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Answers to Digital Film Questions
Question (from a director): I need some Tom advice. I'm planning to shoot a feature film with dialogue that will mostly be ad-lib. How do you shoot a feature film like that? Do you shoot it with angles and repeat it over and over again? Or do you stay with one shot and have it handheld? I need some tips about this.
Motion Picture Director Tom Marcoux: Getting coverage is still crucial. [Coverage is filming a number of angles: two-shot, over-the-shoulder (so you can put dubbed words in while the audience sees the back of an actor's head), close-up and others)] If at all possible have at least 2 digital cameras going. At least one over-the-shoulder and perhaps a 2 shot. Then switch to one close-up and another over-the-shoulder....or....There are many possibilities of combinations. Also, I always mention to my digital filmmaking students [at Cogswell Polytechnical College, Silicon Valley, CA.] that I prefer to shoot a close two-shot first instead of wasting my actors' first take on a master shot.
Question: What are the mistakes of many new filmmakers/video producers?
Tom Marcoux: Here are the mistakes many filmmakers/video producers make:
a) NOT knowing their tendencies
b) NOT compensating for their tendencies
c) NOT having a team member who has different artistic preferences voice her opinions
d) NOT having people with faster/slower cutting styles view the rough cut
When I mention a tendency, I mean something like fast or slow cutting-style. My digital film students say, "I'm just starting. I don't think I have a tendency." And I respond that we've all seen plenty of movies, and we lean toward the cinematography, editing and dialogue that we like. Many people have edited movies in their mind.
Steven Spielberg said, "A good director knows when to say, 'yes.'" And, I add to that: "A good director makes situations in which there is a lot to say yes to." Every human being has blindsides. When we team up, we are like jigsaw puzzle pieces fitting together. It is important to choose excellent team members, and to listen to their suggestions. Then, the director makes informed decisions.
Tom Marcoux, America's Communication Coach and motion picture director is the author of 101 Acting Secrets: A Director's Success Tips for Your Acting, Auditions, Movie Roles and Self-Promotion." Tom is also the author of "Communicate to Win: Influence Your Way to Success and Happiness." Tom's previous motion picture went to the Cannes Film Festival. He is currently directing "LIVING, the Motion Picture." He is the president of Marcoux Media, and his team is preparing the science fiction trilogy of motion pictures entitled "TIMEPULSE."(www.eTimePulse.com) Tom won a special award at the EMMY AWARDS after earning a degree in psychology and television production. He conducts acting workshops and workshops on "Self-Promotion for Actors" He is a national speaker-author, motion picture director, sales coach, and personal/professional coach and founder of eTimePulse.com. His private workshops and public seminars have benefited professionals from IBM, The Gap, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lucent Technologies, Circuit City, The Olive Garden, and many other firms. He authored 10 books which are available on-line at http://www.businessacademy.com Tom is a faculty lecturer on digital filmmaking, etc. at Cogswell Polytechnical College.
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