Though two extra tracks of audio may seem like a negligible addition, for movies like The Hobbit and some horror flicks where how you hear what you hear is an integral part of the movie watching experience, perhaps the extra points of surround sound will influence how the story is received by audiences. We think this might be the “sound version” of something like the difference between regular projection and IMAX.

Will this extra feature make or break your movie going experience?

These days, heaps of spooky flicks also have a distinct “found footage” look. While some of these movies are actually low budget, others have hefty budgets and utilize software to create a raw and shaky camera effect.

So the next time you sit down for a scare and can’t quite handle the adrenaline rush, we’ll cut you some slack if you have to pull yourself out of the story and start analyzing the finishing work. But… you know… don’t make a habit of it.

The web sensation, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” was aired by The CW network. It got us thinking about the future of web and television content and how they might co-exist, if not entirely intermingle. However, as we’ve seen with the television ratings for “Dr. Horrible”, hugely popular web shows don’t easily jump from one platform to another with the same successes.

One thing’s clear — enough viewers are tuning into web content for networks to take notice. How will the growing popularity of web shows affect network content? Sound off over on our Facebook page.

Budding filmmakers have a lot on their plates. They need a good script and dedicated actors and crew (who are likely friends working for free). What finishing elements can newbie filmmakers implement to sidestep the pitfalls of low resources and elevate the watchability of their projects?

1. Don’t discount music. It’s an important way to set the tone of your piece. If you know a talented composer, singer, or friend who likes to noodle around on his or her guitar, a little mood music can go a long way.

2. Color grading will help your shots match or give the picture an overall feel if you’re going for a stylized look.

3. Sound design will help fill out the soundscape of the world you’re trying to create. Mixing will make listening to your movie a better experience by controlling volume levels.

These are by no means the only things you can do to help out your project after you shoot, but by utilizing these basic post practices, more folks might give your project a nod of consideration. Good luck!

With all the advances in picture quality, audiences can now see every crease, dimple and blemish on actors in high def even with proper makeup; this brings to mind how some actors were out of jobs when sound was introduced, because their voices may not have matched their good looks. To counter their imperfections, post-production companies use various digital enhancement techniques to rid actors of their rough edges. These days, virtually anything can be enhanced, often times begging the question of whether or not it should.

Under the new law, the qualified film and television post production credit increases from 10 percent to 30 percent in the New York metropolitan commuter region, including New York City and Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties.

So go forth and film! Then bring your post to us.
Excited about this new incentive? Tell us about it on our Facebook page.

This quest for hyper-realism makes us wonder how much post-production is admissible when the content we’re consuming is “live.” For example, football fans don’t have a problem with those line graphics that pop up on the field during the game to show “first downs” or “second ups” or what have you.

So let’s take it from audio to visual, as these guys have. By creating a visual spectacle that only at-home viewers could see, the producers made two separate realities, and sorta fibbed about what was happening with both.

How far do you think post-production can go before you feel like they’ve distorted “live” events too far? And with the Olympic Games’ opening ceremonies happening RIGHT NOW, have we just warped your whole perception of the famed event? Sound off over on our Facebook page.

Twitch managed the edit, color grade, and delivery. Take a gander at the spot on Persona Films’ Vimeo, and if you’re so inclined, we’d be delighted to hear your thoughts over on the Twitch Facebook page.

They’ve got a following and an archive of content. Makes us wonder — as distributors figure out the internet, will we start consuming more international content? Slumdog Millionaire gave us a little bit of Bollywood; will international content start having more influence on American motion pictures?

Lots of folks like to complain about how there’s nothing good to watch; perhaps we just haven’t known where to look.

Sound off over on our Facebook page — do you have a favorite piece of world cinema?