Tips in Choosing An Agency

You have decided to enter the fashion or entertainment industry. You have the required training and you now are looking for opportunities to be visible. The best way for you to go is to register with an agency. Many people are trying to get into the fashion or the entertainment industry. This has caused the creation of many substandard and fake agencies that will take your money and promise you stardom but give you nothing. Here are a few tips on how to avoid such kind of agencies.

1. Know yourself

This will go a long way into letting you know which type of agency to choose. Some of the questions to be asked are like which type of model are you? Which particular industry, are you interested in joining? What are your career goals? If what you want is to take part in TV commercials, you will need an agency that is well-known for its placements in auditions for modeling and acting fields. You should know your goals. Some companies have standing agreements with some agencies and if you want to end up working for them, you may have to be signed up with one of these agencies.

You should also know your availability. If you want to work locally, a local agency will do but if you want to work internationally, you will need an agency that has a wider base and that has been in the industry for longer. Only submit to agencies that will get you to where you want to go.

2. Get a manager

It is not easy to get attention from a reputable agency. However to have someone who can take care of ensuring that you have a chance to get noticed by one of them will help. A good manager will have his ear to the ground and will know what the agencies are looking for and where and when they will need someone of your talent. A manager is also more likely to get you entered into auditions for models or commercials or even a musical than you are if you are doing it yourself.

3. Apply to more than one

As the saying goes, do not put all eggs in one basket. Signing up with an agency does not mean you will be selected for jobs or even get an opportunity. Sign up with as many as you can and maintain contact with many more. It is better to have several agencies interested in you than signing up with only one that does not give you anything.

Making Movies and Film Investors

There are extremely talented potential filmmakers out there that never make a movie because they just can't bring themselves to take the leap of faith. Saying yes to making a movie starts with an attitude that regardless if your movie is entertaining or terrible at least you give it an honest go to see if you got the fire in you to make movies.

In the world of making of movies, especially at the indie film level, there are zero guarantees that every aspiring filmmaker that sets out to go from screenplay to distributed movie will make it to the end. Making movies is risky creatively and financially. Sometimes a movie falls apart during pre-production, filming or in post-production for lots of different reasons.

Making a movie to me is like gambling. You try your best as a filmmaker to tilt the odds in your favor as much as possible so you can win. Professional gamblers make educated bets and so should filmmakers. The one thing that successful gamblers and filmmakers need is the attitude that they are going to go all in on their movie making risk.

Saying yes to making a movie is really putting your ass out there creatively and financially. Many indie films are funded through family, friends, online movie crowd funding or your own cash. I'm still on the fence if it's harder to say yes to making a movie with money from family and friends and your own pocket or to deal with film investors.

Honestly, using online movie crowd funding to me is risk free filmmaking. The people that donate aren't giving you money expecting to ever see anything back or get a return on investment. It's like gambling with a bankroll that's free. When I donate money to the people that set up shop outside of stores I don't expect anything back when I put money in the box or bucket.

It's like lending money to that one relative or friend that you know will never be able to pay it back, but you like them and still want to help them out without holding it over their head.

When you use money from family, friends, your own money or film investors cash there is a much stronger sense to get the movie done in my opinion. No filmmaker wants to face family, friends or film investors and say they couldn't finish the movie. Friends and family are always forgiving in the end, but you'll still feel an emotional letdown if you can't deliver a finished movie like you told them you would.

Film investors are not forgiving and will cut you off from future film funds. They can write off the loss, but your reputation will take a hit and you'll lose out on them investing in your movies in the future. Finding money to make movies is harder than making the movie. Without film financing you only have a screenplay and a movie making dream keeping you company.

I always like to try to put out the brutal honesty first before getting to the feel good part of things. The great thing about saying yes to making a movie is you're moving from being one of the people that only talks about making movies and never does it.

When you're not even in the game you can't win or lose. You sit on the creative sidelines as a spectator thinking "woulda, coulda, shoulda" about your movie making passion. When you mentally commit to taking the creative leap of faith you'll feel a rush of genuine excitement. That's living!

You're movie making fire is now lit and you're ready to roll. You're no longer going to be a talented potential filmmaker. You will be a filmmaker doer. Each movie project is different, but here are few thoughts that might help sharpen you're movie production. This isn't for aspiring filmmakers that want to write a screenplay that needs a million dollar budget.

Thoughts on Making Movies

First, think of your marketing and distribution plan before writing the screenplay. This gives you the chance to think of movie product placement and other marketing avenues you can write into the screenplay to boost earning potential.

Second, before writing a screenplay think about the film budget you will need and where you plan on getting that money. Indie filmmakers are masters at writing screenplays based on what their resources are.

I know it sounds like the craft of screenwriting should come first, but for a first time indie filmmaker it's important to understand making movies is a business. You need to be able to exploit, yes exploit, as many marketing and product placement opportunities as possible.

Family and friends will invest in you because of your relationship, but still respect their hard earned money like you would if they were film investors you didn't know. Avoid being sloppy with paperwork. Give them the same kind of investor package you would if you were pitching to a film investor that wanted a return on investment.

Make sure the locked screenplay is tight as possible before spending one dollar of film investor money. A screenplay that is overwritten and packed with fluff will burn through production money fast.

During filming don't take the approach studio budget movies do. You're not going to be able to have 20 takes of scene to get it right. There's not enough money in an indie film budget to shoot it with a Hollywood filmmaker mentality.

You're really have to get in there on set and kickass on scenes. Not every take you're going to love or even like, but it's a time issue when shooting indie films. You have to be able to accept you're not going to have the luxury of doing take after take.

When a scene is covered move on and don't look back even if it didn't turn out how you envisioned. Being take happy during filming will lead to you running out of money and having an unfinished film that will need finishing funds to complete.

Tackle post-production with the same attitude you did on set to get the movie done.

Film investors will ride your ass unlike family or friends when it comes to when the movie will be done, sold and their money paid. Don't get shaken or take it personally. The business world is not warm and fuzzy full of hugs and kisses.

Making Choices Between Books and Acting Careers

Your teenager is not an adult yet, and is not a child either. We all know how moody and temperamental they may get. This is also the age where they want to find themselves or establish themselves. It is also the most rebellious stage your child will go through. If your child is thinking of joining the entertainment of fashion industry, this stage might be a challenge to go through. It is also the time that both of you will have to make decision that will influence your child's life.

So if your child is called for a breakthrough career singing auditions for teenagers that will be held on the same day as the SAT tests, which one will be pushed to the background? Here are 2 important things to consider before you make that choice.

1. Nothing is written in stone, but some rules are in indelible ink

The entertainment world is dynamic but so is the academic world. Most modeling agencies will take models that are below 25 years old. Will this be too late to go back to school? Some test come periodically and can still be taken on the next season. Going for auditions may not mean that you have landed the part and this needs to be taken into consideration. Some opportunities come once in a lifetime while others have to be created.

Before trying to choose whether your child will sit the test and not the audition try to see if one of them can be moved to a later date.

2. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy, but all play an no work makes him irrelevant

The choice between rehearsing for auditions for teenagers and studying for an important exam is a choice that will have to be made daily. Most agencies will make considerations when your child is in school and will get work for him during weekends and on holidays, but when nearing the examinations this schedule may need to be adjusted. Your child may also need a social life and may need some weekends and holidays left free for family and friends.

There is always the choice of home schooling if the schedule becomes too demanding. It is up to you as a parent to help your child maintain a balance and make good choices. Make sure that your child understands that the minor decisions that they make now will in the future affect them. Graduating 3 years later than normal may reflect wrongly in a job interview in the future but if the plan is to stay active in the entertainment industry, this may not matter.

Planning A Wedding Shoot

Planning a wedding shoot is the most important part of creating a superior wedding film. Every venue is different, every bride is different. It is extremely important to get to know everything you can about the bride and groom at least a month before the event date. One of the things that I do is to provide a detailed questionnaire to the bride about 30 days before the wedding. This gives me all of the information that I will need to effectively shoot good video clips on the day of the event.

Here is a sample of my questionnaire:

Brides Name Grooms Name Rehearsal Dinner Date and Time Wedding Date and Time Phone number the bride can be reached at before and after the wedding Emergency contact person Emergency contact person name and number on day of wedding Ceremony location with phone number Ceremony coordinator name and phone number Reception venue name phone number and contact person Photographer name and phone number Caterer name and phone number Florist name and phone number DJ or Band name and phone number Some pre-ceremony questions would include the following:

Will the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony? If you are seeing each other before the ceremony, do you want this moment filmed? What time do you want us to start filming on your wedding day? Where will the bride be getting ready on the wedding day? Do you want us to film you and your bridesmaids getting ready? If yes, what time should we be there? Where will the groom be getting ready on the wedding day? How long does it take to get to the ceremony from where the bride and groom and getting ready? Are there any particular activities that you want captured before the wedding begins? Questions about the ceremony would include the following:

Is the ceremony inside or outside? What denomination is the ceremony? Is it OK to place a wireless mic on the lapel of the groom during the ceremony? Tell us about any activities that may take place during the ceremony. Are you reading / writing your own vows? Will there be a unity candle, full mass, sand pouring, or anything else we should be aware of? Tell us about any guidelines or restrictions at the ceremony location. How long is the ceremony scheduled to be? Will there be scripture readings? Any soloists? Any musicians? If yes, how many and what instruments? Will there be a photography session after the ceremony? Would you allow us to create some fun shots of the bride and groom at the photo shoot? Would you make sure that we have 10 to 15 minutes either before or after the photo shoot for this? Questions about the reception would include the following:

How long does it take to travel from the ceremony to the reception? Is the reception inside or outside? Number of guests? When is the reception scheduled to end? Is the meal buffet or sit-down? Are there arrangements made for us to eat? Are you having a band or DJ? Is there anyone in particular that we need to film? If so who? Are you planning a formal exit in front of all the guests? If so, please give us details. List any unique activities that you want filmed. Are there any family politics that we should be aware of or careful around? What is the dress for the wedding? There are a number of other questions that can also be asked but these are the main ones that I focus on in order to be fully prepared for the day of the shoot.

So You Want To Be A Filmmaker

Film can be a very powerful medium, it combines both audio and visual, to tell a story. Watching movies can provide escape as well as excitement, while making a film yourself can be challenging, exciting and magical. Films have the power to affect emotions, they can make you see things from a different perspective, and discover new ideas, or simply create escape or fantasy. Film can make you laugh or cry and each film should have a purpose, whether it is to entertain or inform.

The important thing to remember about making a successful film is simple, it should tell a story.The best way to tell a story is with pictures. Film-making when broken into the components, is visual storytelling, in the shots that make up the scenes, and the scenes put together, make up the complete film.

There are so many different types of film and each serves it purpose.

Studio films are backed by film studios and usually have a hefty budget, averaging $70 million and as high as $300 million. Usually a major star will be featured. On the other end of the spectrum, are the independent films, which are often low-budget, because the money is raised by the filmmaker, without studio financing. Somewhere in between, there are independent divisions of the studio which is really a boutique, operating on smaller budgets but with backing of the studio.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types. As an independent filmmaker, you have total control, and your film can be created exactly as you envision it, however you have no operating budget. A studio picture, with larger financial backing, and highly paid actors is determined by the studio for the best commercial success and creativity normally takes a back seat.

Your movie can be shot in many different formats. Filmmakers appreciate that the medium on which the story is set can elicit different audience reactions.Multiple choices include analog or digital video or high definition. The choice of film camera can go from super-8 which is an affordable format for beginners to 16mm which produces picture quality that may be adequate for television, or with studio production of 35mm motion picture quality, which is used for most television and feature films.

High definition usher in a new experience, with much sharper pictures, and in some instances it may seem closer to being live.

Great films are seldom made without a good story, and choosing the right material can be more important than anything else.Good ideas for films can come from almost anywhere, once allowed to germinate and blossom, a once nascent idea can develop into a full blown screenplay.

How to Maximize On Modeling Opportunities

Modeling is viewed as a glamorous career where persons from all ages audition with the hope of making a name and gaining a spot for themselves in the modeling industry. The modeling opportunities are many including the fact that models are exposed to many skills including proper posture, poise and communication skills, which apply well to other careers.

There are also many rewards associated with becoming a model. This includes an opportunity for receiving things free like professional photographs, invitation to parties and tickets to events. Whether you are modeling on a part-time or on a full-time basis exposure is by far one of the benefits attributed to becoming a model. You gain recognition and popularity through TV spots or photographs. Traveling is by far one of the largest perquisites generated by models.

You secure projects that allow you to travel both domestically and internationally. The company can also give you travelling allowance while working. You also get an opportunity to receive thousands of dollars. The most famous models available in the industry undergo modeling auditions. The modeling community demand different talents and ability. This is more than having great pictures. Models auditions look for other important aspects including charisma and learning ways of becoming impressive.

There is a lot of advice that needs to be taken into consideration. First, you need to be precise. Having a realistic liking for modeling, for performing scenes and making art works is imperative. Therefore, you should avoid doing the job only for commercial reasons. Modeling should be performed out of love while the benefits derived thereof should appear second. You should effectively model dresses real people use and beauty products applied by real people. You should be in position of modeling dresses worn by all sizes and figures.

At the time of the audition, it is advisable to select the perfect outfit. Never over dress and neither should you under dress. Find out what the photo shoot entails and select a dress that complements your body figure. You might need to find out the trends already available in the market. You might need to follow-up a reality show and modeling events to obtain information about what you need to do. Read the publications and learn the variety of outfits and styles that have the capacity of complementing your appearance.

Prior to the audition it is important to investigate whether the concept is about glamour modeling, high fashion, petite modeling, body part modeling, teen modeling, plus size modeling, mature modeling and real people modeling. You need to find out beforehand whether you meet the criteria or not to avoid wasting time.

Careers in Sound Design

Recording careers don't only involve working with temperamental divas and disorganized rock bands. The skills and knowledge required in the recording industry can lead to numerous career opportunities in Sound Design and Production.

Sound Designers are most usually employed in the film and television industry, where they provide sounds to accompany screen action. The work they produce is essential to the filmmaking process, as sound elements give film a sense of location or period, or a particular mood. These elements can be any sort of recorded sound, from field recordings to music and special effects. There is, as you can imagine, quite a bit of versatility required, as designers can work alone to produce entire soundtracks and effects, or in a team involving a production mixer, sound supervisor, editor and director. People in this line of work, therefore, must be good communicators, and willing to accept direction and work with others. They must also have a thorough understanding of acoustics and both analog and digital recording and editing equipment and techniques.

In film and TV production, sound effects are added during the editing process. This means that most sound designers have to be experienced sound editors, comfortable with the editing process, software and equipment.

Sound design, however, is not limited to just television and film productions. With numerous media platforms now competing with movie and TV screens, including the Internet, advertising and computer games, the demand for quality, high-trained sound designers is at an all-time high.

Sound designers may be employed by a host of production and media companies, however, many work on a freelance basis, with their own audio workstations and recording equipment. This flexibility gives the opportunity to work on a number of different projects, across a variety of different platforms and formats.

As you can see, now is a great time to start a sound design career training program. The best training programs offer a mix of classroom theoretical instruction and hands-on practical training. Graduates from these programs are highly sought after in the industry, as this varied training approach has numerous benefits: it introduces students to the essentials of the profession, providing an overview of the skills and techniques needed to create recorded sounds, music and special effects; while also providing a golden opportunity to gain experience and confidence with the necessary tools and software needed in the trade.

Get started with a sound design training program today.

Contact the Trebas Institute for more information on their Sound Design and Production program.

How To Explore Your Talent And Make It To Stardom

Talent is a combination of strength and potential, and by fully exploring it, there is a high chance of perfecting the skills. There are a lot of people who want to become famous, but they are not sure on how to start the stardom journey. Because of this, you will notice that there are various organizations which are in a position to help you discover what you are good at. Through these firms, it is possible to know where you can go and put your talent into use.

Most of the filming industries are always looking for fresh talents. Because of this, you do not need to sit back and hold on to what you are good at. Start applying and going for auditions, and during this process, find a place where you can go for training and polish your skills. By doing so, there is a high chance that the judges at the auditions will be impressed by what you can do and this may your first step to stardom.

When you hear people talking about talent, it does not stop at acting or singing. Drawing, writing and poetry writing can also be classified as talents. You need to ensure that you can come up with something exceptional to make the talent that you have to be outstanding. The more you do what you are good at, the better you will become at it. For this reason, practice as much as you can, and by the end of the day, you will be in a position to make your talent outstanding.

There are some agencies which are looking for talented people online. After fully exploring your talent and being sure that you can make an outstanding performance, you can start contacting some of the agents. There are online application forms that you will fill and send them back to the agents. Always ensure that you go through the agent's profile and have assurance that they are not a scam before filling any form.

Some of these agents always say what they want, and this makes it easier to know where to apply. There are some who are looking for writers, singers and dancers. Once you find one who is searching for the talent you have, you should fill in the application form immediately. When waiting to be called for an audition, participate in some of the local talent shows as this will help in building your experience and you will also gain more knowledge.

How to Create Your Own TV Show

In this article I will be discussing the steps and a few challenges you will face in creating your very own TV show. Before you begin there will be a few things you will need. First you will need a video camera of course; you will also need a computer with video editing software installed. Next you will need to find your casts for the TV show and you will also need a crew to help with your filming.

You will need to select what type of genre your TV will fall under then you will need to write a synopsis describing the content of your TV show. You need to make sure your TV shows meaning and goals are clear. Try to make your idea good enough to be able to film multiple seasons if necessary. Once you have your shows meaning and goals established it is a great idea to get your film protected, you can get protection by searching out an outline registry for your TV show concept that will prevent your film from being copyrighted.

You will need to have a casting call to select your characters for your first episode also known as the "pilot episode". Next you will need to write your guidelines for your show, this is known as "the bible" this will describe in detail the content for each episode throughout your shows season. You will need to do this several times, doing this will increase not only your shows popularity but also its value as well.

It can be a very smart idea to partner with a producer who already has experience. They are likely to have resources to help you with filming your TV show. You can also sell your pilot episode to any production network or company and they will create their own production units. Keep in mind you do not need to hire a producer you can keep your film for yourself to broadcast.

Now you can be your own agent and producer but it's not a bad idea to fill these roles by hiring professionals as to this is their job and they know what they're doing. So unless you already have experience in this field this will be of much help when finalizing your film. Once your show is complete submit your TV series in contests and festivals, this can be a great way to expose your film. Remember to have fun and be creative.

Film Theory and Silent Film

As a student in film school, one of the most popular subjects was film theory, which is an analytic study of film as a language. Film theory has many different forms to its approach over the years, yet I've always found the more experiential style to be most rewarding.

In film school, I had to read all the classics, including Bazin's What is Cinema?, Eisenstein's Film Form and Film Sense and Hitchcock/Truffaut, the definitive series of interviews between filmmakers Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut. These books and the numerous films I had a chance to see, gave me great insight as to how films are made and what filmmakers are actually trying to convey.

It's not entirely easy to break down a film's many levels. In some cases you have to watch a film several times to get the gist of what's being expressed. Much of the technique focuses on lighting, composition and especially editing. In my film theory classes, we'd watch a film and then a specific scene would be shown on an analytic projector. For example, my professor spent almost an hour breaking down each individual shot of the shower scene in Psycho, so that we could understand the impact of rapid cuts and short shots and how they comprise a gripping sequence that 50 years later is still studied so meticulously.

Some film schools incorporate a form of anthropology and psychoanalysis in their film theory, which wasn't what I was exposed to. Instead, it was more about the film itself and the use of technique to create mood and feeling. It also provided a great opportunity to see films that I had never had a chance to see before, including the work of Stan Brakhage, Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Rivette, Jean Cocteau, and Dziga Vertov among many others.

This kind of experience was very beneficial to my film school education, as it influenced my approach to filmmaking. Much of this derives from narrative theory, yet in film, the use of images alone can tell a story, for example the early silent films, some of which used intertitles to show dialog.

Silent films are important to a film school education and in film theory as well. Until the advent of sound, all there was were silent films. Yet where some students may find silent films dry and boring, there's a wealth of cinematic knowledge contained therein to explore.

There were many films in the silent era that didn't use intertitles and were equally successful in creating mood and in telling a story, such as Dimitri Kirsanoff's Menilmontant (1926) in which a brutal axe murder occurs in the film's opening minutes. There's no blood, no severed limbs, just a quick succession of shots that are tightly assembled to create a sense of terror. And also F.W. Murnau's The Last Laugh (1924), which tells the melodramatic tale of a beloved hotel doorman who is demoted to a washroom attendant, again without the use of any intertitles. Most of Murnau's films including his take on the Dracula legend, Nosferatu (1922), were some of the most impressive silent films ever made in terms of their use of expressionist elements, which unlike many silent films, haven't aged at all.

Most film schools and especially film theory can provide a greater understanding of silent films and how they tell a story. Sometimes the silent can be a bit daunting to sit through, but they make for a rewarding experience and are crucial to any film education.

How to Make Movies on Your Windows Computer

In this article I will explain a few simple steps to creating a movie on your Windows XP computer. Before you begin you will need any basic webcam and this can be purchased from any Wal-Mart. You will also need to download Windows Movie Maker which is a video/editing software application for Windows.

OK so once you're finished downloading Windows Movie Maker just play around with the functions and try to get a little understanding of your tools. You will also want to get familiar with your webcam if you are not already. Learn all your functions that your webcam has, so it would be a good idea to read the manual before beginning.

Now that you have some basic info with your software click the task option in your toolbar until it says capture video. Make sure your camera is in webcam mode and then attach it to your computer using a USB which should be included with your camera when purchased.

Next you will click capture video then click next. Here you will enter a title for your scenes. After this you will want to select Best Quality for Playback on my Computer and then click next. Next you will want to position your camera for whatever you are trying to capture and keep in mind you want your clips to be clear and as still as possible. So it's best to have your camera mounted on your screen.

Don't forget to plug-in any microphone devices you may have if you wanted to add any sound to your film. Also any special effects you could add are always a great way to add excitement to your movie as well. Your next step is to begin filming by clicking Start Capture and whenever you're finished with your scenes click Stop Capture. Once you have finished creating your movie on your computer click Finish.

Your next steps will be to drag your clips to the Timeline/Storyboard at the bottom of your screen. If you click on View Video Effects you can adjust the brightness on any of your scenes or add any other effects to your clips. You can also add a movie title, transitions, and end credits.

Once you have finished creating your movie you can email it to your friends or even convert it to a CD-Rom. Remember to have fun and be creative while creating your film because that's what it's all about.

How To Enhance Your Home Movies With Simple Sound Techniques

Foley is the process of capturing realistic sounds with props to replace or enhance existing sounds in film, television, or radio. The technique was introduced around 85 years ago and is named after its originator, Jack Foley.

When a film is recorded, it's usually only actors' voices that are captured. Post-filming, sounds that weren't picked up by the cameras, such as footsteps or a key unlocking a door, are enhanced with Foley, in sync with the recorded footage.

There are three main categories of Foley:

'Feet' involves capturing and syncing the sound of actors' footsteps 'Cloth' deals with the sound of actors' clothing as they move 'Props' refers to other sounds, such as pulling keys out of a pocket. This article covers five simple Foley techniques that are easy to create and record, and will enhance your home movies.

Rain

The sound of rainfall can evoke feelings of sadness, but it can also add to a sense of hope such as rain preceding sunshine breaking out. Recording rainfall may seem easy, but it's quite difficult to do it well; pouring water from a watering can won't be as realistic as it could be. Instead, try the Foley technique of dropping grains of rice onto tin foil. The greater the distance from which you release the grains, the more prominent the sound will be.

Snow

When you think of winter scenes in movies, you think of snow. And you can recreate the sound of walking in it with a simple Foley technique which is ideal for footage you shot around Christmas.

It's important to create the feel of a cold, crisp climate, rather than a grey, sludgy one. Achieving this with actual snow can be very difficult, but there's another white substance that can produce the same effect.

Simply put some flour into a cotton bag and squeeze it in sync with the footsteps in your recorded footage. This creates a crunch, which reflects walking in fresh winter snow.

Heartbeat

The sound of a heartbeat has been used successfully for many years to either create a sense of fear or to build tension. You can achieve the very same effect in your home movies with Foley methods. For example, if you've recorded a relative in a game of sport, the sound of a heartbeat coupled with a close-up just before the deciding kick of the game can greatly enhance tension and anticipation.

And there are a couple of ways you can do this. Either screw up a damp flannel or cloth and sharply stretch it with two hands, or simply press the sides of a large plastic container or bin, in and out.

Footsteps

Movies you've recorded often show someone walking and, depending on the surface, the sound of footsteps will create a sense of reality in the scene.

Your camera or smartphone is unlikely to pick up the sound of those footsteps, but the Foley process makes it easy to reproduce. All you need is a section of wood, marble of whatever the relevant surface is made from, and a pair of suitable shoes.

Put the shoes on your hands or feet and sync the footsteps in time with your footage. Consider the effect you want to create; for example, someone walking on marble in a large room requires an echoed effect to convey the open space.

Ocean

If you've captured footage at the beach, Foley can recreate the sound of the ocean which will greatly enhance your movies. For example, the lilting, soothing sound of waves rippling onto the shore can evoke a relaxing, placid feel.

You can replicate this by pouring a fizzy drink on to a hard surface such as tarmac. Be sure not to pour from too great a height because you don't want to capture the sound of the drink actually hitting the floor. And similarly, don't pour with the bottle held at 180 degrees which only creates an unrealistic glugging sound.

The best use of Foley goes unnoticed by the audience When produced and applied successfully, Foley sounds can add to the atmosphere of a scene, while appearing unmistakably realistic to the audience.

How To Direct Actors

So the word is it can be very difficult working with actors, and that can be true at times. In this article I will explain a few steps that will make the daunting task as fun as it should be. To be a director you need to be very confident in yourself, you will constantly be criticized and you will need to expect this. A few things you will need are a good script and also a hard working and dedicated cast. Once you have your script get feedback from some individuals who work in the same business you can't produce a good movie without a decent script.

OK so you find a legitimate script now you need to fill your characters roles. A huge role is finding actors that are going to take you and your film serious. Everyone will jump at the chance to be in a movie so you need to search for the right candidates. You want someone dedicated to you and your film and you must feel that you can count on them to deliver. Now we can't produce anything without our entire team on the same page so it's your job to bring your crew together and just meet and familiarize everyone with each other. Explain to your team your dreams for this film try to have them envision their roles and how they need to perform to perfect these demands.

You will hold weeks of rehearsal and in this time you will need to make your ideas for each scene very clear for each of your actors. They need to know what you expect from there roles as to how there emotions and characters actions unfold, If your actors aren't on the same page as you this can come out negatively in your scene. Also if you feel a negative vibe or can just tell from the beginning an actor is going to be difficult to work with don't hesitate to replace them. They may bring a crowd by their popularity but there are many more who are jumping for the chance to fill those shoes.

One big issue you will face is time. Directing films doesn't happen over night and you need to make it clear that you expect everyone participating in this film to give everything they have. This will include getting to the studio on time also you need to explain the importance of all your actors remembering their lines in the scripts. Your success as a director lies in the hands of this team you hired so you need to be tough but you must show respect to gain it. One of the most important rules is to just have fun and be the best you can be.

Shooting a Low Budget Masterpiece

When I was in film school, I always wanted to make an epic film. It never really turned out that way, because of budgetary issues. Film is expensive and in some cases you have to pay actors, pay for transportation, food, and cover expenses for your crew.

With digital video more or less taking over the industry, it's become relatively inexpensive to shoot a low budget film. While many take advantage of the technology to create something that looks hip and slick. Some filmmakers go out of their way to make something campy and that has an obvious, low budget look.

One filmmaker who made notoriously low budget films was Ed Wood. His Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) has often been called the worst film ever made. Actually most of his films are pretty bad, but they're now considered cult classics because of this.

In some cases filmmakers don't intentionally go out of their way to make a film that isn't well received; sometimes is just a weird twist of fate. Many low budget films (or B Movies) of the 1950s were box office flops, yet they've achieved a highly regarded status today because of the clumsiness of the filmmaking. That's not to discourage filmmakers from trying their best, but some directors have capitalized on this trend and made films as an intentional homage to the B Movie genre.

One film in particular that stands out is Black Dynamite (2009) an homage to the Blaxploitation genre. The film actually had a very low budget and was shot on 16mm film to give it a washed out look, usually associated with the films of the early 1970s. The film features intentional 'mistakes' such as boom microphones appearing in shots and actors reading stage directions prior to their lines. Also of note is heavily exaggerated cinematography, including racked focus and jittery use of the zoom lens. The film was a critical success.

Some low budget films have turned out to be critical masterpieces, such as David Lynch's Eraserhead, which took 6 years to film and had a shoe string budget, was critically derided when it was released, yet today it's considered one of his finest films. The same can be said of John Waters' Pink Flamingos (1972), which cost about $10,000 to make and George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968), which helped reinvent the zombie genre and was produced on a budget of roughly $115,000.

The best way to make this type of film in film school is to study the bad ones. Get a sense of how they managed to stretch their minuscule budgets and especially study their obvious mistakes. Some film schools may not advise you to go this route, yet there is an audience for them. Everyone finds some sort of inspiration, and while these films are enjoyable to watch, you may not want to venture into this realm at first, yet it can be a rewarding exercise to some degree.

These kinds of parodies can be successful in the long run. It's always fun to experiment in film school; some of my classmates ventured into this genre, which were always well received, because we all knew that they were done as more of an homage. Some film schools may not be entirely in favor of these types of films, yet it's one way to learn about filmmaking and may provide an entry into a profitable genre.

How to Succeed at Singing Auditions

There are renown production firms in the world that offer people with an opportunity to audition. To be part of it, you must be willing and ready to go through the auditions. There are different types of auditions. Some are for actors whilst if you wish to be a singer then singing auditions are for you.

Having the heart to be a singer is not the only factor that you need. You need to practice way before the auditions. In fact, you do not have to wait until they announce the auditions dates. The auditions are done regularly and thus it is best if you stay on your toes and keep practicing.

You can stay on top of your game by engaging in private music lessons. However, this might be an expensive undertaking. Private tutors tend to charge hefty amounts, but at most times the cost are worth it. If you do not have much to spare, then you can join a local music group. Even though this might not be all that compared to private tuition, it is still a great idea since you will get experience.

Other than experience, you also need to know some of the basics that the judges are looking for. There are some music genres that may be interesting to you, but are not favored by the judges. Have a general idea as to what the judges are looking for. At most times, the requirements for the auditions will always be advertised on the local papers and online. You need to keep an eye out for the requirements.

Having a costume to wear at the auditions is a good idea especially if you are to fit into an acting role. For singers, simple wear will just do the trick. You need to stay sharp on the audition day. Like any

Most people who attend auditions think that their good looks and stylish dressing will get them through. However, you have to couple all that with a star look. You need to walk and act your part. Extra skills like playing the guitar or piano among other instruments is always a welcome idea. At the auditions, you should not try to over impress the judges for that may make you sing off-key. Keep to the simple basics and let your unique vocals speak for you.

Make Cool Videos

You might love watching films so now you also wanted to learn how to make one yourself. I wanted to tell you that it's actually easy to make cool videos. Let me show you how.

A long time ago, they keep on saying that you need to go to a film school for you to be able to learn how to make cool videos. Nowadays, you don't have to do that. You can just buy your own equipment and learn how to make cool videos by yourself. Of course you also need to know few theories but you don't have to earn a degree in school for you to learn those things.

Steps on How to Make Cool Videos:

1. Make an interesting content

You need to think of an interesting topic as a content of your video. People will not watch a boring video so you must make it fun and lively. Check out the news and the current things that is going on around. You might be able to pick a topic that you can use as your story.

2. Write your story

Even if you have a good memory, it is still better to write a script for your video. Things have more chance to happen if they are written in a piece of paper. This also makes things organized for you and your production team.

3. Take various shots

During the production, you must take various shots of the scenes. Don't just take one angle and one long shot because that will be boring. You must make a lot of variations to make the video really look great.

It is also good for you to learn the basic types of shot and angles applied in photography. In this way you can apply those things as well in your video shooting.

4. Edit the video well

Video editing is the final touch in the video production. You can use effects to make your video more cool but don't overdo it. It's good to place those effects in the video introduction but minimize them in the body. You must let the audience understand the story you wanted to show so don't distract them with too much video effects.

5. Review the video well

When you're done editing, spend some time to review the video well. Many times you thought you did everything right but once you review it again, you'll realize that you need to fix something. It doesn't hurt giving a bit of your time to evaluate your video well to make it really the way you wanted it to be.

Filming Techniques - How to Position the Camera

Camera placement, angles, directions are all filming techniques, which will determine how individual images are translated to a film shot. Just like you need to sequence words to form a sentence, you need to sequence camera angles and positions for filming a scene.

How you film a shot with your camera, determines what your audience will see. For instance, a close-up shot will concentrate on the item and will show a blurry background. The object in focus magnifies manifold. A close-up helps the audience get in the mind of the character. A close-up of a face is a very intimate shot. It shows us all the expressions of the person.

The extreme close-up shot, on the other hand, magnifies details that we normally won't be able to notice. An extreme-close-up face of an animal's face, for instance, would only show mouth and eyes, and nothing more. This gives a very dramatic effect.

For each scene that you film, you will have to consider the following three pointers: 1. Length of the shot 2. Angle of the shot 3. Camera movement This article will discuss the third pointer that is, how to move your camera according to the requirement of the scenes.

Camera movement There are 4 main types of camera movement which you can use while filming. These are: • Pan shot • Tracking shot • Tilt shot • Hand held/zoom

The pan shot In this shot, the camera moves on a fixed axis, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The camera is placed on a tripod or on the cameraperson's shoulder. The position of the camera does not change during the shot. The object to be focused is in the middle of the frame.

The tracking shot In this shot the position of the camera changes. The camera is moved by means of a dolly, which is a vehicle moving on rails. Complicated scenes may involve a track laid on the set for the camera to move. This shot portrays movement.

The tilt shot This is similar to the pan shot with the difference that the camera moves vertically. The tilt shot can be done with handheld camera or a tripod. When capturing the height of a building, for instance, a tilt shot can be used. However, be careful of any jerky movements.

The handheld shot This delivers a dramatic feel to a shot. It has been used in documentary making. Handheld shots make viewers feel they are part of a scene. This shot is popularly used in recent horror or supernatural films such as 'Paranormal Activity' and 'The Blair Witch Project', which makes the scene more real and believable.

How to Make a Film Practically for Free!

So you're a filmmaker in the making, but don't have the funds to do your first film. You have a script and a basic idea on how to make a movie. Brilliant! You sit down and put together the budget you will need to complete this film from soup to nuts. Then you have a breakdown upon seeing all the money required and decide you should have become a lawyer instead. You could go the route of fund raising; applying for grants, saving your pennies, but this can take up a lot of time with potentially little to no success.

No one wants to hear that you are an aspiring Filmmaker. The fruits of your labor are your calling card and you need to churn them out sooner than later. One option is to attempt to make a film for free-ish. This is a challenge, but not impossible as I have done this myself.

First of all, decide if you are making a short film or feature length film. This is important. You can do this with any length of film. It used to be, that a short film was more of a calling card that rarely had the potential to earn money. Feature films could win awards the same as a short in festivals, but use too have a greater possibility of being considered as a candidate for distribution. Times have changed due to many Internet sites like Spike TV, YouTube and such. It seems, short is the new long, so go with a short film if at all possible. It's easier and potentially more valuable in the end.

Getting the word out about you and your film should start early in the game. Publicity was always important, but now it is more so than before. In our internet-connected world, word of mouth has returned as one of the most important ways to advertise, with the likes of social mediums such as Twitter. People will want to hear the story behind the story. Often it's important to help gain an audience that will be invested in your journey and therefore, curious to see the final product.

The first thing you'll want to do is go ahead and make that budget. Try to bypass the breakdown though. The approach I recommend is to put up a simple fundraising campaign anyway while you organize pre-production. First you want to get fiscally sponsored so that if you are lucky enough to get donations, they will be tax deductible. This is very attractive to people who may think of tossing a quarter into your pot. I recommend FracturedAtlas.org because they make the application process easy. Basically, you apply and pay a monthly membership fee and Voila you have a Fiscal Sponsor. Next go to a fundraising site such as IndieGoGo.com and put your campaign on their site and connect it with Fractured Atlas.

Set up a Facebook page so people can follow the progress of the film. People want to feel that you are exhausting your every moment and resource trying to make your film happen. If you re silent for a month at a time, they will think nothing is happening. You need to make them feel that the project is progressing even during the times you have to pay attention to your day job. A sentence a day can make a world of difference. It can be about any aspect of your filmmaking journey on this project. Including your frustration of having interrupted your flow with other obligations in your life. If the project is on your mind, it should be on your followers mind.

Make sure you post your campaign link out on all your social networking sites and mailing lists. Two things will be accomplished: Publicity for your film and potential donations. Make sure you stress that they can donate as little as a dollar.

Now after that move forward, make your film anyway. If you get some money great, but if you don't your project is still forward motion. Look at the amount of time you calculated for pre-production, production and post-production. Now, whatever the length of time, multiply that by 5. The "Monkey Wrench Fairy" will throw a lot of stuff your way during every step of the journey. Don't fret; this is just the Universe's way of testing your dedication to your craft. By the way, when you calculate a budget, make sure there is a column titled: "Monkey Wrenches". Putting together your team can be tricky when you are not offering money. When writing ads looking for crew, remember people always do projects to get something in return. This is not a bad thing. You are making your film to get something in return. It could be for money or just the experience, but everybody wants something. So make the ad sound valuable, enticing and friendly. You don't need to give away your film plot, but put aspects of the film that could be good for someone's demo reel.

For example, if the film has action scenes or special effects, you want to mention that this film will have these types of scenes that are great reel material! At the end of your ad make sure to list the 'Compensation': "Credit and DVD of Film". This can be good enough. See what bites you get. If you don't get many or any responses, you may have to pad the compensation with barter as well. Don't do this at first, because you don't want to fall into a situation where you owe more time than you can give to multiple people. Follow through is super important, so make sure what you offer in return can be done, even if it's later than sooner. Most people want 1] experience, 2] credit and 3] super important: footage.

You will end up doing some bartering which is actually a good thing in the end. When you offer bartering, mention your skill-set. You have to decide which skills to offer and why. You can offer services that you are adept at and would be able to return the favor at a fast pace. Or, you could offer a skill you would like to develop more, or get demo reel material in return for. Bartering can be a great one hand washing the other experience.

• Casting is the same approach: offer credit and a copy of the film. There are tons of actors who are looking for projects. The most important end result for them is the footage. Often, they experience a lot of Directors who never give them a copy of the film. So, make sure that no matter what, they end up with a copy of the film. If the project tanks and never gets finished, you must still give them their scenes, as those will still be reel material for both of you. Above all your, reputation is important! You don't want to be known as a promise breaker.

A few time savers in the casting process are to look at actor reels and see if they can act in the first place. Although, I must say not every reel does an actor justice. I personally didn't like viewing them because it was more important to see what they could bring to my project. There are many factors that can lead to a not-so-good performance. If you can see people in person, it's better all the way round. Time and experience has helped me to see the real abilities behind a bad performance. If you are just starting out, viewing a reel in advance is possibly a better time/money saver.

Make your project non-union so that you can avoid a lot of complications and expenses. Make sure this status is known in the casting call so you don't have a ton of union actors showing up who otherwise would not have. If Union actors decide to come to your non-union audition and fit a part, you will want to ask them if they have a non-union name to use for your production. There are many actors hampered by their union status, because Union jobs are not always plentiful. Make sure you are both on the same page if you decide to do a call back or cast them.

If you can hold casting somewhere for free that would be the goal. It is not unusual to do casting out of a church basement, apartment or house. Just make sure that you make the actor feels comfortable about the situation. There should ideally be at least one woman on your casting crew and she should greet people as they arrive. Everyone should conduct himself or herself professionally. No beer bottles lying about and off color humor allowed. You want people to take your production seriously and feel safe.

You've got your cast and you're ready to make a movie! Weather can impede a shoot even if your production is all indoors. You might still want to consider shooting during seasons known for nice weather. People can be delayed due to inclement weather or bad weather may decide to crash your outdoor scene. May through October is usually ideal in most of America. Southern states July and August can be a bit overwhelming due to the heat and there could be more power outages due to everybody's air conditioner running. Typically cold; snowy or rainy seasons will cause potential complications too. You have to weigh out your needs, but now worry if you can't have the perfect scenario.

Where are we shooting? Believe it or not, you can get locations for free. State film commissions often have a locations department and some can be very helpful to you. For example, the state of New Jersey encourages filmmakers to use the state as your canvas. Their locations department has lists of places used as film sets and will pass this info along to you for free. The location costs range from big time budget down to free! There are other benefits including 20 percent tax credit program and a waiver of Sales and Use taxes. Make sure to check nearby states and their benefits to your project.

• When it comes to insurance, many filmmakers take the risk of not using it on their project. I'm not saying this is a good idea because it is very risky. But if you go this route you have to make sure all your cast and crew have a waiver clause in their release form so they cannot sue you. Then in turn, you have to think what risks there are for shooting. If you are taking the no insurance risk, you would want to avoid scenes using fire, stunts, weapons, animals, etc. I was once on a shoot in the woods where we discovered there was a high tick population. Quite a few people were bitten and gave their hospital bills to the Director. These things can happen so you have to figure out how to make the safest situation for both you and those working with you.

• Lights, cameras, equipment oh my! When weighing out what is the most important part of the whole process, one could argue that the camera is that part. It is best that you shoot any project in HD so you are not limited if opportunity rings. SD [Standard Definition] is now an old school format that no longer meets broadcast standards. Even the Internet is using HD. The good news is it's easier to get an HD camera; even the cheapest one looks good. Each camera has their own look in some cases, but since you are trying to go as cheap as possible you may have to go with what you can get. Ideally, you want to get DP's who have their own camera if you don't already own your own.

You also require the rest of the necessary equipment so you don't have a dark, silent movie unless of course, that's what you're going for. Make a checklist of equipment required for a shoot: Camera, lights, boom pole, microphone, gels, etc. Schools will often lend you equipment for your projects even for up to a year after you've graduated. If you belong to an actors' union, they have recourses for borrowing as well. Put ads out looking to borrow what you need. It is hard to find a DP who has their own equipment, but they exist. Mention this in your ad. Also, people will do things in return for being "an extra" in your film. Just think outside the box for every aspect.

Just remember though, the most important factor is that you have good content and great performances.

• Food is a very important aspect of production. If the engines of your cast and crew are not fed, they won't run. This may be an area you need to spend money on. You don't have to provide elaborate spreads, but food is important. Put ads out on Craigslist, Mandy.com and ShootingPeople.org and see if you are lucky enough to find a culinary student looking for a catering credit. They may have connections to donated food. You can even ask Mom and Pop deli's if they are willing to donate a lunch for the set in exchange for being listed in the credits and/or on the film website. Often things like Chinese food; pizza; rice and beans can be cheap and feed a lot of people. Try to avoid individual meals as they can add up. Also, make sure you are dishing out the food as people bring up their plates so one person doesn't serve themselves a portion for 12. People can come back for seconds once everyone has had their fair share.

• Let's put all the pieces together! First of all, I strongly recommend you learn to edit. This is a skill that will help you on so many levels especially during your first few films. It will save you a lot of money and help you to think ahead while shooting. Post-production should, in a way start during production. Get editing interns to jump on board and organize footage; do rough edits of scenes, etc. This will help you see if things are working or even missing and it's also a good way to audition editors to help finalize the film if you cannot. Just make sure you set up how YOU want things labeled and organized and always have the work done at your place. Important: don't let footage leave your place. You need to use a system that works for you because if you have to take over at any moment, you don't need to play detective with your post project.

• Your film is done and now we come back to publicity! Keep building a mailing list starting with everyone involved with the film in anyway. If you plan to have a screening, this is where you want to hand out those DVD's of the film that you owe your cast and crew. Encourage everybody to give your project a shout out to people they know. Always make them feel like it's our film and they will spread the word.

The War and Peace of Indie Film Production

I've learned through making movies the war and peace of indie film production can be either creative hell or creative heaven. It is cliché, but it is really all in a person's outlook on indie film production which it will be. Being unrealistic about what type of indie film you can make with a limited movie budget sets an aspiring filmmaker up for creative hell.

I casually know one high strung filmmaker I run into once in a blue moon at a certain bar. The story never changes. They are producing this indie film that is going to be a sweeping epic with a small army of a production crew and short list of rising talented actors for the lead role. I believe in going after your filmmaking dreams, but you also to be realistic.

The reality of their situation is they have a $50,000 budget, a 120 page script, the story is set in the 1940s during WWII and there is lots of on camera gun play. I ran into them a couple of weeks ago and they were in a shitty depressed mood.

They felt like a movie making failure because they couldn't make their indie film production happen. I tried my best to give them some positive words and tried to lift their spirits one indie filmmaker to another, but they were really in the dumps. What I was saying must have sounded like, "blah blah blah."

It wasn't my place to tell them trying to produce a 1940s period set in Italy during WWII on a $50,000 budget had indie film production let down written all over it. They were in creative hell torturing themselves for not being able to make their movie.

There was no point adding more negative gasoline to burning fire by telling them they way over shot their film budget creatively and the film really had no chance of being made.

Having too lofty goals for a film production you're movie budget can't handle is a bad spot for any filmmaker to be in. Misery loves company. In a last ditch effort to show compassion to a fellow filmmaker I told them about my worst indie film production mistakes and let downs.

The terrible time in my own filmmaking life when I totally let stress and worry dominate me during post-production of my first feature film. I had created a creative hell for myself.

Knowing that other people have fallen short of their creative mark did make them feel a little bit better. After talking they told me they were going to make a smaller film with a tighter script shot in the present day. I hope it works out for them.

I personally believe that many of us indie filmmakers sometimes create our own creative hells without knowing it. Making movies is stressful, personality conflicts on sets happen and technical problems are always lurking.

We don't need to let the negative things consume us so much that we fly off the handle over small film production problems, become rude jerks to other people on set or become paralyzed with self-doubt and fear. When you're in creative hell during indie film production the movie will suffer at all levels.

When stress, anger, egos and unrealistic expectations of things being perfect are left to run unchecked many filmmakers lose control of their creative sharpness. Being stressed out, being an unreasonable pile or being unable to adapt to solve production problems have never helped a movie get done.

Sometimes during rough spots during indie film production it's better to take a few minutes to pause and collect yourself before reacting to the situation. There's a lot to be said for the benefits of taking deep breaths and not letting anger or fear dictate your filmmaking decisions.

Being a miserable rude bastard on set playing ruler of the set can work in the Hollywood studio system because people are being lots more than anyone on an indie film production is to take shit, there are people that even work for free on indie films.

People look the other way when A-List actors, directors and producers piss on their below-the-line people because the jobs pay good money and studios make billions from blockbuster hits. Egos and celebrity attitudes are not a good fit for smaller budget indie films.

The wonderful world of indie film production is still truly driven by a feeling of community amongst cast and crew. There is no celebrity politics to play like who has the biggest Hollywood honeywagon and most personal assistants on set.

Mentally beating yourself up during an indie film production does no good and puts you in creative hell where you're not enjoying making a movie. Don't get me wrong.

Making movies is tough business where problems happen and you have to fight through them to finish your film, being able to keep control of your own personal attitude will greatly help you overcome indie film production problems that are a constant when making a movie.

Being a pissed off movie maker throwing a temper tantrum never fixes a problem, it sometimes only makes it worse. No filmmaker is a Buddha that can be calm through everything. We all get pissed off sometimes on set, but the faster you let that anger pass you can get to figuring a workable solution. Calmer heads always prevail.

Relax and deeply breathe as much as you can when you feel anger, fear or stress that is clouding your creative judgment. Even 5 minutes of relaxing guided meditation can help you see the big picture and help you make indie film production calls that save the shooting day or fix a post-production problem. Pissed off never helps any situation get smoothed out.

Creative hell is when you're not enjoying making your movie and you feel like your failing, losing control of the project or are in an angry nasty surly mood all the time. Avoid being that filmmaker. Negativity is bile that will build up inside you doing damage to those around and to yourself.

Creative heaven is when you're able to go with the flow during every stage of production. It doesn't mean you're a push over that doesn't call shots, keep cast and crew on task and move the project forward.

When you're in charge during indie film production try your best to be open minded and flexible when script rewrites have to be done, filming of shots changed and technical problems happen.

There is no such thing as a perfect indie film production. There will always be problems to deal with on and off set. When you're in a good state of mind not clouded by anger, fear or reckless ego you'll be amazed how much easier it is to find solutions to production problems that sometimes even make the movie better at the end.

The wonderful world of indie film production is a creative rush that is exciting because the freedom you have to share your story with movie viewers without studio producers hanging over your shoulder second-guessing every call you make.

Sure, most indie filmmakers, me included, would hope to break into the Hollywood studio system and make big budget movies. That's the filmmaking dream, but for now indie cinema is a creative playground where you can take risks and push the envelope by making movies that show hard-hitting uncensored content studios aren't known for showing.

Embrace the wonderful world of indie film production with a positive and realistic view of what you can accomplish as indie filmmaker working with a limited budget to get your movie done. Filmmaking heaven is when you're enjoying what you're doing and even when problems arise you don't lose control of yourself and let anger, fear and stress dominate you.

Canon Digital Feature Film Making

Thanks to The Canon Company and the digital camcorders and DSLRs there is an underground digital film revolution happening. This revolution began a few years ago when Canon decided to add the 24 frames per second option into most of its mid range consumer camcorders. Later it would at this as a video option in its DSLR and the revolution has caught fire world wide.

There are so many sites and blogs dedicated to DSLR cameras such has the Canon D7, Mark II and the T2I that I thought that I would go old school and focus on the cameras that started the revolution and with a few add-ons can offer nearly the picture quality at a low price point. I will focus largely on the Canon HV series and the feature films that have been made with these little monsters and when the moment demands it I will get into some of the great work being done with the DSLRs.

Let's begin with why should a low budget film maker consider these cameras. I would say in response that a low budget film maker should not and by low budget I mean if you have fifty thousand dollars or more to spend then you should consider using the Canon Mark II or the Red or a number of the Panasonic pro-sumer camcorders if you want to make a feature film. If you have fifty thousand or more why not go 16mm film. The film cameras are cheap and if you know what you are doing with them then go right ahead. The truth is that I am not here for the low budget film maker. I am here for those who are called ultra low budget or no budget film makers. You fall into this category if you have less than ten thousand dollars to spend on your first feature.

Allow me to describe you. You or a close friend have written the screenplay for your movie. You will be doing this project with the help of friends and family who will work behind the scenes for no pay. You will be shooting on nights and weekends and at locations that you can get for free or get in and out of without being caught filming there. Your actors will be paid little to nothing up front. You will be looking to get the best production value out of the least amount of money spent possible.

In other words you are a lot like me.

You are only willing to pay for what is absolutely unavoidable. The three area where you are going to have to spend money are:

Sound, if your audience can not hear the movie then you are doomed. Viewers will give up on your project the third or fourth time they have to mutter what did he just say? Huh, What was that?

Editing, you may be able to use a free program, but you will need a computer strong enough and quick enough to edit and hopefully do some sound mixing on. If you have such a computer cool, you just saved money.

Camera, you need something that shoots in HD digital and shoots at 24p. Why 24p? That is the industry standard. This is the frame rate that gives you that motion picture look. You are going to have to spend some money on your camera. Money on the lenses and in most cases on a depth of field adapter.

The cameras are why we are here and let us talk about what to do and not to do. Get the best camera at the lowest possible price that will get the job done. Do not blow half of your production budget on your awesome new camera. It will feel wonderful to have that expensive camera and muse about all the things that it is able to do until it is day 12 of shooting and you have no money to feed your cast and crew. You have no money left for transportation, (gas money) and you have just realized that you should have set aside at least a third of your budget for post production cost. Treat your camera like the tool that it is.