Compiling list of tricks... at DVinfo.net

Kevin Railsback · August 2nd, 2014, 11:58 AM

I'm working on a film idea and am trying to come up with a list of "tricks" that nature and wildlife filmmakers use to trigger emotions or feelings from viewers.

Things like color grading footage blue to make it feel cold and uninviting.
Using music to set a certain tone.
Shooting at first and last light.
Misting flowers with water to give the feeling of freshness and early morning dew.

What are some others?

Steve Siegel · August 2nd, 2014, 04:02 PM

Hey Kevin,

I believe that, in wide shots, putting your subject in the upper part of the frame lends an air of positivity
or dominance. In the lower part of the frame adds a sense of mystery. Or maybe I'm just fooling myself.

Paul Wood · August 3rd, 2014, 01:58 AM

Hi Kevin,

I rather like the use of height to emphasise some shots, for example in landscapes - either very low, or even a crane type shot, starting high, and dropping down to focus on the subject - sort of shows where you are, and can highlight the loneliness of the location.

Mark Watson · August 3rd, 2014, 03:15 AM

When I see an extreme CU shot of an animal's eye, I wonder what it's thinking.

A wide, distant shot of a scene, jungle canopy, etc., with no sound track or dialog, just the natural sound, it tends to let one soak in the immensity and isolation.

Mark

Martijn Damen · August 27th, 2014, 01:55 PM

Hey Kevin,

I think music and sound play a major role in this. Ofc these must fit the visual and vice versa.
Maybe it would be interesting to watch some of your favorite wildlife scenes with the sound off,
so you can maybe better focus on the visual "tricks" that are used.

August 2nd, 2014, 11:58 AM	#1
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	Compiling list of tricks... I'm working on a film idea and am trying to come up with a list of "tricks" that nature and wildlife filmmakers use to trigger emotions or feelings from viewers. Things like color grading footage blue to make it feel cold and uninviting. Using music to set a certain tone. Shooting at first and last light. Misting flowers with water to give the feeling of freshness and early morning dew. What are some others? __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

August 2nd, 2014, 04:02 PM	#2
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 839	Re: Compiling list of tricks... Hey Kevin, I believe that, in wide shots, putting your subject in the upper part of the frame lends an air of positivity or dominance. In the lower part of the frame adds a sense of mystery. Or maybe I'm just fooling myself.

August 3rd, 2014, 01:58 AM	#3
Paul Wood Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 485	Re: Compiling list of tricks... Hi Kevin, I rather like the use of height to emphasise some shots, for example in landscapes - either very low, or even a crane type shot, starting high, and dropping down to focus on the subject - sort of shows where you are, and can highlight the loneliness of the location.

August 3rd, 2014, 03:15 AM	#4
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Compiling list of tricks... When I see an extreme CU shot of an animal's eye, I wonder what it's thinking. A wide, distant shot of a scene, jungle canopy, etc., with no sound track or dialog, just the natural sound, it tends to let one soak in the immensity and isolation. Mark

August 27th, 2014, 01:55 PM	#5
Martijn Damen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Valkenswaard, Netherlands Posts: 62	Re: Compiling list of tricks... Hey Kevin, I think music and sound play a major role in this. Ofc these must fit the visual and vice versa. Maybe it would be interesting to watch some of your favorite wildlife scenes with the sound off, so you can maybe better focus on the visual "tricks" that are used.