Filmmakers have to face an increasing amount of competition over time. A good filmmaker is able to capture the person, the moment and the atmosphere in the best possible manner and showcase the emotions of the actors. Tony J. Selimi, a renowned human behavior specialist and filmmaker, believes that a great filmmaker can encapsulate the gravity of the situation with his shots.
Selimi is a leader on self-mastery, psychology of business success and is an international best-selling author. Together with his clients Joel and Timea Van der Molen they co-created Living My Illusion real-life coaching documentary series with a purpose to raise awareness on the impact not speaking our inner truth has on our health, relationship and in business. His first episode The Truth Hurts he highlights how toxic behaviors in intimate relationships can create life-threatening situations, profound loneliness and addictive behaviors.
In the follow up episodes, Selimi’s mission is to help those who struggle to make better choices and decisions so they can lead healthier lives, be in a co-loving relationship and create an extraordinary life. Here are a few tips that he would like to share with his audience.
- Let the camera create the atmosphere. The revolution of the DSLRs has not come only in the field of light, optics and speed, but also in size. With such small cameras, you can shoot quality video in different spaces and create a much more intimate environment. All this has been key to the filming of many modern films and has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for filmmakers.
- The lenses are the key. Find a good director of photography who knows about lenses and then make a sound investment. Use the one you need at any time even if they are of a different brand but try to give a uniformity to the film. In any case, after the impasse of several years of digital cinema in which everything was quite like television, true cinema has returned. Knowing what narrative effect each objective produce has opened up a wide range of possibilities.
- Location is Very Important. If you do not have money to have a lot of lighting equipment or camera, choose a suitable location, which already has an atmosphere that tells something, that allows you to add layers to the story. It’s almost half of the movie.
- Embrace your limitations. This is the same as the classic maxim: If you cannot with your enemy, join him. It is, I think, the advice that every director and PDO should keep in mind, and not only apply it to their work but try to make their team understand it too. You won’t have endless budgets, and it’s imperative that you create a platform on which you are able to follow through and create a quality film.
At the end of the day, it’s important that you take risks and create something that’s unique and helps you push your field forward. Like Selimi, you will need to remain in constant pursuit of your dreams if you want to succeed.