A green screen is a large green background against which scenes of a film are shot. Later during the post production process, with the help of visual effects (VFX) these shots are layered and composited over a separately filmed background. Thus, the green screen used to achieve such an effect is also known as CGI ...
With continuous progress in both technological and narrative storytelling, phone filmmaking is becoming more and more likely to supplant conventional film. With an iPhone, many of the technical challenges and obstacles of breaking into filmmaking are removed. It enables a photographer to shoot on the move, enabling them to capture moody visuals that would be ...
One of the core strengths of a medium like cinema is that it can communicate an astounding amount of context just by visual cues. Subtle shifts in lighting, framing, blocking and color can make a world of difference to the final product. Even without dialogue, filmmakers can communicate the tone and intention of a scene ...
With constant innovations in both technology and cinematic narratives, filmmaking on phones is the most obvious future for cinema. With something as accessible as an iPhone, much of the technical difficulties and barriers of breaking into filmmaking are removed. It allows an artist to shoot on the go, enabling him to capture the kind of ...
There is hardly any other filmmaker working today whose style is as instantly recognizable as Wes Anderson. Ruthlessly symmetric, and always nostalgic, eccentricity may even be the term that first comes to mind. The director, along with Spike Lee and Charles Kaufman, is often touted as one of the forerunners of American Eccentric cinema. A ...
The art of storytelling as seen through films and television is largely contingent upon how well the visuals correspond with the narrative. Which is to say, the key to effective storytelling lies in using the footage of a project in such a manner that it communicates what is transpiring on screen in an engrossing manner. Most ...
From the train wreck scene in Buster Keaton’s classic silent comedy ‘The General’ to Daniel Day-Lewis’ iconic “I Drink Your Milkshake,” here’s our pick of the most famous movie scenes in film history. Sometimes a scene or a moment in a film gains life outside the narrative framework. They become a cultural milestone that’s often ...
With the Academy Awards for the year just around the corner, it’s time to reappraise the best that cinema had to offer in the previous year. After a disappointing year at the movies in 2020, 2021 offered a lovely mix of films in terms of content, form and genre. From indie powerhouses to science fiction ...
While shooting a film, a cinematographer will have to make a few choices regarding how they want their shots to look like. Part of that decision will be to decide angles, lighting, color and range of shots. However, even before that, a cinematographer is tasked with choosing the appropriate lens through which to shoot the ...
The word montage is derived from the French verb which means “to assemble or put together.” The process of montage involves a series of edits that shows an event or events that happen over time. This editing technique helps condense the narrative into a brief episode of screen time. It is usually edited to music. ...
Shooting a scene for a movie can be a daunting task. There are many things that need to be arranged in order to get the perfect shot. From the actors’ performances to the lighting and camera angles, it takes a lot of skill and coordination to make it all look seamless. Of course, all of ...
In a field that evolves as fast as the film industry, keeping up with the latest skills and qualifications in demand can be daunting. While there is no single way to make a career in filmmaking, film school is an exalted stepping stone that many aspiring artists have a preference for. A penchant for structured ...
Cinematography is an excellent example of learning on the job. One may have an ironclad schedule and non-negotiable artistic vision, but there will always be certain elements out of one’s control. It becomes necessary to allow for a certain amount of flexibility and keep an open mind to learning new things in the process. It then ...
Cinematography can often seem like a daunting field to break into. After all, a cinematographer is responsible for creating the look and texture by which a film will be defined. Everything from the lighting and color palette to the scene setting, right down to props and set dressing, must be curated under their watchful eye. ...
It may seem rather contrarian to turn to books to learn about cinema, but there’s wisdom to this approach. There remain so many different processes to be executed while making a film, and it can often feel rather intimidating to approach these fields. This holds especially true for new artists and professionals, who are at ...
Dipankar Sarkar
