Basic Camera Accessories for Aspiring Film-Makers

When you have pretty much refined your photographic skills and you further want to equip your artistic arsenal, you should think about exploring your camera's filming capability. When you do, you will realise how those two are quite different from one another.

Now, when you plan to explore the said field, enrol for filming courses as well as invest in the appropriate accessories like DSLR rigs-add-ons that can help you make quality video outputs.

Speaking of which, here are some essentials that you should invest in on your way to become a professional film-maker:

Batteries

When you are filming, the last thing you would want to see is your device shutting down because it is out of juice. So, it makes perfect sense to bring along an extra battery considering that filming eats up more power compared to shooting photos. Once you begin looking for such a component, remember that a single battery can get you as much as an hour and a half worth of power.

Lenses

To get the best possible videos from your photographic equipment, it certainly pays to invest in these camera accessories. In most cases, using special kind of lenses allow you to shoot clearer and cleaner videos. Aside from allowing you to capture crisp outputs, there are other specialised lenses that are designed to let you play around with your framing

Audio devices

Although most branded cameras come with their own built-in microphones, these are not going to be of much help once you start filming in open spaces where sound can freely come and go. For this reason, you have to think about investing in an external audio recorder along with other essential recording spare parts to capture cleaner sounds during filming. In addition, buy software packages that allow you to simplify the process of syncing your recorded video and sound

Stabilising tools

A steady hand for taking pictures may help you get a clear video (at first) but it is no guarantee that you will not end up with any unnecessary shudders and shakes in the final video output. Hence, instead of eating too much space in your memory cards by filling it with output that looks like they were done by amateurs, make your final product look more presentable by using tripods and other kits.

Ultimately, these tools will be the basics you will need to create quality videos using your DSLR camera.

Camera Accessories

Southern Africa Film Locations - The World in One Continent

A movie script that has the hero globe-trotting through a series of exotic destinations could be a logistical nightmare to film. Sourcing film locations and crews in a whole series of different countries, often ones with no existing film infrastructure, adds significantly to cost and production time. Several movie and commercial productions recently have solved that problem by choosing Southern Africa to film in.

Southern Africa has an incredibly diverse range of landscapes that can double for almost anywhere in the world (possibly with the exception of the frozen wastes of Siberia in winter!). Film crews basing themselves in Cape Town can enjoy the benefits of top levels of film production infrastructure and still access unspoilt locations such as desert sands, mountain peaks, tropical rainforests, grassy savannah.

Right on Cape Town's doorstep are any number of picturesque beaches, from urban sophistication, to wide stretches of deserted sand, surfers paradise or old-world fisherman's cove. There are lush vineyards and dramatic mountain-scapes, rugged nature reserves and rolling wheat-fields.

Driving a few hours from Cape Town itself can put you in the arid semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo, or in the lush forests and still lagoons of the Garden Route, a holiday-makers paradise and an inspiration for the film-maker too.

A short flight will transport the production into the awe-inspiring desert landscapes of Namibia, vast panoramic spaces that are hauntingly beautiful and evocative. Endless sand dunes, the desolate, untouched beaches of the Skeleton coast, this really is filming in the wilderness, but with a Cape Town based production company you can still rely on first world support.

If tropical islands and palm lined beaches are on the film location wish list, move on to Madagascar or to Mauritius. Both these large islands in the Indian Ocean to the east of South Africa offer endless pristine beaches, tropical vegetation, azure seas and coral reefs. Mauritius in particular has strong links with the South African film production industry, so can easily be integrated into a South Africa based filming schedule.

So whether your film production budget is large enough to fly between carefully selected Southern Africa locations, or whether a limited budget means that you need to create a globe-trotting odyssey without leaving Cape Town and its immediate environs (a feat easily achieved recently by a certain export lager commercial), South Africa is the first place to look for film locations that can capture the essence of many very different parts of the world.

Prinz Productions offers premier stills and film production services based in Cape Town, South Africa. Specialising in South Africa, Portugal and Mauritius, they also offer production services worldwide. Find out more about their film production service in South Africa.

Advantages of Using a DSLR Camera in Video Production

With the introduction of DSLR, it specifically changed the game of film production. DSLR (digital single lens reflex) has become an essential part of many videographers' camera kits these days. Using a DSLR camera enables you to create a professional-looking video at a cheaper cost than the average professional-level camcorder. DSLR camera has the combination of size and the ability to manage a film camera-like depth of field. Even with a low budget, using DSLR camera in video production allows you to reach the entire world with your unique message. Here are some of the advantages of using a DSLR in video production:

Bigger Image Sensor

DSLR cameras are able to take amazing video because of their massive image sensor as compared to a regular video camera. This produces clearer images with less distortion and noise. Sensors, like films in the old model cameras, are sensitive to light. Once you pressed the shutter, it records an image digitally.

There are also a variety of image sensor sizes in DSLR cameras. The larger the sensors, it yield higher quality images but at a greater expense. Today, sensors are available in two types: the CCD (Charged-Couple Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). CCD, which is used in almost all point and shoot cameras and in some digital SLR cameras can produce high quality images. However, they tend to be more costly and consume more power than other types.

Meanwhile, a CMOS sensor is larger than a CCD sensor. Thus, they are more sensitive and able to produce images higher in quality as compared to CCD sensors. CMOS are also less costly to manufacture and use less power than CCDs. However, with their increased size, they tend to be bulkier.

Interchangeable Lenses

With the advent of the DSLR, you can have a large format sensor with interchangeable lenses. For instance, if you are shooting APS sized sensors, you can achieve a cinematic look with a low-cost camera and lens combination. With this, you can now set up an entire full frame system with multiple lenses, steadycams and auxiliary mics.

On the other hand, you can also benefit from the range of focus of a full frame DSLR. Take note that most prosumer level camcorders have a fairly limited range. Usually, they have a fixed focus lens in the region of 28-300mm equivalent. With DSLR, you can mount a super-wide 14mm or an ultra telephoto 600mm. This enables you to achieve results that a few years ago the biggest studios can only afford.

Convenient and Portable

Obviously, DSLRs are more comfortable to use than any other professional-level video equipment because of their size and portability. This feature is great for shooting documentaries or scenes on the streets or other crowded locations.

Today, DSLR cameras have been widely used in video production. Either you have a message to deliver or a product to launch, it can be a great tool to create a professional-looking video. However, if you want assistance from skilled individuals in the field of video production, you can look for the best video production company in your area. They have the skills and the right equipment to come up with an appealing video. With their technology and know-how in video production, you can have a professional video that will give you a great chance of achieving the required result.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - the most versatile TV, WebTV, and Video Production in Salt Lake City. If you want looking fro the best video production company in Salt Lake City, call us at Tel: 801 916 7597 or visit us at 8683S 700W "Studio" Sandy, UT 84070.

Fundamental Tips to Begin Creating an Effective Video

As you browse on the internet, you will notice that video advertising is out there everywhere. Video production is considered as a very effective way to advertise these days. Take note that people tend to spend more time on sites that have pictures and videos than those with just a bunch of words. That's why video production is gaining a lot of interests among businesses these days. But when making a video, it is said that you have only ten seconds to grab your viewer's attention. With this, it is imperative that the video you will create must have an engaging content. But for those who are new into the field of video production, they might ask where to start and what to do first? Here are some tips to begin creating an effective video.

Begin with Your Basic Idea

Just like any other project, your video production must also begin with the basic idea that you want to get to your intended viewers. Before the actual video production begins, take note that this is the start of the pre-production process.

Have a Program Objective

Your program objective is the single, overall defining idea, concept, or information that you really want your video to get across or say to your audience. This is what you want your audience to get from your created video. Have a simple program objective with a good sharp focus for the general audience to be able to understand it. Meanwhile, a very broad program objective is generally hard for the audience to understand. It should be avoided unless the video is just strictly for entertainment.

Consider the 'Angle' or 'Treatment' of Your Video

The angle of a video is a specific approach, viewpoint or slant on the subject, story or concept that you are trying to deliver to your audience. When making a video, your treatment of the subject should be real, relevant and fresh to the audience. Use an angle that will get the audience involved with the video. Although this may require a bit of time and hard thinking on your part, remember, that a good angle is one of the most important factors to a successful video. Moreover, a good angle can also transform a not-so-very interesting story into a one that can attract a wide audience.

Make a Good Script

A good video has a good written script. This is one of the factors that you should pay attention to in order to come up with a great video. To do this, you have to understand your company's products and services, as well as its unique selling points. Also take a look at your target audience and their concerns, before you even begin the script writing process.

If all of those above-mentioned points are already addressed, you can now proceed to the production stage. Remember that having an idea and channeling it through to a completed video can be demanding. But if you have clarity on what you want to make, you will have a great chances of producing an outstanding video. While the world of video production can be daunting for those who are not familiar with it, one should realize that it is a powerful medium to convey a message.

Andrew James is a Production Manager at Salt Lake City Studio - the most versatile TV, WebTV, and Video production in Salt Lake City. If you want to hire the best video production company in Salt Lake City, call us at Tel: 801 916 7597 or visit us at 8683S 700W "Studio" Sandy, UT 84070.

Studying Film Production

Lights. Camera. Action!

There's a lot more to becoming a great filmmaker than being familiar with these often-heard commands. Filmmaking is one of the most collaborative art forms in the entire world. It combines writing, drama, photography, architecture, choreography, sound, music, and montage. And those are just the principle talents involved; do not forget the production teams of budgeters, schedulers and location managers. Ever watch the end credits of a movie? Hundreds of dedicated artists and technicians pull together to create cinematic magic. If you've ever wanted to be part of this team, or even to lead one as a director, then you'll need the tools and resources to help you break into the industry.

Unlike some other art forms that can be easily practised at home and alone, to study film you need to immerse yourself in an institution that can provide you with the equipment as well as the collaborative team effort required to produce films. But you don't need to pack up and move to Hollywood to get a professional film school training. Canada is quickly becoming one of the best places in the world to earn a degree in film production. Not only is it much cheaper to live and study, but Canada has a great diversity in urban settings and natural landscapes to help inspire your film locations. When planning your education, consider film schools in Canada as a great alternative to United States.

When discussing "Hollywood of the North" many Canadian cities battle it out over who really deserves that title. Among them is Toronto, Canada's largest city and economic centre. Toronto also hosts the renowned Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where many great upcoming filmmakers first break onto the world cinema scene. Taking film courses in Toronto is a great way to learn a craft and make connections to the industry at the same time.

In contrast to the big city feel of Toronto is Montreal. If Toronto and Vancouver compete over being Canada's Hollywood, than Montreal is North America's Little Europe. The city, with its ports and old town, diverse multi-lingual culture, and gorgeous old Victorian neighbourhoods is truly an art work in itself. Film courses in Montreal give the student the full advantage to such an inspiring setting with international influences.

Wherever you decide to study film production, there are several things you want to look out for in choosing a school. Some film schools assume a prior knowledge of film production before enrolling, and may in fact reject students who do not have any experience. If you are just getting started, look for a program that uses a modular format of teaching. This follows a 'ground zero' approach from the start and then builds rapidly through each skillset in the process of making movies.

Not only should one learn every step, but also every technology that film has used over the decades. Research your school's facilities to see if they teach both 16 mm film and digital video production.

California is no longer the centre of movie magic. For more options on where to begin your film education, Canada's many cities have great institutions that will put you in the spotlight or in the director's chair.

Visit Trebas Institute for more information on film schools.

Michael Zunenshine is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

Neo-Realism in World Cinema

Neo-Realism, a movement in Italian cinema that emerged in the 1940s, its desire being to recover coherence between images, narrative, and reality. Despite differences in the styles of individual writers and directors, it is possible to extract certain common elements, for example the abandoning of fantastical narratives, the preference given to outdoor locations rather than shooting in studios, the use of non-professional actors, and the attempt to present a less varnished view of the political and social issues of a country in a period of great change.

It is thought that the term "Neo-Realism" was first used in 1943 by the editor Mario Serandrei in reference to Ossessione (1943), the first film by Luchino Visconti. The director, who based his film loosely on the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James Cain (brought to the screen again under its original title in 1946 by Tay Garnett and again in 1981 by Bob Rafelson) set the film not in the United States but in the valley of the River Po, and by abandoning the studio and shooting in an expressive, black-and-white, documentary style he obtained an authenticity that contrasted radically with the sophisticated artificiality of studio-bound Cinecittà productions of the late 1930s-the so-called "white telephone" films, named after the distinctive props of their glamorous sets.

In 1943 Vittorio De Sica filmed I Bambini ci Guardano (The Children are Watching Us), but "l'école italienne de la libération", as the French define Neo-Realism (emphasizing the connection between its rise and the end of fascist rule), did not truly emerge until two years later with the making of Roma, Città Aperta (1945; Rome, Open City, directed by Roberto Rossellini), now the symbol of the rebirth of Italian cinema. The film was shot in the streets of Rome during the last days of the German occupation, with material often recovered from discarded propaganda films in which Rossellini himself had been forced to collaborate in the preceding years.

After Roma, Città Aperta (which alongside amateur actors presented two actors who became icons of Italian cinema, Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi), there followed a boom that in the space of just a few years produced some of the greatest works of post-war Italian cinema: Paisà (1946) and Germania, Anno Zero (1947; Germany, Year Zero), also by Rossellini; La Terra Trema (1948; The Earth Trembles, adapted from the classic novel I Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga) and Bellissima (1951) by Visconti; Sciuscià (1946; Shoeshine), Ladri di Biciclette (1949; Bicycle Thieves), and Miracolo a Milano (1951) by De Sica.collaborating with Cesare Zavattini; and Riso Amaro (1948; Bitter Rice, a social melodrama set in northern Italy that launched the careers of Silvana Mangano and Vittorio Gassman) and In Nome della Legge (1949; In the Name of the Law, a Sicilian-style Western) by Pietro germi.

The heyday of Neo-Realism ended in the early 1950s. Rossellini continued to make a few films of merit: Il Miracolo (1948; the first part of a diptych called L'Amore, Marcello Pagliero directing the second part, Una Voce Umana), with Anna Magnani and a very young Federico Fellini in an acting role; Stromboli, Terra di Dio (1949; Stromboli); Francesco, Giullare di Dio (1950; Francis, God's Jester), scenes from the life of St Francis; Europa '51 (1951); and Viaggio in Italia (1954; Journey to Italy, starring Ingrid Bergman, who was married to Rossellini at the time)-after which Rossellini abandoned fictional films to concentrate on documentaries and work for television.

Visconti directed Senso (1953; The Wanton Countess), a film that signalled his passage from Neo-Realism to Realism, from the so-called "poetica del pedinamento" (poetics of everyday life and the normal man) to the resumption of the romantic tradition of the 19th-century novel, transposing the environment and psychology of characters to the medium of cinema. However, his later classic Rocco e i Suoi Fratelli (1960; Rocco and his Brothers), while eschewing Neo-Realist production, editing, and narrative techniques, still dealt with themes and situations of poverty and struggle that make its descent from the Neo-Realist tradition clear.

With Umberto D (1952), a great Neo-Realistic work and perhaps his most accomplished after L'Oro di Napoli (1954; The Gold of Naples), Vittorio De Sica paved the way for a more marketable cinema and a less dramatic Realism, without sacrificing quality of production. According to historical convention, the period of Neo-Realism that began with Ossessione ended with Umberto D.

In many cases, emerging new genres borrowed elements from Neo-Realism but without inheriting its profound sensibilities. As an example one can cite the whole series of popular films in which characters are often little more than caricatures inspired by Neo-Realism. Among these were Pane, Amore e Fantasia (1953; Bread, Love and Dreams, Luigi Comencini), starring Vittorio De Sica (in front of the camera) and the first appearance of Gina Lollobrigida, and Poveri ma Belli (1956; Poor but Beautiful, Dino Risi)-films in which, whether set in the country or the city, the practice of reducing characters to psychological stereotypes, as the "white telephones" cinema had done, was recreated.

In many cases, emerging new genres borrowed elements from Neo-Realism but without inheriting its profound sensibilities. As an example one can cite the whole series of popular films in which characters are often little more than caricatures inspired by Neo-Realism. Among these were Pane, Amore e Fantasia (1953; Bread, Love and Dreams, Luigi Comencini), starring Vittorio De Sica (in front of the camera) and the first appearance of Gina Lollobrigida, and Poveri ma Belli (1956; Poor but Beautiful, Dino Risi)-films in which, whether set in the country or the city, the practice of reducing characters to psychological stereotypes, as the "white telephones" cinema had done, was recreated.

In comedy, the heredity of Neo-Realism is noticeable, for example, in the series of films adapted from the stories of Giovanni Guareschi based on the character Don Camillo. The Don Camillo series, starring Fernandel as the priest Camillo and his love-hate relationship with the Communist mayor Peppone, played by Gino Cervi, were filmed by directors such as Julien Duvivier, achieving record takings in Italy throughout the 1950s.

The legacy of Neo-Realism was not limited only to the genre of the heart-rending, comic, sentimental films. Confirmation of this lies in the fact that, beyond differences in style, the movement created a true "school" where the structure of reality and the way in which to present it were investigated, and it was under this influence that a new generation of directors emerged who would constitute the nucleus of Italian cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, among them Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni.

Michelangelo Antonioni

Michelangelo Antonioni is regarded as one of the best known directors of Italian films. After starting off in the Neo-Realist style, he developed his own characteristic style, which includes fantasy elements. His films include Blow-Up (1966) and Zabriskie Point (1969).

What is Neo Realism... What does it mean... how it has influenced world cinema

Advantages of Joining a Film School

The film industry perhaps has the stiffest competitions that any industry can provide. You can have talent, contacts and the resources to get into the inner circles of the industry and still not make it. None of this work well alone and they don't even work well together if the most important thing is missing - discipline. If you think you have enough talent to sail through, think again. There are numerous facets to the industry that you may remain ignorant about till you join a film school.

Leading film schools offer multi-disciplinary courses which would give you a wide range of options to choose from. From acting, editing, cinematography to directing you have the whole wide world of entertainment to specialize in. Some schools offer select courses and focus on either one or a few disciplines. While others have an umbrella approach where they start from basics like film history and film theory and go to advanced courses where you can specialize in a particular branch like production or acting.

Advantages of Joining a Film School

Courses - Film courses range from acting, directing to even writing. In a film school you will get a disciplined approach to each field and graduate from the basics to the advanced courses giving you an in-depth knowledge for future.

Network - The entertainment industry is very closely interlinked. Everyone knows everyone here. Most schools create opportunities for their students to meet eminent personalities and the key people behind them. This will be your first stepping stone to creating your own contacts.

Internships - At the end of the courses, the schools put you onto paying internships in the film or TV industry where you learn the ropes from rung one. Your creativity can then find fruition in multiple areas and help you get into various careers with animation studios, film studios and production companies, television channels as well as advertising agencies.

Career Options

Film making - Film school training will help to get easy entry into a career of film making. You will learn all aspects of making a movie from shooting and development, physical production to post-production. It will also include training in financing, distribution and film marketing.

Acting - A focused course in acting is aimed at bringing out the natural talent and blends it with discipline, professionalism and creativity. Many seasoned actors have found their first footing into the industry after their film school training. Many television production houses directly recruit from films schools to get fresh faces for their shows.

Television technology - With the onslaught of television channels there is no dearth of programs to create and manage. You can get training in all aspects of broadcasting technologies, television production and marketing.

Animation and gaming - Animation and game design are the newest big things in cinema and entertainment. With a film school training you can learn the latest digital techniques to create animated films or games in 3D or 4D. These courses usually start with cel animation and then go on to digital courses giving you all-round training.

Technical courses - These include a wide range of disciplines from visual art and design, cinematography, editing, sound and audio engineering.

Writing - Creative writing courses in the film industry can lead to several career options - screen writing, film criticism, film journalism and writing film and television reviews.