Cinema has transcended time, captivating people around the world since the invention of moving pictures in the late 1800s. Today, films are just as popular as they ever were, with new generations being introduced to the wonder of movies and discovering how one of the favorite pastimes continues to evolve. What some viewers may not realize though is how films are made and the secrets that the movie industry can hold.
This article will uncover some of the fun facts behind some of the most beloved films and show how filmmakers draw upon a variety of different elements and elements to craft their cinematic masterpieces.
What Going on Behind the Scenes
When most people watch a movie, there is usually a feeling of being whisked away to a totally different world– both literally and figuratively. We’re captivated by the ‘magic’ on screen and have no inkling of the work that was required to bring it to our screens. But believe it or not, the process of making a film is quite a detailed and complex. Here are some of the steps that filmmakers must go through in bringing their stories to life:
• Storyboarding – Drawing out initial sketches and conceptualizing the shots for the film
• Script Writing – Crafting the story into a narrative with dialogue, action and circumstances
• Pre-Production – Gathering actors, sets/locations, resources, crew and other necessary elements
• Filming – Capturing the scenes with camera and audio equipment
• Post-Production – Computing and editing the raw material (color correction, sound mixing, special effects, soundtrack etc)
• Distribution – Making the final product available to the public whether by online streaming, theaters, or DVD/Blu-Ray
It may take years before an idea is fully realized and released to audiences. As a result, there are a lot of exciting facts that go on behind the scenes that viewers are unaware of.
On Set Secrets
If you think the theater is the only place for movie magic, think again! Here are some interesting facts about what takes place on the set:
• Every detail is carefully designed, from the camera angles and lighting to the movie props and the costumes each character wears.
• Many filmmakers choose to keep the script secret, only revealing it with the actors on the day of filming.
• The term “take” referring to a scene is derived from the early days of the movie industry where physical strips of film were loaded into cameras in order to capture the footage.
• Actors often have very specific preparation methods and rituals that they do before each scene.
• Dogs, cats and other animals are often trained to take on different roles in film.
• If a filming location isn’t available, filmmakers may turn to special effects and green screens to generate their desired setting.
Unique Movie Settings
While some films are set in ordinary places, like a suburban home in their hometown, some filmmakers go the extra mile to capture wild, fantastic scenery. These are some of the interesting places movies have been filmed in:
• Iceland – J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Ridley Scott’s Prometheus
• Australia – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
• Namibia – Mad Max: Fury Road and The Interpreter
• Hawaii – Jurassic Park and Jurassic World
• Costa Rica – Jurassic Park
• Dominican Republic – The Godfather Part II and The Departed
Celebrity Cameos
It’s become a popular trend in recent years to include celebrity cameos in movies, either as themselves or playing a character. Some of the famous cameos include:
• Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Expendables franchise and The 6th Day
• Matt Damon in Ocean’s Eleven and Invictus
• Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder and Rock of Ages
• Jack Black in King Kong and Nacho Libre
• Justin Timberlake in The Social Network and Inside Llewyn Davis
• Leonardo DiCaprio in Little Darlings and This Boy’s Life
Budgetary Conflicts
As with any project, movies come with an assigned budget. Making a movie takes time, energy and resources – all of which cost money. And as a result, filmmakers often have to make compromises while trying to keep the quality of the product at the highest quality. Here are some of the common disagreements faced by filmmakers and why:
• Finding the right actors to cast – The right cast can make or break the movie, and filmmakers are often forced to tighten the budget by cutting back on salary or hiring unknowns as a result.
• Locations – Finding the perfect filming location is key; if a particular setting is too expensive or otherwise unavailable, filmmakers must make do with something that may be less than ideal.
• CGI Effects – Visual effects can make a film come alive, but Hollywood is expensive and crews may use cost-effective solutions to keep the budget in check.
Making a movie is a huge undertaking that requires a great deal of time, energy, manpower and resources. It takes years from the conception of an idea to its premier on the big screen, with a great deal of interesting techniques and behind-the-scenes secrets that help bring the film life. While most of the work is out-of-sight and out-of-mind for moviegoers, it’s good to know there are surprising bits of fun facts about the movie industry that can enhance the viewing experience.
