Learning about making a good film.

[Helenimi]

Hello everyone!
Im a wannabe Filmmaker but I know nothing about filmmaking. I would like to go to a film school but too bad that in my country theres no film school!.
So I decided to learn what I need to learn to make good films that everyone would like to watch ONLINE or by reading BOOKS...
But... WHERE SHOULD I START WITH?
I know theres so many things to learn like the light, the angles, and all those things...
Can someone tells me what should I learn first?
Im A hv40s Owner xD...

[omnibozo]

Hi! With a request like that you will get a million responses here... half of them will be mean guys yelling at you for asking a question like that... and half of them will be genuinely helpful answers. Ignore the mean guys (and yes, they are almost all guys) and listen to the useful answers. The internet is full of information on film making. Youtube has thousands of useful short videos. Amazon.com is full of cheap used books and dvds on film making. Buy or rent only dvds of movies that include director's commentary... play those movies over and over and pay attention to what they say. Find a video production business in Panama (there must be lots of them) and offer to help out in exchange for lessons. You already have a great camera... make some movies!

[Helenimi]

Hi! With a request like that you will get a million responses here... half of them will be mean guys yelling at you for asking a question like that... and half of them will be genuinely helpful answers. Ignore the mean guys (and yes, they are almost all guys) and listen to the useful answers. The internet is full of information on film making. Youtube has thousands of useful short videos. Amazon.com is full of cheap used books and dvds on film making. Buy or rent only dvds of movies that include director's commentary... play those movies over and over and pay attention to what they say. Find a video production business in Panama (there must be lots of them) and offer to help out in exchange for lessons. You already have a great camera... make some movies!

Ok thank you for the advice >D I asked the question cuz I dont want to learn a little about light then switch to these and that and those... I want to concentrate in the most important thing first xD...
I dont know if you guys understand me... cuz my English is ~~~... xD...

Sorry for my English xD!

[Seo]

Mean guys yelling at you? What? Since when did that take up 50% of this forum? Under that veil of a-holeness there's the kind and caring guy who wants to help. They just do it in their own way. :p

Most important thing? Your screenplay. Learn how to write effectively. Then buy the DV Rebels Guide. In there you'll know what to learn next (audio, lighting, composition, post processing, editing, organization, etc.). If you want the real deal, it's too much for someone to do alone (IMO), so you'll need a team (or at least a partner). There are soooooo many things to learn, and the technical details can get pretty complicated.

[Bif]

Another excellent resource is videomaker.com, the website maintained by the same folks who put out "Videomaker" magazine. They have some instructional DVD's that cover various topics and are quite reasonably priced.

In addition, on that site, are a series of viewable instructional videos, kind of like a video version of articles you would expect to find in that magazine.

Good luck to you, you can do it.

[Helenimi]

Then buy the DV Rebels Guide.

Thank You for helping me :D!!!... Can I find that book in a BOOK STORE or I have to buy it ONLINE?

[Helenimi]

Another excellent resource is videomaker.com, the website maintained by the same folks who put out "Videomaker" magazine. They have some instructional DVD's that cover various topics and are quite reasonably priced.

In addition, on that site, are a series of viewable instructional videos, kind of like a video version of articles you would expect to find in that magazine.

Good luck to you, you can do it.

Yeah, I watched a lot of their videos and it helped me alot :D Im going to see if I can buy one of their magazine to see how good it's xD...

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

screenplay . period

the most underestimated value and YET NOTHING CAN BEGIN WITHOUT it..

seriously, no production, no director, no actors can be cast without a screenplay

CHEERS!

[kellar42]

Hey Helenimi...didn't know there were other users from Panama on here.

I don't know if there are 'lots of video production businesses' down here, but there are some around...

Have you seen Chance, yet? Pretty impressive feature to come out of Panama, shot on a local RED. I don't know if those guys at Apertura would be interested in some kind of training or intern program.

Like these folks are saying, there is an enormous wealth of knowledge on the internet, and you can order some great books on the subject as well.

Panama has such incredible locations and people, I'd say experimenting with your Hv40 would be a big first step.

Are you on facebook? PM me or something, I'm friends with a couple of the local producers/directors.

[cgbier]

What genre? Write a script about something you like and have a clue off. Learn how to use your camera and how to light a scene. Learn to understand editing (which is IMHO a big part of storytelling). Find people with the same interests and work with them.

Grab a cam and shoot something.

[Helenimi]

Hey Helenimi...didn't know there were other users from Panama on here.

I don't know if there are 'lots of video production businesses' down here, but there are some around...

Have you seen Chance, yet? Pretty impressive feature to come out of Panama, shot on a local RED. I don't know if those guys at Apertura would be interested in some kind of training or intern program.

Like these folks are saying, there is an enormous wealth of knowledge on the internet, and you can order some great books on the subject as well.

Panama has such incredible locations and people, I'd say experimenting with your Hv40 would be a big first step.

Are you on facebook? PM me or something, I'm friends with a couple of the local producers/directors.

o.O I thought I was the only Panamenian here xD...! Then you must speak Spanish? xD... Sip si tngo facebook... tu has estudiado algo de cine?? la verdd kisiera preguntar kienes dan clases de filmmaking pro cmo no los conosco... no se cmo preguntar...

[Seo]

Thank You for helping me :D!!!... Can I find that book in a BOOK STORE or I have to buy it ONLINE?

Both.

[antman]

Download Celtx, it's a free screenwriters software. I prefer it over any other. Then write a story. I would do at least five to ten shorts before you try a feature. By the time your on your nineth short, you will have gained the knowledge to start a feature film, and have probably got to be a good filmmaker accross the board.

Second, a team is crucial, I have found a good small team to be better than a big team. (at least for low budget featutres) Obviously if you have a budget, you can get some good help.

Equiptment is crucial. Your either gonna need to buy or rent, I buy all my gear, this way I don't have deadlines to worry about. And you learn more about each piece your using and how to repair it when it broken.

Although im not to sure what you want to do as far as jobs go, I would learn a bit from every job on set. As a director, you need to be able to communicate to everyone and should have basic knowledge of their job, everything from, shooting, make up, hair, gripping, gaffing, and most importantly , acting. missed a few in there , but you get the point.

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

Download Celtx, it's a free screenwriters software. I prefer it over any other.

oh yeah, Celtx is awesome! even though I use mostly Final Draft for screenwriting, celtx has some awesome features, such as storyboard templates and production schedule, etc.

[drapeama]

I discovered Celtx this summer on another thread (thanks guys!) and it's really a good software to have...and it's free. Recommended.

[Helenimi]

Im going to introduce myself so that everyone can at least know what I mean xD...
Well... Im just a little girl wanting to learn everything I can while Im young xD... I love movies and I wanted to be an actress... then I realized that... that might be impossible... Then I switched from wannabe actress to wannabe filmmaker. XD... Thats crazy! Everybody says Im CRAZY -.-".
Right Now, Im in high school(Junior-Science).
Im helpin my parents in their bussiness and they pay me hahaha...
I bought my HV40 with the money I saved.
I have 200$ left. Im thinkin about buyin a WA LENS or RODE VIDEOMIC...
What should I buy?¿ Oh... I have cheap mic(I stole it from my fathers electronic XD)

I dont really know what genre I wnt to make... maybe a little bit of everything...
Maybe Im too young to think about what I really want to be when Im older.
Maybe Im dreaming too much XD...
But I really really want to make my own films that people or at least my family and friends would like to watch.. (I can demostrate them that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE).

Hahaha... Sorry for my english :S!

With $200.. what should I buy?

[Helenimi]

team is crucial, I have found a good small team to be better than a big team. (at least for low budget featutres) Obviously if you have a budget, you can get some good help.

A team... MmM... Maybe Im goin to ask my friends to help me with this... I've a friend that have the talent to write script :D. She would definetly wanna help me for free! xD...

[Helenimi]

Download Celtx, it's a free screenwriters software. I prefer it over any other. Then write a story. I would do at least five to ten shorts before you try a feature. By the time your on your nineth short, you will have gained the knowledge to start a feature film, and have probably got to be a good filmmaker accross the board.


OK, Im goin to try it... THANK YOU!

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

I have 200$ left.

what should I buy?

a good tripod :-)


no te preocupes demasiado por un WA , a no ser que hagas tus tomas en lugares muy cerrados (el wa te permite hacer una toma mas amplia de lo que podes hacer con el stock lens)

tampoco te recomiendo el rode videomic, un microfono que se queda en la camara, esta destinado a captar sonidos no deseados. Lo mejor es o que te compres un lavalier para dialogo o que consigas un shotgun mic con un boom para orientarlo hacia la fuente del sonido.


so, those 200$ would get you this sweet tripod Amazon.com: Libec TH-650DV Kit with Head, Tripod, Brace & Case, Supports 6 lbs., Max Height 59": Electronics ( yo lo compre tambien)

:-)

[drapeama]

Im thinkin about buyin a WA LENS or RODE VIDEOMIC...With $200.. what should I buy?

Depending what you consider the most important thing : shooting in close spaces or having a good audio with what you're shooting?
Seriously, the Røde Videomic is a good "starting" mic. But I'd recommend you to save some more cash and get a decent XLR mic with ideally a juicedlink or just an XLR to 3.5mm matching impedance transformer adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589872-REG/Pearstone_8111240_LMT100_Low_to.html).
The Azden SGM-1x (160$) is good enough for me while Seo would recommend you his traditional Røde NTG-2 (250$).
Hope it helps! :hv20-smilie77:

[Helenimi]

a good tripod :-)


no te preocupes demasiado por un WA , a no ser que hagas tus tomas en lugares muy cerrados (el wa te permite hacer una toma mas amplia de lo que podes hacer con el stock lens)

tampoco te recomiendo el rode videomic, un microfono que se queda en la camara, esta destinado a captar sonidos no deseados. Lo mejor es o que te compres un lavalier para dialogo o que consigas un shotgun mic con un boom para orientarlo hacia la fuente del sonido.


so, those 200$ would get you this sweet tripod Amazon.com: Libec TH-650DV Kit with Head, Tripod, Brace & Case, Supports 6 lbs., Max Height 59": Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Libec-TH-650DV-Tripod-Supports-Height/dp/B000NO13ZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267467492&sr=8-1) ( yo lo compre tambien)

:-)

Taba pensando en comprarme un tripod decente y barato xD... y comprarme la raynox 6600 WA lens.

[Janke]

Are you aware there is a Spanish language subforum? ;)

[Helenimi]

Are you aware there is a Spanish language subforum? ;)

Hahaha Sorry for the spanish ahhaa... The english forum is more active! Haaha

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

ok lolz

DON'T BE STINGY about tripods, get the one I showed you it's awesome :-)

the wa lens is NOT crucial at all, no matter what many people might say around here

same goes for the videomic :-)

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

and spend MANY MANY MANY HOURS playing with THE SETTINGS OF THE CAMERA ITSELF

try to experiment and get to know her , she's a kicker ;-)


AND THEN get all the toys you can afford

[Bif]

Helenimi,

One very excellent learning experience is to get in on the video challenges that can be found on the internet. This site has a somewhat recurring event (look at "HD Shorts: HV20.com film contest" near the top of the main forum page; and dvinfo.net has 2 recurring "challenges".

Typically you "sign up" intending to do a "short" and compete. On the start date the "topic" is announced along with the "deadline" date (typically giving you 10 days or 3 to 4 weeks to complete your entry.

It is a lot of fun, and the process of doing a project, seeing what others do with the same subject, and the mutual critique among all competitors has been described as "free film school". Everyone I have seen competing in several challenges over the course of a year has improved dramatically.

Equipment does not have to be extensive: Your camcorder, a good tripod, and if you can afford it a separate external microphone (and that does not have to be an expensive one to get you started).

Good luck

[Helenimi]

Helenimi,

One very excellent learning experience is to get in on the video challenges that can be found on the internet. This site has a somewhat recurring event (look at "HD Shorts: HV20.com film contest" near the top of the main forum page; and dvinfo.net has 2 recurring "challenges".

Typically you "sign up" intending to do a "short" and compete. On the start date the "topic" is announced along with the "deadline" date (typically giving you 10 days or 3 to 4 weeks to complete your entry.

It is a lot of fun, and the process of doing a project, seeing what others do with the same subject, and the mutual critique among all competitors has been described as "free film school". Everyone I have seen competing in several challenges over the course of a year has improved dramatically.

Equipment does not have to be extensive: Your camcorder, a good tripod, and if you can afford it a separate external microphone (and that does not have to be an expensive one to get you started).

Good luck

Aps ok... :D

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

one last advice : don't get caught up in the hype ... people tend to do that when they first start...

including me, I have a sexy mattebox gathering dust lol :-P we all learn , but we learn more if we pay attention to the people who admit to have screwed up a bit ;-)

[Helenimi]

Hey Guys... Can someone make a tutorial of how to make COLOR CORRECTION with premiere CS3 or at least give me a direction to where to find it please...
OH... Ill buy a good tripod... Ive already searched & called almost every store that sell cam assesory in my country... and the best place to buy it only have VINTEN & MANFROTTO brand. What would you recommend me to buy... Ill only spend $125 at that xD... or maybe a little more...
Sorry for sooooo many questionssssssssss! >S I need your help! Prof.!

[drapeama]

Hey Guys... Can someone make a tutorial of how to make COLOR CORRECTION with premiere CS3 or at least give me a direction to where to find it please

Read it here (http://prolost.com/blog/2008/3/23/save-our-skins.html). You should get to the point.

[debuys]

Duke has an Assia for sale. I don't know how it compares to a "pro" tripod, but it should be similar to what he sold me and its a HUGE improvement from my Velbon

[Helenimi]

Read it here (http://prolost.com/blog/2008/3/23/save-our-skins.html). You should get to the point.

Oh! Thank YOU! >D I read it a little cuz I dont have enought time now... Ill continue tomorrow...
The color correction is better done with AE or Premiere?

[Seo]

If that's what you have, use it. Color correction can be done with a bunch of software.

There is no tutorial for color correction though. It's an art in its own, and only the basics and principles can be taught. The article and blog Drapeama linked to should explain most of it.

[drapeama]

The color correction is better done with AE or Premiere?

I usually do it with AE, because it allows to add VFX or pre-compose & add cool transition at the same time (better than with Premiere) but you can do some basic (but great) stuff directly using Premiere.

[Helenimi]

I usually do it with AE, because it allows to add VFX or pre-compose & add cool transition at the same time (better than with Premiere) but you can do some basic (but great) stuff directly using Premiere.

Oh, I better learn the basic first! I dont want to jump to something that I cant understand xD... When I get the basic... Ill then play with AE xD...
Thank You for your help! I appreciate it.!

[drapeama]

Thank You for your help! I appreciate it.!

Don't be shy, if you need help you can always pm me! :hv20-smilie77:

[jet]

If the colour is fine 99% of the time[mine is]why correct it ? :hv20-smilie51:

[Helenimi]

If the colour is fine 99% of the time[mine is]why correct it ? :hv20-smilie51:

I just want to make my films look more like the hollywood style. More like fantasy xD...

[Seo]

You're not really correcting but grading it. You're giving it a certain look. If every color was spot on, it'd feel like you're watching a documentary.

[Helenimi]

You're not really correcting but grading it. You're giving it a certain look. If every color was spot on, it'd feel like you're watching a documentary.

Yeah, you're right! xD...
I thought Color correction and Color Grading wre the same... but now Im clear what Im lookin for... :D Thanks Seo!

[askclifford]

My tripod is consumer. It is a Sony VCT-R640. You can find it for $30 USD. Nice, Sturdy, Metal, Made in USA, Able to hold HV30 with Wide Angle, Shotgun, Filters, Lights, ext, tripod.

Really good, I even use it with shoulder mounds and works steady and great. Highly Recommended!

[LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS]

My tripod is consumer. It is a Sony VCT-R640.

it's a nice tripod for the price indeed, but you might want to have one with a screw-ball level , I can't emphasize enough how useful that is :-)