Classic Movies

nirvanray wrote on 3/21/2015, 4:46 AM

Hello friends,
This question is not related to any sort of editing or film-making techniques; but just a small doubt that I will be thankful if given views and suggestions on.

Pardon me, if at all, if this is a stupid question.

How important is it for a film-maker to see classics (from Lumier Brothers, Sergei Eisenstein, Bergman to Kurosawa etc). To be honest other than the present generation of movie-makers (Hollywood, India and some from Europe) I have not seen much. It it a severe ‘mistake’? Is it that I am missing on the basics?

Yes perhaps as a film-maker one must be well equipped with the masters but at the same time don’t we have the tendency to be temped by their styles? Personally I love fast editing and am always fascinated with flashes and jump cuts and it is very hard for me to overcome this influence.

Can some one please suggest?
Once again, if ever this is too silly question, please forgive me.
Regards.

Anirban

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 3/21/2015, 5:24 AM

Hi Anirban

IMHO the following are important requirements:

Knowing and understanding your equipment thoroughly
Knowing and understanding the capabilities and limits of your editting software
Knowledge of various film making styles, techniques and genres

So in answer to your question - look at others work, determine their techniques, critique what is right / wrong / could be improved in your opinion and learn from them.

Most important - use the knowledge gathered to develop your own 'signature' style.

. . . . Personally I love fast editing and am always fascinated with flashes and jump cuts and it is very hard for me to overcome this influence. . . . .

That sounds like you are already developing this without looking at the 'masters' of cinematography.

Personally I am more into Travelogues and Documentary styles.

HTH

John EB

browj2 wrote on 3/21/2015, 12:17 PM

Hi Anirban,

I concur with John EB. You have and are developing your own style.

You can add in more tools to your toolbox on both the editing technical side and the filmmaking and editing techniques to help you tell your story.

One good source is Larry Jordan. Take a look at the YouTube chanel, 2reelguys to get a good idea of the creation process, but not the button pushing part of editing.

There is also this with the same 2 characters which I found quite good. You should view it before going to the above site.

You raised a question a short while ago about colour correction or grading. I have VPX6 which allows me to do much more than MEP. The scopes have helped me in understanding what I am doing. This by Larry Jordan is a good tutorial on the subject. I have Pixelan FilmTouch plugin which has great tools for adjusting colour, including the use of masks.

Watching what others have done is one thing, understanding how they did it and why is another. That's why I would go for the creative tutorials from the experts and combined that with watching classics or other films that interest you.

I hope that you find some of this useful.

nirvanray wrote on 3/22/2015, 2:52 AM

Dear John CB thanks a ton for your kind help. I did had a look at one episode on Story.

It is very interesting and full of insights with good example.

Thanks for the help again.