the subtitle while watching a film simultaneously. I personally sometimes find it difficult to as well as concentrate while the subtitles appear. Some audience have the habit of watching  a film with distinct kind of languages, but for new comer viewers it becomes difficult at start. This problem is really not very huge, and another solution to this is the dubbing of the film. The film being dubbed helps the people from other parts of the country watching a film different from their native language, or the language which is not understood in concentrating the film. The tough part is by synchronizing the dubbed language into the cast's voice replacing the original language.
A film maker surely makes a film with lot's of hard work, and talent reaching all over the world, but yes sometimes language creates a barrier when the film isn't understood. The solution to dub the film will help for sure, sometimes might not happen very well, as the original look is the best outcome. As long as the film becomes easy for the audience to understand, the more they will love to watch the film. No matter whatever the barriers will be at the end, if the viewer will love the film, the barrier at a certain extent won't mind as well.

Importance of culture in cinema

Importance of culture in cinema

A film gives us the opportunity to explore different places, and identify different cultures within a socitey, either while watching a film or making it. But as a film maker it is very vital to understand the culture of the socitey where the film is being made. An individual adapts a particular culture in the socitey where he/she is born, and brought up, and also adapts the culture of another country if they are shifted. But it is instinct that whatever they will be portraying in which ever industry there will be an essence of their particular style of film making where they have come from. Let's take an example of a South Indian director making a film with Bollywood. If you will notice very carefully there will surely be the reflection of the way the films are being made in the South. It can be in the form of dance, or action, etc. Making a film also gives you the liberty to explore the distinct styles of film making in either different states or countries as well. If we overall talk about the Indian industry, it is slowly becoming more open to the socitey, and the reason in my point of view is mainly because of the current generation. Every film from different industry will surely have the reflection of their culture, and the way they live which gives you the opportunity to explore. As an Indian if you watch Hollywood films their way of living is very distinct than us. Being a film maker it is also very essential to portray the culture of your socitey in a very appropriate way which will make the audience accept the film, but also as an audience it is time to become more open, and make a transparent socitey.  The importance of culture in cinema is very much existed still today, as psychologically whatever story is being formed the 'way it will be portrayed' will be the reflection of the culture within a socitey where you have come from. 

Art of Silence

 Art of Silence

As we all know that a film takes us to another world, whether it is realistic or not. As an audience you devote yourself to the film, and for a moment feel that whatever you are watching in front of you is true. For a film maker to make the audience go into the depth of the film, it should be very important that every element are used in the right place, at the right time. Use of dialogues in a film is very necessary for delivering the message directly to the audience, but can words really make you reach to the emotions which is shown on screen? In reality sometimes as an individual when we feel some kind of emotion, which is difficult to deliver through words, 'silence' plays a role which helps to understand the particular feeling. In my point of view, in the reel life the art of silence should surely be involved at the places which is needed. Sometimes there are overloaded dialogues which might be annoying, or might look fake as well. It is very essential as a film maker to put the essence of reality into the reel for the film to touch the audience. The feelings are non tangible, and the viewer's should feel the same way the film is portraying.

The silent part can be supported with a soothing background score as well. With the help of the music playing behind, it will add more color into the particular scene. The use of silence can also create various kind of emotions such as, sad, or romance, and even fear. In the horror films, where music is known as the pivotal role, the silence also is very vital, as if the audience will just see the visual for the moment, and not know what will happen ahead making them indulged for watching the film. In the old era, where sound had not existed people used to make silent film, which were also successful as well. Right now, it can be both ways, but as a film maker it's very important to know how to synchronize both the music, and silence, and also understand where it is necessary to put the dialogues, and not make it over used. A successful film maker are the ones who also understand the 'Art of Silence'.

The Grey Character- A Hero or a Villain?

The Grey Character- A Hero or a Villain?

While writing a story we will mostly first set the characteristics, and behavior of the protagonist who will be either in a negative role, or the hero of the film with his/her co-star. But there will also be a character because of which the film's curiosity will increase, and that will be the 'Grey Character'. Basically this character will be playing both a positive, and a negative one. In my point of view, this particular character makes the audience stick onto their seats until the climax is revealed. Making the character sketch of this particular character can also be a challenging task as well, because if there will be the hint of the climax in between of the film through him/her, then the film will not work as the way it will be expected to be. While it is challenging I personally find it very interesting as well creating a character having both good, and bad qualities in different time of the film.

The Grey Character might at start bring a white cloud of happiness to the protagonist's life, and then later on black cloud sorrowfulness, or it can be vise versa as well. That is why it is a mixture of both, and it's known as the grey character. The fun part is that this particular person can be played in any kind of role, either the mentor or sometimes even the protagonist of the film! These kind of characters are needed to be created in the genres like suspense, as he/she will be the main punch of the movie the viewer's will be watching. The 'twists' in the plot of the movie are also brought by this kind of character. To create this character you have to get into the shoes of the audience, and judge your film just like them. Go into the depth of the story, and make sure that the suspense won't be revealed in between of the film as well. If you have seen 'Harry Potter' the director was very witty to create 'Snape' where at the end of the sequence it was revealed that he was protecting the protagonist;  'Harry', which left almost all of our mouths open. There is a fixed hero, and a fixed villain of the film, but the most interesting role which is either in the support of the hero or villain is 'The Grey Character' of the film.