The Fundamentals of Filmmaking
A film, also known as a video, short film, or video, is a creative work of multimedia art designed to simulate actual experiences which convey ideas, stories, emotions, imagery, beauty, or ambiance through the presentation of moving images. The term “film” refers to any number of original works of motion pictures, including cinematographic works (like motion pictures and video advertisements), digital works (like computer games, DVD movies, and TV shows), or other multimedia works. The history of film can be traced back to the medium’s inception in the late 1800s. Before the invention of the camera, filmmakers relied on methods such as filming by amateur video operators and the development of the first film cameras for professional use. Film technology evolved from there and moved into the black and white mode, then to color systems and imaging through VCRs and Betamax systems.
Film is often classified according to the medium used to create it-for example, film and television are often classified according to format (i.e., film vs. regular television). However, most film scholars agree on the fact that motion pictures and documentary films are the oldest forms of film. These films have been around much longer than any other form of media and continue to influence contemporary society in many ways. Film is most often classified according to themes, which include documentary, reality, entertainment, film noir, and social vision. Most film education and training concentrates on the topics of theme and genre, as these two aspects have the greatest impact on learning and creating film.
The development and progress of film stock is another important part of the film industry. As film stock advances in technology, filmmakers must learn to stock footage and obtain footage legally from sources that do not abuse copyright laws. Editing is another important part of film making, and the editing process can greatly affect the mood and style of the final product. Film school graduates interested in pursuing a career in motion picture should invest their time in researching various film stock processes, editing, and storytelling theories.