How to Make Your Films Beautiful

Feb 19, 2008 - 17:06 PM PST

I think I know the story: you are an aspiring filmmaker, just out of school or finishing up. You finally have enough money to start your first big project. Or maybe you’ve already finished a few shorts and are ready to step it up a bit. Quite possibly, you’re wondering how to take your work to the next level without a multi-million dollar budget. It is possible. Even with a small budget, if you play your cards right, you can make your film visually astounding.

First things first, choose your locations wisely. It’s possible to turn the living room of your apartment into the central command center for the CIA, but it’s not really cost effective. If you have something specific in mind, keep searching until you find it. Most importantly, be as open minded as possible without compromising your vision.

When dressing the sets for your film, pay attention to detail. Dive into the minds of your characters- what are their hobbies and obsessions? Think in layers. For instance, say you are dressing a bedroom. Start by thinking in terms of color. Color is a great way to convey a mood and give depth to your characters. Especially in a short film, there is little time for character development; thoughtful set dressing can provide invaluable dimensions to the psychological environment of your film. For instance, what type of furniture would your main characters own? Are they wealthy, poor, or middle class? Do they live with their parents? Are they messy, obsessively clean, or somewhere in between? Don’t forget details like bedspreads, window treatments, clothes, knick-knacks, notebooks; attention to even the smallest nuances of the set design will visually enhance your film.

If you have friends that are artists, use their artwork! Artists, for the most part, are happy to lend you their work, and you will be thankful to have it. Use artwork wisely. Blank walls are boring, but you don’t want to overload the viewer with cluttered backgrounds. Pay attention to shot composition, just like in photography class…

Ultimately, to make your film beautiful all of the components must come together. Lighting with a color scheme in mind will make the set design stand out and enhance the mood. The cinematography will direct the viewers’ gaze and help them to realize your vision. And of course, the actors will embody your story and hold the spectator’s attention. When everything comes together, there is nothing quite like the magic of cinema.

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