Film theory 101

Ultimately, film theory is an essential tool that helps filmmakers examine the elements of film.

Film theory explained – a beginners guide Film theory is a scholarly pursuit, which attempts to explain the essence of what film is. In short, it both reflects and provides commentary on the society it came from. Thus, in the academic world, Film Theory is a branch of Film Studies. As such, it is related to Literary Theory and Semiotics. Great, but what does all that mean?  In brief, film theory is a way to think about the elements of film. Usually, it also looks at how film affects/is affected by the individual viewer as well as society as a whole. Learn more. Lessons from the field When do you need a model release form? Whether you're working on a documentary, hip-hop music video, social media ad or anything in between, remember that if you're going to be recording people, make sure they sign a model release form. This basic-but-crucial step gives you permission to use footage of that person, control over what you can ultimately do with the final product and peace of mind that you're protected from unwanted future lawsuits.   Creator Handbook: How to upload YouTube Shorts The race between video platforms rages on across the internet. The current sprint revolves around short-form videos. Instagram and Facebook Reels, Snapchat Stories and TikTok have been vying for your attention. The videos are so short; how can you even resist? After beta testing in India and the US, YouTube officially launched its own contender: YouTube Shorts.  YouTube Shorts are user-generated vertical (portrait view) videos that are less than 60 seconds in duration. Using your smartphone, you can capture a video about whatever you want. Then, with the YouTube tools provided, edit the video to add music, captions, filters and other effects. Once you're happy with the result, upload it directly in the app and voila! Watch the views stack up.   5 questions to ask before switching camera brands There are many good reasons to switch camera brands. Especially when an exciting new camera has decent specs, and a good price point. Plus, if the camera has unique features, it's usually worth a closer look. However, there are also a few not so good reasons, as described in our article on choosing a camera. After all, there can be a thrill associated with something new. Plus, there's the excitement of jumping on a powerful trend wave. It can even just be a distraction from the daily grind that makes brand-hopping an attractive decision. However, for professional shooters who buy gear as part of an upgrade strategy, some thought is required. While reducing a tax liability — you can eventually hit a wall with a camera brand. After a certain point, it can seem like you own every reasonable lens and accessory for your camera body A guide to making a short film 5 cool video effect ideas in Adobe After Effects How to shoot a music video on your smartphone Today's top stories A few customers filed a lawsuit against Burger King. The customers claim the fast-food chain's advertising photos make its food look bigger than it actually is. Apple announced a fix for the Studio Display camera. The fix is coming out of beta. OWC's Copy That software gained attention this week. It's software that can quickly transfer video footage to backups and editors. DJI temporarily suspended all sales and business in Russia and Ukraine. The company stated it wants to prevent its drones from being used in combat. CNET predicts Apple's iPad and M1 Mac sales may determine if the chip shortage is over. Apple will release its next sales report soon. In case you missed it Samsung announces durable, portable T7 Shield SSD GoPro launches GoPro Player + ReelSteady for desktop iMovie 3.0 receives two major time-saving features Tamron patents new zoom lenses for gimbals and drones Explore upcoming events The Videomaker Community Manage your eNews subscription via the web Manage Your Email Preferences or unsubscribe. The email newsletter for video production enthusiasts brought to you by Videomaker Magazine. Videomaker eNews came to you because you signed up to receive it. For questions about this email, please contact Videomaker Inc.  645 Mangrove Ave    Chico  CA  95926  United States