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Best movie tips

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:43 am
by Dave Watterson
As a little Christmas present to all our readers ... why not share the best movie-making tip you were ever given ...

Dave

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:36 am
by Stephen
from a member of my video group before I started making films.........

Use a tripod laddie!... use a tripod!!!

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:56 pm
by fraught
My favourite tip is to never zoom!!! Unless you intend to cut it out in Post. :-)

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:03 pm
by stingman
ALWAYS pack everything the night before and plan your filming day. ALWAYS remember to pack a tape!

Be good.....

Stingman

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:37 pm
by ned c
When you pan or tilt (hold it) go FROM somewhere that matters TO (hold it) somewhere that matters.

ned c

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:37 pm
by Mike Shaw
Start shooting early, finish shooting late.

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:19 am
by billyfromConsett
Plenty close ups

Shoot wide, shoot close, shoot through.

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:23 am
by Willy
Before shooting take some tranquilizers, smoke some weed or hashis so that you don't feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Funny fiction film : Smile while you are shooting and try to tell a joke from time to time. Offer them a "duvel" every hour. Your actors must have glorious fun.
Fiction film that ends in tragedy : Offer your actors a drink, but before doing this add a spoonful of ammonia to their drinks. Only a little, please !

Merry Christmas ! Happy New Year !

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:08 pm
by Dave Watterson
Health & safety notice:

A Duvel is a fine Belgian beer

Ammonia is NOT for drinking however watered (?beered) down !!! The point is that its fumes will bring tears to the eyes. A safer approach is slicing onions ...

Dave the Concerned

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:37 pm
by billyfromConsett
Keep the camcorder level, so boats don't sail upwards along a river...

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:46 pm
by Brian Saberton
"The Director should be the calmest person on the set."

Sorry guys but I don't know where I heard this one - it was several years ago.

Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:54 am
by Willy
When you make a one minute movie never use credits at the end of your film. The very last shot is always the surprising plot-twist. It creates emotions. Most one minute films are funny ones, but that's not necessary. Anyhow, when you add credits to your short film you oblige the viewer to read them and then it suppresses the feeling that you wanted to create.

Re: Best movie tips

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:31 am
by Pqtrick
When filming action for documentaries, use both eyes, anticipate the next move and use the one in the back of your head; so that you don’t fall off the pavement!

Re: Best movie tips

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:07 pm
by tom hardwick
Remember variety is the spice of life. Surprise and delight your viewer. Use the dynamic range of the video and audio. Use manual exposure and vary the focal length, pov, filming speed and scene length.

tom.

Re: Best movie tips

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 12:41 pm
by john ingham
1..stop panning on still objects

2.. Buy a decent Tripod

3.. Buy a Blimp

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