FilmSchool

Ira Glass on Storytelling, pt. 1: Finding the Story

Ira Glass is the host of NPR's This American Life, a radio program of elegant storytelling simplicity.  Click here to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

As filmmakers, it is incumbent upon us to hone our storytelling skills.  As a result, our product will be sharper, sleeker, and will stand out from the crowd.

Below, Ira talks a bit about the discipline of finding a story:

Live Online 16mm Color Correction Session

Yo,

I have something cool to show you.  The video above is part 1.

Onward...

I am a proponent of charging the big bucks for shooting film.  There are many reasons why, but one of the main ones is so that I can send the film to a post production facility to have them give me the best picture possible. 

I don't use home transfer methods, such as videoing a projection off the wall, and I don't use devices such as the Workprinter because I would then have to do the color correction myself using digital tools rather than taking advantage of the latitude of the film at the point of transfer.

Not to mention, home transfer take time, and time=money.

Normally when I send my film to a transfer facility, I do not sit in on the color correction process.  Considering the price of gas, when the color session is taking place in Los Angeles while I still live in Texas, it wouldn't be economical to make the trip.  I am content to allow them to do what they think needs doing, and it looks great.

But here's a new option that's a whole lotta fun - live online color correction!  I did a videoconference with Andy and Paul @ Cinelicious and they were able to show me the possibilities of how my film could look.  Over the course of an hour, we went through two 100' rolls of 16mm film and played with the look of each scene.

For those wanting to develop a signature style and who don't want to sit in and give play-by-play instructions to the colorists, this is the way to go.  While the live image is a bit pixilated, the final result on the DVCAM tape I received mirrors my expectations.

jones

3 pack

Got more music for ya.

A trio of tunes by Laura Fygi, perfect for delightful cocktail hour visuals.

Ask Yourself Why

It's Crazy

Corcovado

jones

Cutaway Segments that give a sense of place

Just as with the clip a few entries below (same wedding), I'm giving the viewer a sense of place, but later in the documentary.  This is not always going to be the case in all of my edits, but only as it presents itself.

The clip in the entry below was to introduce the feel of the town of Midland and the atmosphere surrounding the wedding day.  The clip above is to continue to show the swirl of life that marches on oblivious to the activity of the wedding event, but yet, in its own way, celebrates it.

This clip also helps the viewer feel the character of the town and the people, but serves as a more interesting cutaway than building exteriors between the groomsmen and the bridesmaids.  While building exteriors will be more than sufficient in cutting from one scene to the other, having an unrelated element does more to advance time.

This week, I'm featuring a series clips on my wedding blog from Lexie and Jason's event in Midland, so check the rest of them out.

jones

A trio of tunes.

Got some music for ya.

Time of No Reply by Nick Drake.  Whenever I hear Nick Drake, I think of shooting intro shots with super8 film.

The Dress Looks Nice on You by Sufjan Stevens.   The title doesn't leave much to the imagination about where I would use it.  Not for every bride, though.

Coming Along by Forest Sun.  Great closing tune.  "I don't want to die if you're not coming along."  Wow!

jones

Pandora Demo

I've got a great video demo on how to use Pandora coming up on the Re:Frame Blog this week. 

If you're not using Pandora, it's time to start, and it's easy, as my video will demonstrate.  So fear not and start getting the tunes you need!

But to access the video lounge of the Re:Frame Blog, first you need to register to become a part of the community.  It's free, we won't bug you with useless e-mails, and you'll be the first to know of upcoming announcements!

jones

A Sense of Place, Redux

 

I don't have too many notes on my horn, and one of them is to establish a sense of place.

Where did this take place?  During what season?  What else was going on on the periphery?

As a producer, you do not have to go way out of your way to get these types of establishing shots. 

Get the town sign as you arrive in the city -  have your camera on your front seat so you don't have to rifle through your gear to get everything ready.

30 minutes before you cover the girl prep, get some shots from around the hotel or house.

Make sure to get cutaways of the building (for prep) exterior.  In establishing place, move from the general to specific.

In your edit, refrain from using all your cutaways initially - keep the pace going, and keep a few shots in your pocket for when you need to advance time.

 

Your clients will notice the professionalism.

jones

Feels like a road trip

One of the signatures of my documentary style is that it feels like a journey, like a road trip, like the lightest day of your life. 

I owe a large part of that to the music I select.  You can imagine a Spring day headed to who knows where with your windows rolled down and the sun flitting through the trees as you watch one of my films.

Here's a collection of three tunes that will guide you to finding more of the same.

Shut Us Down by Lindsay Buckingham

Sugar Blue by Jeff Finlin.  Cameron Crowe used this tune in his movie Elizabethtown once Orlando Bloom's character began his road trip.

and Go Faster Stripes by Kat Flint

jones

Foy Vance

Foy Vance, where have you been all my life?

I just discovered this Irish songsmith and I'm going to go ahead and give you a few of his tunes before I get to use them myself - let's see who beats me to the punch.

Homebird - sets the place for a sunny day wedding.

Be With Me - bluesy rock edge.  Makes me think of a vignette with the couple together having fun.

and Pull Me Through - for the fellas.

jones

Cutaways, Part II

I have posted a video tutorial on the Re:Frame Video Lounge explaining how you can better use cutaways to advance the action.  This is part II or the III part series, "Cutaways, the New Money Shot."

You need to register to be able to access the Re:Frame Video Lounge.  It's free and totally worth it - lots of educational tutorials from the Re:Frame crew, and that's no April Fool's joke.

jones