Hollywood Camera Works training seminars?
- Thread starter xhridhar
- Start date
seanmcleod
Well-known member
I've never been to one myself but honestly dude, probably just some BS... if you're serious about wanting to learn about the craft of directing there are many books you could read that would be of great help, and buy or rent DVD some of the masters best films, Sidney Lumet, Martin Scorcese, Spielberg, Truffaut, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Aronovsky, Fincher, watch it as a movie first, enjoy it. Then watch it again, look for where the camera is placed or how it's moved, what does that make you feel?What does it reveal about the surroundings, the character, the location? Study each scene carefully, listen to commentaries. Finchers are great. Think of it this way... would you rather pay $480 for a class with Per Holmes (?) or $20 for a class with David Fincher/Sidney Lumet/ Scorcese.
Here's some books to get you started...
Making Movies - Sidney Lumet
Directing Actors - Judith Weston
Truffaut Hitchcock - Francois Truffaut
The Writer's Journey - Vogler (if you're interested in writing/directing)
Rebel Without a Crew - Robert Rodriguez
Hope this helps!
Here's some books to get you started...
Making Movies - Sidney Lumet
Directing Actors - Judith Weston
Truffaut Hitchcock - Francois Truffaut
The Writer's Journey - Vogler (if you're interested in writing/directing)
Rebel Without a Crew - Robert Rodriguez
Hope this helps!
bill totolo
Veteran
Blocking is an art and I respect anyone who can do it well.
RyanT
Veteran
Sean, have you ever watched any of the hollywood camerawork dvds? Honestly, anything they've put out has just been a wealth of information and I wouldn't hesitate for a second in giving them all of my money. Those books that you recommend, while interesting reads, didn't really teach me too much about the nuts/bolts of making movies...(with the exception of directing actors, that one is excellent.) I just remember coming out of watching the dvd set and finally understanding why people use a dolly or a jib, and finally being able to appreciate good blocking.
I have to ask the OP, have you watched any of the dvd sets? Seems like you would get a lot more out of the seminar if you've watched them all and studied them a bit, just so you're not picking up absolutely everything while you watch them block. Seems like a great class and I wish I could take it. Hopefully soon there'll be one closer to me.
I have to ask the OP, have you watched any of the dvd sets? Seems like you would get a lot more out of the seminar if you've watched them all and studied them a bit, just so you're not picking up absolutely everything while you watch them block. Seems like a great class and I wish I could take it. Hopefully soon there'll be one closer to me.
Ted Spencer
Veteran
Yes the DVD set is outstanding. Dunno about the seminar, but since it's by the same folks (presumably) it's probably great too.
The DVD set is quite good and very, very informative (if a little dry). Motion pictures being pictures in motion, it imparts information better than any book can.
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
Some people learn better by 'human interaction'... I tend to be ok with manuals and 'training films'... The Wife likes someone to 'show her how it's done'... like me... after I've read the manual or watched the training film...
Then she yells at me for knowing more than she does... but I digress...
I bought one of the HCW series on ebay and like it very much. I've seen a couple of other installments and they were impressive. If the seminar included the DVD set... + some 'live' presentation fee, I think that would be great... but I still probably couldn't afford it...
But I'd probably buy the Lighting and Sound DVD's from Jimerson and Co first...
Seminar
Seminar
@seanmcleod - I have all these books and dozens more.
@ryant - I have seen the DVDs many times but am hoping there would be more to learn on the seminar. It will be disappointing if it is exactly the same material as the DVDs.
@j1clark - I have both audio and lighting DVDs from david and green very good stuff.
For the past 2 Years I have been reading all the books I can get hold of and have watched 100s of movies. Now I am venturing out to this seminar and will be buying a f3 soon. I guess time will tell whether i can translate all this learning to quality output.
Seminar
@seanmcleod - I have all these books and dozens more.
@ryant - I have seen the DVDs many times but am hoping there would be more to learn on the seminar. It will be disappointing if it is exactly the same material as the DVDs.
@j1clark - I have both audio and lighting DVDs from david and green
very good stuff. For the past 2 Years I have been reading all the books I can get hold of and have watched 100s of movies. Now I am venturing out to this seminar and will be buying a f3 soon. I guess time will tell whether i can translate all this learning to quality output.
seanmcleod
Well-known member
I guess I was talking more of the art of filmmaking, rather than the technical aspects, so yeah I guess that would be a good way to learn blocking and using camera movements and the like...