Narrative and Visual Storytelling in the real word: As much as many of us wish we were shooting Hollywood features or high end dramas, the reality is quite different. Philip will be divulging his wealth of experience in how to keep the passion alive doing jobs that don’t necessarily excite you. Tips on how to tell the story (corporate, wedding, film, doc) whilst also keeping yourself motivated and inspired. An essential talk for anyone from people starting in the business through to people of many decades experience.
Philip Bloom – Talking about Story
1.
Storytelling is what keeps you going
Story keeps you interested
When do you start analyzing an image? When
its not very good
If the story is good and the content is
good you should be completely immersed
2.
Finding your specialty
3.
improving your visual
storytelling
4.
making sure you don’t fall out
of love
5.
the importance of 100%
What is as valuable as watching a good
cameraman? Watching a crap cameraman
Whilst working as a news reporter cameraman
- Always uses lighting and tripods
Very basic gear, this is where I honed my
creativity
I became evry creative with my lighting and
composition due to having very basic equipment, no track and dolly, no jib.
Also where I first learned multi skilling
I learnt to work fast, multiple
disciplines, deal with people, know how to tell stories.
Freelancer for past 6 years and gave up a
comfortable life
I now direct, shoot, edit, produce, teach,
make coffee… I do it all when needed and specialize in one of those when needed
to.
When working in a team find someone you can
trust and work well with.
Sound guys are like gold dust. The problem
with a bad sound guy is that you cant hear it.
If I had to choose… I hate not to shoot
To specialize or not to specialize
The “bedroom” production company
Do not be embarrassed to be one
The importance of story telling
1.
for 25 year I have been telling
stories
stories aren’t necessary fiction
2.
almost all the work you do is
effectively storytelling…
Visual storytelling
Video is a visual medium
Nothing wrong with a locked off shot and
something going on in the frame.
Can gear improve your visual storytelling?
How you interoperate something is up to you
Have a strong idea and just go for it
You don’t need a good storyboard, stick men
are fine
The camera?
It wont make you any better but it can help
you
A camera that can shoot in low light can
really help. It’s freeing, you can shoot environments you cant normally shoot.
It’s not the camera, it’s the person behind
the camera, but if you can have a better camera then it will improve the
visuals and creative freedom.
Gear can help as well
Inspiration… everywhere, life around you,
films
Breaking bad is one of the most creative
programs I’ve ever seen
Push yourself no matter what you do.
Whether it’s an high end commercial, a movie or a simple corporate.
An example of a corporate film made with a
tiny crew
The way I light – I like to make it look
like it hasn’t been lit
… (listen back)
You have to have patience
You cant have success over night
you will need to do corporate and other
videos or commercials to pay the bills.
1.
talent
2.
but talent isn’t everything
3.
gift of the gab and selling
yourself does help
4.
harnessing that talent, improve
your ability, learn
5.
best way to learn is making
mistakes
6.
what if its not as natural
7.
push yourself and take chances
Try to find an area which
A: you can compete in
B: is something YOU want to do
C: be realistic about it
You may find yourself having to compete and
not doing what you originally set out to do!
Your going to have to find something that
pays the bills
Lens wacking – a technique I used at a
wedding to allow more light into the camera… (listen what he said about it)
Promoting yourself
1.
showreel
how long should it be? 3 minutes, with your
best stuff at the beginning, make it powerful
2.
get experience… anyway you can
3.
the internet & social media
twitter, real connection with people,
networking
4.
vimeo/youtube
USE BOTH
Distribution: you can now do It yourself
You can get an audience yourself
1.
accept you will make mistakes. This
is part of the learning process. Mistakes make you better. Learn from them don’t
let them devour you
2.
always do the best you can on
every single job
3.
very little is beneath you if
you need to pay the bills
4.
no matter if you are new or
experienced you are always learning
5.
use social media
6.
love what you do!
7.
Take chances!
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