What are the rules of filmmaking?

Cineaste

Cineaste

Cineaste
I often hear people talking about, such an such director broke the rules of filmmaking. I have always wondered what are the rules of filmmaking? i've read a lots of books on filmmaking and none of them go into trying to explain what are the rules.

Does anyone know a book that describe what the rules of filmmaking are?
If not, what do you say we all gather our knowledge here and put ourselves a list of rules of filmmaking.

I'll start with a basic one.

The 180 degree rule or line of action
 
the 1st rule of filmmaking is you DO NOT talk about filmmaking!!

fcrules.jpg
 
There is the rule that you should always feed your crew. Especially if they are working for free.
 
...'rules' is a grossly overrated word used by filmmakers fresh out of filmschool.

If it works, use it.
 
Johnmilton said:
I often hear people talking about, such an such director broke the rules of filmmaking. I have always wondered what are the rules of filmmaking? i've read a lots of books on filmmaking and none of them go into trying to explain what are the rules.

Does anyone know a book that describe what the rules of filmmaking are?
If not, what do you say we all gather our knowledge here and put ourselves a list of rules of filmmaking.

I'll start with a basic one.

The 180 degree rule or line of action
Click to expand...
I've come to believe that there are only 4 true rules to filmmaking.

WRITE.
SHOOT.
EDIT.
SHOW.

Simple as that.

I see what you are getting at, but what you seem to be asking is alot of cinematic language and common sense, and I'd be surprised if the books you've read didn't explain it.

However, if you spend all your time listening to too many ideas, books, and opinions on the matter then you'll get lost in everyone elses ideas, maybe even persuaded to not go forward with an idea you once felt conviction to do, and nothing gets made, nothing new is discovered. It's Art! Do what you want to do. Be conscious of the guidelines, but try something different for a change. Follow your instincts and see what happens.

I think the above post has it right as well, look at alot of that stuff as guides. Take what you can use, ditch the rest. I'm sure you have enough books and education that goes into this stuff. But you'll never truly understand what they are writing about until you cross that bridge yourself. Go make a movie.

Books that help?

A History of Narrative Film ~ David A. Cook
Directing: Film Techniques & Aesthetics ~ Michael Rabiger
Directing the Documentary ~ Michael Rabiger
Film Directing: Shot by Shot ~ Stephen D. Katz
Film Directing: Cinematic Motion ~ Steven D. Katz
Rebel Without a Crew ~ Robert Rodriguez

Good luck,
eMJay
 
eMJay said:
I've come to believe that there are only 4 true rules to filmmaking.

WRITE.
SHOOT.
EDIT.
SHOW.

Simple as that.

I see what you are getting at, but what you seem to be asking is alot of cinematic language and common sense, and I'd be surprised if the books you've read didn't explain it.

However, if you spend all your time listening to too many ideas, books, and opinions on the matter then you'll get lost in everyone elses ideas, maybe even persuaded to not go forward with an idea you once felt conviction to do, and nothing gets made, nothing new is discovered. It's Art! Do what you want to do. Be conscious of the guidelines, but try something different for a change. Follow your instincts and see what happens.

I think the above post has it right as well, look at alot of that stuff as guides. Take what you can use, ditch the rest. I'm sure you have enough books and education that goes into this stuff. But you'll never truly understand what they are writing about until you cross that bridge yourself. Go make a movie.

Books that help?

A History of Narrative Film ~ David A. Cook
Directing: Film Techniques & Aesthetics ~ Michael Rabiger
Directing the Documentary ~ Michael Rabiger
Film Directing: Shot by Shot ~ Stephen D. Katz
Film Directing: Cinematic Motion ~ Steven D. Katz
Rebel Without a Crew ~ Robert Rodriguez

Good luck,
eMJay
Click to expand...

True. but always feed your crew:)
 
THE "OFFICIAL" RULES OF FILMMAKING:

Grammar of the Film Language by Daniel Arijon

This is the book that you're looking for, and which explains how to properly "cross the line" and how not to "cross the line" (which is exactly what you were asking about, the "180-degree rule"). It's full of diagrams and examples--all 624 pages of it. This book is an invaluable reference, and should be the standard "film grammar" text for any beginning filmmaker. You can always break the rules, but you must first understand the rules before you can break them. If you don't know your film grammar, you may end up disorienting your viewer and have shots of your actors facing the wrong way in your coverage. I bought (and still keep on my bookshelf) the hardcover edition of this book even before I set foot in film school.

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/187950507X/002-4218728-2418461?v=glance&n=283155
 
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The Rules are there for a reason and have come about after 100 years of filmmaking; learn them and then break them if you must.
 
I agree. You can't be "breaking the rules" if you don't know what they are.
 
NBCshooter said:
THE "OFFICIAL" RULES OF FILMMAKING:

Grammar of the Film Language by Daniel Arijon

This is the book that you're looking for, and which explains how to properly "cross the line" and how not to "cross the line" (which is exactly what you were asking about, the "180-degree rule"). It's full of diagrams and examples--all 624 pages of it. This book is an invaluable reference, and should be the standard "film grammar" text for any beginning filmmaker. You can always break the rules, but you must first understand the rules before you can break them. If you don't know your film grammar, you may end up disorienting your viewer and have shots of your actors facing the wrong way in your coverage. I bought (and still keep on my bookshelf) the hardcover edition of this book even before I set foot in film school.

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/187950507X/002-4218728-2418461?v=glance&n=283155
Click to expand...




Thanks for the link to the book NBCshooter, I am pretty familiar with the 180-degree rule but don't know many of the "rules of filmmaking" so hopefully the book will provide some extra insight.

Some people will argue that you don't need no rules to make films, in reality you don't but the outcome might not be what you expected.

I agree with John Hudson that in order to break the rules you have to know them, it would like asking a baby to run before they can walk.

I personally don't believe in film school, one because I can't afford it, two because I hate classrooms..

I rather learn while making films, currently i am shooting my second feature (my first which I'll be shooting part of it here in the states) but even when you learn a lot while making films you still need some guidance and I think that for everyone out there who wants to seriously make film, it's helpful to learn the "rules".
 
eMJay said:
I've come to believe that there are only 4 true rules to filmmaking.

WRITE.
SHOOT.
EDIT.
SHOW.

Simple as that.
Click to expand...

I would add:

WRITE. something good
SHOOT. something good
EDIT. something good
SHOW. something good
 
Yea, that's my main rule. Keep getting better. No matter how good your first stuff is to you when you do it, chances are it will suck. Don't be discouraged by that. Learn what you did wrong and go out and make another movie.

If you are talking about the rules of camerawork (like not crossing the line) I recommend the Hollywood Camera Work DVDs. They don't only explain the rules, they show you why they work. The only thing I own theat I have counted on more is my camera...which is ironic because my camera is useless if i don't know how to use it.
 
Yes. Always feed your crew. =^)

Looks like alot of really good points from everyone. You can definitely learn to avoid many potholes during production if you familiarize and educate yourself with the info available and perhaps taking some courses. John Hudson's comments are pretty dead on and NBCshooter's recommendation seems like something worth looking into.

As for "something good" ? Well, what's good and what isn't will always be a matter of opinion. If anyone figures out a way to hit a home run every time, be sure to post it and let me know.

eMJay
 
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I´m trying to sum it up:

Respect the 180 degree rule
Write
Shoot
Edit
Show
Learn
Repeat and…
…always feed your crew!

Read:
Grammar of the Film Language by Daniel Arijon

watch:
Hollywood Camera Work DVDs

And, IMHO:
Make a good establishing shot in each newly introduced scene (that shot will stay in the mind of the audience for the rest of the movie)
 
Just bought Grammar of the film language by Daniel Arijon, what an amazing book. It pretty much covers what I was looking for.

Thanks Joe 1008.

Ps. Santo Domingo es un lugar muy lindo!
 
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