Tag Archive for: Film

Editing—the invisible art in film


Last week, I talked about lighting. This week, let’s examine editing. Editing is the process of selecting and combining shots into an overall work, at its most basic level.  Editing can be as simple as inserting a dissolve transition between two shots, but can also be so complex that it alters the meaning of a scene […]

Reese Witherspoon’s new role follows Oscar curse


This weekend, the new Reese Witherspoon vehicle This Means War will be released. The movie marks a turning point in Witherspoon’s career, one in which has taken a considerable hit since winning her first and only Oscar for Walk the Line in 2006. Witherspoon has fallen into a familiar trap: that of the beautiful young […]

Lighting can make or break video shoots


Last week, I talked about sound in film and video. This week, we’re going to examine lighting. Lighting is a powerful force within videos and films. Lighting can add drama, embellish beauty or create a host of other effects. A character lit from behind can create an ominous silhouette, while soft light on someone’s face […]

Recording sound has never been easier


Today I’m going to talk a bit about sound in film and video.  Recording sound for videos and films is now easier than it has been at any point in time—most cameras come with fairly decent built-in mics, and some great external mics are available for not that much money.  Also, other devices can be […]

Depth of field helps focus in on images


Last week, I talked about framing and the rule of thirds. This week, we’ll take a closer look at composition, and in particular, depth of field. Depth of field is a term that is thrown around a lot in video and film.  It may sound complex, but depth of field simply refers to the part of […]