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.

Challenges in creating a short film

Challenges in creating a short film

What is a short film? A ten minute, a 5 minute, and even can be a 2 minute film where the audience can understand what has happened on screen, the genre, the subject, and also the story as well. But creating all these elements including the stages of film making is a challenge to execute a story which is crisp and clear as well. For that to be possible your subject which you have chosen should be very strong as well as connect your audience so that it would become a success. The first challenge comes in thinking of an idea which will be unique and also the way the story will move later on. The other challenge can be the way you will sequence the scenes, and establish it on screen. It is very essential for the pre production to be done in an organized manner, and even without any kind of confusion as well. Watching other film makers short films will also help you understand how to portray your story on screen. The 3 act structure should be as well as established in those minutes which trust me is not very simple, but not impossible as way. If your a clever film maker you will make sure that each and every point will be clear, and the story moves forward in the right way as well. Now a days especially short films are very common for people to watch on websites, and also make their own. Due to advance technology people also shoot on their phones which also can be a way for learning how to handle the camera movements, and stability. Usually these kind films can be made in such way that the audience can even learn something, enjoy, or just watch for relaxing in a short span of time. In my point of view, I personally feel that creating a short film is more challenging than making a feature film, as in short films you need to take a person to another world within at least 15 mins or less than that. The advantage of this kind of film making can also be that a common person can also try creating short films.
As a film maker this will also help you thinking even much better ideas, and without any unnecessary exaggerations it will teach you how to connect and hold your audience. Remember holding your audience even for 2 whole minutes with them liking your film is another achievement. 

Impact of Narration in a film

Impact of Narration in a film

Narration is used in many films which is generally non - diegetic, and helps create an ambiance as well, which takes the audience into the story. These voice overs are very helpful in making the audience gain more interest while watching the film, and also helps in developing the character after the story grows with the conflicts arising in the protagonist's life. The narrator can either be off-screen, and sometimes even on-screen as well. The narration of the film can be successful when the voice which is given by the person will suit the story as well as holds the audience for watching the film. Narration also is taken place helping the film enhance as well. The narrators are also story tellers, which mostly are in animation film helping the children to enjoy the film even more. Usually children love to hear stories by their parents or guardians, so it helps in making the children concentrate watching the film. Where as if we talk about other genres, the narration in a film will mostly be for a purpose. The narrator as I had said previously can be present within the characters or just off screen. The narrator can be a protagonist himself/herself, so if there will be any incidence taken place, the story will move on with his/her point of view only. The thoughts about the other characters, are all shared by the narrator who can also be a second or third person in the film. It also helps in quickly briefing the background and the behavior of the character. Using narration in a film also helps to make the audience curious about what will happen next.
 A film maker makes sure that the voice which is given to the film will effect, and also with the proper voice modulation, and diction the impact of narration in a film helps it to become successful as well.

Importance of Research

Importance of research 

As a film maker you make a film which is either fictional or non fiction, or some events which is true in the story which you have created right? But in every kind of film the research work is very essential. Before you execute something to your audience there will always be a subject in your story which should be justified through your film. If your story will for example be situated in the era of the 15th century, then the research should be thoroughly taken place, and as a film maker you should ensure that the characteristics, set up, and every element which will be set in the frame is according to that very century. This will add realistic elements as well. Even the research for every culture for example which you will execute should be taken place for the respect firstly of that culture, and also adding more realism into the film. Doing your research will help enhance your film, and make it look more sensible on screen. It is very obvious that every film maker will do their research work, but their are also some film makers who in spite of doing the research sometimes ignores the small elements which will disturb the particular frame which is set.Regarding research work it should be taken place in every stage of film making, such as the art direction part, the characteristics of your character according to where he/she belongs, the costumes needed as well, etc. At the end of the day you are showing your blind audience something which they will believe during watching the film, so if there are some wrong facts added your hard work will go in vain and you are also giving a chance to the critics to criticize your film. There is no harm in expanding your knowledge right? Being a director especially, you are the one at the end of the day who will answer the questions of your cast and crew, so it's very essential that you should be 100% sure that whatever you plan to execute will be justified, and also researched very well.

Research work will also help your film look more real, and it will make your audience connect with the particular situation which you are trying to portray on screen.

Can Simple be Unique?

Can Simple be Unique?

As a film maker you crave for your work to be out of the crowd either if it's a feature film or a short film. Before you are a film maker, or after entering the industry you are at two different stage of life ultimately doing the same thing, but there is one similarity, and that is both want their work to look very unique on screen, well most of the film makers will aim for this first as well. Before you write a story sometimes you think about how common is it or how simple will it look on screen, but remember that simple things can also be unique. It just depends on the way you execute it on screen. If you pick up one of the most simple topic, and decide it to make a film on that particular subject it depends on your execution level, as simple subjects can be portrayed in a unique manner, making the audience connect as well. Just craving for something to be out of the box is not wrong, but at a certain point of time it might turn out to be a pressure for you when you are not able to get an idea about a different subject. A film maker is successful when the film looks perfect on screen with the audience enjoying the film whatever your subject will be. If you are able to think of a topic which will be very distinct will help you for sure, and if you also think of a very simple topic this will also help you surely but at the end of the day the result of your film will come out the way you have planned, and executed the particular subject with the stages of film making. Simple subjects can also help adding more realistic feelings in the story, and as a film maker you should try avoiding exaggerations where it is not needed. I can give one example of an Indian film director that is 'Rajkumar Hirani'. He is one of the most clever film maker in my point of view who picks up a story which is simple and realistic as well, and then executes it in a very unique manner making the audience enjoy his film at the end of the day.
Sometimes when you are not able to get a distinct topic this might de motivate you as a film maker, but then remember that simple things can also be unique. 

Arrangement of the frame

Arrangement of the frame

A director knows what is going on inside his/her head, and where the story will take place with imagining the character, location, set up, etc. For a cinematographer to understand how to take a shot I have mentioned about the elements of the pre production such as the screenplay, short division or the story boarding stage. This makes the cinematographer not only understand the story, but also gets to see what is almost exactly going into a director's mind, helping the film to execute just the way it is imagined to be. But before taking a particular shot it is but obvious that the arrangement of the frame should be done in a proper manner for the scene to look perfect as well. The arrangement of the frame will include the elements which is the props being placed at the right place, with the characters, and even the set up being balanced as well. Until, and unless the frame is not arranged in a proper way then the scene will be destroyed. It's very essential for a film maker to make sure that the arrangement of the frame is taken care so that it will make the story look real as well connect the audience. The foreground, midground, and the background should be arranged in an appropriate manner with the support of the required elements, including the characters of the story, helping the shot to look perfect as well. Cinematographers are also the ones especially who looks upon the fault points where the shot is lacking, and will also have the liberty to improvise the particular shot which is to be taken. Making a film is not just a random thing. Everything is very detailed, including the movement of the characters to the positioning of the props.  The arrangement of the frame is itself done on set when the cast is told to stay in their position, and where the other elements are positioned as well, but a clever film maker will ensure go into the detailing part where the shot will look perfect in the frame through the view finder of the camera. Due to the arrangement of the frame the camera angles are also dependent on it obviously. For example if you character is placed in the left side of the frame with the prop which is the glass on the right side. The positioning should be done in such a manner that the shot will not be very complicated.
So as a film maker especially a witty one make sure that the arrangement of the frame is perfect for the shot to be taken in a much better manner, making the scene as well look flawless on screen. 

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.