Learning how to make film

Welma Redd is a storyteller. Although there are many mediums through which she could communicate a narrative, her favorite is film.

Mrs. Redd, 47, of Gaithersburg, is working with Hong Cai, 22, of Northwest, on a graduate-level thesis project that completes their film studies at American University in Northwest. They are creating a documentary titled, “Spirituality: Beyond Religion,” in which five persons of varying backgrounds are followed throughout their daily lives.

“We’re trying to see if there is a golden thread that runs through all religions, or if they are separate, independent things,” Mrs. Redd says. “Viewers can look in the eyes of the person and see if the person is telling the truth.”

With the increasing availability of technology, anyone can make a film. Learning to make it with excellence, however, takes training and diligence. Usually, the nuances of the craft are learned over a lifetime.

Film students can either earn a graduate or bachelor’s degree in the field. Depending on the courses they choose, they will most likely be exposed to all aspects of filmmaking, including writing, directing, sound production, editing, film theory and history. Eventually, they will probably focus on developing their skills in one area. In addition to classroom experience, students rely on hands-on learning in professional settings.

Russell Williams, an artist-in-residence at American University, is teaching his students about what he has experienced in Hollywood. Since he won Academy Awards for best sound for “Glory” and “Dances With Wolves,” Mr. Williams shares insight on what it takes to be a legitimate filmmaker.

For instance, he says great cinematographers study painting to see how the light falls in a room. They also are aware of every sound in the area in which they are shooting.

“By the end of the semester, students hear when the refrigerator turns on and when the dryer turns on,” he says. “They’re paying attention to the traffic outside the window or the air conditioner.”

Since most of Mr. Williams’ pupils are new to the field when they take one of his classes, he makes sure to start with the basics.

“The subject on your film should be in focus,” he says, “unless there’s a specific reason you don’t want it to be in focus. It also should be properly exposed with light that doesn’t look harsh or flat. And the image should be steady.”

Along with mastering the technical aspects of making a film, students need to display originality, says Jake Mahaffy, assistant professor of film at Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. He stresses this with every project his students complete. He also teaches the fundamentals of art, as opposed to film as a business or commercial project.

“My main goal is to get them to think independently, coming up with their own ideas,” he says. “It allows them to be more creative. People want new ideas, generally. It’s much more fulfilling. I want them to make films only they could make.”

For one of Mr. Mahaffy’s classes in film production, Nicole Johnston, 20, of Arlington, a junior in film and photography at Hollins University, illustrated the notion of miscommunication. She used different characters to express difficulties in communicating through sight, sound and speech.

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