Moving pictures are a medium that has changed the way we see the world and, more significantly, the way we watch movies. A movie, sometimes called a video, short film, or digital movie, is a short film, usually less than ten minutes long, that employs special-effects to simulate real-life experiences that communicate messages, stories, emotions, scenery, or the like. It presents the audience with an experience rather than the static images found in conventional movies.
MOVIES include animated films, short films, real life events, films directed by David Fincher, and movies that combine visual and written communication. While a majority of MOVIES contain animation, a few do not and these include Hollywood blockbusters such as Ben Hur, Jaws, and Jurassic Park. It is not uncommon for independent films to contain a portion of the live action. An independent film is not a real film produced by a major studio. Most are directed by first time filmmakers.
Post-production is the phase in which most of the changes and enhancements to a film are made before it enters the public domain. While some content can be removed after post-production, most can not, and filmmakers are always creative in how they present their final product. Film studios spend millions of dollars on post-production, and this represents a large percentage of the production budget. In many cases, a small independent film may require a similar level of post-production as a feature film. In other cases, a smaller film with a finite budget may have a more limited budget for post-production, making it possible for the director to make as many changes as she wishes.
The advent of technology has caused changes in the manner that movies are made and viewed. While the traditional picture is still of the human eye, today’s technologically advanced screens project an array of complex images onto a screen. Films are made on computers and are then projected on digital projectors. Digital movie projectors allow filmmakers to create the same visual effect as they would see on a real projection screen, but at a fraction of the cost. Because digital screens are cheaper than traditional film projectors, filmmakers are using the new wave of technology to save money during the production. If a filmmaker is not using some type of digital projection technology, she or he could be cutting costs to prevent the dreaded bankruptcy of the movie.
While technology has changed the way that movies are made and watched, so have the directors who are creating these films. There are different types of filmmakers with various levels of skill. For example, if a film is shot on a digital sound stage, the director will not need to use traditional film techniques. However, if a film may be shot on location, the director will need to learn the proper lighting techniques required by that specific location, such as props, mattresses, curtains, windows, etc., as well as understand how to set the right mood and the appropriate music.
One thing that all filmmakers have in common is that they all want to make movies that entertain as well as inform their viewers. Film critics will help aspiring filmmakers learn about the different types of film theory and creative styles that go along with it. By learning about film theory, the effects of lighting, special effects, plot structure and pacing, and more, a filmmaker will become a more skilled filmmaker as time goes by. This knowledge can lead to more jobs in the future, improved pay, and a sense of accomplishment that only film theory can provide. In fact, it is possible for someone who studies film theory to open up a whole new world of entertainment and creativity!
