Film Making | Ms. Films

Published October 16, 2022 by Penny Flores

Becoming a Movie Director

How Do I Become a Film Director?

During the production of a film or other piece of video media, film directors supervise actors and the production crew. They interpret a writer’s script, direct actors’ performances, and manage choreography, lighting, music selection, and many other aspects of filmmaking. Directors are responsible for the artistic direction of a film and must have good communication and leadership abilities in order to deliver on their ideas. They will also be involved in a project’s post-production, collaborating with musicians, editors, and producers to make sure the finished product is exactly what they envisioned. Here are 7 habits all future film directors should be doing:

Film Making

The Failure of Film Adaptations

Published January 25, 2022 by Penny Flores

The Failure of Film Adaptations

Film Adaptation: Do Film & Literature Truly Coincide With One Another?

When studios attempt to adapt a form of literature, they strive to create a visualization of an imagined world. Rarely do they succeed.

According to Toby Osborne, in his article entitled ‘The Art of Adaptation’, “85 percent of movies are adaptations”. This means that only 15 percent of movies are written from scratch. Literature is a very important medium and has been for some time. Hollywood clearly understands this.

Film Making

Movie Making Outside of Hollywood

Published January 30, 2021 by Penny Flores

Movie Making Outside of Hollywood

Five Other U.S. Cities That Have Embraced Film and Television

Filmmaking in the U.S. is no longer relegated to Hollywood and New York. Explore a little about five other cities that can make their claim to film and television fame.

While most people think of Hollywood and New York City as the centers for movie making in the U.S., there are plenty of other cities throughout the States that can boast with pride the number of films that have used their skylines as backdrops. In fact, MovieMaker.com recently ranked the top ten cities to live, work in, and the film is based on a number of criteria including available local support for talent and financial incentives.

Film Making

Published August 2, 2020 by Penny Flores

Nationalism in Films

The main purpose of films is to entertain but films are also looked upon as messengers that carry ideas and beliefs to their audience. Films are an important tool of mass media and are influential in shaping people’s perceptions at a collective level by giving them a shared experience. At the same time, an outsider would form notions regarding a community based on a film.

Film Making

Published July 19, 2020 by Penny Flores

Censorship in Film

Films are not only for entertainment but are also used by film makers to express themselves on a wide range of issues from politics to religion. The message delivered by mass media such as films have always been a concern of society as a whole because it is meant to address large sections of society. Censoring films is an issue attracting regular attention due to its possible misuse and also due to a drastic increase in the number of movies.

Film Making

5 Things To Bring On Set

Published February 15, 2018 by Penny Flores

5 Things To Bring On Set

Being an extra is very exciting, you are on huge sets and beautiful locations in all sorts of incredible costumes (usually corsets if you are me, I must have a period look about me).

However, they can be very long and sometimes tedious days, especially if you are not being used in a particular scene. It’s usual to be waiting anywhere between 3-6 hours (and if you are very unlucky, sometimes you are not used at all), so I have put together a quick list of things to bring to help make your day a bit easier.

Phone Charger

Whether you are allowed to take your phone set with you or not (some productions are relaxed whilst others will tell you to leave it with your other belongings) you will need a fully charged phone to keep you entertained while you are waiting or for when make your way home.

I once booked a coach for 10pm at night thinking this was plenty of time, having originally been told wrap time would be between 6-8pm as it was a Sunday, unfortunately it took a while to get all the scenes needed and we did not wrap until 10pm, cue frantic phone calls while the hair and make up lady was pulling out headpieces and about 1,000 Kirby grips trying to sort out another coach home.

Battery life dwindles so quickly these days, even if left with the rest of your things, so its worth the investment to make sure you are never stranded without communication. You can get some really handy phone case and charger combos these days which are ideal.

Book/Magazine

You’d think this is obvious, but it really is not on your list of priorities when you are trying to get across London to the location or pick up point, but you will be glad you brought something for in-between scenes or while you are getting hair and make up done (my last extra job took 4 and half hours to get into costume, make up and hair).

Just in case the production doesn’t let you take a bag to the location I would always advise buying a magazine as they do not usually have lockers or anywhere once you get there, and if you are in a costume where you can’t store things you will be at a bit of a loss, at least you won’t mind losing a magazine.

Snacks

I can’t stress how important it is to make sure that you are not hungry during the day. Most productions will provide breakfast, but it is usually pretty basic, we are talking porridge or bacon butties, so if neither of them tickle your fancy then bring in cereal bars, bananas, but do make sure they are foods with a slow energy release which will keep you going until lunch, there is nothing worse than having to stand around waiting for a scene and getting increasingly HANGRY.

Eyedrops

This might seem like a weird one, but believe me, you will be having some early mornings and late nights when you are doing extra work, and if like me you are a contact lens wearer you will need something to relieve the dry irritability they and being overly tired can cause. It’s amazing how much of a difference they can make to your mood.

A Smile!

OK it’s not something you can physically bring but I think I need to stress how important your attitude is on set, everyone on set will be tired and hungry at some stage, you are not special, treat everyone with respect and smile.

Some productions will pick out extras to be in more prominent spots in the scenes they are shooting, and they are more likely to pick someone amiable and easy to work with if the opportunity arises. No sulking!

Film Making

5 elements that makes a great film

Published March 13, 2016 by Penny Flores

5 elements that makes a great film

Films are a big part of our lives. Movies have always entertained us, whether in cinemas or at home. When the movies are good, you love to see them over and over again. You even think about the characters even after the movie is over. A lot of talent and creativity goes on to making a great movie. Here are the elements of a great movie.

Good characters

Characters are the most important part of storytelling. They are the life of a film. When you watch a film, you need to like some of the characters in the film. You should feel like you can relate to those characters. The central character of the film is very important. If people don’t like the central character, then the movie won’t do well.

Simple plot

A simple plot is enough to win people’s heart. People don’t like an elaborated plot. A plot can make or break your cinema. You shouldn’t over crowd the film with too many characters.

Theme

Your message should be clear. It is what you want the audience to take away from your movie. You should weave the theme into the story. No audience should leave the room with a bad impression about your film.

Attention to details

Details of the movie are very important. It starts from the point the script is being written. The casting, shots, etc. must be considered in detail. The audience will appreciate these details.

Good ending

The ending of a story is crucial to the success of a movie. Films often get ruined for their bad ending. The ending must be put nicely; it must wrap up the story well. Don’t drag the ending too long. It will lose the tune of the movie.

These are the critical elements needed for making a good film. Film making is an art. You need the right knowledge and experience to make a good film. Practice these elements in making your film and one day you will make some great movies!

….and always remember this quote.