Floor Plan - A guide for shooting

Floor Plan - A guide for shooting

During the pre-production as a film maker you go through a lot of stages from the screenplay writing to the script breakdown, then the storyboarding, etc. There is also a very essential stage which needs to be covered that is the 'Floor Plan'. This particular part is usually used for higher budget films, and is the best guide for a director. It helps in establishing the relationship between rooms, spaces, and other physical features in the particular location. With the help of a floor plan the director can also visualize the shots which can be taken for the scene, and then translate it into reality. We all know that the pre production stage is mostly for everyone in the crew to understand what the director's vision is and then bring that out into reality with the help of the stages during the pre production. It's very essential for understanding how and at which position will the shot will be taken in the location with the amount of space being covered, and the positioning of the central characters or elements as well, basically film space can be analyzed before the production stage also, because of having a 'Floor Plan'. With the 'Floor Plan' it will help save a lot of time. The cameraman, and director will have a better understanding for the camera positioning as well and can also identify the problems which may occur and solve them before the production stage takes  A floor plan is basically a drawing showing the top view layout of the location for example a room, with the amount of space being covered and the size of the room with the lengths of the walls, including other elements such as furniture, etc. Floor Plans also may include notes for the construction and technical scouts also.

 

Example of a 'Floor Plan'

Floor Plan in a film can either be made or not made, but it is usually made for higher films budgets. It gives a lot of advantage to the crew with saving time also, and is the best guide for the director to understand the location in a much better way, and help imagining the shots to be taken in a certain manner. 

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The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 Degree Rule

Making a film is just not preparing a story, and gathering a team with budget but also to understand some specific rules in the world of Cinema. Rules make us perfect, and after you are perfect in them, only then you have the right to break it. A smart film maker surely ensures following the rules, and also breaking them at the right point of time. In today's post I will specify about one of the most common rule in film making, which is also very essential as well that is the 180 degree rule. This rule helps to establish the relationship between characters, and deals with the relationship of space from one character to another character, or object within a scene. The 180 Degree Rule is the crux of 'continuity editing' of a film, which is very vital to be perfect. According to this particular rule, the characters between them, for example say if we have 2 characters have an imaginary line between them which is called the 'Line of Axis'. This connects the characters together, and also the camera is just kept in one side of the axis to take the shot. The space around the characters diving two semi-circles is of 180 degree. Then 'Shot reverse Shot' will take place where it will show one character looking at the other character, so the camera can also move to closeup of both the character, but ensuring that the camera is on just one side of the axis. Breaking the axis will reverse the angle of the shot. Now this rule is followed till the 'Line of Axis' that is the imaginary line is not crossed, otherwise the rule will be broken. 180 degree rule is mostly used for the conversations between characters.

(The 180 degree rule)

The 180 degree rule is very helpful for your frame to look perfect on screen, and it's also essential for a film maker to understand the rules of cinema. With these rules it can make you a better film maker and then give you the ability to break the rule as well. 

How Color Impacts a Film

How Color Impacts a Film

As we all know that for a film the story to be impacting and strong is not the only important part, but there are various other elements which matter in a film, such as the technical aspects, the art of using your camera to also tell the story, etc. In this particular post I will mention about how color impacts the film, and also the audience as well. The use of color in a film also helps impacting the audience psychologically, and also is the best way to grasp your viewer's attention. It is the best way to built up emotions which will be aroused from the particular scene. A film should look visually very appealing also, and the color can play a role for this enhancing the film look. As we all know that each color has it's own meaning, so it also helps to take the story forward, by the color tone or temperature, and even the costumes as well. Even sometimes without any dialogues, and just action in a particular scene the use of color helps establishing the mood, and ambiance, and even what is happening on screen. But it's also very essential to know that some color also varies with culture, such as black for Western is for death, and white for Indian. Well the common colors used to express moods are the Red which is for anger, aggression, and even power, or the Blue for coldness, and sometimes depressing also. There is Warm colors (yellow, orange) which will make to mood energetic, and also bright. Cool colors (Blue, purple) gives a soothing and calm feeling. In the editing table, the primary and secondary colors can be mixed, and also it can help enhance the look of the film as well through the use of for example, the color wheel. Usually the color temperature usually is set after production that is in the editing stage, but in my point of view the product will come out in a much better way depending upon how was it created. So it's very important to ensure that during the shoot the lighting's, setups and every element is set perfectly in front of the frame. Sometimes you can create the mood and ambiance using the color on set that is live during the shoot itself. Color can help also to draw the focus to significant details in a scene.

Color impacts film in setting the mood, and atmosphere which is needed, expressing an emotion, giving details of the elements which is seen on screen, creating a more appealing film look, and most importantly also helps making the story move forward. 

Film Genre

Film Genre

How do you get a story? From an idea which leads to a concept, with a fixed subject, and genre. Your story can either be adapted, fiction or non-fiction, etc. But as we all know that every story has a genre. Film genre is not only about the film being either romantic, or a comedy film. It also consists with different film making elements. There is also sub genres such as, action adventure, or romantic comedy, etc, and this also is not just about the film being either romantic comedy, but different elements for making a film is also to be seen as similar to Film Genre. According to the genre of your film the ambiance which is to be created on set is decided, and also the location where the shoot will be taken place. The lighting of the film most importantly will be very much also depended upon the Film Genre, as for example, if it will be a horror film low lighting in most of the scene will be preferred, and if it will be a romantic film then the lighting differ as well. In my point of view, to establish a particular genre also the lighting somewhere plays a role as well. It's very essential for a film maker to ensure that the lightnings of the scene or film is according to the genre which helps create the mood or ambiance. Another important element related with the Film Genre is the color temperature of the film. For action film usually you will notice 'Red' color in most of the scenes, and vibrant colors in a romantic film. So the color temperature also differs from one genre to another. Costumes also can be considered as an important element of film making which will help establish your Film genre. For example western where there will be a cowboy's outfit helping establish the particular genre. Set up plays an very essential role also in the film genre, and the set up also comes under the location which you will be shooting your film.

From the setting to the mood, theme or subject, costumes, lighting, and color temperature will mainly help you establish the genre of a film with it's format. When you write the story of a particular genre it is just your imagination, and for a Film Genre bringing that particular thing life will grasp your audience's attention, and make your film successful also.

Location Manager

Location Manager

During the pre-production stage the director, screenwriter, storyboard artist, cinematographer, etc. all plan for the execution to be taken place during the production stage with tight schedules, and detailed planning. After the director has got the vision of what he/she will want the scene or film to look on screen, with the help of the screenwriter to write it down in a structured manner. As we all know that instead of studios there are also locations which are real, and not also a setup. So over here the role of the location manager takes over. The location manager sits closely to the director, and also the production designer during the stage of the pre-production to make the vision of the director come into live for the shoot to be taken place. The job of the location manager apart from arranging a particular location is mainly to arrange the locations, and for also all securities during the shoot with also the legal permission being taken place. There are 'Location Scouts' who work under the Location Manager helping to find interesting, and appealing location according to what the director needs, so the Location manager's first job is to ensure that they are clear with the director's vision, and managing them as well. A very essential thing for a location scout is to be aware of the fees which will be comfortable according to the budget of the film, the amount of equipment's required during that particular day of shoot, safety of the cast and crew, and other external distractions to be avoided in that particular location. After the location is final the location manager then schedules the date for preparation, wrap, and also deals with the other factors impacting on the location which is fixed. The location manager should also ensure and give the guarantee that the way the location is provided to the production will be given back the way it was without any damage. Needing to know the production need's is also very essential for a Location manager. That's only not it, it's also vital for the requirements such as the facilities, electricity, weather conditions, etc. to be taken care of so that you can always be aware during the shoot. For example, if you are shooting in a village it's very essential to know that when there will be electricity, or the weather conditions will be according to the scene needed. 

The location manager is also hence an important part of the pre production stage. as at the end of the day the shoot will be possible, and taken perfectly according to the Location given. 

Importance of Human Psychology

Importance of  Human Psychology

Film making in my point of view is one of the most challenging, and also the most risky field, but with that also it's very interesting, and adventurous as well. During this field you get to interact with distinct kind of people, with or with who you don't work with. Basically you get your team by meeting different people have conversations, and also selecting the right kind of team which will fit your film making style, and also be the team who you wanted for making a film. Well, achieving everything what you want is difficult as sometimes you get to meet the people who by nature you will not personally like, but professionally is very good at his/her job. In my point of view it's very essential apart from knowing only about film making is to understand the human psychology. Understanding the human behavior will not only help the people you work with but also you as an individual to firstly adjust with different kind of people, and secondly also get your work done the way you want it to be. As a film maker you have to understand human psychology as helping you understand human behavior will also be a tool for you to be happy in your work as well. Not only for the team it is also necessary to understand human psychology as your film at the end of the day will be showed to a mass audience. Understanding the kind of film which will work in a particular place will help you to become a successful person. If you make a film which is of your interest, but not for the major audience then there will be a conflict between your choice of film making, and your success. So a smart film maker in my point of view if understands human psychology will make a film of his/her choice according to the style of what the people will enjoy, and also like as well. A film should connect with your audience even through the characters, and as I had said previously that a film maker should also be an intelligent observer. Putting different characteristics into the character you have created also will help your audience to connect with your film. At the end of the day psychology is the understanding of the human behavior, so it will also help you understand, and study different kind of behaviorism. A film can influence a person also and it's essential for your audience to think the way you want them to, so the importance of psychology is also there in the world of cinema as you will make people believe what they are seeing portrayed by you, and your team.    

Expectations Vs. Reality

Expectations Vs. Reality

A film maker before making a film obviously thinks about the concept, and then the idea about a particular subject then forms it into a story. Later on the stages of film making that is the pre - production production and the post production is applied to execute the particular story. As I had mentioned previously that every stage should be done in a proper manner as one leads another. If there is a loop hole in one then surely there will be an impact on the other stage. If we consider the pre production stage where your screenplay or shooting script is planned, it should be ensured that every single thing is covered as it will effect the day of the shoot that is the production part. If you miss one thing during that stage, then your shoot will not be the way you have imagined or thought it to be. Now as we all know film making is mad work with detailed planning, and not just a story with the camera, and characters delivering dialogues. Most of the time what the director wants will not be 100 percent executed, but in rare cases it might happen. As a film maker what you imagine can be completely different from the actual outcome which can be both negative or positive. During the shoot you expect for example your cast to portray the character in a particular manner, but they many end up improvising the way they had imagined the character to be, so you never know if the improvisation can be either good or bad according to your perspective. In this field there will surely be conflicts in between as you can hardly make an individual understand what exactly you want the outcome to look like. Even in some cases you expect for a particular shot to be taken for example by the camera movement, but in reality keeping it static will look much better. During the pre-production you jot down everything in detail what is going on into your mind, but it's a fact that what you see in front may come out in a different manner which you may like or dislike. As a film maker you have to accept the fact that there will be a difference not always but mostly from your expectations and what in reality it will come out to be. You obviously will want what the outcome exactly you imagined but it's also essential that if there is a change in the expectations the reality of the outcome should look even much better, because as a film maker at the end of the day you will want to be satisfied by your work.

Camera Movements

Camera Movements

In my previous posts I had mentioned about 'Camera shots, and 'Camera Angles' and about there significance as well. Camera also is a character of a film, and as we all know that the fail in camera work will spoil your execution of the film.

Camera movements add more realistic feeling to the particular situation, and also helps make the audience be a part of the film taking them to the situation which is being created. There are distinct kind of camera movements. The first one is the Crane shot where there will be the movement of the camera being put on the crane. It is mostly used to signify the end of a film or a scene. Then there is a Tracking shot where the camera moves along with the subject and also gives the viewer's the details of a situation even helps in exploring the location as well. The camera is mounted on a wheel, and pushed on the rails. It is also known as Dolly shot. Moving onto the next movement which is the Pan shot where the camera horizontally moves from left to right or is tilted as well. This usually is used to created curiosity, and even enhance the mood,for example a character is searching for something and is looking left to right so the camera will move accordingly to the character's movements. It is also further categorized as Swish pan where there will be a rapid pan which results blurriness. Pedestal shot is where the camera moves vertically up to down, and is fixed at one location. A film maker should know the significance of each, and every camera movement. A camera movement, shots, and angles are the artistic way for representing a story, or a particular scenario.

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