..by; chahir youssif

I am often asked what people have to do to learn filmmaking.

In a way that’s a tough question to answer, because this whole website deals with that topic! However, there is a lot of content on this website and I accept that it can be daunting.

this article to answer the question “how can I learn filmmaking?” on a single page.

Aspiring filmmakers need to attain competence in several different art forms in order to direct films that actually work narratively and cinematically.

What I will do here is describe the various skills that filmmakers need to learn, and what practical steps you need to take to ensure that you achieve proficiency in those skills.

: Learn the art of camerawork

In my opinion, a filmmaker is first and foremost someone who has learned to see the world through the camera lens — or, more specifically, through the considerable variety of lenses that can be used and the different looks they produce.

There are two key elements to this:

 focal length and composition.

The significance of focal length is that it radically modifies the perspective and consequently the feel of a shot. 

When you zoom in, you are increasing the focal length; when you zoom out, you are reducing the focal length. You will need to bear this in mind for my future Filmmaking Tips. 

Remember:

* Lens with long focal length = “long lens” = equivalent to the long end of zoom = narrower field of view

* Lens with short focal length = “wide lens” = equivalent to short end of zoom = wider field of view

Zooming in or out is about a lot more than simply changing the framing — the perspective and the compression of the visual planes also change. Focal length makes a huge difference to the look of the shot.

You can make an object look exactly the same size in the frame with a wide or long lens, simply by changing the distance between the camera and the object, but the two shots will have a different feel. You need to become thoroughly acquainted with this difference and how you can use it in your storytelling.

Learn the art of movie editing:

The most important advice I can give on how to learn filmmaking

To be a top-notch filmmaker, you need to develop superior film editing skills.

My first film makes me cringe now. That is a healthy sign that I have made a lot of progress since then.

 I read the book Grammar of the Film Language, I watched my favorite films while bearing in mind the concepts I learned from that book, then went back to the book, then I studied my favorite films again, and so forth.

 quote; Grammar of the Film Language is an extremely substantial and content-rich book and is only appropriate for those who are serious about becoming highly skilled filmmakers. It is my opinion that anybody with serious filmmaking ambitions needs to absorb the concepts in that book thoroughly.

You must practice:

The way to consolidate and develop your learning is to practice, practice, practice.

 This can be as simple as shooting a quick sequence with friends and a camcorder; there is no need to worry about lighting or locations because it is just a training piece and no one will ever see it. It is just like practicing on an instrument as opposed to making the actual recording. The key here is to visualize the cut sequence in your head and then shoot the sequence accordingly, so you do have to pre-visualize the sequence in great detail.

 If, for example, there is a cut in the sequence that relies on an actor walking out of shot and revealing something in the background, you need to bear this in mind when you direct the shot.

Do all of the above regularly and your skills will go through the roof, but that’s the problem with long-term practice: most people cannot muster the motivation to keep it up.

I wrote that to be a superior filmmaker you need to acquire superior editing skills — but why is this, given that films are usually cut by an editor? The answer is very simple: if you do not understand editing, you will not design shots and direct actors in a way that is conducive to assembling smooth sequences. If you do not have a basic grasp of the language of film editing, when you deliver the footage to the film editor, he/she will struggle to deliver a good cut as a result of the errors and weaknesses in your directing.

Learning basic editing concepts will help you avoid difficulties in the editing room; going further and learning advanced editing skills will enrich your filmmaking in ways that I cannot adequately describe in writing. A director with sharp editing skills is absolutely lethal!

Additionally, as a director, how can you see the film completely in your head if you do not understand editing? If you do not see the cut sequence in your head, you really have no business directing anything. You need to see the completed sequence in your head, and therefore you need to understand the nuances of the film editing language.

Again, this advice is only for those who aspire to be outstanding filmmakers.

Ultimately it is about building a vision for the film in your head and ensuring that the finished project is consistent with that vision.

As a filmmaker who also has a high-level understanding of editing, you will be truly formidable and people will not fail to recognize it.