Best movie tips

A warm welcome to all. Here we talk about films, which people put onto YouTube or Vimeo and embed here. The idea is to allow useful, friendly discussion.
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Dave Watterson
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Best movie tips

Post 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
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen »

from a member of my video group before I started making films.........

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

Film making is not a matter of Life and Death
It's much more important than that.
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fraught
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Post by fraught »

My favourite tip is to never zoom!!! Unless you intend to cut it out in Post. :-)
Only Boring People Get Bored
http://www.fraught.net
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stingman
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Post by stingman »

ALWAYS pack everything the night before and plan your filming day. ALWAYS remember to pack a tape!

Be good.....

Stingman
Ian Gardner
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ned c
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Post by ned c »

When you pan or tilt (hold it) go FROM somewhere that matters TO (hold it) somewhere that matters.

ned c
Mike Shaw

Post by Mike Shaw »

Start shooting early, finish shooting late.
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billyfromConsett
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Post by billyfromConsett »

Plenty close ups

Shoot wide, shoot close, shoot through.
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Willy
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Post 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 !
Willy Van der Linden
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Dave Watterson
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Post 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
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billyfromConsett
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Post by billyfromConsett »

Keep the camcorder level, so boats don't sail upwards along a river...
Brian Saberton
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Post 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.
Brian Saberton
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Willy
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Post 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.
Willy Van der Linden
Pqtrick
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Re: Best movie tips

Post 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!
tom hardwick
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Re: Best movie tips

Post 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.
john ingham
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Re: Best movie tips

Post by john ingham »

1..stop panning on still objects

2.. Buy a decent Tripod

3.. Buy a Blimp

4 join this forum
Keep trying, for one day you will get it right
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