6 Tips that Professional Filmmakers Use

Sometimes common sense plays a part in setting out the rules for movie making, and sometimes, too, it pays to remember the old adage that rules are made to be broken!

If you want to be adventurous with your movie making the best advice we can give is to be careful, because there are reasons why conventions exist. Some of the more rigid rules of movie making are listed below, with reasons why they should be adhered to.

The Curse of Zoom!
One of the most regularly cited rules of film making, whether you are a professional or an amateur, is that zooming in or out when filming is not advised. The reason is that it presents an unnatural aspect to the image, and that it dissuades the viewer from focusing on the subject. Don’t be swayed into believing that it will look good – it won’t!

Keep the Camera Still
This is one of the first rules of movie making – the camera should film movement in the scene, not be the movement itself! Tracking shots are all very well, but you should remember you will soon need to link all your scenes together to make a movie. Keeping the camera still means you will achieve a seamless effect that is more professional than you might expect.

Look for an Interesting Angle
While advocating simplicity we are also keen on interesting angles; if you find a particularly attractive framing device – a door or archway, for example – use it. If you have a location that offers natural adornments, use them. Try a few shots to see what they look like, and run them by your crew for advice.

Give the viewer detail
Close up shots are considered by many as too ‘arty’ but in truth they are important for conveying atmosphere and detail. A lingering close up is atmospheric and effective in making a point – try out some different approaches and see what you think.

The Importance of the Rule of Thirds
No movie making student will be unaware of the Rule of Thirds, the detailed rule that allows for the image to be split into three both vertically and horizontally. The beauty of the rule is that it allows for better use of the space available in every shot and helps you to place your characters or scenery better. The effect is one of professional and clean shots that look the part.

Watch the Lighting!
A brightly backlit subject will never look great in film, so be very careful where you place your lights or, if using natural light, make sure your characters are not lit by a bright source directly behind them. This is a common sense piece of advice that is simple to remember and easy to achieve.

Making a movie may be a labour of love, but the end result is your aim. If you follow the above tips and keep to the regular conventions your movie will turn out to be much more impressive and professional.