Have you ever tried using stock footage yourself? If you're a filmmaker then using stock footage can be really advantageous. There are various reasons why filmmakers use stock footage. Read on to know it has always been an integral part of film making.
Stock footage is a combination of videos, photographs or both. These clips are available for download online at nominal prices. The footage falls into two licensing categories namely royalty-free and rights-managed. Royalty-free licensed footage permits a buyer to use it multiple number of times with single purchase. While rights-managed footage is more exclusive and the buyer needs to specify why and where the footage will be used.
If you're a filmmaker then there are a number of situations where using stock footage can help you. Few of them have been listed below:
Impractical shots
Movies among other visual media have long been a fan of stock footage. One of the most famous examples of usage of this footage in film industry is of the Oscar-winning motion picture "Forrest Gump". In the movie, it was modified with computer generated imagery to show the lead character socializing with historic figures such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and John Lennon. Filming such scene would have been practically impossible in real life.
There are also times when shots are critical to the project but impossible to shoot, for instance, getting an up and close shoot of volcanic eruption or a ravaging tornado. Capturing such shots will not only put your crew in a life threatening situation, but will also increase your budget extensively. It is then a professional quality stock footage can come to a film maker's rescue, helping him achieve amazing results.
Budget constraints
Like we know purchasing a stock footage is much cheaper, especially when compared to on-site shooting expenses. As a filmmaker it comes as a big plus. To be honest every filmmaker prefers to take the trouble of renting a quality camera, traveling to the location, setting up lights and sounds to get that perfect shot. But harsh realities of truth may be that your budget simply does not allow it. This footage on the other hand is within reach for everyone. Anyone from a filmmaker to a student can get something within their budget.
Forgotten shot
This can be one of the most frustrating experiences for any filmmaker. Imagine traveling to a distant location, doing a shoot and coming back only to realize one shot was left to complete. Instead of going through all the trouble of traveling once again to the location to get that single shot, a filmmaker can buy a suitable footage. This will save him a lot of time and money on rescheduling trips.
Out of reach locations
Stock footage can help you incorporate specific background that your project demands. This is particularly useful when you are unable to visit the location yourself due to budget constraints. For example, if your project demands a shot of The Great Wall of China but you are unable to go to China. Then buying a stock footage showing the historic monument and mixing it well with your own shot to give an authentic look will serve the purpose.
Likewise there are many other situations in which the use of stock footage is considered a smart move. As a filmmaker, you just can't escape the charm of this vital resource.
The author of this article is professionally associated with MrFootage, a leading online supplier of Wildlife, War and Disaster and Sports footage among others.
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