The power of suggestion is used by movie directors in filmmaking to suggest ideas to an audience that might not be accurate. When directing films, filmmakers can use cinematic sleight of hand to convince audiences that the set is bigger than it is, or that the world is bigger than it seems, or that a certain truth is a reality, only to surprise the audience later in the film.
- It's important to remember that visual storytelling…is about creating illusions for the audience.…Perhaps the most common illusion in film…is that characters actually had conversations in real time,…when in reality we stitch together conversations…from pieces of multiple takes,…perhaps even filmed days or weeks apart.…Using the power of suggestion,…filmmakers can convince the audience of a false reality.…We see this all the time in movies and TV shows…that are set in one city but filmed in another,…like how iZombie is set in Seattle…but actually films in nearby Vancouver, BC,…or how The Killing was set in Seattle but shot in Vancouver,…or how Grey's Anatomy and Frasier…were set in Seattle but, yeah, you get the picture.…
But note how they create the illusion…that they film in Seattle.…They show stock footage and establishing shots in Seattle…and they talk about Seattle…in their conversations, so we believe them.…Stock video can really be a great tool.…In a film I made called When Harry Made Sally,…I got a few shots of me with these cheap thrift store…
Author
Chad Perkins
Released
8/18/2016Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film's story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.
Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad's author page.
- What a director does
- Interpreting the script
- Scouting locations
- Choosing the tone and theme of the film
- Using motifs
- Shaping the story through visuals
- Being a good leader on set
- Respecting budgets and schedules
- Planning shots
- Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots
- Using rolling takes
- Framing shots
- Adding atmospherics
- Directing in post-production
- Becoming a better director
Skill Level Appropriate for all
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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What does a director do?1m 53s
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The Assurance7m 43s
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1. Preparing for Production
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Choosing your crew1m 37s
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Interpreting the script2m 4s
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Creating a visual style2m 36s
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Scouting locations1m 37s
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2. Themes and Tone
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Controlling the tone4m 39s
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Using themes1m 58s
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Using motifs2m 13s
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About the blur motif2m 18s
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3. Shaping the Story
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Killing darlings3m 59s
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Cutting to add clarity1m 54s
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Adding tension2m 19s
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Showing, not telling4m 35s
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4. Running the Set
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Being a good leader3m 29s
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Sticking to your vision3m 3s
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Throwing away your vision2m 57s
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Knowing when to reset2m 45s
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Wearing multiple hats1m 25s
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5. Planning Shots in a Scene
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Understanding the scene2m 45s
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Planning the shots4m 19s
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6. Getting the Shot
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Getting coverage4m 2s
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Cheating and stealing shots3m 20s
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Utilizing rolling takes4m 10s
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Breaking the "fourth wall"1m 45s
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Fixing it in post1m 43s
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7. Improving the Shot
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Improving takes4m 11s
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Using extras3m 38s
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Framing the shot5m 28s
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Adding atmospherics3m 8s
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8. Directing in Post-Production
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Directing the edit1m 36s
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Directing VFX shots1m 49s
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Directing audio choices2m 46s
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Conclusion
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Becoming a better director1m 31s
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Directing resources2m 52s
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Final thoughts1m 1s
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Video: Using the power of suggestion