The first three months of 2015 have already given us a handful of exciting new movies. From Disney’s Cinderella, to the adaptation of erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey, there have been a lot of fresh films to talk about.
As big film lovers, we are even more excited for what is yet to come. There are a huge number of films that are to be released this year, from all different genres. We have put together a list of some of the films that we personally cannot wait to see!
Jurassic World (June 12th)
Jurassic World is the fourth instalment in the Jurassic Park film franchise. The last film was released back in 2001, making it a 14-year gap between the third film and this one.
Chris Pratt leads the film, with other notable cast members including New Girl’s Jake Johnson and Jurassic Park veteran B.D Wong. The movie depicts a dinosaur theme park that is situated near Costa Rica, where behavioural research is being undertaken on a group of Velociraptors.
We don’t know a lot about the movie, but if the first three films are anything to go by, we imagine there will be a lot of gruesome deaths at the hands (or claws) of angry dinosaurs!
Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1st)
Marvel fans unite! The highly anticipated sequel is almost upon us, and all our favourite MCU superheroes are back.
This time, the guys are in charge of saving the world, as a peacekeeping program that Tony Stark invents goes horribly wrong, resulting in a self-aware artificial intelligence that wants to rid the world of humans.
We know the film will guarantee plenty of badass superheroes and buckets of fun! Definitely a film for all the family.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (November 20th)
It’s nearly coming to an end, and we are not sure whether to be excited for the last instalment in one of our favourite dystopian movie franchises, or be sad that it’s almost over.
The films, which are taken from a successful young adult book series, have been a massive hit with people of all ages. The last book is darker than the others, and we’re excited to see how this is transferred to the big screen.
Are you Team Peeta or Team Gale? Those who haven’t read the book will be excited to know the answer.
Sadly, it will also mark one of the last performances of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who died during the filming of the movie.
We don’t know about you, but we are officially excited for the rest of 2015. Whilst we enjoy looking forward, we also know it’s important to look back at our fondest memories. Here at Cine2DVD, we specialise in film transfer services, including transferring 8mm film to DVD.
For more information, contact us on 0800 592433 and a member of our staff will be able to help you.
The past 15 years has seen countless films hit the big screen, and many of these films are considered to be amongst the best that have ever been produced. At Cine2DVD, we love good film, so here is our selection of the greatest films of the 21st century (so far).
The Dark Knight (2008)
The second film in the most recent Batman trilogy was extremely popular, and displayed excellent acting, action and drama that captured the imagination of cinema audiences across the globe.
Christopher Nolan’s film sees Christian Bale reprise the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, and is set during a period of change and conflict in the city of Gotham. The city’s newly elected District Attorney Harvey Dent, played by Aaron Eckhart, becomes central to the plot of the film, and impacts Wayne’s personal life as well as that of his alter-ego.
The film sees Batman, Dent and Gotham Police combat a rising threat in the city; a criminal who goes by the name of ‘The Joker’, played by the late Heath Ledger. The intensity of this storyline, which combines shocking drama with dark comedy, captures audiences everywhere, and propelled the film to its long-running success.
The film received publicity six months prior to its release when, sadly, it was announced that Heath Ledger had died after taking a lethal combination of prescription drugs on 22nd January 2008. Movie-lovers flocked to cinemas to see Ledger play one of his final roles, which lead him to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor posthumously.
Frozen (2013)
Disney’s 2013 release has created one of the biggest franchises in film history. Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen, the film earned US$1.2 billion at the box office, and continues to sell a variety of merchandise that makes it the most profitable film (in terms of merchandise) in history.
The film tells the tale of princess sisters Anna and Elsa. Elsa possesses powers that allow her to produce massive amounts of snow and ice, which is kept secret until the day of her coronation, when in an outburst Elsa accidentally reveals her powers and causes an eternal winter. She runs away, leaving Anna, alongside iceman Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and the lovable snowman Olaf, with the task of finding her and convincing her to bring back summer.
Frozen has seen widespread success, with the song ‘Let It Go’ winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film continues to be highly successful to this day, with Disney releasing a Frozen short, which has been named Frozen Fever, and will debut in cinemas with Disney’s Cinderella, which will be released on 13th March 2015.
Inception (2010)
An all-star cast featured in Christopher Nolan’s science-fiction film Inception, which received widespread success and lead to it becoming the 41st highest grossing film of all time.
The film sees Dom Cobb, a professional thief played by Leonardo DiCaprio, commit corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of his victims. Alongside Arthur, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, his team is given the task of using military technology to do the impossible. They are to cause ‘inception’, or in other words implant ideas into the subconscious of their target while extracting information and experiencing shared dreaming.
The film confused audiences globally, and won many awards to reflect its critical success.
Kill Bill (2003, 2004)
Quentin Tarantino’s two-part martial arts action film was extremely popular when it was released. Originally, the film was supposed to be one single feature, however when the finished cut lasted over four hours, it was decided that it would be released in two parts.
The Bride, played by Uma Thurman, is seen in a wedding dress lying wounded in a church at the beginning of the film, having been attacked by the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. The film follows the journey of the Bride, who goes on a path of pain, torture and growth, and her travel to Okinawa with the eventual aim of assassinating Bill, her former lover and the man who shot her.
The films were well-received by critics, offering action, emotion and all the elements audiences have come to expect from Tarantino films. Although a third volume has been rumoured, Tarantino has dismissed these rumours.
These films are excellent examples of the greatest film Hollywood has ever produced, but here at Cine2DVD, we treat your home movies just as we would the century’s biggest blockbuster. We offer many film transfer services, including transfer of super8 to DVD. For more information, contact us today by calling 0800 592433.
March 15th – that’s a date for your calendar. No, it’s not just the ides of March, although if you happen to be Julius Caesar, do take care. It’s also mother’s day, or Mothering Sunday for those who prefer an extra 50% more letters with their events.
But how about, this year, not buying your dear ol’ mum the token box of chocolates and a bottle of Baileys? After all, she’s your mother, so she deserves something a little more special – like a video of all her greatest hits: the time she burnt the turkey at Christmas, that tipsy dance she did at your wedding, the moment she first laid eyes on her first grandchild.
Maybe you’d like to see her face when all the family members speak to the camera about how awesome she is, or gather the grandkids to perform an expertly choreographed rendition of absolutely any scene from Oliver! These are all glorious moments that she’s sure to treasure forever. Also, you’ll be her favourite child for the whole day, so that’s a bonus.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure that whatever your footage, your mum looks great in them. On this blog, we like to offer up ideas for creating great home movies, so here are a few filming tips, to ensure your lovely mum looks a million dollars (which she’s totally worth, of course).
Show Her in Her Best Light
Lighting can be a tricky issue when it comes to camcorders, especially for those shots filmed indoors. If you’re shooting inside, you do, at least, have an element of control over the lighting. Switch on as many lights as you can; don’t simply rely on overhead lights as they can cast ugly shadows over your subjects, and leave their faces in darkness. If you’re shooting by a window, position yourself with your back to it – otherwise you’ll end up with a silhouette of your mum and miss out on her beautiful smile. Likewise, if you’re filming outside, shoot with your back to the sun, to really capture her best side.
Put the Focus on Her
Your camera comes with all manner of jiggery-pokery, right? So why leave it on auto-focus? It might seem like the easiest choice, but you’ll regret it when you come to view the footage and see that weird zooming blur as the camera attempts to focus on two things at once. Have a play beforehand and figure out how to precisely focus your camcorder manually. That way you can capture exactly what you want, without losing crucial moments because the camera’s got confused by the foreground and background subjects.
She Wants to See You Too
Just because you’re behind the camera, it doesn’t mean your job is done. It’s easy to forget that just because you’re there, it doesn’t mean you’re there. When watching your home movie back, your mum’s going to want to see you too; she’s not going to want to just listen to your ghostly voice monologuing in the background. Hand the camera over to someone you can trust, and make sure you’re in at least a couple of shots. That way your home movie has all the key players taking a starring role. You’re just as important to your mum as everyone else!
Now you’re all set to give your mother a gift to really remember! And if you’ve got footage from way back when, we’ll help you transfer it on to a digital format to be enjoyed by the whole family. We specialise in converting 16mm, Super 8 and 8mm film to DVD – creating memories you’ll want to watch again and again. Want more information about our services and products? It’s easy – simply contact us on 0800 592 433 and our dedicated team will be delighted to assist with all of your queries.
Last time on our blog, we were discussing how to ensure your home movies have a professional polish. In that, we discussed the importance of varying your shots. The general rule is to open with an establishing shot – that’s the shot that lets your audience know where the action’s taking place. You’ll notice it in movies and TV shows all the time, usually as we cut to an exterior shot of, say, Frasier’s apartment or Gotham City.
Then there’s the long shot, which allows you to capture a group or location in one frame. The medium shot allows a slightly closer look at a subject. If the birthday girl or boy is showing off the new football kit they’ve been given, you’d want a medium shot. It gives your viewers both facial expressions and body language. A close-up puts focus on, say, a subject’s face, or the birthday cake, and nothing else.
So how do you put all of those together to tell a story?
Even before you start shooting your home movie, you’ve got to have one eye on the editing process. Part of this comes with what you film – capturing literally every single moment of little Sarah’s West Ham-themed birthday party isn’t going to hook your audience, which means a little in-camera editing. So, for that birthday party, you’d shoot the action (blowing out the candles, say), stop recording, shoot a close-up of the birthday girl, pause, shoot the reactions of the party-goers.
But that’s just the beginning. So let’s take a look at a few tips and tricks for editing your home movies, and giving your audience something to really look at.
Don’t Go Cut-Crazy
A major danger, especially for first-time editors, is to cut-cut-cut, edit-edit-edit. If you’re editing together some wacky drug-like scene, that’s fine. But it’s no good for your cousin’s wedding. It will produce a dizzying and incoherent mess of a home movie. And it’s just plain tiring.
Don’t Hang on a Long Shot
There’s nothing more boring for viewers than a single long shot. That’s because we’re visual creatures, so we want to be visually stimulated. Another problem with long shots is that they can have too much going on – giving the viewer little clue as to what’s supposed to be the focus. Vary your shots, with an emphasis on medium and close-ups. Let’s see those reactions properly!
Cut on Actions and Words
You may not have noticed, but this is a classic editor’s trick. Say your subject waves – rather than capturing it in one shot, cut mid-wave and follow it through in another shot. This is obviously easier if you have two or more cameras recording, but with a little creativity, it’s not impossible to pull off on a single-camera set-up.
Capture Cutaways
You know when you’re watching an interview with, say, Roger Moore, and we cut to the interviewer nodding? Well, chances are, that nod was filmed at a different time. Grabbing cutaway shots are essential to mask an edit without resorting to a jump cut. It also adds to the movie’s atmosphere. So film anything that might be useful for a cutaway, like party bags and reactions of guests.
Keep It Continuous
Continuity is vital in any type of film. If there’s a really incongruous continuity error, your audience will stop focussing on the film and start worrying about why Grandad Bobby’s hat keeps disappearing and reappearing on his head with every shot change. Remember things like positions of subjects and the type of lighting and when it comes to editing.
Walking Equals Wipe
There’s a scene in Jaws where Brody’s watching the beach for the shark. As people walk past the camera, Spielberg cuts to ever-closer shots of the police chief. And you can do the same. You’re not on a film set, so whether it’s a wedding or birthday, people are likely to be walking past the camera. Use that to your advantage and cut to a new shot.
Be Creative
The beauty of editing is, even if Auntie Marjory arrived at the event after Uncle Roy, you can change all of that – especially if it makes for better story-telling. So long as you keep a master copy of all the footage, you can play around with the back-ups and see what works best for your vision without fear.
You’re Not There
Remember how, in our last blog, we discussed how the movie-maker should capture the action, rather than inserting themselves into it? Well, the same is true of editing. It should be seamless and invisible. Don’t draw attention to your editing, because it takes focus away from what’s really important – the subjects of the film.
Do It Digitally
It is possible to edit old-school style, from VCR to VCR. But if you’re looking to give your home movie a real sheen, you’ll want to look at digital editing software. Of course, that might mean you’ll have to transfer Super8 to DVD to get it onto your computer, but we can help you out with that. You’ll have a lot more control over your film doing it this way.
So, ready to stitch together your masterpiece? Simply contact us on 0800 592 433 and we’ll be delighted to assist with your film format conversions to create memories worth watching.
Previously on this blog we looked at common mistakes that those shooting home movies sometimes make. You can check out our tips here and here. But there are a few things you can do to ensure that Bella and Ron’s wedding is on par with A Clockwork Orange. Even Darcie’s 11th birthday party can achieve the same watchability as Saving Private Ryan, so long as you shoot it right.
So today we’re going to check out a few ways to create an absolutely awesome home movie that even your next-door neighbour’s sister’s friend would want to watch.
Prepare and Plan
Planning is absolutely crucial if you want the best movie possible. There are key moments at any event that you’ll want to capture, right? Walking down the aisle and cutting the cake at a wedding, for instance. Or the candles being blown out at that birthday party. So you want to be prepared for those moments ahead of time, getting into position and ready to film first time – the bride’s not going to walk down the aisle twice just because you didn’t manually focus the shot.
Making It Up as You Go
For all that planning, there are some moments you just can’t account for – and you’ll want to remember those too. Uncle Paul dancing like Baloo the Bear may not be on your roster, but you’ll want to be ready to film it in a heartbeat – even if Uncle Paul may wish you hadn’t! Keep your wits about you, and be prepared to capture anything your viewers may want to watch back again and again.
Try a Tripod
Hey, want to induce seasickness in some of your viewers? Then definitely don’t use a tripod. If, on the other hand, you want your audience to enjoy the movie, you’ll want to get one. The tripod will keep your shots steady and visually engaging. Better yet, it’ll give your film a professional polish.
Enlighten the Audience
Lighting is one of those factors that people don’t think they have much control over. And sure, if you’re trying to stop the sun from setting until you’ve got that shot you know will make your movie, you’re probably not going to have much luck. But you can control factors such as where you’re filming – for instance, don’t have natural light coming in from behind the main players, because no-one wants to remember a silhouette which may or may not be Auntie Jan. If you’re filming inside, whack on as many lights as possible, and whip open the curtains.
You Aren’t There
A lot of amateur home movie-makers forget that they’re not the centre of attention. In fact, you shouldn’t be centre of anything, but instead blend in like a wildlife documentary filmmaker. That way you’ll capture real moments, rather than shoving the camera into the face of a now-conscious and inhibited guest.
Insert Shot Here
You know what can be a real drag with home movies. The same long shot capturing absolutely everything for two or three hours. Hey, you’re a movie-maker now, so be creative. Get as many different shots as you can. A long-shot of the birthday girl in front of the cake to set the scene, before a nice close-up of the candles being blown out, followed by reaction shots can really enliven those moments. That goes for angles too. A low-angle shot, followed by a towering overhead can make a home movie far more visually appealing.
Can You Hear Me Now
Sound can be a tricky thing to get right. Some camcorders can go all to hell when there’s too much chatter. But if you have control over the ambient noise, then you should take advantage of that. Lowering the volume of the music, for instance, may make all the difference. Invest in a pair of headphones and hook them up to your camera – that way you’ll know precisely how that sound’s being caught on film.
Once you’ve got your epic movie, it’s time to share it. And what better way than to hold screenings on DVD? That’s where we can help. Whatever format you’ve filmed it on, we can convert it for you. We can even transfer 8mm film to DVD if that’s your bag. To get the scoop on how we can help you, simply contact us on 0800 592 433 and our experienced team of technicians will be delighted to help.
It’s difficult to know where to start when making a film, and even more so when you’re a first time film-maker. Should you wait until your perfect story comes along, or just use any old one you have lying around? Should you invest more in cameras or cast? And if you’re low on numbers, are you allowed to hire your mum and your dog? Well, here at Cine2DVD Transfers, we know a few things about filmmaking and so we’ve put together this blog post to put you on your path to winning a Best Director award!
Have a Great Story
Amazing stories have the power of capturing a viewer’s full attention. This means that if you make any mistakes, or are unable to do certain things due to time and budget constraints, your viewers will be forgiving (to a certain extent). Having a solid script will mean that you’ll still have a shot, unless something totally disastrous happens on set. A brilliant screenplay doesn’t have to be written from scratch of course, it’s perfectly acceptable and often a lot quicker to base a screenplay on an already existing story. However, don’t just wait around all your life for that perfect story to come along!
Find a Good Cast
If you have any friends that have ever had a dream to be a famous actor, when they find out that you’re making a film they’ll no doubt be nagging you for a part. Unless you’re friends with someone who’s actually a professional actor, casting your friends is almost certainly an awful idea. It’s difficult to tell a friend that they’re doing something wrong, and unless they’re a trained actor it’s likely that they’ll be making plenty of mistakes. Instead, focus on finding a cast that’ll be able to effectively act out the story you’re telling. Remember that making a film is a serious task.
Work with What You’ve Got
If you only have 10 actors to fill up your credits, it’s unrealistic to write a huge crowd-scene into your film. Unless you’re infinitely rich and have decades to make your movie, you’re going to have limits when making your film that you will have to deal with. Thankfully, you can almost always adapt the film to accommodate what you do have, and leave out what you don’t. Tweak the script, use effects, or even sneak some shots of crowds at events to make your film; after all, being flexible is essential in film making.
Break the Rules
Like all creative pieces of work, breaking the rules is one of the most important rules in filmmaking. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore any and all advice you’re given and do whatever you want, but advice should be treated as a tool in your toolbox that may or may not be useful for a certain film. If you strictly follow the rules then your film will lack originality and innovation. Contrary to how the saying goes: rules are not meant to be broken, but it’s certainly fun to do so!
Here at Cine2DVD Transfers, we specialise in 8mm film to DVD conversions, so if your film calls for some old footage, or you just want to modernise your collection, we can surely help! If you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us on 0800 592 433 or email info@cine2dvdtransfers.co.uk and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Last year, we started looking at some classic films from 1930-1950, and there were some fantastic movies to choose from. In this post, we shall carry on our theme of days gone by, as we look at some of the best films that were released between 1950 and 1970.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Starring the brilliant Charlton Heston, this film tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a rich Jewish prince and merchant living in Jerusalem at the beginning of the 1st century. The prince is delighted to hear that his childhood friend Messala has been named as a commanding officer of the Roman garrison of Jerusalem, but upon meeting with him, realises that his friend has changed. Messala punishes his old friend for refusing to divulge to him the names of those who oppose him, by sending him off as a galley slave. But that is not the last the arrogant officer will see of Judah Ben-Hur…
FUN FACT: An infirmary was created specifically for the filming of the chariot race scenes. Thankfully, few injuries were sustained, most of them being sunburn.
Psycho (1960)
This Alfred Hitchcock classic follows the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who has taken off with $40,000 of her employer’s money. In a bid to start a new life for herself, she drives off with the money towards California, stopping over at a motel to rest for the night. Little does she know what a mistake that was when she arrives at Bates Motel, run by a peculiar young man named Norman, who seems to be dominated by his mother…
FUN FACT: After seeing her famous shower scene on screen, actress Janet Leigh was so moved by the vulnerability of a woman in the shower, that she only took baths from then on.
The Graduate (1967)
Starring a very young Dustin Hoffman, The Graduate tells the story of Ben, a recent college graduate. After returning home, he finds himself embroiled in an affair with the wife of his father’s business partner, Mrs Robinson. To complicate things more, he begins to fall in love with Elaine, the daughter of Mrs Robinson.
FUN FACT: The first names of the older characters are never used in the film, increasing the sense of a generation gap.
Here at Cine 2 DVD, we’re passionate about film, whether it’s a Hollywood classic, or your home movie of Christmas 1982. We provide a great service allowing you to transfer your 8mm film to DVD. For more information, contact us today by calling 0800 592 433 to speak to a member of our team.
It’s interesting, isn’t it, just how you can tell when a moment was captured, simply by studying the image in front of you. In fact, with a keen eye, it’s possible to effortlessly judge just when those memories occurred.
It’s not just down to those really awesome shoulder pads you were rocking in the 1980’s, the 90’s curtains hairstyle, or those blood-constraining skinny jeans for the millennium. It’s more about the image quality. Seeing the difference between analogue pictures and those shot in digital is easy.
Consider this scene: a family gathering. These days, if we’re capturing this moment, we’ll be filming it with our smartphones – and then it ends up plastered all over social media, but that’s another story. The average smartphone today has a minimum of around 3MP, which means some serious digital clarity when compared to yesteryear.
Travel back ten years, and the cameras would be shot in VGA. VGA – or Video Graphics Array – was a pretty basic camera type, with a resolution of 640×480. So you’ll definitely notice the difference already. Even if you were using a dedicated digital camera in the early 2000’s, chances are it would only be around 1.3MP. So you’d still be able to judge just when it was you made those memories, based on quality alone.
Dash back even further, to the 90’s, and digital is pretty much unused, at least by most. That’s when we used film, creating images on 6×4 roll film, or using disposable cameras. In the 1980’s, the 35mm was king. As technology advances, we’ve grown used to great picture quality. What once seemed like the height of image clarity just keeps on getting better. Simply by looking at your photos and video films, you can easily date the time it was taken, which is pretty amazing.
Here at Cine 2 DVD we’re passionate about bringing the best quality images to you. That’s why we specialise in converting 8mm film to DVD. So all you have to worry about are those tie-dye t-shirts you thought would never go out of fashion. For more information about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0800 592 433 or email info@cine2dvdtransfers.co.uk and our pro team will be delighted to assist with your enquiries.
