Basic Camera Accessories for Aspiring Film-Makers

When you have pretty much refined your photographic skills and you further want to equip your artistic arsenal, you should think about exploring your camera's filming capability. When you do, you will realise how those two are quite different from one another.
Now, when you plan to explore the said field, enrol for filming courses as well as invest in the appropriate accessories like DSLR rigs-add-ons that can help you make quality video outputs.
Speaking of which, here are some essentials that you should invest in on your way to become a professional film-maker:
Batteries
When you are filming, the last thing you would want to see is your device shutting down because it is out of juice. So, it makes perfect sense to bring along an extra battery considering that filming eats up more power compared to shooting photos. Once you begin looking for such a component, remember that a single battery can get you as much as an hour and a half worth of power.
Lenses
To get the best possible videos from your photographic equipment, it certainly pays to invest in these camera accessories. In most cases, using special kind of lenses allow you to shoot clearer and cleaner videos. Aside from allowing you to capture crisp outputs, there are other specialised lenses that are designed to let you play around with your framing
Audio devices
Although most branded cameras come with their own built-in microphones, these are not going to be of much help once you start filming in open spaces where sound can freely come and go. For this reason, you have to think about investing in an external audio recorder along with other essential recording spare parts to capture cleaner sounds during filming. In addition, buy software packages that allow you to simplify the process of syncing your recorded video and sound
Stabilising tools
A steady hand for taking pictures may help you get a clear video (at first) but it is no guarantee that you will not end up with any unnecessary shudders and shakes in the final video output. Hence, instead of eating too much space in your memory cards by filling it with ottput that looks like they were done by amateurs, make your final product look more presentable by using tripods and other kits.

Advantages of Using a DSLR Camera in Video Production

With the introduction of DSLR, it specifically changed the game of film production. DSLR (digital single lens reflex) has become an essential part of many videographers' camera kits these days. Using a DSLR camera enables you to create a professional-looking video at a cheaper cost than the average professional-level camcorder. DSLR camera has the combination of size and the ability to manage a film camera-like depth of field. Even with a low budget, using DSLR camera in video production allows you to reach the entire world with your unique message. Here are some of the advantages of using a DSLR in video production:
Bigger Image Sensor
DSLR cameras are able to take amazing video because of their massive image sensor as compared to a regular video camera. This produces clearer images with less distortion and noise. Sensors, like films in the old model cameras, are sensitive to light. Once you pressed the shutter, it records an image digitally.
There are also a variety of image sensor sizes in DSLR cameras. The larger the sensors, it yield higher quality images but at a greater expense. Today, sensors are available in two types: the CCD (Charged-Couple Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). CCD, which is used in almost all point and shoot cameras and in some digital SLR cameras can produce high quality images. However, they tend to be more costly and consume more power than other types.
Meanwhile, a CMOS sensor is larger than a CCD sensor. Thus, they are more sensitive and able to produce images higher in quality as compared to CCD sensors. CMOS are also less costly to manufacture and use less power than CCDs. However, with their increased size, they tend to be bulkier.
Interchangeable Lenses
With the advent of the DSLR, you can have a large format sensor with interchangeable lenses. For instance, if you are shooting APS sized sensors, you can achieve a cinematic look with a low-cost camera and lens combination. With this, you can now set up an entire full frame system with multiple lenses, steadycams and auxiliary mics.
On the other hand, you can also benefit from the range of focus of a full frame DSLR. Take note that most prosumer level camcorders have a fairly limited range. Usually, they have a fixed focus lens in the region of 28-300mm equivalent. With DSLR, you can mount a super-wide 14mm or an ultra telephoto 600mm. This enables you to achieve results that a few years ago the biggest studios can only afford.
Convenient and Portable
Obviously, DSLRs are more comfortable to use than any other professional-level video equipment because of their size and portability. This feature is great for shooting documentaries or scenes on the streets or other crowded locations.
Today, DSLR cameras have been widely used in video production. Either you have a message to deliver or a product to launch, it can be a great tool to create a professional-looking video. However, if you want assistance from skilled individuals in the field of video production, you can look for the best video production company in your area. They have the skills and the right equipment to come up with an appealing video. With their technology and know-how in video production, you can have a professional video that will give you a great chance of achieving the required result.

Tips to Begin Creating an Effective Video

As you browse on the internet, you will notice that video advertising is out there everywhere. Video production is considered as a very effective way to advertise these days. Take note that people tend to spend more time on sites that have pictures and videos than those with just a bunch of words. That's why video production is gaining a lot of interests among businesses these days. But when making a video, it is said that you have only ten seconds to grab your viewer's attention. With this, it is imperative that the video you will create must have an engaging content. But for those who are new into the field of video production, they might ask where to start and what to do first? Here are some tips to begin creating an effective video.
Begin with Your Basic Idea
Just like any other project, your video production must also begin with the basic idea that you want to get to your intended viewers. Before the actual video production begins, take note that this is the start of the pre-production process.
Have a Program Objective
Your program objective is the single, overall defining idea, concept, or information that you really want your video to get across or say to your audience. This is what you want your audience to get from your created video. Have a simple program objective with a good sharp focus for the general audience to be able to understand it. Meanwhile, a very broad program objective is generally hard for the audience to understand. It should be avoided unless the video is just strictly for entertainment.
Consider the 'Angle' or 'Treatment' of Your Video
The angle of a video is a specific approach, viewpoint or slant on the subject, story or concept that you are trying to deliver to your audience. When making a video, your treatment of the subject should be real, relevant and fresh to the audience. Use an angle that will get the audience involved with the video. Although this may require a bit of time and hard thinking on your part, remember, that a good angle is one of the most important factors to a successful video. Moreover, a good angle can also transform a not-so-very interesting story into a one that can attract a wide audience.
Make a Good Script
A good video has a good written script. This is one of the factors that you should pay attention to in order to come up with a great video. To do this, you have to understand your company's products and services, as well as its unique selling points. Also take a look at your target audience and their concerns, before you even begin the script writing process.
If all of those above-mentioned points are already addressed, you can now proceed to the production stage. Remember that having an idea and channeling it through to a completed video can be demanding. But if you have clarity on what you want to make, you will have a great chances of producing an outstanding video. While the world of video production can be daunting for those who are not familiar with it, one should realize that it is a powerful medium to convey a message.

Advantages of Joining a Film School

The film industry perhaps has the stiffest competitions that any industry can provide. You can have talent, contacts and the resources to get into the inner circles of the industry and still not make it. None of this work well alone and they don't even work well together if the most important thing is missing - discipline. If you think you have enough talent to sail through, think again. There are numerous facets to the industry that you may remain ignorant about till you join a film school.

Leading film schools offer multi-disciplinary courses which would give you a wide range of options to choose from. From acting, editing, cinematography to directing you have the whole wide world of entertainment to specialize in. Some schools offer select courses and focus on either one or a few disciplines. While others have an umbrella approach where they start from basics like film history and film theory and go to advanced courses where you can specialize in a particular branch like production or acting.

Advantages of Joining a Film School

Courses - Film courses range from acting, directing to even writing. In a film school you will get a disciplined approach to each field and graduate from the basics to the advanced courses giving you an in-depth knowledge for future.

Network - The entertainment industry is very closely interlinked. Everyone knows everyone here. Most schools create opportunities for their students to meet eminent personalities and the key people behind them. This will be your first stepping stone to creating your own contacts.

Internships - At the end of the courses, the schools put you onto paying internships in the film or TV industry where you learn the ropes from rung one. Your creativity can then find fruition in multiple areas and help you get into various careers with animation studios, film studios and production companies, television channels as well as advertising agencies.

Career Options

Film making - Film school training will help to get easy entry into a career of film making. You will learn all aspects of making a movie from shooting and development, physical production to post-production. It will also include training in financing, distribution and film marketing.

Acting - A focused course in acting is aimed at bringing out the natural talent and blends it with discipline, professionalism and creativity. Many seasoned actors have found their first footing into the industry after their film school training. Many television production houses directly recruit from films schools to get fresh faces for their shows.

Television technology - With the onslaught of television channels there is no dearth of programs to create and manage. You can get training in all aspects of broadcasting technologies, television production and marketing.

Animation and gaming - Animation and game design are the newest big things in cinema and entertainment. With a film school training you can learn the latest digital techniques to create animated films or games in 3D or 4D. These courses usually start with cel animation and then go on to digital courses giving you all-round training.

Future of Global Movie Industry

Creating a non-superficial global cinema will require

finally figuring out truly universal values of a planetary culture. These values derive from human biology.

Capturing and holding audiences from all the continents isn't easy. Many have tried.

Modern mass entertainment often serves as a deeper and more important global language than English. That is because present day Hollywood industry inadvertently created a process that increasingly touches upon basic physiological human needs and aspirations. Profit driven use of visuals, characters, and themes (that were scientifically researched to be as marketable and appealing to widest possible multi-ethnic audience) is steadily pushing towards a universal formula. Although we're still at a point where the appealing "supranational" characteristics of mainstream Hollywood involve the usual (explosions, special effects, sex appeal, mental escape through hyperindividualistic protagonists, etc), we will begin to see deeper basic cinematic themes emerge that cut across all cultures in the near future. The basic reasons will be:

1) Same corporate profit motive that gave us the rise of neuromarketing will push for figuring out physiological substrata that makes simultaneous global release movies more emotionally appealing. Digital piracy will make physical movie spaces ever more important for revenue generation. Conversion of movie theaters into expensive 3D/concert/theater type spectacles will need research to be successful. You WILL be satisfied with the global release whether you're in Nigeria, Japan, Ecuador, Texas, etc.

2) Emerging Internet culture finding its way to the mainstream as globe trotting generation Y takes charge of the industry.

3) Dawning realization by Western elites that globalization has stalled. Their scramble to rethink and proactively improve globalization and its integrative forces. Goal of preventing a major and rapid slide into mercantilist (potentially even hostile!) continental economic blocks will see elite efforts to create stronger intercontinental "glue". Efforts towards discovery of media/art/Internet driven truly global culture should be part of the effort. Most states currently subsidize their movie industries behind the scenes as national propaganda PR moves. This practice can be turned on its head if applied towards supranational themes and purposes.

The spread of this Hollywood lingua franca is a microcosm of globalization itself. When analyzing integrative processes of globalization, special attention should be given to the film industry in particular.

Until relatively recently, Hollywood released its mega movies domestically first and abroad only months later. Then, to combat immediate digital piracy from places like China it became a more common practice to have simultaneous global openings for very big budget titles. The preparation and logistical coordination of this represented stage three in the emergence of a truly globalized film industry.

Lets briefly go through the stages:

1) 1950s-1980s: Mass cultural exports of the post-war period. Influx of Hollywood products into occupied territories and satellite states. Increasing cooperation between West European studios/agencies and Hollywood resulting in an international entertainment business sphere. Some partial work done on "universal" values within the ideological framing context of the cold war. Both Western and Soviet intelligence have a heavy role in informational shaping of entertainment to influence perceptions of the present world and prime expectations of how the world's future will develop (the dystopian-utopian spectrum of how the 21st century was popularly portrayed in movies is an interesting example of this). Genuine attempt at discovering universal values is hidden and distorted by individual private and corporate interests behind the militaries of the NATO pact.

2) 1980s-1990s: Hollywood studios rapidly expand beyond NATO's sphere of influence and become truly global as most markets are now accessible. Majority of key studio revenue now comes from abroad. Consolidation in number of transnational media corporations that own the studios. Streamlining of their operations along lines of fellow tangible good producing transnational companies. Rapid horizontal creation of international links to reduce costs and create an immediate global reservoir of cheaper talent, locations, and equipment. Actors and actresses become supranational super celebrities recognized anywhere. Global businesses are increasingly synchronized in space and time.

3) 2000- present: Merging of dozens of national and regional markets into one planetary market that allows rapid global penetration and hype generation (via local auxiliaries). Simultaneous global cinema and disc openings. "Epic" large cash infusion Hollywood movie making style is rapidly emulated by other players like Beijing and Moscow. Besides profit, this is partially done to increase their soft power and control domestically. For non-Western (particularly BRIC) powers to be successful with their mass media projects, they need to absorb/buy Hollywood's cutting edge technical, CGI, and art talent. That is already happening and is currently causing peripheral cooperation/merging between movie studios of all key regional political powers on earth.