Filmmaking, an Art of storytelling

Do you ever wonder how directors, cinematographers, and the like are able to create content with such precision? How wonderfully are they able to capture the essence of the story and communicate it to the audience? How watching a film sometimes seems like we are watching reality?

Well, filmmaking is truly an art! A gripping story line and cinematography will ensure that your audience invest their mind and heart completely into your film.

The Role of Film in Today’s Society

Film, unlike any other medium, is able to tell the story of our world in a new and exciting way. It has the ability to reach people from all walks of life and offer them something different. Film can be used as a form of entertainment, social commentary, or education. In today’s society, film is more important than ever before- it is imperative that filmmakers understand the power behind their craft and make sure they’re using it as wisely as possible.

Importance of storytelling for a filmmaker?

Storytelling is an integral part of a film as it creates elements that are full of wonder, sentiment, humor and intrigue. The real art of storytelling lies in writing and creating characters who can resonate and engage with the audience.Though there are other crucial aspects like location, lighting, visual effects, casting, camera angles, etc…the heart of a film lies in the story. If your story is not able to enthral or hold your audience’s attention, then irrespective of how good the locale or the visual effects are, you will still be conveying only the wonderful technical aspects of the movie but not the emotional element that is imperative to the film’s success

How to improve your creativity while making a film or telling a story?

One of the most difficult obstacles in your filmmaking journey is having a lack of creativity. Sometimes, even when we are at our best, inspiration can be hard to come by and we can’t seem to make progress towards our goals. The need behind being creative is that it makes your story a lot more interesting and exciting and it will also strike a chord with your audience.

Seeing the world from different perspectives is an essential skill for a filmmaker. Therefore, being able to work on these ideas, understanding the importance of storytelling and combining them with technical film-making expertise will bring a great amount of value to your films.

Best creative practices that top filmmakers follow

• Spend some alone time and brainstorm: Though very cliche, this point by far is the most important aspect when you are trying to create a story plot. You should first be able to convince yourself before you go on and convince others. Therefore, to brainstorm on your existing ideas to create elements of intrigue and surprise and also find ways to make your audience laugh is key to telling your story. So, sit alone, let your thoughts wander and find those connecting elements that will lead you to an irresistible plot.
• Watch the works of your favourite film-makers: What better way to get inspired by someone you respect and admire. Every film-maker has his unique style of storytelling, and one day you will want yours too, but there is no harm in finding inspiration from the master story-tellers and gaining some insights to make your story better.
• Find plots from real-life: Seek for patterns and co-relate and build from scenarios around us. Understand the mentality of the society, learn what are the things that move us the most and dig deeper into social issues. This can be the first place where you can pick up creative ideas for your film.

Film-making is one of the most rewardable experiences. If you wish to pursue a filmmaking career and are not sure where to begin, you can start by exploring RV University Film-making Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree courses from their School of Liberal Arts and Education.

Conclusion

You are the master who is responsible for the quality of your work. Therefore, you should showcase your ideas with confidence and believe in your work. After all, a true film maker might get inspired by his ideas, but his role is actually to inspire millions of spectators and show them something new. The art of filmmaking can be an exceedingly rewarding experience to the creator of the film!

There is also the aspect of the Science of Filmmaking, that is equally important to bring your story to life. Using the right visual and audio elements to achieve the right kind of engagement is also quite crucial while making a film.

Also read: The Science of Filmmaking, the second blog from our filmmaking series to understand the technical aspects of making a film.

The Science of Film-Making

The power of film is indisputable. But do you know what makes a film? What goes into the process? In order to tell a story, films use elements of cinematography that are both technical and artistic. The elements of science during film making creates a visual experience that is absolutely breathtaking. In this article, learn about the science behind filmmaking and the elements that go into creating a film, including cinematography and the entire production process.

What is Cinematography?

Cinematography is the art and science of creating moving pictures. It deals with the observing, recording, annotating, and interpreting visual media in order to convey meaning. Cinematography can be very simple or it can be incredibly complex. Prominent filmmakers use every tool at their disposal to create engrossing cinema that carries viewers into an alternate reality.

It also involves the choices of camera angles, types, colors, framing, and other elements that are used to express meaning in films. Cinematographers take shots of various things- people’s lives, other movies, landmarks – to capture the world that they want to put on screen. Taking into account all aspects of visual storytelling, cinematography is one of the most important means of creating emotive images.

Filmmaking Process: Cinematography

Filmmaking is a craft that takes time and effort. One of the most important parts of the filmmaking process is cinematography, or the art of shooting movies. In order to make a good movie, you need to take care in deciding what kind of camera angles, lighting, and props will best suit your project.

What are the main elements and components of cinematography?

The camera is typically composed of two lenses, a camera body, and a film reel. The lens come in different focal lengths that are adjusted to the desired shot. It can also be adjusted depending on lighting sources so that it can focus on different elements in the foreground and background.

The camera body is designed to handle changing light sources so it must be able to move smoothly without losing focus or causing unintended distortions. This is achieved by using a few different mechanisms:

• Moving parts like an iris diaphragm which controls the size of the aperture
• Aperture blades which control the size of the aperture

Filming Props and Camera Techniques

Filming props is always important in a film or TV show. A prop can also be anything on-screen to help tell the story. Props can add a level of warmth, drama, tension, or help connect the audience to the characters on screen. It is important to have a variety of filming techniques that are creative and unique. There are many ways you can use the camera in these various techniques to make your film stand out from others.

Audio Techniques in Filmmaking

Audio is as important in film making as it is in music. The sound effects, dialogues, and music can all be used to convey different moods, sentiment, and emotion. In fact, much of your audience decides whether or not they like a film based on the sound and the audio quality.

Lighting Technique in Filmmaking

Lighting is used to set the mood and color the tone of a scene. The color can be just as important in the lighting as it is in any other part of filmmaking, so it’s important not to skimp on your lights. To get a good light balance, you’ll need to make sure that everyone involved knows what they’re doing.

Every successful film depends on a few key elements, most of which are difficult to recreate. The director must have a clear vision and understanding of the script, budget, and crew. Lighting is an important element that can contribute to a good movie because it can transform an ordinary scene into something magical.

In short, what does the entire production process entail during filmmaking?

The production of a film can be broken down into four steps: pre-production, production, post-production, and marketing. The pre-production process starts with a script usually written by a screenwriter which includes the story outline, desired tone and style for the characters, dialogue, and more. The next step is production where sets are built or locations are scouted to serve as a backdrop for the film. In post-production, editors cut together all of the shots from various scenes using techniques such as jump cuts and fades to make it seem like one continuous scene. Finally, in marketing comes promoting the movie on social media via content marketing to get people interested in your movie before it’s released.

All these processes use different skill sets in order to produce an entertaining film for viewers. It requires an immense amount of manpower, time, patience, and most importantly, money

Conclusion

How to create more interesting scenes with characters and bring out more emotion in the viewer with the right technical aspects is something a director picks up through practice and trial and error methods. But these crucial elements of filmmaking is what makes a movie compelling for the audience.

If you are exploring options on how to become a filmmaker, or are more interested in pursuing a career in the Science of Filmmaking, you can start by exploring RV University’s B.Sc (hons) degree in Filmmaking offered by their School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

What is Liberal Arts Education?

The term “liberal arts” was coined by the German philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1678. It now refers to a broad range of academic disciplines, including the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, history, and languages. In liberal arts colleges and universities, students study a diverse array of subjects from different fields to better prepare themselves for the working world after graduation.

Reforms in the Education System

Traditionally, this system was criticized for not equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy. The logic behind this argument was that all you need to know to master a good job is taught in math and science classes. However, these criticisms are now being used as reason for further reforms of liberal arts education.

One of the most significant changes in liberal arts education has been the liberal arts core curriculum. These new curricula include a set of courses that help students think critically and learn how to be productive citizens in a diverse world. Rather than having one curriculum, many colleges are now giving students the opportunity to choose their own courses, which is important because it gives them the chance to constructively reflect on their education.

History of Liberal Arts

The study of Liberal Arts can be traced back to Ancient Greeks, who considered this subject to be an ultimate mark for identifying an educated person. In the classical antiquity era, liberal arts education involved subjects like rhetoric, grammar and logic in order to make people eligible to participate in public debates, serve in court and military services. Later on, in the medieval times, other subjects like geometry, arithmetic, astronomy and music were included as a part of liberal education.

At present times, a liberal arts education provides students the opportunity to study a wider range of subjects, with the core aim being the same – development of well-rounded individuals having adequate knowledge and skills in multiple fields.

Benefits of Liberal Arts Education

Free your mind and go change the world with a liberal arts education!

When you acquire varied knowledge along with strong critical thinking and analytical skills, you can easily be flexible and adapt yourself in the ever changing global market. Apart from that, here are some key benefits of having a liberal arts degree –

• Job opportunities in multiple sectors: Having a strong foundation in a wide range of subjects can prepare you for a career in various fields, as opposed to having a degree with just one subject for specialization. Being trained in multiple arenas will help you have a plethora of career options, and your broad skill set will be seen as an asset.
• Explore human experience: Students get to study how the educational approach has evolved over centuries in different academic disciplines – science to literature to design – and develop a great insight through multiple perspectives into the human experience.
• Hone critical thinking skills: Be it to explore your personal interests, solve complex issues, satisfying your curiosity or unleashing creativity, liberal education provides an open-ended educational experience that helps increase your critical thinking abilities. This is because the focus here is not to build something technical for a specific purpose, but to understand how something affects an individual and the society and derive a solution that benefits all.
• Multidisciplinary perspective: By exploring different cultures, human experiences and philosophies, you gain a multidisciplinary perspective and a broader worldview, which is what most global companies are looking for at present times.

Career Options with a Liberal Arts Degree

Employers are always looking for creative team members who can contribute to help solve complex issues, which is why a liberal arts education opens up opportunities in various industries. Some of the career options include –

• Teacher/Professor
• Engineering
• IT Industry
• Healthcare & Pharma Industry
• Data Scientist
• Environmentalist
• Entrepreneurship
• Writing
• Civil Services
• Journalism & Social Media Management
• Writer / Author
• Graphic Designer / Artist
• Social Work & Public Policy
• Human Resources Specialist
• Communications & Public Relations Specialist

Liberal Arts Courses at RV University

The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at RV University provides a modern curriculum for students to develop a research-based, multidisciplinary thinking ability to help contribute to the holistic development of the society. The school offers undergraduate programmes like B.A. (Hons.) and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Liberal Arts

B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts and Sciences

The B.A.(Hons.) programme is a 3 year degree course that helps students excel in their chosen field of study with a combination of interesting majors and minors.

Majors include –

• Film Studies
• Theatre and Performing Arts
• History
• Indology
• Philosophy and Ethics
• Politics and International Relations
• Literature and Languages

Minors include –

• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Psychology
• Filmmaking

Apart from this, you can also opt for additional minors from School of Design and School of Economics and Finance.

B.Sc. (Hons.) Liberal Arts and Sciences

The B.Sc. (Hons.) programme at RVU is also a 3 year course with the right blend of theory and practical, along with internships and experiential learning to prepare students for the global world.

Majors include –

• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Psychology and Mind Sciences
• Filmmaking

Minors include –

• Film Studies
• Theatre and Performing Arts
• History
• Indology
• Philosophy and Ethics
• Politics and International Relations
• Literature and Languages

Additional minors from School of Design and School of Economics and Finance are also applicable.

To know more about the liberal arts courses at RVU, visit https://rvu.edu.in/school-of-liberal-arts-and-sciences/

Conclusion

Liberal arts majors teach students how to think critically and solve problems, which is an incredibly valuable skill in any career. Universities now offer more flexible degree programs so students can customize their education based on what they want to do after graduation.

Read our 2nd blog post from the series of Liberal Arts Education that will give you insights on liberal arts as a discipline that will change the approach to learning, making it more engaging, value-based, real-world oriented, and collaborative

Liberal Arts, a new approach to learning

There’s a shift in the world today, the shift is to liberal Arts. The idea is that if we want people to be creative and innovative in the 21st century, then we need to teach them in a different way.

Most people have a clichéd image of liberal Arts degrees. A Liberal Arts education, however, provides learners with skills that can be applied throughout their lives. Liberal Arts students have more to offer than their counterparts from other disciplines. A liberal Arts education can be a game-changer in today’s world, as it teaches learners how to solve problems, think critically, collaborate, think outside the box, and come up with original solutions to complex issues.

Why Liberal Arts Education?

A liberal Arts education is a well-rounded, holistic approach to preparation for life and career. Instead of a sole focus on one specific area or skill, liberal Arts schools teach soft skills like research, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, writing, and communication in addition to specific majors and concentrations. Liberal Arts students benefit from the interconnection between core classes and major classes. Instead of viewing gen ed classes as a checklist of unrelated subjects to get out of the way before diving into the meat of their major, liberal Arts students build a base of core classes that support their major classes and career goals. Here’s why Liberal Arts education is important:

A diverse approach to learning: It provides learners with a broad understanding of the field they choose, a positive mindset, and a fascinating worldview, resulting in a valuable addition to any organization. A liberal Arts education consists of several disciplines, including literature, philosophy, math, sciences, and social sciences.

Become an independent thinker: Students are taught how to think creatively, analytically, and critically. Students learn not to take things at face value and to examine the why, what, or how of whatever they are presented with. This allows them to question preconceptions rather than simply follow the norm.

Wide Scope: Through exposure to diverse subjects, learners may opt for careers in HR, Marketing, Advertising, IT, Healthcare, etc. They have also proven to be excellent business owners, managers, and more.

Developing soft skills: Students of liberal Arts acquire highly sought-after skills required by every industry. They are often skilled communicators.

Flexibility: Graduating candidates no longer hold a job for their entire career in the same company. Liberal Arts education provides them with broader foundational knowledge from which to build their skills.

Socially responsible learners: STEM-based education focuses on a specific field of study, while liberal Arts education does not. Students not only become aware of their civic responsibilities but also develop creative ideas for solving societal problems.

New concepts to learn: Students are exposed to new ideas, concepts, and unique experiences. From community-based learning to peer-reviewed research, this gives them the chance to explore and experiment.

Expanded worldview: Acquiring a wealth of knowledge not only helps learners develop well-rounded skills, but also improves their ability to think. The liberal Arts provide learners with the ability to understand and broaden their horizons in terms of how they view the world around them.

What is included in the Liberal Arts discipline?

The liberal Arts courses have an interdisciplinary approach. Students of History can take classes in Environmental Sciences, while students of Literature and Language can take classes in design or business. The following are the courses offered by RV University’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences:

Bachelor of Science (School of Liberal Arts and Sciences)

Students pursuing B.Sc. in liberal Arts can choose to major in Environmental Science, Physics, Psychology, or Filmmaking. As minors, students can choose from subjects offered by the School of Liberal Arts under the BA programme or from subjects offered by the School of Design and School of Economics and Finance.

Bachelor of Arts (School of Liberal Arts and Sciences)

A student pursuing a B.A. in liberal Arts can choose to major in Film Studies, Performing Arts, History, Indology, Philosophy and Ethics, Political Science and International Relations or Literature and languages. To gain a multidisciplinary perspective, students can choose minors from the subjects offered by the School of Liberal Arts under B.Sc. programme or from subjects offered by the School of Design and School of Economics and Finance.

Benefits of an Interdisciplinary curriculum for Liberal Art Studies

The increased emphasis on interdisciplinary studies leads to a richer learning experience by incorporating multiple perspectives and ways of knowing.

A liberal Arts education incorporates courses across the disciplinary spectrum history, literature, math, science, and foreign language so that a well-rounded individual can be developed. It is a system, a methodology that can be applied to any topic or situation, both inside and outside the classroom. A multidisciplinary approach encourages critical thinking by having you consider a subject from a variety of perspectives. This course will enable you to become a creative problem-solver, capable of seeing the big picture and proposing contextually relevant and comprehensive solutions.

In liberal Arts education, you learn how to think, and you learn how to learn. As a student in the liberal Arts, you will develop two core skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Conclusion

You do not need to be an expert in a subject if you are a liberal Arts thinker. You can learn about a range of topics using a multi-disciplinary approach. In essence, you will learn how to learn. The value of a liberal Arts education lies less in the content itself than in the acquired skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, that will enable you to become a life-long learner and an integral member of society.

Liberal Arts will also cultivate creativity, empathy, and innovation. Students will be more flexible in switching between fields of study, mastering different ways of thinking, and succeeding in tech-based careers. Liberal Arts education is geared towards creating lifelong learners who are engaged with the world.

If you want to explore more career paths and future prospects in Liberal Arts and Sciences, read our 3rd blogpost in the series: Life-changing career paths in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Why choose Liberal Arts as a discipline?

Liberal arts degrees are perfect for students who want a well-rounded education that provides a variety of skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of careers. Liberal arts graduates have high rates of employment, which suggests that liberal arts degrees equip students with the practical skills needed on the job.

A Liberal Arts education covers a wide range of subjects that are necessary for an individual to develop logical and critical thinking skills, to comprehend issues that are important to modern and future human societies and the world, and to use their minds to solve a variety of social, economic, political, and environmental issues and problems.

How can a Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences prepare you for a Life-Changing Career Path?

With the essential skills and information you gain during your Liberal Arts degree programme, you will be one step closer to choosing a career that you love, for example a career in environmental science. It clears up a lot of questions when you study an eclectic combination of your favourite subjects during your course.

• It prepares you for the highs and lows of your career

A liberal arts education can lead to a variety of jobs, and you can change your mind at any time. As a college student, you have the ability to change your mind later on if you like. A liberal arts education has withstood the test of time because abilities like critical thinking and problem solving never go out of style.

• You learn the most in-demand soft skills

Because of the nature of Liberal Arts courses, you can improve your writing, public speaking, presenting abilities, cooperative work, and creativity.

• Improves your analytical and critical thinking skills

A typical element of liberal arts education is the development of critical thinking and analysis.

• Increases cultural awareness

Sociology, cultural anthropology, philosophy, international studies, and other interdisciplinary subjects can help you get a deeper understanding of culture.

• Opens up a plethora of career options in Liberal Arts

Journalism, public relations, literature, law, politics, linguistics, publishing, social work, psychology, management, public policy, civil service, marketing, and a variety of other jobs are all possible with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

• It helps you become a better leader

A Liberal Arts degree can help you lead teams in the corporate world by creating, collaborating, motivating, and innovating.

• Prepares you for graduate school or a master’s degree

A liberal arts degree broadens your thinking and analytical abilities, allowing you to gain a greater knowledge through hands-on learning and research. All of these are necessary for higher education, therefore Liberal Arts provides a solid basis for your future studies.

Prospects for Career Options in Liberal Arts Education

Students who have completed their liberal arts education have taken on a variety of roles such as equity research, analytics, client servicing, marketing, relationship management, banking, consulting, human resources, e-commerce, and so on.

Journalism, advertising, writing, research, NGOs, financial analysis, banking, and public relations are just a few of the careers/fields that you can pursue immediately after graduation. The world is your oyster if you major in Liberal Arts.

Scope of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The scope of liberal arts education much exceeds the diversity and exposure that specialized education may not always provide. The term “liberal arts” refers to a broad and multi-disciplinary category that includes a variety of academic disciplines:

• Humanities include art, literature, philosophy, linguistics, religion, ethics, modern foreign languages, music, theatre, speech, and classical languages.
• History, psychology, law, sociology, political science, gender studies, anthropology, economics, geography, and business informatics are examples of social sciences.
• Natural sciences include physics, chemistry, biology, geography, earth sciences, astronomy, archaeology, and zoology, among other things.

A degree in this field opens up a wide range of career options in Liberal Arts because it prepares you to be a well-rounded, effective communicator with strong problem-solving abilities. These are the personality traits that employers look for in ideal candidates, and they will increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Each discipline teaches you a specific framework for creativity, problem-solving, communication, and other abilities that you may use in a variety of career disciplines and employment. A list of possible occupations for liberal arts graduates is provided below. The collection is made up of examples found on college websites and employment boards, and it gives you a taste of what’s out there

List of career options that a Liberal Arts degree holder can pursue.

• Representative of the advertising industry
• Archivist
• Director of Artist Events
• Human resources specialist
• Financial analyst
• Graphic designer
• Journalist
• Marketing expert
• Public relations expert
• Manager of the project
• Social worker
• Research analyst
• Teacher
• Statistician
• Technical writer
• Web developer

B.sc Hon Physics – Scope

A bachelor’s degree in physics can lead to a variety of professional prospects. Here are some of the most popular job titles:

• Physicist
• Physics Lecturer
• Lab Assistant
• Research Associate
• Subject Matter Expert
• Technician
• Radiologist Assistant
• Academic Counselor
• Content Developer
• Quality Control Manager
• Scientist
• Radiation Oncologist

History Honours – Scope

The job prospects for BA History Hons graduates are one of the most appealing parts of the programme. The demand for BA Hons History in India is exceptionally high. If you obtain a BA in History Hons, you can pursue the following careers:

• Content Writer
• HR Manager
• Marketing Executive
• Executive Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• High School Teacher
• Relationship Manager
• Administrative

BA Hons Philosophy – Scope

A student who completes their study with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Philosophy might choose a variety of career options, both in India and overseas. Here are a few job opportunities for students to consider:

• Teacher & Tutor
• Novelist, Non-fiction Writer or Poet
• Health service manager
• Local government officer
• Marketing executive
• Newspaper journalist.
• Mediator (e.g. to settle disputes between unions and corporations)
• Public Relation Journalist
• Psychotherapist
• Counsellor & Therapist
• University Lecturer
• Motivational Speaker/orator
• Publicist

Political Science Hons – Scope

Getting a job as a BA Political Science Hons graduate in any firm is usually regarded as a cakewalk for graduates. One of the reasons is that, due to the course structure, candidates can be deemed professionals after completing the BA Political Science Hons programme, making them capable of having a solid career scope and skills. In fact, most graduates continue to educate themselves, making them more competent at working. The following are some of the finest occupations for BA Political Science Honours graduates:

• Campaign Organizer
• HR
• Legislative Analyst
• Clerk
• Politician

Career after BA English Honours – Scope

If you have a bachelor’s degree in English with honours, you have a lot of options. Unlike in the past, people who have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in English have a plethora of options. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

• Content Writing
• Blogging
• Digital Marketing/ Social Media Marketing
• Creative Writer & Editor
• Teacher/ Professor / Educator
• Journalism & Mass Communication
• Public Relations
• Translator/ Interpreter

Conclusion

India’s economy is varied, and students must learn how to communicate with people of all genders, castes, races, religions, and social classes. I’m confident that pupils with such talents and skills will evolve into valuable employees, citizens, and eventually ‘adaptively adaptable’ human beings.

This is precisely what the Liberal Arts stream aspires to produce: critical thinkers with the confidence and flexibility to study new skills and material on a continuous basis. Nowadays, the Liberal Arts Program is gaining a lot of traction among students. Recruiters across the job market prefer candidates who are more self-assured, more skilled, and better prepared to deal with life’s problems.

By now, you should have a good understanding of the meaning and scope of a Liberal Arts degree, as well as how a degree in this discipline can practically help you start a career in any field. Even if you are unsure whether you want to pursue Liberal Arts as a graduating major, you may always seek advice from someone with experience in such fields. Speak with one of our top career counselors to see if a liberal arts profession is right for you.

Also read: “Rewriting The Future of Young India with a Liberal Art Education” and “Why liberal arts will change the approach to learning, making it more engaging, value-based, real-world oriented, and collaborative” from the same series of Liberal Arts Education.