The History of Filmmaking

The earliest use of moving pictures was an outcome of simple optical devices such as magic lanterns which display still images in a rapid sequence. Such device includes the projection zoetrope and the projection praxinoscope. Such early motion projection devices were demonstrated as early as the 1860′s. Reel-based film projection was not established until the late 1880′s, with much advancement contributed by Thomas Alva Edison. By the early 20th century, films such as The Great Train Robbery innovated on the art of film-making.

By using pictures that were mainly similar, but with slight differences, the presenter could communicate the effect of motion to the viewer. Naturally, the images used in these devices need to be warily designed to attain the desired effect. The underlying principle remains the basis for the cinematic genre known as animation. With the development of photography, and principally of celluloid film, it became possible to directly capture motion in the real world. Previous methods sometimes required individuals to look into a special device to perceive the pictures, but translucent film made it feasible to use a projection system to display images for an entire audience. These “moving picture shows” came to be known colloquially as movies.

The cinema was firstly purely a visual art, and many silent films were created. Presenters soon found it functional to give a commentator who could narrate the action and fill in dialogue between characters. Within a few years, films began to comprise subtitles that could display dialogue when the actors on screen “spoke.” This rendered the function of a commentator largely unnecessary.

In the 1990s and 2000s, blockbusters and franchise films have become an important part of the film industry. Cross-promotions with fast food chains and toy manufacturers, as well as international distribution, have made movies like “Titanic” and “Jurassic Park” the ambition of most major studios, signaling a move away from small, character-driven movies. The technological advances in extraordinary effects and 3-D cameras have also allowed for more opportunities for this type of work. As time passes by, filmmaking is getting advance. So, there is nothing to wonder about.

Get an Easy and upright guide in a Film 101 class

So you are interested with filmmaking. You also want to be into filmmaking, into conception of different types of films. But it seems that you don’t know how to get started. Well, the helpful thing that you could do is to get an easy and upright guide yourself to filmmaking or enrolling yourself in a film 101 making class. A guide to filmmaking might be already helpful to you. You can try first getting yourself such a guide. You might be able to make your own films only with help of the said guide. All you need to do here is to pay a special attention in all types of activities that you have to do in Film 101 class.

On the other hand, a guide to filmmaking will teach you everything you need to learn about how to create your own films. It will teach you how to handle screenplays, manage storyboards, and even schedule your film shoots. It will teach you just everything you need to learn about how to make your own films. But a guide to filmmaking might also be not enough.  You might also not be able to create your own films only with help of the guide. Maybe you need to enroll yourself in a film making class to learn directly from those who really have the knowledge on how to create own films. You can go over the Internet for some film making classes. Maybe you can try to just enroll yourself in one of the film making classes available. Maybe it will be better for you to learn directly from those who really know how to make own films.

However, you might spend much with a film making class. With a guide to filmmaking, you will most likely not spend a lot. But then of course, if you only have the money then why deprives yourself of the chance to be a maker of films. If you can afford to enroll in a film making class then go ahead and do to be able to create your own films in no time.

Character Development – Keep it Simple Stupid

For any newcomer to the wild world of moving making the number 1 concern is cost.  Take a breath and get down to the basics.  When setting out to create your first digital film – remember this one phrase…”Keep it Simple Stupid.”

It’s the story line that matters.  If you have a good story with well developed characters, then you have a shot at a successful film.  I’ve seen so many aspiring directors crash and burn, because they forgot to keep it simple.  Nothing brings up the cost of your film more than special effect, and nothing can do more damage to your film if that’s what you focus on.

If you’re like most movie makers then funds are always tight.  Don’t blow your wad on special effects, instead use it editing. All you need to put your film together is some decent video editing equipment.  You can usually find some decent deals on video editing equipment and software at Newegg.  Tip:  Grab a Newegg promo code to keep more of your movie money.

When you’re making your first film, keep it simple as possible.  A straight forward story with characters you actually care about.  All the special effects in the world won’t help your film, if your audience doesn’t connect with your onscreen characters.  You can never have too much character development (character development does NOT mean giving an actor more face time – it has to give you deep insight into the character – a real reason for your audience to feel and care).

Now get out there and Film!