🎬 Film Appreciation

Do you recall the first time hearing a new instrument like a banjo or a cello, then every time you hear a new song, you can clearly pick out an appreciate that new instrument that you may never have heard before?

Try this exercise when watching a film, possibly one of your favorite scenes of a favorite movie.

  • From the beginning of the scene to the end of the scene, watch it all the way through and record the rough time duration. Take a few notes about what you like about the scene and how it was made. Keep it brief.

  • Watch it again without audio. jot down a few notes if it visually held up or if you felt differently and with the audio.

  • Watch the scene once more without Watching the movie, but only listen to the scene. Jot down a few notes of what you may have felt differently, or which sounds stood out.

  • Watch again and jot down notes as to editing—change of angles, close up or distant, looking up or down, cutting to a different object, etc.

  • Highlight or reflect on what aspects of Sound or Visual or Editing enhanced or detracted from the scene. Did any or all of these elevate the story or dialogue?

  • Consider these exercises when watching and appreciating movies. How is the Sound, Cinematography, or Editing unique or consistent for common movies (e.g. Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson, Alfred Hitchcock, etc)?

When practicing your craft, and making shorts as an exercise—consider focusing on one of these aspects to stretch and explore. With the same video clip, try sound effects or soundtracks a few different variations; shoot a few extra vantage points or styles, play with editing styles as more dramatic or playful or abstract.

Put them aside and review them later or have someone else review and offer feedback. Take note. Continuous improvement.

Onward!

https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2021/6/9hzaux3fier4e5eqths72nv7flijuf