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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Camera shots - Artistic use of camera

Camera shots - Artistic use of camera

The work of the camera defines the story of your film, and the camera is also the protagonist in film making. Yesterday in my post I had written about the significance of camera angles, and every shot is taken in a certain kind of way with a reason behind it which a film maker should have the knowledge about it. There is art also in the way the camera shots have been used in a film as if the frame is not set in a proper manner you will obviously fail in the execution part. In this particular post I will mention about the various kind of camera shots, with their significance as well. Firstly the camera shots is used as a composition, and execute the aspect of setting, themes, characters. There are various kind of camera shots, which is also known as magnification shots such as, Wide shot. This particular shot helps for establishing the area, and this is also categorized as extreme wide shot, and is also known as long shot. Then another magnification shot is a Medium shot where the camera focuses onto the subject's motion, and also from the character's waist till their face. It is also knows as the Mid shot. Moving to the next shot which is the Close up shot. This particular shot is usually used for the viewers's to understand the character's emotion or to show the importance of a particular element as well. This contains the character's face, and also is categorized into extreme close up where the frame is tight, and which just covers the facial expressions of the characters such as the eyes, or lips. It creates intensity and enhances the mood as well. These are the basic camera shots. The advance camera shots are Two shot where it is used when there are two people in a frame. This is used when you want to establish link between two characters or also for people who are beside each other rather than facing each other. There is also a Three shot where there are three people in the frame. Then there is also (OTS) Over the shoulder shot, which is a shot taken for a perspective from the shoulder of another person. This is most commanly used in conversations as well. Point of view shot is a shot which is taken for making the audience see what is happening from the eyes of the character, and also helps create intensity, even realism as well and a very effective shot. Establishing shot is also the most common shot and very important as well to be used to establish the location, time where your character and story is. Master shot is also a kind of shot for establishing and captures all the actions also a way of showing the scenario as well, and is the longest shot taken. 

It's very essential to remember that for being perfect in taking the camera shots Still photography plays a huge role as it helps you understand how to set the frame, and position, elements which will be seen on screen. The camera is also used in an artistic way to take various kind of camera shots.

Significance of Camera angles

Significance of Camera angles

A film maker should ensure that the story which is being executed for the audience should also fit the world of cinema. As you walk into the world of cinema you will slowly see that there are many kind of rules and detailing work, with everything having it's own significance. Personally at start, when I had started to crawl into this particular field I had realized that there is much more than taking a pale shot, and the importance of each camera angle. In this post I will mention the significance of camera angles used to shoot a particular scene. It's very essential for a film maker to know the reason behind taking a shot in a certain kind of way. It is not just a camera behind an actor/actress , and the cinematographer, director with the other members of the crew off screen. A shot is taken according to the ambiance, mood of the character, and the situation created in a scene. Before I go into details there is a major difference between a camera shot and camera angles. Camera shots are used to portray the aspect of setting, themes, characters, whereas a camera angles are used to position the viewers to understand the relationship between the characters.  There are various camera angles and movements having there own significance. The first one is the 'Bird's eye' angle. This particular shot is often used as an establishing angle, and also is an elevated view, and is mostly used for establishing setting and location as well. Then comes the High angle which looks down upon your subject. The subject can be the character or any other element. This makes your scene look more dramatic and also sometime makes your character seem vulnerable as well with the support of the setting, mood, lighting, and also effects. For example, your character hiding from a person under the bridge a high angle shot can be taken to establish the mood. Moving onto the next one which is the low angle, and this particular angle looks up at a character. It makes your character look more powerful, and is below the eye line. There is also an eye level shot which is placed at the subject's height, and is used for making the viewer's feel comfortable watching your character also most commonly used. A Dutch angle is taken when a camera tilts for creating suspense, and also disoriented feeling to the audience. It basically takes the story to a higher pitch and is very sudden as well.

Every Camera angle has it's own significance so as a film maker you should understand the aspect of each and everyone, with applying it in the right manner as well. Make sure the camera angle is according to the mood, ambiance, and setting of your particular scene.  

Positioning of the frame

Positioning of the frame

Film making as we all know helps in putting our creativity on screen for the audience. But with creativity it also simultaneously is very technical as well, not only regarding the camera, or editing, etc. but also technicality in setting the elements, and characters for the frame. It is very essential to go into the datelining part, as anything can become a distraction from what you want to put in focus. As a film maker you should have the knowledge of how exactly you want the frame to be set according to your scene for taking the specific shot. The positioning of your characters, and the other elements such as the props matters a lot as well. It is vital for the positioning to be done according to your audience's point of view. With the help of the positioning it will give greater impact on the camera work, as the movement of the camera will be according to how the particular set up is done as well. In a lay man's language the better the positioning more the frame looks organized. When the positioning is taken place it is also ensured that where the protagonist or the character which is in focus is placed, and where the co star or the antagonist is placed. In the term of film making this is also known as 'Film space' where the space within the frame where the characters are positioned or moving as well in order to convey something. Positioning is the main role in the Mise-en-scene which includes the arrangement of everything that appears in the frame such as the lightning, props, actors. and so on. It also analyses the directional part as well. Positioning also depends upon the set up, lighting, and also most importantly the amount of space available for taking a shot as well.

The importance of positioning for the frame in making the scene look much organised, impacting the camera movement, and helps in taking the shot in a much better way as well. It's very essential to remember that for this to become successful planning with full detailing, and going into the depth should be taken place as a film maker. The audience will like what they see in front of their eyes, and will be keen to watch it.

Impact of Lighting

Impact of Lighting 

Lighting as we all know plays an essential role for shooting a film. It just does not provides the frame the light for the characters and elements to be visible on screen, but also describes the moment, ambiance and the mood as well which is to be created. Every film maker ensures that the scenario which is created will be successful, and the lighting plays a pivotal role in this. The cinematographers or the Director of Photography (DOP) will have the best knowledge regarding the lighting. With the help, and coordination with the director the lighting also helps creating a particular scenario the way it is imagined to be done, and also enhances the shot as well. The lighting defines the character also, for example split lighting is mostly used for creating suspense. Lighting also should be perfect and not over exposed, or under exposed. The lighting also creates emphasis on the subject, and helps to draw the attention. It's also very vital for it to look relaxing in front of the eyes. Sometimes lighting can give pressure to the audiences eyes which distracts their concentration from the film, but there are also exceptions as a film maker at a certain point of time intentionally wants the audience to feel pressurized, but not at every part of the film. A film maker should ensure that the lighting which is used is according to the required shot and also followed by the rules of using the technical aspect.

There are various lighting used in a film, with different purposes giving significance to a particular scene. But remember that the impact of lighting helps the mood, ambiance and the particular shot enhance, as well as without lightning the film would look pale. So the much better lighting, the much better the shot will be taken as well. 

Editing a Film

Editing a Film

What completes a film? From a shot to different shots making a particular scene, and at last forming them into a sequence, and this is all possible just by editing. Editing a film is one of the most technical job in film making with having the art to include every stage such as the music, shots, correcting the color tone to adding the transition of the film as well. After the shot pre production and the production stage the editing which is in the post production is one of the most detailing task as well. The raw footage is selected, then formed into a sequence with every shot and it's elements which is visible in the frame is added and edited. Basically, in my point of view the execution part is totally depended in how good the editing of the film is done, after the director and the cinematographer have taken the shot. This element can create magic on screen. The story which a writer has written, and a director has directed the film is enhanced through the editing part. Now a days people get to edit their work through user friendly software's, but the advance and the challenging part of editing comes later on where every single part of the frame is to be looked upon with more of technicality.

Film making is mad work. From sitting to the desk creating your story to shooting for days or months even sometimes years then the editing stage arrives where the film will be completed, enhanced and also remember the second chance to fix the problems which was created during the shoot. Without editing there will be no credits, no sequence and most importantly, no film!

Importance of Establishment

Importance of Establishment

When you write a story, as a writer you know where the story has been established, and taken place considering the time and location as well. But when you make a film you make it for the audience where indirectly you are portraying your vision on screen. As a film maker you should make sure that whatever you are shooting will be very clear especially regarding the location, and the time where the event has taken place. For the establishment in a film there is a particular term known as an 'Establishment shot' where before you go into the dialogues and story of the film as an audience it will be clear that where the story is at that particular point of time, and at which place as well. Without establishment there will be confusion created as well as giving your audience half knowledge about the character's movement, and present location or time. Sometimes film makers creates their own fictional location so the establishment part will help the audience get to know about the location, and the importance of it as well. Establishment shot itself shows the importance of that particular location or time, and the reason of the character being over there as well. When you are making a film you are also making the audience believe that whatever is happening in front of them is realistic, so establishment will also play an essential role, because as a film maker you are showing everything what you have created into your mind from the positioning of your characters to the ambiance which is present.
Establishment shot is needed for everything you have set in front of the frame, because there will never be any element without a reason. From your setting to your location, and time with your characters positions are all established for the audience to have a clear picture of what exactly is happening on screen, and hold them through the film as well. 

Exploring yourself as an individual

Exploring yourself as an individual

As we all know that every individual should explore themselves as it can help you to improve in what you are doing, and also you may realize that you have a better scope somewhere else. As a film maker you have your own pattern of making a film, but in my point of view sometimes you should also get out of that regular way of film making and experiment in the style of film making. By exploring yourself it will help you realize in which other styles you are even talented. There is no harm in continuing just on style of film making, but also there is no harm in exploring yourself in different kind of styles. For example, sometimes a director is recognized by a genre, and sometimes a director is claimed to be stereotype as well. You never know where you can reach until, and unless you will experiment right? An actor/actress can experiment with his/her acting skills as well. 

One more thing I personally feel is that you should experiment the most, and explore yourself when you are at the stage in trying to enter the film industry. This will help you to realize what you are best at just before you are successful.