Actors...

I haven't posted anything in a while, it's been a little crazy. So I wanted to write a post to you guys. First of all: happy holidays, I hope everything was happy and awesome!

Now down to business.

Today I'm gonna talk about actors. If you plan on becoming a director or almost anyone who is working on set with actors, has to put up with them. This can be hard. Grip, gaff, sound, or anyone who is working stick to their jobs and (usually) have a good attitude. Actors and actresses are usually picky and rude and needy. Directors can and often are also be like this. It helps that it's hard for them to get fired. You can fire any one of your crew so fast, but your main actor is acting up, you can't just fire him, or you would have to re-cast and re-shoot everything you've done so far.

Actors, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

You have been warned.


-
Sirwhovian, Out!

Getting A Job In The Biz

To get a job you need a resume and a reel. In this post, I will explain what they are and how to create them.

This is my editing resume:

I put it on this paper with the film strip on it to make it stand out and interest people. As you may notice, this does not look like a normal resume. This is a resume for a film crew position, wether that be editor, cinematographer, or just grip. On the left side of the page I put the the titles of the films I've worked on along with the production company I did it for. On the right, I put the positions I did on those films. This is a simple film resume.

This is my editing reel, click the video or the link below to play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2UuL2OOPRs&feature=plcp

This is a compilation of my editing work to show people what I can do. Don't put the full clip or film, just the best tid-bits. For a cinematography reel you wouldn't add the different songs or voice tracks. You would have lots of pretty pieces that you've shot and added to some cool music.

One of the biggest things you need to get into "the biz" is connections. These are the people who will get you jobs or who know someone who will get you a job. If you ever need help finding come connections, I have many and you can comment below with your e-mail and ask for my help.

Anything you want to know? Comment below to let me know! (tee hee that rhymed)

Production Tip #1 Being Proactive

If you want a film to be made, YOU have to do the work. YOU have to find the people who will help you with this, YOU have to get the funding, etc. But also if you're hired onto another persons film or set, give it your 100%. Even if your job is just to get a prop from another room, give it your all. Film is the most collaborative art form, and it works with bits and pieces that fit together and move. If one part stops working, it effects a big chunk of the machine that is film making. You must be urgent about your job, meaning, do it quickly and with purpose and do it well. If you slack off, you're probably not going to have a lot more job options later. So why are you still reading this? GO FILM!

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Film Making With An Open Mind

Let anything or anyone teach you. It doesn't mean you have to use what they teach you, but even a 10 year old could teach you or show you something new that you may never have realized or thought of that could change how you make your films. Don't think you can only learn from the teachers or people who have been in the business a long time, they're still learning too! Absorb it like a sponge and let the things that don't apply, drip out. If you keep an open mind, the ideas and creativity will flow. This can also be applied to any part of life. How cool is that?

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Directing Tip #1 Have Fun

Directing is a hard job. It's hard to keep everyone pumped and on task all the time. Let loose a bit. Let them do a goofy take when shooting a scene. Also, have fun with what you do. Film making is fun! Even when it's stressful. If you're excited, there's a bigger chance your cast and crew will be too. Also joke around with everyone. Find the balance between being the boss and being their friend. Let them know you are in control, but still get some giggles in. It'll release the tension.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Editing Tip #3 Music

Everyone has their own way of editing. I want to give you a tip that I find useful, but you don't have to take it as law. Since I'm usually using an already made song, this is what I do: I will put the music into my timeline first and add the footage after. It helps me to match it up to the footage with the music to make it look better and have a rhythm that fits. You should end up with something more on beat this way then adding the music after.

Film Set Etiquette

On any film set you need to have respect. If you're a troll and a bossy jerk, no one will want to work with you. I have met some people who treat me badly and I know I won't be asking them to help me on future projects with me. Be kind when asking for something or suggesting something. Don't assume you are the best and know everything (this part I suck at). Also listen. Listen to your coworkers and superiors. You won't just not get a future job but probably lose your current one. This may seem obvious but this is important. Respect.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Montana- Breakdown

This breakdown is of a music video my teacher showed me today that won 1st place at the Utah High School Film Festival. It was entered by a student of Lone Peak High School. Watch it and we'll discuss it after. Watch the video or click the link below.

http://www.utahhighschoolfilmfestival.com/

I love the cinematography, although I felt at some points all the constant focusing and un-focusing and zooming became a little too much. But it looked good and was very artsy. I liked the camera movements, until they became too much. But over all it was very pleasing to the eye. I loved how they would zoom out and more of the picture would become clear. Another thing I liked was how centered everything was, but they had a purpose. Don't do a shot unless it'll add to the story or feel of your film. This made it feel like he was more alone. Just him and his thoughts and it was ALL about him.

I also felt like the editing could have been so much stronger. While I watched it I kept thinking of what I would have done instead. It could have gone with the music a lot better and made it more intense and powerful. I thought when he was trying to save the kid from drowning and he was hitting his chest, they should have done a flash back to it every time the deep boom happened in the music. But oh well.

I liked the acting. I liked it when the main guy threw the chair at the wall.

The house looked perfect too because it matched his state and how crappy he felt. It was falling apart and added a lot to look of things.

The color and lighting. Good! The flash backs when it was happy, it was bright but then his current state was dull and dark.

I also liked the message. You can take it however you want. But I took it as he was depressed about a woman leaving him and he wanted to die. But his mind changed, he's thoughts became more positive, which is really hard to do. He realized he had friends and good times and things that he's done right.

Now tell me what you thought about it in the comments below.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

More Tips?

I really want to know what you guys want to learn or hear about. So please comment below! Anyone can comment, you don't have to sign up to this blog site or anything. Also you can subscribe to get e-mails about this blog at the bottom of the page, so if you wanna know when I add something new, submit your e-mail.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Paranormal Activity 3-Breakdown

This is a breakdown of Paranormal Activity 3 as a request from Jason Martindale. If you would like me to do a breakdown of your favorite or your worst hated films, comment and let me know. And now for the breakdown:

So this film was pretty much a big pile of horse s**t. It was an illogical, horribly acted, totally confusing movie that had no point what so ever. This was supposed to be the beginning of the "curse" or whatever? Well no one said anything, or did anything to invoke a curse. They don't live on top of an Indian burial ground either. The only scary, scratch that, surprising things were when there was loud noises or things that popped out. The lines made no sense. The story made no sense. The reason he took the camera everywhere with him made no sense. The thing with the symbol made no sense. The editing where they had to cut every single scene with a conversation in it in the middle of a sentence, made no sense! Nothing in this film made sense. I was frustrated the whole way through because it was so dumb and was total insanity. And technically this should have come before the 2nd since they found this tape before the second one even began. So WTF? I want to cry this thing was so bad and frustrating. I would never recommend this crap to anyone and make them suffer though this. It was silly and really dumb. I'm sure if this kind of stuff scares you and you immerse yourself in it and don't think in terms of film or even logically, maybe it can be pretty good but look at it from a filmmakers perspective and you will hate it.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Warm Bodies Trailer-Breakdown

This is a breakdown of a trailer for a film that's coming out next year called Warm Bodies. Watch it and we'll discuss it after. Click on the video or follow the link below to watch.

Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07s-cNFffDM

First off I wanna say how excited I am for this movie. It looks different but good. Now it's harder to do a breakdown of a trailer since it isn't the full movie and the film could look quite different. But lets focus on JUST the trailer. 

The cinematography looked pretty good, not the most beautifully shot film but it was pleasing. Editing, same, it was alright. Nothing to complain about, nothing to rave about either.

The acting looked good, maybe not as much from the girl but the main zombie guy, man he was funny! You could definitely see what he was feeling. 

I like the idea of this story. It's totally different from the normal zombie movies. This is obviously meant to be more funny and uplifting then scary and bloody. I think it's a nice change from all the blood and guts of zombies. Plus it makes me less scared of them to think they might feel.

So it all around looks like it will be a good movie. I am oober excited to see this film and will definitely be doing a breakdown of it once it comes out. I hope the film lives up to the trailer and my expectations!

If there is any opinions you have on this trailer or want me to do a breakdown of your choice, comment below.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid-Breakdown

I watched Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid for a breakdown as a request from Jason Martindale. If you want me to do a breakdown of one of your favorite films or one of your most hated, put it in the comments. Here's my opinion:

This movie was pretty good. Not my favorite. Definitely looked and felt like a western. They did have a few problems though.

Let's start with cinematography. It wasn't the best, but this movie isn't for the artsy camera shots, they did accomplish in making it look like a western. But one thing they screwed up on was the 180 degree rule*. It was only in one scene but it stuck out and made it confusing for a bit.

The first fight scene was between Butch and a challenger of his gang. I don't know if this fight was supposed to be funny or what because he hit him twice and he was knocked down. It just didn't seem like it was supposed to be funny but I don't know what else it could have been. It was kind of just, there.

There were some continuity and logic errors in this film too. Like how they were being chased at night by men with torches on horse back and they tracked Butch and Sundance's horses, but it was pitch black and they were running. They can't be THAT good of trackers. Or when they blow up a door on a train, the guy inside was behind a huge box before and right in front of the door after, the explosion wouldn't have made him move like that. Things of that sort happened from time to time.

I felt some of the music was out of place for that time period, things like Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. That part didn't make it feel like a western.

I think they could have added a bit more on the back story of the characters, I felt like there was somethings that could have been included that wasn't. But I also felt like there were some parts that were added in that didn't need to be there and that didn't move the story forward.

Now the thing that bugged me the most in this film was in the middle when they were going to Bolivia to runaway and hide and to get money. There was this picture montage of the time in between them leaving and them getting to Bolivia. In that montage they did lots of time and money consuming things like get married. This part made no sense, and it added nothing to the story. They never mention their marriage later on or anything. It did not give the impression that they were on the run or needed money at all.

This movie is a western and cannot have anything else expected from it. It had it's funny moments and I find it amusing. I would recommend this but not shove it in your face. Like I said it was pretty good, not amazing, not horrible, just pretty good.


-Sirwhovian, Out!

Cinematography Tip #2 The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is this:

When filming you do not want to cross the line of action (unless you are intentionally breaking this rule for a reason and can pull it off). The line of action is what the two figures are standing on. That half cirle is your space to work with, and it can be on either side, but once you film there, you cannot cross over the line unless you pan over or atleast show that you are crossing the line. If you do just jump over the line it will create disorientation with your viewers and will throw them off and cause them to be "thrown out" of the story.

There are some films and shows that have been able to break this rule and make it look good or use the disorianting to their advantage. If you're a beginner, I always like to encourage people to first learn the rule to be able to break it properly. So mess around with this a bit. I found this youtube video that might help expain this (it's a very hard concept to imagine without actually seeing what I'm talking about, so here you go:

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Movies Anyone?

Hello! I was wondering if any of you would like me to assess a film, a.k.a break it down. Just tell  me what movie to watch and I'll give it my filmmakers assessment. It should be something fairly easy to get a hold of, like on Netflx. Please comment below with the title the film.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Script Writing Tip #1 Plan It Out

When you write a screenplay you don't just start writing, like every thing associated with film, you have to plan it out. You need to know the story before you write. You have to know how it will end. If you DON'T know how it will end, you'll end up with something like Lost and you don't know what to do with the hole you dug yourself in and your end will most likely be crap I guarantee you. You ALWAYS want to know where your story is going. Will you add in things? Will you take out others? Yes, but you still want to know where you're headed or it won't be as strong because you won't have been building up to that climax. So once you get there you need it to be good and match the story, but that's very hard without knowing what you've been building for. Just something to keep in mind.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Lighting Tip #1 Three Point Lighting

Three point lighting is pretty much how it sounds. We set up a shot with three points of lights to illuminate what we are filming. This is the most basic lighting set up and will look amazing if you use it right.

Alright, so in the diagram above there are your three lights. There's the key light, the fill light, and the back light. The key light is going to be your strongest light out of the three (hence key light). The fill light helps to soften the shadows cast by your key light, but be careful to make sure that it is dimmer then your key light and doesn't make your actor or whatever thing you are filming look flat. Your back light is to add some 3D to what you are filming.

This is a good example! This looks normal right? Remember that you thought it was normal. So that strong light coming in from the right? That would be the key light, the "sun" of the lights. Next it's hard to tell but if you look at her left arm or at the left side of her temple, you can see light, that is the fill light. Now look at the top of her hair or the top of her shoulders, that is the back light. It adds a sort of halo. Now stand back and look at it again, now all you can focus on is what I have shown you. If that's true, YAY! I did my job, if not, go stare at it some more. 

On to the more complicated bits. This is a two point lighting system. See how the key light is very harsh without the fill light. This creates more of a dark or intense feel. This is the kind of lighting you would use for a horror movie or maybe a spy flick. 

So in this picture it's all one light, and it looks incredibly flat. The background might as well be attached to him. His face has no depth either, that might as well be drawn onto that background there. Below I will show you another example of 3 point lighting and just a single light side by side.

Wow, which one looks better? So that's why we use three point lighting, so it doesn't look like crap. Now don't get me wrong, one point lighting can be good depending on what you're going for, but like this, no. The picture below shows a GOOD use of single point lighting.

Now this does take some practice, I can't just say, put it that light this far away from the camera and angle it this much and it'll look beautiful! You need to do some trial and error. Another thing to ALWAYS ask yourself when setting up lights is: "in this scene, where in the world is the light coming from?" In other words, if you're inside and there is a light that is coming at a very low angle you have to think, where in the 'actual' world is the light is coming from, is it coming from a lamp on the desk? Or maybe a computer or T.V. screen. You need a logical reason to put a light where you're putting it. More lighting tips coming soon.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Editing Tip #2 Our Goal

The goal of an editor is to be essentially undetected. We piece together our films and our videos and we want them to look as good as possible. The end product, no one "sees" our work. If you are a good editor then no one should notice the editing. That's when you know you've done a good job. For instance when you see a bad movie and all the cuts just stick out to you like a sore thumb, you know they shuck at editing. But those movies where you can just get sucked in, and it all seems to flow together and just looks beautiful, that's the sign of a true editor.

As an editor you are building a puzzle. When everything fits together, it makes a picture (a motion picture, ha! See what I did there?). When you put in the pieces wrong, it's unpleasant to look at and doesn't make much sense. Just like a cut in your film. It might jump too much or two little. You might cut it too early or too late. Rhythm and instinct is what gets me by. You have to feel the rhythm of the scene and what you want people to feel. Which brings me to my next point:

Editing is like dancing. When or where you step can make it flawless and continuous. When you miss a step or a beat, people will notice. You can feel it's just not right. The song you dance to is different to every situation. In a scene where your actor is running or fighting, it will be at a faster pace then if they are calmly eating a meal or strolling through the park. And it's not even Evey scene, every clip has a beat too. The way I do things is, watch a clip, feel where I think it would be good to end, and then play it through a few more times. If I can hit that same spot over and over just with my gut, I know it's a good cut (that rhymed). Once you get a hold of the rhythm for editing, you will be unstoppable.


-Sirwhovian, Out!

Our Story In Two Minutes-Breakdown

This breakdown is a youtube two minute short from drivinman687. This video is about our Earth's history in two minutes. I will be here to discuss after you're done watching. Click on the video or the link below to see it.

Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrqqD_Tsy4Q&feature=plcp


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Alright, that was pretty cool huh? I saw it and said "wow". Now in this video, I'm going to comment on the editing since this is what this guy did. The music is from Inception, yes. Now onward!

So, his editing. I feel like it was almost spot on. It went very well with the music, which makes me happy. I really like the pacing of it (which I'm sure is helped with the music). I loved the use of the pictures, black screen and the white fade out. I really liked how he matched it up so when Hitler and all that war stuff came about, the music became much more sinister. I think this music was a great choice for this piece because it has intensity, it makes it feel so much stronger as a visual artwork. I also like how the video continued after the present until the sun exploded and ended the earth. It felt like a good closing choice, so we know our story up until now, and we know how it's most likely going to end, so here's what we've got. There was a lot of America going around it after a while. I looked at the comments he got and they seemed to agree. It also wasn't quite right with the timeline, but other then that, good job dude! I give you a thumbs up!

As always I encourage you guys to comment on it as well, so let me know what you think of it!


- Sirwhovian, Out!

Bidder 70, A Documentary - Environmental Activism

Tonight I went to the premier of Bidder 70. It's a documentary about Tim DeChristopher (find out more about him here), a man who in 2008 sabotaged an auction of wilderness areas to be destroyed for oil drilling. AND this all took place right here in Salt Lake City. He is a hero to the environmental activism group. Because of his actions, Obama stopped the auctions for these drilling sites. It took 3 years and 9 reschedules of his court date, and finally in the end, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison. Out side the court building where it was all going down, there was a rally. A non-violent rally. The funny thing was, they had prepared the cops who were supervising the event for violence. Also a bus driver drove by the scene and let the kids observe. The parents of these children were pissed, they said things like "what if it had turned violent?" And I just sit here and laugh and say "it's a freaking NON-VIOLENT protest!" People who were there says it was so uplifting. You can find out more about his group Peaceful Uprising and buy Bidder 70 here.

After the film they had a discussion. The one really big question that stands out to me was if we should use violence as a protest. When the man was asking got asked what he thought, he said that he thinks we should. All around me I could hear people saying no and shaking their heads. I have to agree. We are non-violent activists and that is just wrong. There's a quote that goes "fighting for peace is like F*ing for virginity." (not the perfect reference since this is about the environment, but still) if we fought with violence, the government would win. They would have so much more to convict us of. We can't fight fire with fire. We are so much stronger with what we are doing. This act that Tim did, has brought so many more people to the cause.

Now on to the film part. The film looked like a documentary. There were some good shots and some cool things they did with editing, but mostly it just looked and sounded like a normal documentary. I do think it would have added to the emotion if the cinematography was nicer, but you only have so much with a documentary. There were some parts in the middle where it got a little confusing, but other then that they did a good job.

To Tim:

-Sirwhovian, Out!

What Do YOU Want To Know?

Any tips, questions, opinions, help, advice or anything else you wanna hear, leave it in the comments box and I'll make a post for you!

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Cinematography Tip #1 Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is breaking the shot up into three sections up and down, so it'll look like this:

The rule of thirds states that you should usually place your "main items of attraction" on these spots:

If you have an actor in frame with a medium close-up you want their eyes on that top line like this:

Of course you want to follow the point of gaze rule. Point of gaze is where the gaze of your actor leads. like the man above, his gaze points to the left. We want to fill up the space with his gaze so we place him to the right of the shot. The man below however has bad point of gaze. It is immediately cut off. But it's a good shot. Why?

If the man was all alone and nothing significant was behind him, this would look terrible. But behind him is another man on the couch and framed biking shirts. Those are significant. It shows there is more to the shot. 

Therefore we do NOT want someone or something in the center, UNLESS you are breaking that rule, but remember, you first have to know the rule to be able to break it and you always have to have a reason you are doing it, something that adds to the shot and story, not just because it's different. This is what happens, when the rule of thirds is not implemented. This does not look good.

The next thing I will bring to your attention about this amazing rule of thirds is head room. The man above has way too much head room. If you were doing the same shot but with less head room to the point where you cut-off part of his head, would look awful as well. The closer they are, the more head room you can take away. Here's a good example. In the first picture she has too little head room. The second, too much head room, but the third is a good balance.

The head room and rule of thirds will always change depending on how close or how far the thing you are filming is from you. Take our first picture. He is in line with the rule of thirds.

This woman below is further away from the camera but is still in line with the rule of thirds. It does not ALWAYS have to end up with the eyes on the top line. 

Now there is a function on most cameras that will come up with this grid on you screen. I would avoid using it because then you get sucked into "is her eyes on the line?" "is this perfectly on the line?" which takes away from something that might look better. In your head you already know what the thirds is. You've seen enough movies and pictures to know where something would be pleasing to the eye to have it. I say use your best judgement, but always keep this in mind.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Film Terms-On Set, Basic

These are terms used on film sets and what they mean.

A.D.- Assistant Director, the person who will call all the shots and make sure people do their job

D.P.- Director of Photography, they are in charge of the camera

A.C.- Assistant Camera, they help set up the camera, getting the right lenses, cleaning them etc.

Mixer- the person who captures sound

Boom Pole Operator- this guy holds the mic

Gaffer- a lighter (someone who sets up lights, not a device that produces fire)

Grip- they focus things the camera crew might need, like a crane and they also work with the Gaffers to create a nice lighting set up, they are also in charge of rigging and safety

Stingers- extension cords

Boom- the most commonly used mic

Boom Pole- the pole that holds the boom mic

Gaff Tape- this is the tape used on a film set, it can be many colors, but usually thick and black, the good thing is, it leave no sticky mess once you take it off

Gels- these are simply colored plastic sheets that go in front of a light to change it's color

C47s- clothes line pins mainly hold gels to the lights, but to hold any and anything that may require holding

Scrims- these are wire mesh circles that slip in front of a light to dim it but not soften the light

Barn Doors- these little buggers go on the front of lights to help control the light, they are those black flaps on the picture to the right

Tripod- those three legged stands you put your camera on

Sticks- a tripod for the lights

Silk- a silk is usually a white fabric stretched tightly to put in front of a light to defuse it

Flag- this is essentially a black silk that devoids light completely of a certain area

C-Stand- a really heavy, three-legged, metal thing that holds up flags or silks (which is a pain in the crapper to carry)

Wrangle- to pick up a cord and make sure it doesn't get caught on things while someone moves lights etc. or to untangle a cord

Striking or strike- when turning off/on a light or telling someone to turn off/on a light

Quiet on set- everyone who's on set, shut the hell up

Sound- A.D. (or whoever is calling the shots) is telling the mixer to start recording

Speed- mixer saying they are recording (response to sound)

Camera- A.D. is telling the D.P. to start recording

Rolling- D.P. saying they are recording (response to camera)

Slate- ques the person holding those black and white things that have numbers and writing on them (example to the right) to stick it on screen, say the title of the movie, what scene it is, and what take it is, then to click it shut and walk off.

Action- I hope you know what this means, it ques all the actors or whoever is participating in this scene to do what they are directed to do.

Cut- also another you should know. This means to stop all recording, acting etc. for that shot

Re-set- to set up everything over again after cutting to do another take of the same shot

That's a wrap- that means you're done for the day!


-Sirwhovian, Out!

All The Girls-Breakdown

This is my newest addition to my Youtube channel. This is my edited version of a film my friend made at his college called All The Girls. Watch it and I'll discuss what's wrong with it (yes including what I did wrong) after. Watch it by clicking on the video or following the link below.

Find it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbBe0k_jjx4


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Okay. I hope you enjoyed that! I had fun editing it even though it was really hard. Why was it hard? you might ask? Well first of all, they only took one shot of everything. Not one safety. And you read my last post right? ALWAYS GET SAFETIES!!! But no. They didn't so I had very limited footage to work with (that's why you need safeties).

Another thing, the cinematography. Did you see that?? Hardly anything was on the thirds* and it looked all cluttered and messy. The camera was also tilted most of the time. The point of gaze** was more or less bad.

Lighting. It all looks flat. And if you saw the raw footage you would have groaned. It was freakishly orange. I tried to make it more normal looking, and the thing I was going for was, everything was all dark and dreary until he sees her and it's all nice and bright. The end product still looked flat as hell. Not much you can do about that in post.

Acting. Now the acting was done by some acting students at my friends school. The main guy is not an actor though. I don't really know how he got into this film. Anyhoo, I like the girls, they were great and so sweet. We all became besties by the end of filming. The guy (yes I know he's not an actor, but let's discuss him anyway) his main problem was looking at the camera, I think I did a fairly good job of cutting those out. His face also looked like he was acting, not really into it.

Yay! Editing! This was my part! Okay so what I did wrong. I always like to have the music first then build off of it. My friend said he wanted to use this song, so that's what I did. I noticed part way though, that the music wasn't what I needed. I felt there would have been a better song and beat to go with what I was doing. So I should have gone with a song I felt jived with it more. So I forced it a lot. I wasn't exactly happy with it and it wasn't "perfect" to me. I would have spent longer on it if my friends dad wouldn't have kept kicking me off the computer. And yes, the color correction could have been better too.

Behind the scenes. Now you can't see what went on back there, so you'll just have to trust me. It was unprofessional. Like beginners they didn't plan it all out. All lot of the time they threw in all this stuff that, was crazy, or messed up continuity, or was just willy-nilly that they should have thought about before. They also never marked where the camera was, and they NEVER DID SAFETIES!

Now I would love to hear from you! Criticize away my friends! Tell me what you liked, what didn't you like, and why or anything else about this clip.


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*If you don't know what thirds are, it's where you split the screen into three different sections up and down and place things or people on the lines between the thirds making it more pleasing to look at. I will create another post about this later.

**The point of gaze rule is the screen area in front of someones gaze. You usually want their gaze to fill up the space, so if they are looking to (our) left then we would put them on the right side of the screen.


-Sirwhovian, Out!

What Makes A Good Film-Part 1

What makes a good film? Your best. And knowing what you want, intent I should say. You need to have that crisp clear picture of what you want an re-create that the best you can. You also shouldn't make a decision that adds nothing to your film. Every shot has a purpose and reason of why it's there. It helps the story. Along with every sound, every cut, every line is in your film for a reason. If you decide to have all your characters dead center in your shot, okay but why? What does it add? That's what you have to ask yourself with every decision you make. Doing something just because it unique is not a good reason. If you do it because it feels off and wrong and you want your audience to feel uncomfortable, by all means go for it.

Another thing that will almost certainly guarantee it will at least look good, or flow nicely I safety shots. You always ALWAY want more then one take of a shot. For those of you who have done film before and are reading this, this is a refresher. My friends college class NEVER does safety shots. ALWAY GET A SAFTY SHOT!!!!

Also, You have to feel it. You can't just plug something into an equation and poof there's your answer. If you really have the knack for film making, or whatever job you're doing be it cinematography, editing, writing, or even lighting, you'll feel what's right. You'll know the exact moment to cut a scene, you know exactly where looks good for your character to stand. It's a feeling in your gut. And of course you learn new tricks or gain the feeling later on, but that's what makes it good.

More coming later!
-Sirwhovian, Out!

Sound Tip #1 Booming

When you are booming always establish when you are out of the shot, then give yourself about another inch and always mark that spot with your eye. Find something that you can mentally "stick" the mic to, so if you do start drifting, you'll know exactly where you're supposed to be. It is inevitable that you will move as a boom operator. There is no way you can possibly be as still as a statue, unless you were one. *Maybe your a weeping angel. That would be cool. A weeping angel reading MY post!* Anyhoo by marking where you need to be and giving yourself some extra room from the frame, you will be a happy camper and a better boom operator.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

This Film Is Not Yet Rated, America's Rating System, Part 1 Kimberly Peirce

For tonight's entertainment: This Film Is Not Yet Rated, a documentary about the American rating system. As I watch, I will be writing my response as well as information and parts of the film I think will come in handy for you guys. Also, while I watch this movie, I will be eating leftover Mexican food from last night.

First off, before we start, I would like to say how strange out rating system is. Does anyone else remember when R was so innocent? And now days R ratings include horrific violence like peoples arms getting cut off, non-stop swearing, etc. etc. Have you also noticed how now days, it always seems to be different? Some movies with the F*bomb get classified as an R while some that swear just as much, or even more, with the F*bomb get put into the PG-13 category.

Okay, right off the bat, this is not for children. Seriously. Don't let your kids watch this.

Having your movie get an NC-17 rating means that the studio's won't release your movie.

Kimberly Peirce was interviewed in this film and she makes an amazing point. Most films are from guy's and their fantasies. In her film Boy's Don't Cry they pointed out a few things that caused it to be placed as an NC-17. One of these was that the main female character in her film had "too long of an orgasm". And so Kimberly talks about how that, ya, most films are made by guys and have their "happy go-ya-ya's" all over them, and they are mainly from a males perspective. But when she made hers, and had that "too long of an orgasm" part in, it made people feel uncomfortable. Like woman can't be happy too? What's wrong with that? I (mostly) quote her here: "I think people think female pleasure is unnatural, I think they think female pleasure is scary. So I think that if you're a woman who understands female pleasure from the woman's perspective you're probably rolling in a terrain that's unfamiliar. Really it's the unfamiliarity that breeds the NC-17."

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Editing Tip #1 Your tools

For those who are planning to edit, or thinking about buying Final cut X.

Don't use final cut X. If you're going to use that, you might as well just use iMovie that comes with you mac. It's cheaper that way. Final cut X doesn't give you the same freedom and creative ability to customize every aspect as final cut 7 does. Some say that it's harder for those who have worked with final cut 7 for so long to make the switch to X and be able to work with it. I fully agree. I however don't know what it's like to start with X. I wonder if it is indeed just easier for "beginners" to use or if it truly does suck. I know for me, every time I work on X I get pissed off and don't want to use it. But I also know that's because I've had the customizing amazingness from 7. It's hard to change to something, let me put this nicely, less then a good editing tool (wow, that was hard, I wanted to swear just then). I hear, although have not played with, that Premier is quite similar to 7. Many editors have actually been switching to Premier.

So, save your money, do not go for X.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

What Film Is, A Late Night Ramble

I want to clarify what film is, not what it has become, because some people just don't know anymore.

Film is an art form. It integrates all the arts with images and music and emotion and story. It is not a way to make money. Yes it's nice if you do, but the sole purpose is to create. It is not something to just slap together, to milk everything you have out of it.

Film can be beautiful. Film can be amazing. Film can be moving.

Film these days seems to be clouded with things like Meet the parents, Christmas with the Kranks, Dinner for Schmucks, Alvin and the Chipmunks, the last three Star Wars movies. What ever happened to creativity?

Gorge Lucas had something going for him when he started the Star Wars movies. He CREATED the technology to make his films. He put so much work into them. But then what happened? Episodes 1-3. I felt nothing. The writing sucked, the acting had no emotion, and the animation? Come on! And I'm mad at him for selling his baby to Disney. Yuk. Disney is a big fat money gobbler.

Another thing that I just thought of, Hollywood. They just seem to milk things for all they've got. They find a story people will like and every movie outa' there is that same story in a different place. Again, no creativity. When a lot of filmmakers get out there and get into Hollywood or such they don't know what to make. So they make those "films" I listed above, they fall into the cycle that is those lame ass, sell out movie types.

I like films that are different. I like films that can surprise me and keep me guessing like Shutter Island. That one kept me on my toes. I like movies with beautiful cinematography like Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I like movies that make me feel something like Life is Beautiful or Hugo (I actually cried bawled actually, when they melted down the film, and then again when they found so many of his films still intact the end).

I was with a friend and his collage class who were filming a movie. One of the things I heard out of the cinematographer's mouth was, "It's good enough." NO! It is NOT good enough! You want your film to be as good as possible (also here's a hint, don't hire him. He did lighting and cinematography for the film and man did it look baaaaad). I am very picky about film, which I think is a good quality, I always want it to look good, not just think it's fine and shoot willy-nilly. If you want to be professional and roll with the big boys, make that shot look good and do your best. If you want to be a youtube channel that no one has heard of, by all means, go ahead and screw up. So for real, be picky.

Yes this is me late night ramblings about film, but it makes sense doesn't it? I'm glad you stuck through it. More sane thought out posts coming later.

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Me on Youtube

Hey! Autumn here. Have you heard I have a youtube channel with all my own films on it? Well now you do! Come check it out here!

-Sirwhovian, Out!

Husbands, the series/LGBTQ rights

Today I went to a panel on Husbands which is a web series now showing. They combined it with the issues of LGBTQ and the problem of homeless LGBTQ youth. We got to watch an episode of Husbands and was pretty funny. Here's where you can check it out for yourself: http://husbandstheseries.com/

Anyhoo, this is written and co-created by Jane Espenson and Brad Bell. You may know Jane from her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon A Time, Torchwood, and tons of others. Check her out! She's done a ton: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0260870/

So this first post of mine won't be completely film related, some won't be time to time, but they'll have good messages, don't worry.

This LGBTQ issue is indeed a big problem. Youth are being kick out of their own homes for coming out of the closet! Now there are some programs that are helping them, but the bigger issue is we need to stop this from happening. No one should have to sleep out in the cold just because of who they love or who they're attracted to. I say, love is love. But it seems in America, all that they say love is, is between a ladies parts and a mans parts. THAT'S what many people are saying is love. It's not about what's in your pants people! It's what's in your heart. Because love comes from the heart, does it not? When we truly care for someone, does not that place in your chest ache? Hmmm. Interesting. Sooo that means that if love comes from the heart... Then does it matter what gender you are? The "love" that comes from your crotch is called lust. Sooo that must mean that they say love cannot be between a man and a woman, that they only lust? That humans can ONLY love from their pants? That love can ONLY be between a d**ck and a Vag***a?! Hmm seems weird to me. I for one grew up in a family that didn't care if you were gay. We even went to rallies to support gay rights. I still do to this day. At the panel I was able to give a comment. As a senior in high school and having only attended alternate high schools, all I've really seen is people being okay with and supporting gay rights. I have hardly met anyone my age who is against gays. So I told them this and that there is hope for the future. My generation is the generation of acceptance. We all know about LGBTQ's and we live with it. The great thing that happened this election is all those in support of gay rights. I think it was something like three or four states put gay marriage on their ballots and loads of people said yes! The world is changing and it will get better.

-Sirwhovian, Out!