FilmmakerIQ.com » BBC

The Power and Glory of Storytelling

Dennis — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:15:50 +0000

In this final episode of Stephen Fry’s BBC documentary about language, Planet Word, he celebrates the power and glory of storytelling. It has been with us as long as language itself and as a species, we love to tell our stories. This desire to both entertain and explain has resulted in the flowering of language to describe every aspect of the human condition.

Ridley Scott – BBC Interview

Dennis — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:08:31 +0000

Mark Lawson of the BBC talks to the Geordie-born director Ridley Scott about the vast range of films he has directed, feuds with actors, rehearsing scenes, technology and more.

An acting masterclass from Sir Michael Caine

John P. Hess — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:51:33 +0000

Acting legend Michael Caine lets loose a few insights into the actor’s world including his take on full frontal nudity.

What makes a good short?

John P. Hess — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:37:29 +0000

What exactly does it take to make a good short? Well in brief, a great mini movie. But there are a few more things than that:

…There are no hard and fast rules as to what makes a good short; as with features, different audiences love different films and an award-winner in one viewer’s eyes will be a dull cliché in another’s. Obviously there is an element of subjectivity to any short film programme as different exhibitors will set their own criteria as to what they think makes a good short, which they feel their audience will enjoy. Whilst this can be frustrating for filmmakers it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as, what one exhibitor rejects another will love and promote – so it is important not to get disheartened by rejection. In many ways it is an exciting time to be making shorts in the UK as there are wealth of different festivals, screening organisations, websites and content providers looking for short films to exhibit. Our advice would be to submit your film to as many places as possible.

However, having said that, here are a few basic tips for what exhibitors might look for in a good short film:

— BBC | Read The Full Article

Christopher Doyle Masterclass in Cinematography

Dennis — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:54:34 +0000

Christopher Doyle gives insight into his craft in this video from the “BBC Culture Show”.

VIA: marcelofilmmaker

BBC R&D: Assessment and settings for Sony PMW-EX1 and EX3

John P. Hess — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:51:47 +0000

The BBC Research and Development department takes apart the Sony EX1 and EX3 cameras for this extremely detailed white paper:

…The cameras are relatively light (about 2.8kg in including battery) and have an integral viewfinder (3½” lcd), and seems aimed at the high-end professional and full broadcast markets, even though the broadcast market would normally demand an image format larger than ½” and removable lens, and a recording format with higher bit-rate. The EX3 has genlock and time-code inputs, and a remote control socket, so may well be usable in multi-camera shoots.

Variable speed recording is possible, from 1 frame/second up to the nominal frame rate setting (24/25/30 when recording 1080-line, 24/25/30/50/60 when recording 720-line). The implications, for production at 25p, of setting the camera to 720p/60 and then recording a variable frame rate, have yet to be established. Perhaps the only problem would be timecode and genlocking.

— BBC R&D Publications | Read The Full Article

Scene by Scene – Woody Allen

Filmmaker IQ — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:47:13 +0000

BBC Interview with Woody Allen discussing his work in film.

(All 6 parts embed in playlist.)

Quentin Tarantino – Hollywood’s boy wonder

Filmmaker IQ — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:04:31 +0000

BBC Omnibus – Quentin Tarantino – Hollywood’s boy wonder. Quentin Tarantino documentary from 1994. Features interviews with Quentin Tarantino and Brian DePalma discussing violence in their films.

(All 6 parts embed in playlist. Plus a bonus interview in 2 parts with Q.T. discussing Death Proof.)

Clive Barker – A to Z of horror

Filmmaker IQ — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:26:06 +0000

BBC TV series: Clive Barker – A to Z of horror.

(All 4 parts embedded in playlist.)

Good Shooting Guide: The Basic Principles.

Filmmaker IQ — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:32:23 +0000

The BBC’s Training & Development site has a excellent course on improving your sound, making the available light look good, ensuring your shots cut together, making the best use of time, understanding cameras better and more.

…Do you need to shoot a sequence and are not quite sure where to start? Have you shot unusable material and are not sure why? Learn from experienced programme makers and use tools & guides to help you on your next shoot.

— BBC | Read The Full Article