A Practical Guide to Filmmaking

The purpose of this book is to provide useful information to prospective film makers to enable them to make good movies. This book presents the material from the perspective of What the Audience Sees and Hears ON Screen (WASHONS). Movies fascinate, entertain and educate; some of them to a great extent and some to a lesser extent. Some movies attract a great number of viewers while a large majority of them fail to do so. Why? That is the glorious uncertainty of film making. Although it is impossible to predict whether a movie will succeed or fail at the box-office, it is possible to maximize the chances of success (conversely minimize the chances of failure) by having a clear understanding of what constitutes a good movie and analyzing the factors common to great movies. This book is an attempt to provide such an understanding of moviemaking. The tools, rules, principles and the methodology of making good movies are presented in a logical manner accompanied by a large number of photographs that illustrate the topics dealt with. Movies provide a multisensory, multidimensional experience which no other medium of entertainment can provide. The method of creation of this experience is the subject matter of this book. In the theater we identify with the characters and their feelings and experience the same feelings that they do. When the movies are good, we love to see them over and over again. We think about the characters even after the movie is over. A movie can spark imagination, ignite senses, and show us a world of wonderment and awe. The movies we remember most are those which convey a message that touches our heart. By following certain basic rules and procedures, film makers can reasonably well be assured of creating such movies. This needs a thorough understanding of, How are movies classified? What is a great movie? What is at the heart of a movie? What is the art of movie making? How to create emotions in movies? and What is the craft of movie making? Brief Contents Introduction to the book Part A About Movies – Classification of movies, Great Movies Part B The Heart of a Movie – Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Direction Part C The Art of Moviemaking Movie Format – Aspect ratio, Frame rate Camera – Lenses, Sensors, Camera features Exposure – ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed, Exposure triangle Image display – Depth of field, Focus Camera Actions – Shot size, Camera angles, Camera movement Visuals – Lighting, Color, Composition and framing, Appearance Sound, Editing and Continuity – Sound, Editing Techniques, Continuity Part D Evoking Emotions in movies – Camera actions and Emotions, Light and Emotions, Color and Emotions, Music and Emotions Part E The Craft of Moviemaking Pre-Production – Physical preparation, Scene coverage, Document preparation, Actor preparation Production – Principal photography Post-Production – Final cut, Credits, Publicity and distribution