Advice for budding movie makersOver the next few months we aim to improve our website with Hints and Tips to help you with your movies
The Eureka Moment (Don McQuade)Many filmmakers, especially those who have been filming for some years, complain that they don’t have any ideas for new films. Without the basis of an idea you cannot get started on the filmmaking process. The blank sheet of paper stays blank. How do you get that original idea for a film? Where does that ‘Eureka Moment’ come from when the idea flashes into the brain? Recent research says that there are three states of mind when you are thinking of an idea. Firstly, you are concentrating on a particular task, such as watching TV or reading a book. This requires you to put other thoughts out of your mind. Then there are the times when you are doing menial tasks, which do not require a concentration of the mind, such as walking, washing the car, gardening or having a bath. Then there are the times when you put a blank sheet of paper in front of you, block out all distractions and wait for an idea to pop into your head. Experiments have demonstrated that the second option where you are doing mundane tasks is the best option to get new ideas, rather than sitting string at the TV or a blank sheet of paper. So I’m off to have a bath to wait for the ‘Eureka moment’ – an idea for my next film!
Voice Over Tips (Marc Seccombe)1).CAREFULLY READ THE SCRIPT - Make sure you understand the meaning of the script & that you can understand & speak all the words. There are some words I cannot say easily (like “Prescription”). Be prepared to change any words you find difficult. Remember - THE SCRIPT SHOULD FLOW
2). SPEAK the Script, don’t just read it 3). Try to RELAX when reading & speaking the script. Deep breathing might help 4). EMPHASIZE parts that need emphasizing, otherwise it might sound too “bland” 5). FEEL & EXPRESS THE EMOTION - “acting” the part may be appropriate sometimes 6).MICROPHONE PLACEMENT - a “direct” rather than an “omni directional” mic is probablybest. Use a sound absorbent room - plenty of soft furnishing, curtains, etc. Keep the mic close to the narrator and get the narrator to speak up. Listen to the narrator on earphones. The volume can be adjusted at the editing stage 7).PAUSES, in the appropriate place, help give “EFFECT” to the narration 8).PUT THE NARRATION DOWN ON THE TIMELINE FIRST - so that the Voice-Over can be easily moved, as and when required LISTEN TO THE NARRATION - be prepared to do it all over again NB : The Tone of the voice changes each time the Script is spoken 9).REMOVE TAKE-INS OF BREATH FROM THE TIME-LINE - also remove any errors, “umphs” & “ughs” etc 10). ENSURE MUSIC VOLUME, ETC - is adjusted so the narration can be being heard Member Top Tips (Frank Paling)Tip 1 - Never delete any footage - you may need it one day
Tip 2 - Make sure you have a good record system, to find your old clips easily |