This is a simple, but subtle trick that improves any product.
Give your product shots a new spin!
Every product shot is about making the product look great. But, what do you do when the product doesn’t move.
Sure, you can zoom in and pan around. But, well, that’s pretty boring.
Here’s the tip: Put the product on a turntable. This allows you to combine multiple moves into a single shot. Now your zoom not only pulls the eye into the shot, but it also reveals new visual information, which makes the shot all that more intriguing
Adding a Lazy Susan turntable to a product shot adds energy and it’s a cheap, totally believable way to increase production value.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2021-01-01 01:30:002021-01-01 01:30:00Tip #1283: Cool Tip to Improve Product Shots
It is fascinating to see what readers find interesting!
During this last year, The Inside Tips published 975 tips and techniques covering six subject categories:
Adobe Premiere
Apple Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion
Codecs & Media
Random Media Weirdness
Visual Effects
Here are three “Top Ten Tips Lists:” The first shows the most popular tips covering Random Weirdness. The second list shows the Top Ten most read tips across all categories. The third list shows the highest rated tips across all categories sorted by votes.
TOP 10 INSIDE TIPS FOR 2020
FOR RANDOM PRODUCTION WEIRDNESS
NOTE: Each tip was rated 5 out of 5. They are sorted by the number of votes each tip received, with most votes listed first.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2021-01-01 01:30:002020-12-27 10:31:20Tip #1293: Top Ten Tips of 2020 for Random Weirdness
Pacing is the sum of all the different parts of a movie.
(Image courtesy of Pexels.com)
This article, written by Jourdan Aldredge, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.
Pacing is something that can be hard to put your finger on. What makes one film feel fast and fun, and another slow and laborious? It’s more than simply the number of cuts or the time between them. Pacing is something practical, as well as something intangible, that informs how audiences view a film and keep up with the story on the screen.
The question is: How do you define pacing and control it in your projects? Let’s explore the five secrets to pacing and how you can keep your projects from getting stale.
Script and Storyboard. Pacing really and truly starts well before you start to put together your edit. The pace of a project is defined in the earliest stages of your outline and script. You have the power to begin to define your pace in pre-production as you plan out your shoot and edit workflow. Different projects are meant to have different pacing.
Shoot with Intentionality. Good filmmaking isn’t just about skills or composition. It’s really about intentionality. Just how much thought and focus can you bring to every scene and every shot? Pacing develops through an intricate balance of all the elements of filmmaking combined together.
Create Momentum Through Movement. One of the best tools for defining the overall pace of a project is movement. Movement—either with your characters, subjects, or the camera itself—can create momentum from shot to shot and scene to scene.
Don’t Just Edit Sequence by Sequence. Just because you have one well-paced action sequence that’s visually stunning and delivered in a satisfactory manner, doesn’t mean that it’ll always match up well with the emotional relationship sequence in the next scene. Pacing is all about consistency and finding the right balance between different styles and speeds.
Add Graphics, Effects, and Motion. Finally, as a last step, one great way to tinker and tailor with your project’s pace comes in the final stages of your edit when you add graphics, effects, and digital motion.
EXTRA CREDIT
The article, linked above, has videos that illustrate each of these points.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2021-01-01 01:30:002020-12-26 20:04:59Tip #1294: 5 Secrets to Film Pacing
Every list is subjective, share your favorites in the comments.
The Sony A7S III, without a lens.
This article, written by Lewis McGregor, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.
Like most industries, the video gear market was inundated with new gear this year. As a filmmaker who often works either as a lone operator or in a skeleton crew, I’m looking for equipment that condenses tasks and increases my efficiency. The less I carry, the better. The gear I’ve highlighted in this list echoes that ethos. Ranked in no particular order, these include:
Sony A7S III – $3,498. The next iteration of the filmmaking variant of the Sony A7 line.
DJI RS2 – $849. The DJI RS 2 is the successor to the Ronin-S. It’s lighter by design, weighing just 2.36 pounds, but it can carry up to a ten-pound rig.
DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor – $295. Like the 2019 DaVinci Resolve Keyboard, the Speed Editor is a peripheral that gives the editor precise and efficient control of the timeline with dedicated function keys and a multi-operational search dial.
NVIDIA RTX 3000 series – $499/$699/$1,499. While it may seem initially perplexing to include a line of new GPUs for an end-of-year filmmaking equipment list, you have to acknowledge that with the increase in camera resolution and RAW recording, 2015 GPUs and CPUs aren’t cutting it anymore.
Aputure 600D – $1,890. A single chip LED fixture with a reflector. Like the 120D and 300D, the 600D also packs a punch, but it hits a lot harder.
Nova P300C – $1,699. What makes this light specifically unique and highly anticipated is that it’s an RGBWW light. That means it can just about integrate into any ambient light situation, match other light fixtures, or just for creative expression, switch to the millions of colors found with the RGB wheel.
Canon EOS C70 – $5,499. This camera is something of a hybrid of the new EOS R line and their cine camera line.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K – $9,995. In 2020, we were treated to the first 12K camera, with the URSA Mini Pro 12K. The body largely remains the same design as the other readily available models. However, the internal electronics of the 12K have been replaced. There’s a new sensor, a new film curve, new color science, and a whole new host of recording features.
Fuji XF 50mm F/1.0 – $1,499. The Fuji F/1.0 is an unprecedented entry from Fuji as it marks the arrival of the fastest autofocus lens for mirrorless cameras.
EXTRA CREDIT
The article, linked at the top, has videos demoing all this gear, as well as more specs and details.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2020-12-25 01:30:002020-12-25 01:30:00Tip #1267: Top Filmmaking Gear for 2020
Learn about revolutionary sound design technology for audio mixes.
(Image courtesy of Pexels.com.)
This article, written by Jeffrey Reeser, first appeared in NoFilmSchool.com. This is a summary.
This article highlights two interviews with sound design leaders:
Kami Asgar
Jessica Parks
Walter Murch
As a sound designer (Asgar) and as a post executive (Parks), their collective resume touches on everything from Apocalypto to Grandma’s Boy to Venom.
Parks has recently shifted her focus from supervisor to hands-on sound design, and we talk about how it’s never too late to pivot on your career path and find the thing you love doing wherever you are in life. We also talk about the new revolutionary technology that will democratize the ability to mix sound on a professional level… and why the literal size of your ear matters.
NoFilmSchool also has an interview with sound design master Walter Murch.
None of these are “magic,” but, sometimes, we forget. Here’s a reminder.
(Image courtesy of Pexels.com.)
This article first appeared in MotionArray.com. This is a summary.
Editing is powerful, but good editing takes time, patience, and practice. The way you edit can either push your viewers away or draw them in. In this tutorial, we’ll explore five practical film editing principles you can start using immediately.
These include:
Avoid Jump Cuts
Use Relevant B-Roll
Cut on Motion
The 180° Rule
What’s Your Motivation?
Editing is where the real magic happens in filmmaking, and the quality of it can make or break your project. These five basic film editing principles may sound very simple. Still, once you’ve learned them, you’ll be astounded at how much difference they make towards making an edit look smooth, believable, and just far more professional.
EXTRA CREDIT
The linked article has a tutorial video, plus additional description of each of these tips.
2 Reel Guys: Dedicated to the creative process of filmmaking.
“2ReelGuys” hosts: Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan.
Several years ago, Norman Hollyn and I created a 32-part web series dedicated to the creative process of visual storytelling called “2 Reel Guys.” Learn more about this free series.
Norman was teaching at the USC Film School when we first met. Over that lunch, we decided to combine our skills and create a series of short web videos to help folks learn how to create films. Both of us felt that it wasn’t necessary to attend film school to be a filmmaker. But you DID need to know how the story-telling process itself worked.
Our goal was not to focus on technology, but story-telling. Written by Norman, hosted by Norman and myself and illustrated by the “2 Reel Guys Players,” we created the following episodes:
It All Starts With Story
Controlling Where The Eye Looks
What Directors Do That Drive Actors Crazy
Organization and Planning During Pre-Production
Collaboration
Directing Actors
Don’t Be a Victim of Hit-and-Run Lighting
Editing is Storytelling (Bad Master)
Audio is More Important than Picture
Planning Shots and Coverage
Costumes and Wardrobe
Use Color to Guide Emotions
Camera Position and Framing (bad export)
Dealing with Dancers
Solving Production Problems
Editing for Pacing
Adding Music to a Scene
Documentaries
Sound Design
Communicating With the Crew
Comedy
Directing Actors
Communication
Music Video
Good Characters
Location
Staging a Fight
Casting
Lighting
Emotional Turns
Script
Wedding Videos
Each show runs about ten minutes. Though technology marches on, telling stories remains the same from year to year.
If you haven’t visited this site, it’s well-worth your time.
https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2020-12-18 01:30:002020-12-18 01:30:00Tip #1248: The Creative Process of Filmmaking
Foils are used to enhance our perception of a character.
Sherlock (image courtesy of PBS).
This article, written by Alejandro Medellin, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.
A foil character is a simple, yet effective, literary device that uses two opposite characters’ juxtaposition to showcase their differences. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term “foil” came about in the 1500s, and is based on the technique of placing a thin metal sheet, or foil, behind a gem to make it shine.
A foil character can be any character in a film that’s similar to another character, while also being different. Typically, however, foil characters exist to challenge or oppose the main character (or protagonist) of a story. A good foil character highlights the good and bad in their counterpart, shining a light on the foiled character’s personality without spelling it out.
A foil character and an antagonist are not mutually exclusive, but not every foil is an antagonist and vice-versa. An antagonist’s sole purpose in the story is to oppose the protagonist and their actions. Foils are similar, which is why there’s such confusion, but foils aren’t inherently against the protagonist. Instead, they serve as an opposite to contrast the protagonist.
A foil character’s primary role is to bring the character being foiled into sharper focus. By simply existing in the story and taking a different approach to a situation, a foil character can carry the narrative of the opposing character. Whether they do something or don’t, how the foil character reacts in contrast to their counterpart is a useful tool in character development and storytelling.
EXTRA CREDIT
The article provides more detailed analysis of foil characters in:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Harry Potter
Iron Man & Captain America
Sherlock
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2020-12-18 01:30:002020-12-18 01:30:00Tip #1249: Use a Foil to Enhance a Character
Patience is the watch-word when working on low-budget films.
Alone, starring Stephanie Barkley. (Courtesy of NoFilmSchool.com)
This article, written by William Hellmuth, first appeared in NoFilmSchool.com. This is a summary.
NOTE: This article – “Essential Tips for Filming Indie Sci-fi on a Tight Budget” – focuses on a sci-fi film. However, these tips apply to just about any low-budget film.
We only had $6,000 to produce a movie that was set almost entirely in outer space, with substantial production design and VFX challenges attached to it. In the end, we not only made our film, but we also got it distributed by Dust.
There’s a saying I’ve heard over and over: “Good, fast, cheap. Pick two.” I knew I needed Alone to be good and cheap. That meant I couldn’t have it fast. Since we didn’t have a lot of money, we had to wait until we could find the right designer and the right star, at the right price. It took almost a year before that happened.
I am terrible at VFX. I’ve seen a lot of sci-fi films get stuck in post-production hell because the director bit off more than they could chew. To avoid that, I wanted to capture as many VFX shots in-camera as possible.
No matter where you’re at in your career, you always have a certain amount of social capital. You’re always better off working with people who want to be in the trenches with you, and the best way to do that is to make sure they know and trust you.
Above all, when you’re working with a shoestring-budget project, be patient. Try not to hover on specific deadlines, because if you want something good and cheap, it won’t come fast.
EXTRA CREDIT
The article, linked above, has a trailer, more details and images from the production.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2020-12-18 01:30:002020-12-18 01:30:00Tip #1252: Essential Tips for an Indie Film
An insert shot provides detail or information to move a story forward.
(Image courtesy of “The Imitation Game.”)
This article, written by Jourdan Aldredge, first appeared in PremiumBeat.com. This is a summary.
An insert shot is not, necessarily, a close-up. Screenwriting.io defines the insert shot as “…a shot — often a close-up — that focuses on a specific detail.” It’s the “detail” focus that makes inserts so powerful. While inserts might seem simple and self-explanatory, they are actually one of the oldest tricks in the book to help you tell a story in your films or videos.
In more practical filmmaking terms, insert shots—sometimes also called cutaway shots—are all the shots you include to add additional visual information that helps with your cinematic storytelling needs. These are often closeups displaying specific information such as headlines of newspapers, items, weapons, or other small articles like door handles.
However, technically speaking, insert shots aren’t all close-ups. They can include any number of shot styles or techniques across all of the standard shot types. The key element is that they’re edited, or “inserted,” into a scene to help provide further thematic clarity.
The article includes four videos that illustrate different ways to shoot and use insert shots, along with links for more information.
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https://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpg00Larry Jordanhttps://www.theinsidetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tips-Logo-700x150.jpgLarry Jordan2020-12-11 01:30:002020-12-11 01:30:00Tip #1230: How to Use Insert Shots Effectively
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