Thursday, December 4, 2008

Amateur Film Making

Many people have an interest in making films that have never studied officially or completed any training programs in regards to their filmmaking careers. If you are one of them, but love to play with your camera or film events while they happen, you may consider pursuing amateur film making. There are still many program events that they can try to get hired for, but in amateur film making you would have to work harder to obtain these jobs as you start from the ground up building your abilities.

If you wonder about the how successful you can be if you start amateur film making, then you should simply look at the most obvious example, Sundance. Amateur film making is what the Sundance film festival is all about since each film is made by a filmmaker who does not have previous film experience or training from any program. The other reason amateur film making has become so popular at Sundance is because it has become a drafting event, as major record leads will often use amateur film making events to find people who are either involved in films as a composer or as the person involved in the amateur film making. 
There are many institutes besides Sundance that laud amateur film making because it presents an untouched fresh view on all aspects of filmmaking rather it be wildlife, documentary, events, or entertainment. Amateur film making is widely accepted and honored because many time people involved in amateur film making are often able to present a set of events more clearly without drafting. They can do this because they fit in with the masses and crowds therefore making them capable of capturing the emotion of the event without people noticing they are on film.

This is often true of many events that use amateur film making students because when you are at a music venue, parade, protest, or other public event, people who notice a news crew will react much differently to the camera. Those who are trained filmmakers often have crews with them which people notice and start playing up their actions to, or playing down their actions. However, when it is amateur film making taking place, people are more oblivious and the footage used in the program portrays the event more accurately. As a result, some programs would rather use amateur film making over professionals clips.


About the Author:
Patricia Stevens owns and operates http://www.filmmakingcenter.com Filmmaking

Source: GoArticles

Why Its a Good Idea for Filmmakers to Apply to Smaller Film Festivals

So you have completed a film- Congratulations! Completion is, of course, the first all-important first step in getting somewhere in the film biz, now what? There are lots of options- but one of the most important to explore is your option in the world of the film festival. There are literally thousands of film festivals and it will come as no surprise that not all are equal in size or quality.
The most important mistake that filmmakers make where film festivals are concerned is that they simply do not apply to enough film festivals. It's not easy, in general, to get into film festivals and that is why its important to apply to as many as you possibly can. Film festivals can really help you get your work out there and most importantly can serve as a magnificent network opportunity. You must get into as many festivals as possible. Few things open up the eyes of a would-be producer or employer in the film industry as a few awards on your shelf. They may say it does mean that much- oh. but truth be told it does.
The second biggest mistake filmmakers can make is only applying to the "big festivals." It is certainly true that the big festival can and do launch careers, but guess what? Those same big festivals receive thousands of entries. Some of the better known, such as Sundance, often receive 6,000 or more a year for less than 200 slots. Look closely and you will see that many of these festivals are actually screening big-budget Hollywood films complete with stars. This reduces the number of slots open to the little independent filmmaker even more. Unfair, well sure it is, but it's also the way of the industry and the way of the world.
Go ahead and apply to a few of the big festivals, but remember that the bulk of your festival submission dollars should go to the smaller festivals that have less competition. Four or five awards from smaller festivals may not get you signed to a three-movie deal; however, it may help get you into the big festival you were initially aiming for in the first place. Be sure and let those big festivals know that you screened at the smaller festivals. It will definitely help. Additionally, if a programmers or audience members take a personal interest in your film at a smaller festival it can make a difference in the long run. You want other people running around championing the values of your film whenever possible so its not just you with your Hollywood Dreams looking for independent film financing or distribution.
Again, it's all about networking and just because the festival is small doesn't mean that there isn't anyone there that might take an interest in your work. Keep an open mind about smaller festivals, and be respectful to all those involved and you might be surprised what can happen.


About the Author:
Sara L. Gordon is currently working in the film industry. She studies independent film making and film distribution. http://www.squidoo.com/Getting-film-Funding

Source: GoArticles

Shorts as a Showcase for Feature Films

Many independent filmmakers make short films as a sort of calling card designed to show prospective employers what they are capable of doing when seeking funding for a film. This mode of thinking does have a great deal of merit. For example, would you really hire a portrait painter to paint your portrait that had no prior examples? Or would you hire a writer for your newspaper that couldn't even provide you with a few basic writing samples? Well, no probably not.
The same rule holds true for would-be directors. A director needs that calling card if he or she honestly expects anyone to give them their money to direct a film. You wouldn't pay a guy to repair your car just because he said he had a "vision" of how he could do it. You would think he was an idiot if he tried to "pull" that on you. The same can be said for would be directors that have no projects under their belt to show would-be investors. Getting an independent film funded is hard enough without any proof that you can actually do the job.
In a day where technology has evened the playing field so very much, it really doesn't make too much sense for would-be directors not to have at least one short in their "filmmaking portfolio." Digital technology allows virtually anyone to make a short film of some kind. The power of this simple fact should not be dismissed, as it was not long ago that the entire filmmaking process had a much steeper financial curve. Some would-be filmmakers may say, "but I am a FILMmaker, I only work in film." This is very shortsighted for filmmakers looking for that big first break.
You can potentially do a dozen, if not more, simple shorts digitally for the price of one 16mm short. Whoever you find to invest in your script or hire you as a director wants to see that you know how to start and finish a project and that the project is well-shot, well-thought out and above all that you know how to tell a story. In and of itself, shooting on 16mm or 35mm only tells them that you can work with film. What smart producers and industry insiders want to see is that you can tell a story. The digital revolution allows you to do just that-tell a story and to do it cheaply, so take advantage of it. Your job as a would-be director is to show those with the money that you know what you are doing. Why would anyone in their right mind give money to someone to make a feature if they have no proof of prior work? You need that short.
Remember, above all getting that "calling card" project under your belt is critical. If you haven't gone to film school the process of making the first one or two shorts will also teach you what you need to know so that you are speaking the same language as that producer who can make your scripts into a reality. Talk is cheap, show that "would be" employer or funder, to think of it a different way, that you can do the job. Anyone can talk.


About the Author:
Sara L. Gordon is currently working in the film industry. She studies independent film making and film distribution.http://www.squidoo.com/Getting-film-Funding

Source: GoArticles

Marvelous Makeup School in the Heart of Hollywood

Known as the cinema center of the world, Hollywood boasts of all major film studios making the big budget, legendary movies that are admired all over the world. While Hollywood produces many types of movies, its specialty is highly entertaining feature films based on science fiction and fantasy, requiring the heavy use of special effects and prosthetic makeup. Many makeup artists have found and built their creative careers in Hollywood, especially in the special effects genre of moviemaking. There is often a serious shortage of qualified makeup artists in Hollywood. Today, there are many makeup schools operating in and around Hollywood to cater to the growing demand for makeup artistry.

Established in 1966 and situated in the heart of Hollywood, EI School of Professional Makeup is the first Hollywood makeup school to make its mark in the highly creative and imaginative world of special effects and prosthetic makeup. Fully devoted to train the budding artists, this finest Hollywood makeup school provides a comprehensive hands-on education in all areas of professional makeup. Its makeup classes are tailored to suit all categories of serious students who wish to develop a career in this area. The institute offers three basic programs of study explained below.

Studio Makeup Artist program is aimed at students who primarily wish to work in the beauty industry, including salons, spas, health resorts, cosmetics companies, photo studios, wedding studios, as well as freelance work. This program covers all aspects of beauty and corrective makeup, high fashion photographic makeup, hair styling, airbrushing, the wedding business, and the psychology of beauty.

SFX or Special Effects is an intensive program intended specifically for students who want to work in special effects makeup. This program is designed to prepare the beginner to a fully-functioning makeup artist qualified to work in SFX houses, labs and workshops. This program includes: full head life casting, designing and designs, sculpting (mold making), application of prosthetics, foam rubber and silicone casting, drawing and sculpting techniques, head casting, full body casting, multi-piece molding, and seaming foam, among others.

Artistry of Makeup is a one-year program that prepares students to become fully-trained makeup artists capable of working in all aspects of the various makeup industries. Six courses in this program offer students the fundamentals of each makeup discipline, including practical workshops, guest speakers, and field trips. This program consists of: beauty and corrective makeup, theatrical/live performance makeup, high fashion photographic makeup, beginning prosthetics workshop, and television and film makeup.

In addition to the basic makeup artist courses listed above, this school also offers Master Classes covering subjects such as hair arranging and wig styling, advanced tech lab, tattoos for film, airbrushing, refresher class (customized), face and body painting and mask making. EI's student services include a full-fledged library, helping international students on I-20 and visa formalities, finding careers and providing housing facilities.

Visit EI's website at www.ei.edu for further details.


About the Author:
Fevine is Author writing for a well-known figure in the film, theatre and entertainment industries and contributes regular articles on Hollywood Makeup Schools and Make-up Artist Courses.

Source: GoArticles

Film School - Study And Enjoy Simultaneously!

If you are someone who wants to become a filmmaker, film school should be a place of joy for you. Because it not only equips you with the basic film making skills, but it also serves to shape your passion. Besides, it gives you the thrust and direction to produce your own film with new and fresh ideas.

There are several well reputed film schools in the country. Well, if California is always going to boast of highest number of film schools, followed closely by New York, you still have lot of other film schools in rest of the country.

Let us first talk about the most sought after "Top of the Pie" film schools which are dream of every aspiring filmmaker. The foremost would be the AFI. It was established in 1967 and is known for specialty in traditional narrative films. It offers six areas of study to the students -- Screenwriting, Directing, Production Design, Production and Editing.

Next in line is the California Institute for the Arts which was established in 1961 by Walt Disney for focus on animations. Then there is the San Francisco State University, also set up in the sixty's. The then prevalent political landscape has greatly influenced its course content. Now move on to UCLA and USC. Enter New York and you find Columbia University School of Arts and the New York University. Both schools have long list of film writers and directors who owe their training to them. For instance, Spike Lee reminds me of New York University.

It appears that if you wish an entry into the "golden gates" of any of these symbols of academic fame, you are going to need the of grace of God and his miracle making powers! So, better start praying right from now. And if despite your best efforts (and prayers!) you fail to make your proud entry inside any of the heavenly gates, no need to despair. Rather than staring at the blissful faces in there, turn around and you will find a lot of other film schools across the country with good programs.

There are several film schools in the Pacific Northwest. There is a very good film school in the University of Washington. Another interesting option is the Evergreen State University. It is famous (or infamous!) for its kind of liberal style of education. In place of grades, they have a system where both students and teachers evaluate every thing -- themselves as we as the program. They are known as Greeners and they take pride in their critical thinking. Their program, known as MediaWorks, has produced several radical and cutting edge filmmakers.

You will have to consider a few things before you pick a film school. The first thing is the cost of education. This is the ground reality, because if you are going to take loan for your education, you must consider how soon you will be able to repay it after finishing school. To answer this question, consider the kind of internships they offer. You can learn about it from past students who recently graduated from the schools you are considering.

Film school is the comfortable launching pad for your rocket of burning aspirations. It provides you the opportunity to put your hands on all types of equipments and facilities required for film making. For instance, you will learn how use a camera, recording devices, editing equipments, sound studios and edit bays. Another unique aspect of film school is the pool of talent -- other students. Students crew for each other. You have all this while you are at school. Once you are out, you can only envy what you had at the school.

So, whichever film school you choose to attend, try to enjoy it fully. It is a place where you have freedom to experiment and facilities to work out your projects. Rather than thinking of sleep at night, plan on falling in love with pizza and Top Ramen.


About the author:
Abhishek is an avid Film Making enthusiast and he has got some great Film Making Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 78 Page Ebook, "Understanding The Basics Of Film-Making!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/94/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Why Should You Go to Film School?




Film making is a competitive profession and entering the film industry well armored is no small task. To be able to stay in business with a firm footing and stay clearly ahead of all your competitors, it is advisable to be formally trained not only in the techniques of the job, but also learn the ropes of staying in the job.

Hollywood, with its competitive standards, has created the need for formal training in film making. The "Big Five" film schools, mainly on the West Coast with a few exceptions on the East Coast are attractive passageways for film students looking forward to entering the Film Industry.

The Famous Five

Some of the top rated Film Schools in the country are On the West Coast, such as The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), The University of Southern California (USC) and The American Film Institute (AFI) along with The New York University (NYU) and Columbia University on the East Coast in 
New York complete the big five.

Of the Big 5, each film school specializes in a certain field.

It's a win-win situation when every film school offers a great experience with quality education and established professionals from the industry for guest lectures. While UCLA is applauded for the screen writers it churns out, the USC is best known for its stalwart directors. AFI uses its army of cinematographers as its USP and their unique film making styles from the East Coast brings NYU their share of the acclaim. Columbia University is an all rounder with its outstanding film theory for each program.

The USC film department is run like a studio. This has both a good and a bad side to it. The department's graduate students compete for five thesis positions. Those who don't get selected to direct thesis projects assist as crew on the sets. USC has a great marketing and networking stamina and hence it markets its students very boldly to the Film Industry.

UCLA's Screenwriter's are its best bet. A standard UCLA student graduates with approximately 8 feature length screenplays. As per the norm while UCLA students write a feature length script within 10-week quarters (which is similar to an actual eight week writing assignment in the industry), USC student would finish the same task in 1 year. The difference is evident.

Although the Peter Stark producing program at USC suits film executives, the UCLA Producing Program is tailor made for creating industry ready producers.

AFI is much tougher than USC in its academic procedures. Beginning with its limited thesis positions, not all filmmakers are allowed a sophomore year at college. Getting accepted to any of these film schools is far more difficult than getting an admit to Harvard Law School, for the simple reason that Harvard has a higher percentage of student vacancies than the Big 5 film schools do.

Other Film Schools

Florida State University has equal vacancies for writers, directors, cinematographer and editors which facilitates team work for thesis projects. Temple University, Philadelphia is really good for experimental film makers and should definitely be on the lists of Film School applicants.

Depending on what one chooses to specialize in, when picking a film school, one should apply to the any of the above discussed film schools with single-minded determination and good preparation.