Author: Kyle Cassidy    Date Published: October 2013

A lot of students don’t realize this, but they have to use negative space in every shot they take while filming in video class. Negative space is the area in the shot that is NOT filled with an object. Whether it be the background behind a couple of people talking, or just the empty table space between a couple plates from a diner. Negative space is in every shot you take.

Your job as a director is to make your frame of the picture you are filming to as a nice balance between negative space and positive space. The way you use negative space can affect how the audience feels about a certain shot. If you make the space a certain color, say a faded blue background, that can draw the audience to thinking it is suppose to be a sad scene.

Negative space is very important to keep in mind while filming. Understanding how to use it properly can make or break your next film.

Found it in a magazine so no URL.

SOUND FX: THINK OUTSIDE THE SOURCE

Author: Earl Chessher      Date Published: 08/01/2011

“LSM Newswire.” LSM Newswire. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

Not all sound effects have to come from a CD library or from what they’re supposed to sound like. You need the sound of a horse trotting but don’t have a horse? Coconut shells on a wooden box can make the same sound. Try looking around the house and seeing what noises you can make with household items, who knows they could be just what you need in one of your films.

I learned that crumpling wax paper makes a rain sound and what Foley effects are. Foley sounds are motion-picture sound that are made manually. For example, rattling a piece of tin to make a thunder noise. Even high budget movies like Star Wars VI used tunnels near the Golden Gate Bridge to create a unique sound. If filming and sound effects aren’t needed then it may be wise to go back and add one if it works well, you never know if it can improve your film unless you try.

Next time I need a sound I’ll look around my house before looking at other alternatives. Even if that doesn’t work it will help me to think outside the box when filming.

Article: http://www.videomaker.com/article/15102-sound-fx-think-outside-the-source

“The Making of ‘The Down Home Alien Blues’: Making a Movie Is like a Ballet.” The Making of ‘The Down Home Alien Blues’: Making a Movie Is like a Ballet. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

Article name: How to Successfully Utilize Wardrobe and Makeup in Your Production

Author: Bree Brouwer          Date Published: March 21st, 2014

Makeup and wardrobe, whether you realize it or not, are important elements in your film. If an actor were to wear the wrong outfit, it could cause glare and your film will not look as good. Makeup can help make an actor not look washed-out in the film. If you’re not sure what to do, then ask someone else for help or put someone else in charge of it.

I learned a little powder goes a long way. Wardrobe and makeup may not make or break your film to most eyes, but it can help it look more professional and better organized. I was also unaware that some costume color can cause glare. With wardrobe, the camera really does add ten pounds, which I always thought was a myth or something people used as an excuse.

How I plan to use this information in my video projects is by coordinating outfits better. I probably won’t do that for every actor in every film because i’m not the best at figuring out who should wear what when. However, I will try to use it when I think of it and the same goes for makeup to. I’ll also use it when a character is suppose to stand out or look like something or someone specifically.

Article: http://www.videomaker.com/videonews/2014/03/how-to-successfully-utilize-wardrobe-and-makeup-in-your-production

“How Projection Television Works.” HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.

HOLLYWOOD’S SECRETS REVEALED: SPECIAL EFFECTS IN THE MOVIES

Author: Scott Anderson            Date published: 10/01/1998

This article talks about the different kinds of effects from over the years and how they were done. Blood, blue-screen, rear projection, glass painting, miniatures, and effects using only computers were all talked about during the article. For computer effects, they used Jurassic Park as an example explaining how the dinosaurs were made. They used fossils to make them accurate, using those they made a computerized skeleton and finally they added muscles and skin. After thousands of frames the dinosaur was finally brought to life. Alfred Hitchcock used rear projection in many of his films, Norman O. Dawn used glass painting to help make crumbling buildings look more realistic. Miniatures are creations of things that exist or don’t exist that the filmer can’t get their hands on, like the jabberwocky from Alice in Wonderland.

I learned what a squib was and how it’s used for video. It’s a tiny explosive, often times put under an actors costume, when detonated it can give the effect of someone being shot. I already knew about blue-screen, which is basically green screen. Rear projection computer effects, and miniatures I got the gist of but I can’t see how those would be used in my filming because they seem like they use I lot of expensive equipment that I do not have. Lastly, glass painting I didn’t quite understand but the basic concept of using painted glass in front of the camera lens seems like a good idea.

In upcoming video projects I want to use fake blood, maybe for a trailer of a zombie movie or in an action sequence. I always thought it would be difficult to try to set up tubing on the actor for a bloody effect, but now I know that there are easy ways to attach it to a knife or scissors. Even though I won’t be making digital dinosaurs for my movies, I think I might take some of the basic ideas from the other examples. Like putting painted glass in front of the camera to create an effect.

Article: http://www.videomaker.com/article/3550-hollywoods-secrets-revealed-special-effects-in-the-movies

Mic Tricks for the Boom Operator

Videomaker

Using a boom pole makes this even easier. But you have to work with the camera crew more because you have to make sure they know what you are doing so you don’t mess
anything up.

“Typically, the boom operator brings the microphone in, just overhead and barely out of the frame of the camera. This is something of a dance that must be choreographed with the camera operator. The microphone points down—usually at an angle—toward the mouth of the talent. This provides a clean, natural sound that mimics every movie you’ve ever seen. The boom operator monitors the sound on headphones and makes small adjustments throughout the shoot, tweaking the sound for the best quality. If the scene is shared by multiple characters, the boom operator gently twists and turns the microphone as needed to capture all the dialog. All this while holding a long pole over his or her head. This job is a workout and completely underappreciated.”

“The Effect of Dust on Lens Bokeh.” Photography Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2014.

HOW TO RUIN YOUR BEST VIDEO MOMENTS – ACTION CAM SHOOTING MISTAKES TO AVOID

Author: Brian Teal

Published: Feb. 5, 2014

The article is basicly about this guy trying to film him going downhill on a bike using his GoPro but every day he messes something up. The first day it was batteries, second it was the on/off button, and the last day it was a dirty lense. From this experience he learned that planning is key. Using action cameras can give you the best footage but it can be easy to mess up.

I learned that planning and being prepared is key. It’s easy to make simple mistakes if you’re too busy looking at the big picture or paying too much attention to specific details. Also, using action cameras can create good footage.

Next time I go to film I will double check and make sure my equipment has clean lenses, full batteries, and everything is hooked up correctly. It hadn’t occurred to me to check the lense, and sometimes I forget to check the battery as soon as I pick it up. I’d really hate to film something then realize I have to start all over again.

http://www.videomaker.com/videonews/2014/02/how-to-ruin-your-best-video-moments-action-cam-shooting-mistakes-to-avoid