http://www.cvisual.com Focused on Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking including storytelling, writing, shooting tips, motion graphics, graphic desing, film technology, 3D rendering, and all aspects of movie creation. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking en-us Copyright 2006, Dan Rahmel Wed, 06 Sep 2006 08:30:21 PST Wed, 06 Sep 2006 08:30:21 PST danr@cvisual.com danr@cvisual.com http://www.cvisual.com/cover_test.jpg http://www.cvisual.com Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking banner image http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-stirling-dies-the-fire.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-stirling-dies-the-fire.asp Summary: Book review of Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling about a silly post-apocalyptic world. Fri, 27 July 2007 12:42:00 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-freedman-david-natural-selection.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-freedman-david-natural-selection.asp Summary: Book review of Natural Selection by David Freedman about the Most Phenomenally Inept Predator in the Food Chain. Wed, 30 May 2007 10:47:00 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-panel.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-panel.asp On November 2, I'll be on the panel to discuss "Finding Your Place in Hollywood in an Ever-Changing Industry" Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:28:00 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/movie-construction-kit.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/movie-construction-kit.asp Free outline template for scripting and making a movie Thu, 28 Sep 2006 10:30:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/office-productivity/leo-plug-ins-by-dan-rahmel.asp http://www.cvisual.com/office-productivity/leo-plug-ins-by-dan-rahmel.asp Free HTML and RTF export plug-ins for the Leo outliner editor. Wed, 06 Sep 2006 08:30:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-mankoff-robert-naked-cartoonist.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-mankoff-robert-naked-cartoonist.asp Summary: Book review of The Naked Cartoonist by Robert Mankoff of a wonderful New York Times cartoon collection. Wed, 26 Jul 2006 10:40:00 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/graphics-techniques/cgi-3d-modeling-checklist.asp http://www.cvisual.com/graphics-techniques/cgi-3d-modeling-checklist.asp Revised checklist for planning the creation of 3D models in Maya, Lightwave, Blender, 3D Studio Max, Cinema 4D, Poser, or any other 3D application. Mon, 17 Jul 2006 10:30:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-hogarth-burne-dynamic-light-and-shade.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-hogarth-burne-dynamic-light-and-shade.asp Summary: Book review of Burne Hogarth's Dynamic Light and Shade of Hogarth's drawing samples and techniques for drawing and painting. Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:10:00 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-names-male.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-names-male.asp A basic list of male names for writers to print and put in their workspace for reference. Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:01:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-bonfiglioli-kyril-dont-point-that-thing-at-me.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-bonfiglioli-kyril-dont-point-that-thing-at-me.asp Summary: Book review of Kyril Bonfiglioli's Don't Point that Thing at Me by Dan Rahmel of Charlie Mortdecai, an aristocratic yet shady art dealer. Tue, 11 Jul 2006 09:32:00 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-writeroom-for-microsoft-word.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-writeroom-for-microsoft-word.asp Microsoft Word macro that brings the distraction free writing tool by Hog Bay Software to the Windows platform. Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:01:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-bear-greg-darwins-radio.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-bear-greg-darwins-radio.asp Summary: Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear book review by Dan Rahmel of excellent speculative fiction that makes you think. Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:50:32 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/jak-writing-fantasy-film.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/jak-writing-fantasy-film.asp Summary: Book review of Jak's wonderful fantasy screenplay writing book. Wed, 05 Jul 2006 09:53:32 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/vodcast-01-what-is-vodcast.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/vodcast-01-what-is-vodcast.asp Explanation of the basic process and functioning of a vodcast. Sat, 28 Jun 2006 09:02:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-tierno-michael-aristotle-poetics-for-screenwriters.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-tierno-michael-aristotle-poetics-for-screenwriters.asp Summary: Book review of Tierno's book of Aristotle's Poetics for Screenwriters that describes applying Aristotle's writings to script development. Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:53:32 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/vodcast-intro.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/vodcast-intro.asp Tutorial series showing an aspiring vodcaster/video podcaster how to subscribe, create, publish, and promote a video column or vlog. Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:56:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-conrad-winston-hemingway-france.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-conrad-winston-hemingway-france.asp Summary: Book review of Conrad's Hemingway’s France – Images of the Lost Generation which is a perfect visual complement to “The Sun Also Rises”. Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:44:32 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-make-fake-painting.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-make-fake-painting.asp Tutorial showing how to create a faux prop painting of an art masterpiece. Mon, 26 Jun 2006 11:01:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/fleming-high-concept.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/fleming-high-concept.asp Summary: Book review of Charles Fleming's High Concept : Don Simpson and the Hollywood Cultures of Excess which details the Simpson and Bruckheimer Hollywood of the 1980s and 1990s. Fri, 23 Jun 2006 10:59:32 EDT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-names-last.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-names-last.asp A basic list of sample last names for writers to print and put in their workspace for easy reference. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 9:06:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/gilliam-lost-in-la-mancha.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/gilliam-lost-in-la-mancha.asp Summary: Review of the documentary that follows Terry Gilliam's failed attempt to make a film based on Cervantes' novel Don Quixote (to be called 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote'). Wed, 21 Jun 2006 11:58:32 PST Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-trait-list.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-character-trait-list.asp A basic list of character traits for writers to print and put in their workspace. Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:04:21 PST Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/ettedgui-production-design-screencraft.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/ettedgui-production-design-screencraft.asp Summary: Book review of Peter Ettedgui's wonderful book on production designers and art directors. Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:58:32 EDT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-printing-trouble.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-printing-trouble.asp Use the free short script 'Printing Trouble' to make a short film. Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:40:21 GMT Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/brown-cinematography-theory-and-practice.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/brown-cinematography-theory-and-practice.asp Summary: Book review by Dan Rahmel of this excellent overall cinematography book. Tue, 13 Jun 2006 12:06:01 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-frame-ratio-template.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-frame-ratio-template.asp Free template for storyboarding for the various frame ratios for the target media. Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:41:15 GMT Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/podcast-generate-date-for-rss-feed.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/podcast-generate-date-for-rss-feed.asp Code to generate RFC 822 Date-Time format for Podcast, Vodcast, or RSS Feed from Visual Basic/VBA in Microsoft Office. Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:57:48 GMT Arts/Movies/Filmmaking http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-glossary.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-glossary.asp Film glossary and definitions that contains many common film terms, slang, and explanations. If you're new to production sets, this glossary is a critical so you're not lost in the sea of film jargon. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Fri, 09 Jun 2006 11:56:23 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-king-stephen-on-writing.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-king-stephen-on-writing.asp Summary: Book review by Dan Rahmel of Stephen King's advice to writers and authors of fiction. Advice best suited to accomplished writers. Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:23:05 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-depth-of-field-spreadsheet.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-depth-of-field-spreadsheet.asp Depth of Field spreadsheet for quick DOF calculations Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:49:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-newton-michael-how-to-write-action-adventure-novels.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-newton-michael-how-to-write-action-adventure-novels.asp Summary: Useful information, but you have to dig for it Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:48:21 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-action-verb-list.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-action-verb-list.asp Action Verbs for Writers provides a free Sample list of action verbs Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:26:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-interview-jack-sekowski.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-interview-jack-sekowski.asp Interview with screenwriter Jack Sekowski that also includes free download of a produced script "Who's Your Daddy?" Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:27:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-filming-food.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-filming-food.asp Filming and photographing food so it looks good enough to eat. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:28:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-top-ten-tips-short-film.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-top-ten-tips-short-film.asp Here is a list of some of the most important elements to keep in mind when making a short film. Following these guidelines will help you avoid the more common pitfalls. While these are only suggestions, they will almost certainly improve both your film and your filmmaking experience. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:29:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-no-cost-teleprompter.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-no-cost-teleprompter.asp How to convert a laptop into an instant teleprompter. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:30:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-screenwriter-jumpstart-poster.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/writer-screenwriter-jumpstart-poster.asp Poster containing screenwriter information such as Summary main points of Aristotle's Poetics Polti's 36 Dramatic Conflicts (with movie examples), 2000 sample names, 750 Action Verbs to electrify your writing, 460 character traits, 120 color descriptors, 200 sample locations (both interior and exterior), 350 professions, List of most common genres and sub-genres, General script page outline (with Plot Points) Script conventions (FADE IN, FADE OUT, etc.) Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:31:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-documentaries-for-art-directors.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-documentaries-for-art-directors.asp Documentaries and the interiors they show for production design reference Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:32:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/graphics-techniques/top-ten-tips-for-graphic-design.asp http://www.cvisual.com/graphics-techniques/top-ten-tips-for-graphic-design.asp Ten guidelines to think about anytime you begin a new graphic art project. Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:33:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/nuts-and-bolts-filmmaking-reviews.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/nuts-and-bolts-filmmaking-reviews.asp Reviews of the non-fiction book "Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking" by Dan Rahmel. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:34:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-templates.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-templates.asp Templates for a screenplay, a TV studio sketch, and a radio sketch (in both United States and U.K. formatting standards). Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:35:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-my-living-memory.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-my-living-memory.asp Free short script "My Living Memory" can be used to make a short film. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:36:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-adam-amy-storyboard-template.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-adam-amy-storyboard-template.asp Cartoon templates of Adam and Amy figures to make storyboarding quick and simple. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:37:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-general-production-tips.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-general-production-tips.asp Some production hints, tips, and advice that I've picked up over the years. Arts/Movies/Filmmaking Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:38:21 GMT http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-king-stephen-cell-novel.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-king-stephen-cell-novel.asp Review of Stephen King's novel "Cell" Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:25:21 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-palanuik-chuck-haunted.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-palanuik-chuck-haunted.asp Review of Chuck Palahniuk novel "Haunted : A Novel" Fri, 02 Jun 2006 09:20:21 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-steffans-karrine-confessions-of-a-video-vixen.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-books/review-steffans-karrine-confessions-of-a-video-vixen.asp Summary: Entertaining gossip Fri, 02 Jun 2006 09:20:21 GMT Arts/Literature/Reviews_and_Criticism http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-make-prop-sword-look-real.asp http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-make-prop-sword-look-real.asp How to construct a fake sword that will appear on film to be the real thing. Mon, 05 Jun 2006 10:20:21 GMT Arts/Movies/Filmmaking