What is stock footage?
Stock footage, which is in many ways similar to file footage, archive footage and library pictures, is any video or film footage which can be reused in a future film. Obviously, this means that similar scenes do not have to be shot over and over again. One of the most commonly used types of stock footage is that of cities and landmarks. Also in high demand is footage of fauna in their native environment, and famous historical events.
Why use it?
If there is a situation where stock footage can be used, the best option is to use it. Wasting such an opportunity means wasting both money and time. Using stock footage means saving the time and money that would otherwise have gone into shooting it all over again. Keeping production costs down is always a priority, be it for huge studios or for smaller establishments. Larger studios obviously have a choice in the matter, but for many small production houses, that extra expenditure is not something that they can afford.
Where has it been used in the past?
The most obvious example is definitely Oscar-winner Forrest Gump, where the hero meets historic personages, including John Lennon, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The Star Trek franchise, for another example, used the same sequences of planets, starships, backgrounds and explosions over and over again frequently throughout their five original series and ten motion pictures.
Shows for children arguably use the largest amount of stock footage. Consider, for example, Teletubbies, or the Power Rangers. Children respond well to this approach, which basically means that it increases their familiarity with the shows. Of course, issues do occasionally arise, such as the fact that it is easy to get trapped in an inconsistency due to a difference in costume, but clever filming can solve such problems.
Where can you get it?
It's quite self-explanatory that you cannot simply lift scenes from any and every documentary or movie, because the consequences will be severe. However, there are a huge number of resources that you can use, and A Luna Blue is one of them. Some kinds of footage come free of cost, while others can be bought surprisingly cheap online. You'd be surprised at how easy it is.
What should you be careful about?
Using stock footage is a wonderful thing, but make sure that you're using it properly. Make sure that the stock images or video fit into the sequence: audiences can be quite observant when it comes to even the tiniest detail out of place. Inconsistencies may be your downfall when you're using stock footage, especially when characters are a part of the reused sequences. Make sure that the appearance of the actors is exactly the same, including hair, makeup and, of course, clothing. Another thing to avoid is this: using stock footage can make the production repetitive, so play around with the sequences and the music to make it look new every time.
Stock footage, which is in many ways similar to file footage, archive footage and library pictures, is any video or film footage which can be reused in a future film. Obviously, this means that similar scenes do not have to be shot over and over again. One of the most commonly used types of stock footage is that of cities and landmarks. Also in high demand is footage of fauna in their native environment, and famous historical events.
Why use it?
If there is a situation where stock footage can be used, the best option is to use it. Wasting such an opportunity means wasting both money and time. Using stock footage means saving the time and money that would otherwise have gone into shooting it all over again. Keeping production costs down is always a priority, be it for huge studios or for smaller establishments. Larger studios obviously have a choice in the matter, but for many small production houses, that extra expenditure is not something that they can afford.
Where has it been used in the past?
The most obvious example is definitely Oscar-winner Forrest Gump, where the hero meets historic personages, including John Lennon, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The Star Trek franchise, for another example, used the same sequences of planets, starships, backgrounds and explosions over and over again frequently throughout their five original series and ten motion pictures.
Shows for children arguably use the largest amount of stock footage. Consider, for example, Teletubbies, or the Power Rangers. Children respond well to this approach, which basically means that it increases their familiarity with the shows. Of course, issues do occasionally arise, such as the fact that it is easy to get trapped in an inconsistency due to a difference in costume, but clever filming can solve such problems.
Where can you get it?
It's quite self-explanatory that you cannot simply lift scenes from any and every documentary or movie, because the consequences will be severe. However, there are a huge number of resources that you can use, and A Luna Blue is one of them. Some kinds of footage come free of cost, while others can be bought surprisingly cheap online. You'd be surprised at how easy it is.
What should you be careful about?
Using stock footage is a wonderful thing, but make sure that you're using it properly. Make sure that the stock images or video fit into the sequence: audiences can be quite observant when it comes to even the tiniest detail out of place. Inconsistencies may be your downfall when you're using stock footage, especially when characters are a part of the reused sequences. Make sure that the appearance of the actors is exactly the same, including hair, makeup and, of course, clothing. Another thing to avoid is this: using stock footage can make the production repetitive, so play around with the sequences and the music to make it look new every time.
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