An actor holding an easily recognizable object improves the audience's silhouette film experience.
A silhouette movie presents outlined images against a light background that tell a story. The still silhouette originated in France during the 17th century, and when film later developed, silhouette cinema became popular, particularly in France, and also in China, where it's called "shadow films." The advantage of silhouette films over standard film formats is the subtle artistic interpretation of human movement and interaction that compels the audience to pay attention as they follow the story development. The practical aspects of creating successful silhouette films involve achieving an intersection of forward-directed lighting and easily recognizable images that convey a story clearly and convincingly.
Instructions
1. Film an indoor silhouette shot on a stage where the actors perform from behind a screen. Situate a light source behind the actors outside of the camera's view. A professional stage light facing forward casts the most prominent and recognizable images.
2. Include objects in the film with prominent outlines, such as large hats or musical instruments, and recognizable clothing, such as hoop skirts or football uniforms. Dancers, singers and interpretive-movement techniques contribute additional storytelling tools that engage the viewer.
3. Film scenes in the outdoors in the foreground of the most effective light source: the sun. A series of shots of buildings, trees, statues or sculptures in front of a rising or setting sun give the film a natural, less-stylized quality appropriate for certain types of emotions and content.
Tags: easily recognizable, light source, recognizable images, silhouette films
