Filmmaking / Directing

Fantastic share, Florin Şumălan! Everyone doesn't have the opportunity to be on set physically, especially a Steven Spielberg set or another top director's set. Watching videos like this can help directors, cinematographers, writers, actors, etc. learn. Thanks for sharing!

Spielberg has been one of the main influences on my own style of filmmaking. I especially love how he uses deep depth of field and camera movement to cover a scene, which reduces the number of setups. I've used this technique a lot myself.

Steven Spielberg is always a great share Florin Şumălan!

This is a must watch! So cool to see his process and focused, excited demeanor. I loved when the pre-vis arist talked about his rudimentary drawing but that he's always right about the shot. Brilliant. Thanks for this share, Florin Şumălan!

Glad if you enjoyed watching this. I like too, seeing these kinds of videos, it's interesting, watching how some directors work.

I started these days to watch another video like this about Martin Scorsese, from this "Shot, Drawn & Cut" channel. I will make another post with that video.

Enjoy!

This deep dive into his work and path is epic. What an incredible share. Thank you, Amanda Toney.

Thanks for sharing the article, Amanda Toney! It’s a fantastic article for directors, others in the industry, and Quentin Tarantino fans to check out! The trunk shot is one of my favorite shots in film. I’ve seen it in a lot of movies, and I’m always curious what’s in the trunk. It’s a great tool for directors and writers to use.

This is great -- Tarantino is one of the best cinematic storytellers out there.

Thanks for share @Amanda. Incredible deep dive! Some great cinematography tips too & exact equipment used. Must read again. Tarantino is a superb psychologist. Master of the switch he takes inspiration from his own life. Characters are unravelled with panache & often forced to make choices then we see consequences EG Vincent Pulp Fiction killed in toilet. Dig T’s radical shifts in plot & often tonal discordance. Absurdity is grounded until it seems normal. Great subtext EG Reservoir Dogs father & son type bond between gangsters. Father hugs & comforts son. He confesses to Father who shoots him. A fan of Sony Chiba & Hitchcock, T re purposed some of their ideas in own scenes. Also cool pastiche shots from films decades apart. EG Woman laughs Metropolis/Inglorious Bastards, Driver at wheel Psycho/Pulp Fiction. Dialogue EG Ezekiel, 25.17 Jules Pulp Fiction “And I will reap great vengeance …..”

Thanks for sharing the video, Tucker Teague. It's great and fun to watch these director videos. I used to be confused when I heard some directors say it took hours to shoot a scene right, but after I started watching director videos, I saw why. There's so much that goes into filming a scene.

As a movie fan, I love seeing practical effects in films, Ashley Renee Smith! Some of the practical effects that stood out most to me last year were the effects in the Civil War scene (I didn't know they used practical effects until this video), Alien: Romulus, Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape, and The Substance.

O yes lets talk!

I have to say that some of the best practical effects from 2024 have to be from "The Substance". Between the full body prosthetics and practical blood effects, the work is amazing. Gross too... but in a good horror movie way!

Maurice Vaughan Signed up!

Thank you Ana Maria Hermida for replying to us and I loved your advice for female filmmakers. Thank you and I am cheering for you :)) Gracias.

I have a full feature set in Colombia that could get government support as it is set around historical locations. Interested?

Hi Ana Maria,

Thank you so much for your insightful answer! I really appreciate your advice, especially about focusing on universal themes and the importance of strong visuals. I’ll definitely keep that in mind as I refine Nino and eventually translate it.

I also loved what you said about magical realism—how it allows us to amplify emotions and explore deeper truths. That resonates a lot with the storytelling approach I’m working on.

I’ll keep working on my screenplay and structuring my pitch package as well. Thanks again for your time and wisdom! Hope to connect again in the future.

Ana Maria Hermida, your answer(s) is/are most appreciated.

With reports of filmmakers and generally creatives being confronted with scenarios even attacked up to recent times, it is certainly welcomed to see your response to collaborations with Anthropologists, as I myself have halted to some extent and diverted attention with production in consideration also to involve investors and collaborators for assessment. I’m presently preparing a post for the “Your Stage Lounge” to get response on the subject(s) therefore this post is significant with relevant matters and therefore your answer(s) is of considerable excellent timing and essence.

Collectively the questions together with answers certainly enhances and contributes to the subject(s)

The entire post is certainly just superb with composition! Congratulations and I’m thankful for this AMA!

Ana Maria Hermida Ana, thanks for your answer. I love the way the Universe imposes itself on our intentions. Well done for being so flexible about the fantasy/magical realism element. I think you crafted a great balance between those harsh realities and the fantasy elements.

Part 1 of the blog series: www.stage32.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-part-1-the-making-of-alix-from-ca...

Part 2 of the blog series: www.stage32.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-part-2-the-making-of-catalyst-stu...

@Dwayne Great question, I feel nothing is impossible regards to blending horror in all genres but I’m no fan of horror comedy. Dark humour seeded well in selected scenes can serve as payoffs/reveals/twists/jump scares/shock horror etc but if done in continuous over kill it can become farcical. However with a sitcom aimed to make audiences laugh at jokes I reckon this scenario could be explored more. Who is the target audience and what do they/we find funny in the horror? Sorority & Slasher are sometimes called horror comedy but I find them “Niche” cos those worlds have their own rules and fans have certain expectations. Often no jokes nor dramatic irony.

Debbie Croysdale , I almost think comedy often needs to be paired with other genres to thrive. Comedy movies themselves usually have adventure or another strong element attached to them, making them more like subgenres. Pure comedy feels more at home in stand-up shows, which are the true essence of full comedy. What’s your take on that?

@Dwayne I get what you say. My two cents is action/romance/horror/tragedy etc does appear alongside comedy but often confined to particular characters POV. In their eyes only makes it a dramatic irony. However an example of comedy/action/rom com obeying genre specific rules in unison is Crocodile Dundee. The plot unfolds as a story in itself not from someone else’s POV.

That’s such a great question, Dwayne! I think horror has proven surprisingly versatile across most genres, but I’d love to see it more thoroughly explored in the musical space. We’ve had some wild entries like Sweeney Todd, Repo! The Genetic Opera, and Anna and the Apocalypse, but it still feels like an untapped well. The contrast between melody and menace can create a deeply unsettling tone if done right.

Ashley Renee Smith Awww, yes! Sweeney Todd is such a perfect example—it’s haunting and mesmerizing. Something fresh with the new dark pop sound would be incredible, like blending moody melodies with chilling storytelling. That contrast could create a masterpiece!

Feels like different characters from all walks of life face same corrupt, wheels within wheels closed shop cronyism/toxicity. If you want I’ll send you my version of log line but re main question. Proof of concept does not necessarily need much money. You must however have proof of unique I.P, aka intellectual property. A micro film even with registered script & preferably other related works. Nothing generalised. Many may come up with above scenario but it’s your original blue print/characters/ plot that counts. Some Indie film makers shoot on i phone witnessed by crew containing unique dialogue plus all the above. Once a concept “exists” in the ether, whether cheap or expensive to execute the artist has an account of their works. Importantly too, the trail of proof gains leverage business wise, EG split deals in board room. Don’t waste time worrying about funds for some perfect scenario but get the work done.