Filmmaker IQ

Introduction to the Dolly Zoom, including some of the concepts and principles that govern the visual effect as well as some practical tips on how to achieve the effect yourself. Film examples used in this course are "Vertigo", "Jaws" and "Goodfellas"

Survey the effect of color temperature and its psychological effects from the incessant heat of Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" to the icy chill of the Coen Brothers' "Fargo". Then we look at the science of color temperature from it's beginnings with Max Planck to how color temperature is measured with new alternative sources of lighting before looking at some practical and artistic uses of white

Jump into the world of Film Noir and look at how the technology and economic factors gave birth to a genre that still deeply influences the way filmmakers work today. Take a look at 4 Film Noirs spanning the beginning and end of the classic film noir era: "The Stranger on the Third Floor", "Double Indemnity", "The Big Combo" and "Touch of Evil".

Learn the basics of three point lighting and some of the tools for shooting Film Noir so you can start analyses the look of films shot in this unique style.

Trace the history of modern day film editing - starting with electronic engineers developing solutions for capturing and editing television through to the first computerized editing systems.

We pick up the story from the electronic engineers of television in part 1, to computer scientists, mathematicians and programmers as we explore the advancements made to editing from the Digital Revolution.

John Hess traces the evolution of the screen shape from the silent film days through the widescreen explosion of the 50s, to the aspect ratio of modern digital cameras.

Aspect Ratio is one of many choices you make when deciding how to shoot your film. John Hess explains some basic tips on how to visualize your desired ratio and some helpful composition techniques.

Go inside the history of the travelling mattes (now called chromakey) and learn the history of visual trickery used by filmmakers from the earliest filmmakers through to the modern day.

Explore the 5 crucial elements of capturing a great chromakey for your production.