While this item is pegged at showing film techniques of 50 years ago, many of the techniques discussed are actually from far earlier than that - mostly from the 1930s and 1940s.
That does not diminish the importance of the lessons taught here, however, as the basics of filmmaking have remained the same for more than 100 years.
What's interesting here is that I've been interested in film for quite some time but have yet to see anything nearly as comprehensive about the basics of film.
The movie shows you everything - from how cut shots are used to exapand dramatic narative, to the use of establish shots to move the story along to how sound is synched up with film to create a true video plus audio experience.
What I enjoyed most about it is that the film makers assume you know nothing about how movies are made, so they take you step by step through the entire process - and give you a real, rather than a theorhetical understanding of the process.
I really felt that after watching this film, I could buy a super 8 camera and start making my own amature films at home and not feel like a complete idiot.
Of course, since this is an older film, you don't get a pespective on how modern special effects or computer graphics are generated.
This is more Film Making 101 and as such it does a stupendous job. |
History of Motion Pictures - The Fascinating World of Filmmakers (2-DVD Set) dvd movie.