Filmmaking is a complex process. This masterclas hosted by film director John Williams and presented at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama allows us the privilege of getting deep into this process in regard to directing and editing by exploring the fascinating journey from pre-production to film. Check it out.
This filmmaking masterclass was created due to the cooperation between Guildhall School Electronic Music Department, Soho Editors and film director John Williams. This smart combination allows us the privilege of examining the process of filmmaking, and that’s quite exciting and inspiring.
The basic process of creating films
The masterclass is initiated by showing the final result, which is a short and simple 90 seconds clip. Although this clip can be done by a one experienced shooter, the production was composed of an entire crew and that’s a good thing because it allows us to explore the teamwork during the whole course of action.
The final result contains many segments as dynamic shots, dialogues recording, stunts, outdoor filming, slow motion and multi-cam shooting (RED, Canon, drone).
Multiple tools are stitched together
For educational purposes, it’s recommended to watch the entire video which exposes the complete filmmaking circle based on tips and tricks, since there are some recommended takeaways.
The production was composed of several different cameras, codec, and rigs that were utilized to shoot this clip, and thus it’s fascinating to explore how those different tools were merged together in order to tell the story. Even regarding the codecs, we have a quite of diversity (RAW, compressed, recorders output and more).
The production was composed of several different cameras, codec, and rigs that were utilized to shoot this clip
Answering the right questions
The masterclass tries to answer the questions and misgivings that concern almost every filmmaker like locations, cameras, rigs, sounds, fps, codecs, movements, characters, script, software and at the end tries to analyze and educate about options to solve this filmmaking puzzle regarding the production phase and the post-production phase as well.
You will be educated in regard to many of filmmaking stages (shooting, movement, directing, editing)
From 12 hours to 90 seconds
The shooting took a whole day (12 hours shoot) with the goal to produce a 90 seconds film. The cutting was done on Final Cut Pro 10 (FCPX). The masterclass is also focused on the editing workflow concerning importing and organizing the media, basic FCPX functions, and cutting. Other post tasks like color grading, sound design and effects applying were performed on FCPX as well. The sound composition was managed on Logic Pro X.
Other post tasks like color grading, sound design and effects applying were performed on FCPX as well
At the end of the clip, the process of sound composition and sound editing (merging symphonic orchestra, mixing and mastering on Logic Pro X) was also demonstrated.
Learn the process
As a filmmaker that use on a daily basis almost every tool in this video (production and post-production), I truly find it engaging and educating and I recommend watching the entire session, especially if you are at your career starting point. You will be educated in regard to many of filmmaking stages (shooting, movement, directing, editing, FCPX basic functions and a bit of sound design discipline). It’s important to get a deep understanding of the process shown in the video before you go and do your own paid gig.
Final thoughts
To sum it up: It’s highly recommended to watch the video from start to end.
Don’t expect to learn the whole Bible of filmmaking. Making a movie can be an extremely complex process, which demands a significant combination of artistic, deep knowledge and technical capabilities.
However, It’s less than 1.5 hours video, yet very compelling real-time educational masterclass, that will help you and hopefully, inspire and motivate you on your first film.
